UMD and the Craft(Alchemy) skill

[IcyCool]

The Craft(Alchemy) skill states that you must be a spellcaster in order to use it. Can a successful Use Magic Device check to emulate spell casting ability allow a non-spellcaster to use the Craft(Alchemy) skill?

 

[Infiniti2000]

The Craft(Alchemy) skill states that you must be a spellcaster in order to use it. Can a successful Use Magic Device check to emulate spell casting ability allow a non-spellcaster to use the Craft(Alchemy) skill?

No. UMD is for activating a magic item, not for creating stuff.

Emulate a Class Feature

Sometimes you need to use a class feature to activate a magic item. In this case, your effective level in the emulated class equals your Use Magic Device check result minus 20. This skill does not let you actually use the class feature of another class. It just lets you activate items as if you had that class feature.

 

[PallidPatience]

More to the point, you have to have spellcasting ability to even learn Craft (Alchemy). It's supposedly based upon actual understanding of the principles of magic, or something. I'd really prefer needing a rank of Knowledge (arcana) per rank of Craft (alchemy) if that was the case, though, since none of the things crafted by Craft (Alchemy) is considered actually magical.

 

[heirodule]

I hate that 3.5 rule.

Alchemy should not require spellcasting ability.

 

[Bad Paper]

More to the point, you have to have spellcasting ability to even learn Craft (Alchemy).

uhhh, no, it doesn't say that anywhere. You simply have to be a spellcaster to create alchemical items. Anyone can learn alchemy. The distinction is important in rare cases, such as for the Pyrokineticist prestige class, which requires one rank in Craft (alchemy). You don't actually have to be a spellcaster.

 

[BlackSeed_Vash]

Check CAdv, I believe there are some non-spellcaster required alchemical items there.

 

[irdeggman]

Right it doesn't state you must be a spellcaster to take ranks in craft (alchemy) but most applications require the character to be a spellcaster. That is where it comes into play, and UMD won't work for the purpose. The skill specifically applies only to using magic devices (liek the name).

 

[Sigurd]

To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster. -- PHB p.71

I would rule you can't take the skill unless you know enough to use it. Non spellcasters can't take craft alchemy.

I'm curious - what are you eager to make?

 

[frankthedm]

I hate that 3.5 rule.

Alchemy should not require spellcasting ability.

That is why there are houserules.