Are alchemical items magical

[Laniius]

Basically what the heading says. To craft alchemical items one needs to be a spellcaster, but once the item is crafted is it considered magical?

[Veyr]

I'd say no, considering how they are described and the fact that they are in the Equipment and Services section, not the Magic Items section.

[holywhippet]

You are getting things confused I think. Alchemy in D&D is things like alchemists fire, acid flasks etc. You need to be a spellcaster to make potions as you need to place spells in those potions.

Alchemical items are not magical. Potions are.

To make alchemical items you just need ranks in craft: alchemy. You don't need to be any specific class to do so.

[Sarco_Phage]

Like holywhippet said, nope. In DnD, Alchemy is basically chemistry.

[Thurbane]

You are getting things confused I think. Alchemy in D&D is things like alchemists fire, acid flasks etc. You need to be a spellcaster to make potions as you need to place spells in those potions.

Alchemical items are not magical. Potions are.

3.5 has the (IMHO silly) rule that you must have spellcaster levels to craft alchemical items.

Having said that, I'm pretty sure the end result does not radiate magic, and is non-magical (or pseudo-magical, if you prefer).

[Veyr]

Actually, he's right:
{table=head]Item | Craft Skill | DC
Acid | Alchemy¹ | 15
Alchemist’s fire, smokestick, or tindertwig | Alchemy¹ | 20
Antitoxin, sunrod, tanglefoot bag, or thunderstone | Alchemy¹ | 25
{colsp=3} ...
{colsp=3}1. You must be a spellcaster to craft any of these items.[/table]

[Sarco_Phage]

3.5 has the (IMHO silly) rule that you must have spellcaster levels to craft alchemical items.

What the ass? I don't remember that.

Oh well.

[Thurbane]

IIRC, it was a change implemented from 3.0 to 3.5.

[tyckspoon]

What the ass? I don't remember that.

Oh well.

That could be because it's flipping stupid.

And to the thread question: No. If they were, they'd be useful for more than making Touch Sneak Attacks.

[holywhippet]

Ah, my mistake, from the SRD: [quote="srd"]To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster. [/srd]

[Thurbane]

My advice is to either totally ignore this requirement, or house rule it as a skilltrick - spend 2 skill points, and you count as a spellcaster for the purposes of crafting alchemical items.