(3.5) blacksmithing question

[Zanthy1]

So whats the difference from taking Profession: Blacksmithing and Craft: Blacksmithing.

craft to me seems like you make something, however if your profession is a blacksmith, one would assume you could do the same.

If a character wanted to be able to make weapons and armor, mostly mundane, some masterwork, which skill would be the one to put points in? does it matter?

Also, if said blacksmith were to make some equipment with magical enchantments, what skill/feat would be for that? (I know about the item creation feat, but what if I just wanted him to make +1, +2, +3 weps and such, what spell would that be I guess).

[silverwolfer]

Only difference is well nothing

[Zanthy1]

Only difference is well nothing

Yeah thats what I was thinking. Except for the ability score that is used for it it seems

[Deadline]

Page 71 of the Player's Handbook shows what craft skills are used for making which types of items. Craft:Armorsmithing for armor, Craft:Weaponsmithing for weapons, Craft:Bowmaking for bows, Craft:Alchemy for alchemical items.

For making magic items, you need to be a spellcaster and have the appropriate item creation feat for the type of item you want to make.

Craft Magic Arms and Armor is the feat you need to craft magic weapons, armors, and shields. It doesn't matter if you are making a +1 weapon, or a +1 flaming weapon, you must have this feat.

[KillianHawkeye]

Only difference is well nothing

That's incorrect.

Deadline already mentioned the skills you need to craft various things. I will add that Profession(blacksmith) would be the skill used to manage and run a smithery. It's all the other little skills needed to run that business aside from the actual item crafting.

[Edenbeast]

In my opinion, the profession skill allows you to earn money. Say you arrive in some village and you need some coin. You propose to the local blacksmith to aid him for a week. You role a profession (blacksmithing) and you do your job and get paid for it.
The craft skill allows you craft a specific item, like weapons, armor, or carpets.

So basically, if you want to craft your own weapons or armor, I'd suggest you take the craft skill. If it's something related to your character's background, like the blacksmith's son, then maybe he helped his father as he grew up and has a few ranks in the profession skill, but is not necessarily a master in crafting anything specific.

[TuggyNE]

Killian is correct; Craft is for making things, including essentially all of actual blacksmithing, while Profession is for the stuff that professional blacksmiths need to manage in order to run their shop. Profession is the difference between an amateur and a professional, since both can be equally skilled at crafting items.

[Zanthy1]

Hmm that is a good way to describe the difference. Thank you! The character (an NPC) is just a man who works as a blacksmith, making armor and weapons, but does not own the forge. He is essentially an employee who focus on special jobs (masterwork, exotic, custom weapons. All non-magical unless a "specialist" is brought in.) So I figure he would have craft as apposed to profession. Unless I am misunderstanding everything ya'll previously said lol

[TuggyNE]

Hmm that is a good way to describe the difference. Thank you! The character (an NPC) is just a man who works as a blacksmith, making armor and weapons, but does not own the forge. He is essentially an employee who focus on special jobs (masterwork, exotic, custom weapons. All non-magical unless a "specialist" is brought in.) So I figure he would have craft as apposed to profession. Unless I am misunderstanding everything ya'll previously said lol

That's probably correct. He'd basically be making Craft: Blacksmithing checks, either on his own or as Aid Another.