Herbalism for non-druid non-rangers

[Drakill Tannan]

I like herbalism a lot, and agree Rangers and Druids should have a great bonus to it, but it seems unfair they are the only ones who get any bonus at all, considering everything in NWN is about bonuses. I belive there are other characters than rangers or druids who could have good reasons to know herbalism, such as:

A wizard who often wanders the land and studies the propieties of plants. A non-magical healer of any kind. Random farmpeople with "home recipies" made of herbs who uses them often.. etc.

How about selling items that modified the herbalism check? Something like "Herbalism tool +1". That allowed a player with no animal emphaty to reach up to something like +7 when all were gathered? Druid and rangers would still benefit a lot, because not only they don't have to buy it, they can easilty reach higher.

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

This can go under that level 5 special thingie feat thing mort was talking about, otherwise, this is undesireable.

[Drakill Tannan]

This can go under that level 5 special thingie feat thing mort was talking about, otherwise, this is undesireable.

Umm.. didn't know about that. CAn you share a link?

[GravenKiss]

A high lore wizard/sorcerer/any class should be able to handle herbalismn pretty well.

I still don't understand why AE is included into a check that deals only with dead animal parts afaik though.

[FleetingHeart]

A high lore wizard/sorcerer/any class should be able to handle herbalismn pretty well.

I still don't understand why AE is included into a check that deals only with dead animal parts afaik though.

For lack of anything better. The Animal Empathy skill encompasses knowledge of animals -and- plants on EFU:A. It also provides a convenient way to offer druids and rangers a class specific bonus towards herbalism if they choose.

But, as has been said a decent lore skill will go a long ways with basic recipes. Will you be making all the uber cool loot? No. But you will likely be able to handle the basics without much issue.

One thing I wonder though... Does AE gear count towards the skill check even if the character does not possess the skill naturally?

[Snoteye]

It doesn't.

[Drakill Tannan]

Perhaps it can be made so?

[FleetingHeart]

If it doesn't already then it can't be made to. The problem is that your character -must- have at least one skill point assigned by virtue of a level in a class that has access to it. Without that one point the skill won't even show up on your character sheet. Without it listed there the game has no way of knowing what your score would be as a result of worn gear. It is simply ignored.

[lovethesuit]

Nobody's using Craft Weapon/Craft Armor, and they're both related to Intelligence as an ability. Why not switch it over to those?

[FleetingHeart]

Imagine you were a druid herbalist who woke up tomorrow completely incapable of making your more powerful recipes because the skill was changed.

The fact is, herbalism is -not- barred to other classes. Honestly, the items for basic recipes are common enough drops. Seek them out and -try- them. You'll be surprised at what a semi decent lore skill will get you. The most powerful things? Yes, they will likely be unattainable, but that doesn't mean you can't dabble.

Remember too that much of Alchemy is unattainable for the common adventurer and only the most dedicated caster classes are going to be able to attain high level items. That doesn't mean that people with Lore only can't pull off some of the basic recipes there too.

Of course now that I've gone through all of that, I am beginning to wonder if it would be possible to make the formula for Herbalism skill a little more complicated... Something like AE (or 1/2 Craft Weapon whichever is higher) + Druid level + Ranger Level + Lore.

This would effect practically no change for current herbalists and would still make Druids and Rangers the kings of the trade. Meanwhile it would open it up -slightly- more for other classes.

[Egon the Monkey]

You don't nee AE gear. Remember wizards/sorcs/bards have access to Identify, which is ridiculously powerful for high DC crafting checks, adding 10+Caster Level to your Lore skill. Not to mention a wizard can prep Fox's Cunning and Owl's Wisdom to add a couple more ranks.

It is not hard for a mage to be able to do even some pretty strong herb checks with enough Heal gear. Ahmed can, and he's a Necromancer, so he can't even cast ID.

[FleetingHeart]

Yeah. I had forgotten those buffs. Actually a bard could make a pretty fantastic herbalist with their level bonus to Identify and their access to buff spells.

[Drakill Tannan]

So, right now, lore modifies the check or not?

[FleetingHeart]

Right now, the formula for your Herbalism check is as follows:

Druid Level + Ranger Level + Animal Empathy + Lore

So, if you are a level 10 fighter with 13 Lore. Your herbalism check is 13.

If you are a level 10 druid with 13 lore and 13 AE, your check is 36.

[Drakill Tannan]

Oh... didn't know that...