Knowledge: Arcana or Spellcraft

[BluWolf]

Do you all use both of these skills??? Are they redundant?

Just curious because I have seen both skills referenced.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

Salutations,

I view Spellcraft as Craft(spells) - it is good for identifying spells, the effect of spells, and material used for/created by spells.

Knowledge (arcana) - is knowing the history of arcane magic, prominent spell casters, stories on items and such.

It is the understanding of how things work versus having the understanding of what has worked in the past and who has done that work.

FD

 

[The Sigil]

I use both:

Spellcraft - Identify a spell as it is being cast. "Controlling" spells when casting them yourself.

Knowledge (arcana) - Identify a spell already cast by material components/foci still in place. Identify material components/foci needed for a specific spell. Research new spells. Also may be thought of as Knowledge (magic history).

IOW - Spellcraft is "experimental work" and is the stuff you do "on the fly" while Knowledge (arcana) is the "theory work" and is the stuff you do "in the classroom."

This also explains (to me) why you have to make Spellcraft checks for Epic Spells - no amount of intellectual knowledge prepares you for the difficulty/strain of throwing these "in reality."

--The Sigil

 

[Crothian]

I use both as well. In fact I expanded upon them for my spell creation and research rules. Knowledge Arcana is used to get to research the spell and assign the parameters of the spell. Then Spellcraft fintunes it and assigns the material companents and level.

 

[BluWolf]

But doesn't this "split approach" to magical knowledge punish arcane spell casters considering their relatively low skills per level?

Is there a corralation between core skills of other classes??

 

[Furn_Darkside]

But doesn't this "split approach" to magical knowledge punish arcane spell casters considering their relatively low skills per level?

Is there a corralation between core skills of other classes??

I look at it this way- the main people arcane casters to center around this knowldge and craft of magic is the wizard. The wizard has a high int- so they are making up the skill points there.

Are all wizards going to be as studious? No, some wizards are not interested in the how, why, or what of magic- but in the power that exists. Those wizards would not put skill points there.

Do other classes have this kind of situation?

The only two I can think of is appraise and knowledge (jewelry) for a rogue.

Or Knowledge (nature) versus Wilderness Lore.

FD