[3.5] The paradox of master craftsmen.

[Isamu Dyson]

How does a layman gather enough experience to become a master craftsman when there are usually gross XP costs required to forge a piece of equipment that is a fine example of it's kind?

[mabriss lethe]

If you're talking non-magical crafting, then there isn't an Exp cost. The only costs are time, money, and materials. Not even masterwork items require any Exp expenditure, just more time and more money.

Here are the rules. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/craft.htm)

Edit: Since a character can take 20 with the craft skill check, even a moderately competent Level 1 commoner can manage to make MW weapons and armor, given enough time.

[Deophaun]

Edit: Since a character can take 20 with the craft skill check...
You can't take 20 with craft checks, because there are penalties for failure. (Fail by 5 or more, ruin half the materials)

[Gavinfoxx]

You can Take 10 just fine, though.