I apologize if this has been covered already, but I wanted to clarify something. Per the 2024 DMG, crafting magic items (including potions) requires Arcana. However, anyone that has proficiency with a Herbalist's Kit can craft a standard Potion of Healing. It is listed as a common magic item, but does not require Arcana. Is this exception limited to that one potion? All common potions? Can other, more complicated/powerful potions be made the same way without Arcana?
I am going to be starting up a new campaign with 2024 rules and wanted to be clear before my players start asking.
It looks like under the ‘24 rules only basic potions of healing get a modified crafting rate; in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything there’s a table with alternate speeds for crafting the higher tiers, but the 2024 DMG seems to have dropped that. What exactly that means for any given campaign is between the DM and players.
Well, in fact, Arcana is required for all the Magic Items, except the common Potion of Healing, as you said, and for scribing Spell Scrolls (you must have proficiency in the Arcana skill or with Calligrapher’s Supplies)
In that sense, it's true XGtE is less demanding:
To complete a magic item, a character also needs whatever tool proficiency is appropriate, as for crafting a nonmagical object, or proficiency in the Arcana skill.
And:
Brewing Potions of Healing. Potions of healing fall into a special category for item crafting, separate from other magic items. A character who has proficiency with the herbalism kit can create these potions. The times and costs for doing so are summarized on the Potion of Healing Creation table.
If you compare time and cost, there are also some differences (I halved time and cost in the case of the DMG):
DMG does state that consumable items (other than scrolls) take 1/2 the time/cost per item, which helps in that aspect, I was just curious about the requirement for Arcana. I guess, as DM, I can make up my own mind, but official clarification would be helpful
One of my new characters is a monk with proficiency in Herbalist's Kit, but not Arcana. Can they make potion of the pugilist, or do they need someone with the Arcana skill to make it for them?
[...] One of my new characters is a monk with proficiency in Herbalist's Kit, but not Arcana. Can they make potion of the pugilist, or do they need someone with the Arcana skill to make it for them?
With the new rules, you need Arcana except for the common Potion of Healing.
Thank you for the information/clarification. I very much appreciate it. Ultimately, I guess it's up to me, but for the time being, I'm going with the rules as written.
Thank you for the information/clarification. I very much appreciate it. Ultimately, I guess it's up to me, but for the time being, I'm going with the rules as written.
Yeah, if you can stick with the new PHB+DMG rules for crafting and your players are happy with them, all the better!
FYI for further clarity on consumables in general, it does state in the 2024 DMG that all consumables (that aren't specifically mentioned) are 1/2 the time and gp as non-consumables.
Edit: not sure how i missed the table on pg 221 but its specified there. Probably the pp on Tools sent me to Phb and i clicked through on my phone too fast 😳
Old “There is still some ambiguity here as no tool says its grants you the ability to craft potions that aren’t healing. I frequently see folks mention Alchemist Supplies or Herbalism Kit but thats not in their description. My sense is this is just not very well thought out or fleshed out and you should do what is logical for your group. RAW says its not possible which is silly and as there isn't enough effort put into the 2024 rules here its hard to say yea thats RAI with high confidence.
Another omission I expect you run into are wraps of power for your Monk. I could see arguments for both Leather or Weaving. Have a conversation with your group upfront.”
It's left somewhat fluid by design because putting everything in a box creates fairly unnecessary limits all further development needs to refer back to. It's not an omission to make multiple types of tools valid, it's a deliberate choice to make crafting more accessible.
With new options to use hit dice and restoring all on Long Rest, seems that better healing potions are now some rarier as are the items to heal in combat at higher levels, then use the base healing potions to heal out of combat if required because are cheaper to craft (in time which matters).
But, can you use the XGtE rules for Healing potions with the 2024 rules or does 2024 rules supersede XGtE on this? I'd say yes because the 2024 DMG doesn't specifically call out rules for higher rarity Healing potions in the crafting section, and the 2024 PHB only mentions the basic one
Hello Everyone,
I apologize if this has been covered already, but I wanted to clarify something. Per the 2024 DMG, crafting magic items (including potions) requires Arcana. However, anyone that has proficiency with a Herbalist's Kit can craft a standard Potion of Healing. It is listed as a common magic item, but does not require Arcana. Is this exception limited to that one potion? All common potions? Can other, more complicated/powerful potions be made the same way without Arcana?
I am going to be starting up a new campaign with 2024 rules and wanted to be clear before my players start asking.
Thanks in advance
It looks like under the ‘24 rules only basic potions of healing get a modified crafting rate; in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything there’s a table with alternate speeds for crafting the higher tiers, but the 2024 DMG seems to have dropped that. What exactly that means for any given campaign is between the DM and players.
Yes, if you follow the new rules, Arcana is required for crafting Greater healing, Superior healing or Supreme healing potions.
Well, in fact, Arcana is required for all the Magic Items, except the common Potion of Healing, as you said, and for scribing Spell Scrolls (you must have proficiency in the Arcana skill or with Calligrapher’s Supplies)
In that sense, it's true XGtE is less demanding:
And:
If you compare time and cost, there are also some differences (I halved time and cost in the case of the DMG):
DMG does state that consumable items (other than scrolls) take 1/2 the time/cost per item, which helps in that aspect, I was just curious about the requirement for Arcana. I guess, as DM, I can make up my own mind, but official clarification would be helpful
One of my new characters is a monk with proficiency in Herbalist's Kit, but not Arcana. Can they make potion of the pugilist, or do they need someone with the Arcana skill to make it for them?
With the new rules, you need Arcana except for the common Potion of Healing.
seems to me you need Arcana AND one of these: Alchemist’s Supplies or Herbalism Kit
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/dmg-2024/treasure#CraftingMagicItems
As specifically noted in that section, common Potions of Healing are an exception to the crafting timeframe and Arcana requirement.
There are a couple of interesting recent articles here in DDB about this topic:
Thank you for the information/clarification. I very much appreciate it. Ultimately, I guess it's up to me, but for the time being, I'm going with the rules as written.
Yeah, if you can stick with the new PHB+DMG rules for crafting and your players are happy with them, all the better!
FYI for further clarity on consumables in general, it does state in the 2024 DMG that all consumables (that aren't specifically mentioned) are 1/2 the time and gp as non-consumables.
Edit: not sure how i missed the table on pg 221 but its specified there. Probably the pp on Tools sent me to Phb and i clicked through on my phone too fast 😳
Old “There is still some ambiguity here as no tool says its grants you the ability to craft potions that aren’t healing. I frequently see folks mention Alchemist Supplies or Herbalism Kit but thats not in their description. My sense is this is just not very well thought out or fleshed out and you should do what is logical for your group. RAW says its not possible which is silly and as there isn't enough effort put into the 2024 rules here its hard to say yea thats RAI with high confidence.
Another omission I expect you run into are wraps of power for your Monk. I could see arguments for both Leather or Weaving. Have a conversation with your group upfront.”
You find a table for suggested tools for magic item crafting based on item in the DMG
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/dmg-2024/treasure#MagicItemTools
It's left somewhat fluid by design because putting everything in a box creates fairly unnecessary limits all further development needs to refer back to. It's not an omission to make multiple types of tools valid, it's a deliberate choice to make crafting more accessible.
With new options to use hit dice and restoring all on Long Rest, seems that better healing potions are now some rarier as are the items to heal in combat at higher levels, then use the base healing potions to heal out of combat if required because are cheaper to craft (in time which matters).
But, can you use the XGtE rules for Healing potions with the 2024 rules or does 2024 rules supersede XGtE on this? I'd say yes because the 2024 DMG doesn't specifically call out rules for higher rarity Healing potions in the crafting section, and the 2024 PHB only mentions the basic one
That's up to any given DM to decide.