Crafting and weapon proficiencies

[Zaraides]

For some of the crafting you need to wield an instrument, like the Woodcutter’s Axe for cutting branches in woodcrafting. Since the item used is treated as a weapon, you need to correct weapon proficiency to be able to craft. In the case of woodcrafting, this is Weapon Proficiency (Martial).

All I can think of to get around this problem (not able to wield the instrument) is do either:
- Invest a feat for the weapon proficiency. However, for most classes this is nearly impossible since the few slots they get, are already more or less taken up by other important feats (like the Eschew Material feat for wizards/sorcerers)
- Multiclass with a class which has this particular feat
- Party up with a character that does have the skill

Neither seem reasonable to me. For my sorceress, I want to take woodcrafting, but I can't fit the martial weapon proficiency in. Nor is it always possible to party up - for instance if there is nobody available online.

Also, in the case of a woodcutter's axe - nearly everybody in RL will have held and maybe even used such a thing without formal training.

Is there a way to get around this requirement? If your character doesn't have the appropriate feat, is there another way to do this particular type of crafting?

--Z

[darkstorme]

There is no way to get around this requirement.  It is a limitation of the engine, and not something that's going to change.

Most characters who want to take up woodcrafting but who do not want to burn a feat in Martial Weapons (my main character burned one way back in the day) just buy wood from someone who CAN chop it.  Likewise, for Smelting, making jewelry through Gemcrafting, and so on, your best bet is either to find a party with whom to go mining (which is likely your best bet anyway) or purchase ore/ingots from those who can wield a pick.

Wizards have it a bit easier, because of all their bonus feats - they can usually invest a feat in MW without having to give up Eschew at any level.  Part of the tradeoff for the power that comes with the Sorcerer class is this limitation as well.

Regardless, the answer stays the same - take a feat, party with someone who does have it, or spend some True to get wood delivered to you.  (I go with the latter, for my bard.  It makes the economy go 'round!)

[Hellblazer]

Talk To feh

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

Druids can make fires and forage for wood, the only class that can't use the hand axe that can gather wood...  Maybe this ability should be available to everyone, just maybe not as successfully as a Druid?

You'd think anyone could wander around the woods for a bit and find some not rotting logs or large branches...

[Gulnyr]

I agree it's weird that not everyone can use an axe to hit a tree.  At the same time, I think it's good that not everyone can do anything and everything.  It helps bring characters together and offers a tiny spark of economy.  So, there's a good side to the seeming senselessness of it.

[Zaraides]

Talk To feh

Heh, I was afraid you were going to suggest this

--Z

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

You could track down Tyra if Feh is too much  

[miltonyorkcastle]

And Tyra's not "too much?

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

Tyra's not a Male...  lets put it that way  

[miltonyorkcastle]

**coughs**

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

*snickers evilly*

[lonnarin]

I think it's *hilarious* that commoners can't chop wood.  Isn't that what they.. do? The Dark Ages winter must have REALLY been dismal then!

"oi, go out and chop us some logs for the wood-stove son. Tis a frigid night and me toes falling off"
"ok dad!" *walks outside, picks up the axe and explodes into a pile of gore*
"Why Bioware, Why!  Twas only a common everyday tool!  Ain't ye ever played Warcraft?"

What, like making a -4 attack penalty like in PnP was rocket science?  Bloody hardcoded limitations.  Can't wait till the MMORPG.

Until then, my best advice is to adopt a half-giant.  They lift more than a dwarf and you can pay them in raw meat.

[Zaraides]

I think it's *hilarious* that commoners can't chop wood.

Actually, I think it would be possible to change the required item for chopping wood from woodcutter's axe to some weapon that can be used with the simple weapon proficiency feat. However, it wouldn't look as good if you were chopping wood with a ... sickle?

But most of all, I realize it would be some piece of work to change this part of the CNR engine. Suriel will have to get others to chop her wood for her, no problem. Maybe even Fehriel... or Tyra...

--Z

[Hellblazer]

Tyra's not a Male...  lets put it that way  

Yeah well Zaraide knows where feh stands so *stick his tongue out*