D&D 3e/3.5e/d20The forum for conversations specifically related to the rules and procedures of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition, 3.5 Edition, or any fantasy game using the d20 system or a variant thereof (commercially published or not).
In regard to the two skills, which is applied when a profession involves creating objects?
For example, if there is a hatter, does he or she use profession (hatter) or craft (headwear) when practicing his or her trade? Is this merely DM fiat, more clearly defined in the rules, or something else entirely?
To cap it off, what if a character had ranks in both skills? Would they band together? Would the highest one take precedence? Would the skill that seemed to apply more take precedence?
__________________
Avatar by Sgt. Pepper
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saskia
One of the primary qualities that a Germanic hero exhibits almost universally is a sharp wit and never being caught at a loss for words and always always come out on top because he's more clever than the other guy. A riddle is very much like a verbal Rorschach test in that if you're doing it right, there is never one definitive "right" answer; It's supposed to be an exercise in lateral thinking and problem solving.
This is just something that occurred to me: I have no specific plans for it. How would it matter either way?
__________________
Avatar by Sgt. Pepper
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saskia
One of the primary qualities that a Germanic hero exhibits almost universally is a sharp wit and never being caught at a loss for words and always always come out on top because he's more clever than the other guy. A riddle is very much like a verbal Rorschach test in that if you're doing it right, there is never one definitive "right" answer; It's supposed to be an exercise in lateral thinking and problem solving.
Craft (Headwear) is someone that makes hats. Profession (Hat Shopkeeper) is someone who sells them. Presumably, someone who wants to sell hats that they make will have ranks in both - Craft (Headwear) is for special orders ("I want my hat like so." *takes notes*), while Profession represents your usual sales ("I'm looking for a hat." "Here, let me show you what I have.")
No, it's not a perfect system.
__________________
The name is "tonberrian", even when it begins a sentence. It's magic, I ain't gotta 'splain why.
Cold Snap avatar by kpenguin, her GM.
Full pic:
Spoiler
Last edited by tonberrian : 11-15-2012 at 08:14 PM.
While a Craft skill represents ability in creating or making an item, a Profession skill represents an aptitude in a vocation requiring a broader range of less specific knowledge
Craft: Making items.
Profession: might include making items, but only if that's a minor part of the job.
As for the hat crafter, someone making his life on a business probably have more than one skill related to it
Craft (tailoring)
Profession (shopkeeper)
Last edited by docnessuno : 11-15-2012 at 08:19 PM.
Profession is the service industry. Craft is the goods industry. Anything that produces a tangible product, like cheese-making, is a Craft skill. Anything that provides a service, like being a waitress or a cook, is a Profession.
__________________
Witty sig here nosey, aren't ya?
Craft is also *Usually* reserved for expensive or permanent items. For instance, Poison is a Craft, but Brewmaster is a Profession. You can brew and sell alcohol without a Craft check, but in order to make actual debilitating poison requires a craft: Poison.
Basically, anything which is primarilly a good is a Craft, anything that is primarilly a service is a Profession, which is why most food and drink is covered in Profession.
Also, it's worth noting that Craft isn't as guerunteed to net you a steady income, where profession is.
Craft is also *Usually* reserved for expensive or permanent items. For instance, Poison is a Craft, but Brewmaster is a Profession. You can brew and sell alcohol without a Craft check, but in order to make actual debilitating poison requires a craft: Poison.
This is incorrect. Alcohol production is a Craft skill, as set forth in the Arms&Equipment Guide. It's 3.0 edition, but it still applies to 3.5.
__________________
Witty sig here nosey, aren't ya?
Oh? I hadn't heard that one before. I thought it was part and parcel of running a tavern. Poor innkeepers need three class skills, now...
Not necessarily. You can hire a cook for only 1 sp a day, or have your spouse/children/salvaged golem do it. Alcohol can be bought from a supplier if you're too lazy or stupid to brew it yourself.
__________________
Witty sig here nosey, aren't ya?
Profession is more (customer) service, and crafting is more manufacturing type. I'm sure that's not a perfect for every case definition, but basically that's how it looks.
Kind of adding to the echos but directly from the craft and profession skills in the 3.5 PHB:
"A Craft skill is specifically focused on creating something. If nothing is created by the endeavor, it probably falls under the heading of a Profession skill."
"While a Craft skill represents ability in creating or making an item, a Profession skill represents an aptitude in a vocation requiring a broader range of less specific knowledge. To draw a modern analogy, if an occupation is a service industry, it’s probably a Profession skill. If it’s in the manufacturing
sector, it’s probably a Craft skill."
For a simple example, an architect with Profession (Architect) has knowledge of how structures are made and can design them. However, he/she would be unable to make a structure they designed without the needed craft skills such as Craft (Carpentry,) Craft (Stone Masonry,) etc.
Last edited by AlchemicalMyst : 11-15-2012 at 11:19 PM.
In D&D, Profession () exists solely to generate an income for the character, without details about what the character actually does to earn it. Craft () is all about the details of making things.
RSS Feeds: 
Profession vs. Craft
