D&D 3E/3.5 Skill to use for Poison in 3.5 (Unnumbered PHB only please)

[Zhaleskra]

I'm working on 3.5 game with a dash of BESM d20: the character points, the attributes (ignoring some), and the defects. Using the Forbidden Kingdom's "setting", I'm setting an anime series in the 1930s, giving it a steampu(lp/nk)/retrotech feel.

Anyway, one of the characters is a terrible cook. Per BESM d20's suggestion, gave her "Confuses Poison and Cooking Skill 1". The closest thing I could find was Craft: Alchemy, if you can use it to create an antitoxin why not a toxin?

Suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[irdeggman]

The problem is that craft (Alchemy) requires the character to be a spellcaster. So even though it says craft (Alchemy) is used to make an anti-toxin it basically as writtten it eliminates a rogue from being a good poisoner. That is why it subsequent books the craft (poison) skill was introduced.

If you don't want to create a new skill then use survival to make "natural" poisons since it gives the ability to strip and prepare animals for eating (sufficiently to survive).

This is one of the times where one of the listed profession skills might actually work better - even though the principle of profession versus craft would defy the logic. Profession (apothocary) or Profession (herbalist) might fit the bill.

All characters have craft as a class skill, but not so survival or profession.

 

[James the Newbie]

The complete adventurer has
Craft (Poisonmaking)
as one of the craft choices? (Page 98)

 

[Zhaleskra]

The problem is that craft (Alchemy) requires the character to be a spellcaster. So even though it says craft (Alchemy) is used to make an anti-toxin it basically as writtten it eliminates a rogue from being a good poisoner. That is why it subsequent books the craft (poison) skill was introduced.

Funny you mention rogues, since she is FK's version, a Scoundrel. She does have some FK psionic skills, one as a class skill and a couple cross-class. Basically, the idea is she thinks her mistakes are long in the past, but every time she cooks it's harmful even to her. I may just do that Craft (poisonmaking) even though I don't have the book it's in, or I could just use the Poisons skill from BESM d20, though it'll probably be the only BESM d20 skill I use.

 

[Greenfield]

The problem is that craft (Alchemy) requires the character to be a spellcaster. So even though it says craft (Alchemy) is used to make an anti-toxin it basically as writtten it eliminates a rogue from being a good poisoner. That is why it subsequent books the craft (poison) skill was introduced.

Not exactly correct. You can take as many skill points in Craft Alchemy as you like. The book doesn't restrict it.

What the rules do restrict is the use of the skill to create alchemical items. In fact, if you want to get extremely technical, the restriction is listed item by item, rather than there being a blanket restriction.

It's a thin distinction, I know, but there are other uses for the skill, such as identifying potions. And, at the DM's discretion, the crafting of poisons, which aren't listed as alchemical items that require a spell caster.

 

[irdeggman]

Not exactly correct. You can take as many skill points in Craft Alchemy as you like. The book doesn't restrict it.

What the rules do restrict is the use of the skill to create alchemical items. In fact, if you want to get extremely technical, the restriction is listed item by item, rather than there being a blanket restriction.

It's a thin distinction, I know, but there are other uses for the skill, such as identifying potions. And, at the DM's discretion, the crafting of poisons, which aren't listed as alchemical items that require a spell caster.

Actually it says to craft an item using the craft (alchemy) skill you must also be a spellcrafter. It doesn't say it only to craft alchemical items. So if you would use it to craft a poison then you can't do it per RAW if you are not a spellcaster.

 

[Zhaleskra]

Anyway, I have given C-ko the Poisons skill from BESM d20. Though on her sheet the word Poisons has been formatted to have a single strike through it in most cases, with "Cooking" after it, yes, including the quotes.