What would you do with Expertise in Arcana?

[soldersbushwack]

What would you do with Expertise in Arcana?

I think a base of Rogue 1 / Warlock 2 with the Eldritch Sight invocation might be very interesting. They would be very good at detecting and disabling magical traps.

[Specter]

I don't know, maybe know a lot of stuff about planes and specific magic items? Also, Knowledge Cleric is another path for that.

[uraniumrooster]

I think it would mostly only benefit you out of combat, knowing a lot about the nature of magic, the planes, etc.

I know some DMs have characters make Arcana checks to identify spells as they're being cast. In that case it could be extremely valuable, but most of the DMs I know just operate with open information and let the players know what spell is being cast by default, to keep things simple and not slow down combat.

I've also seen DMs allow Arcana proficiency to apply when using Counterspell or Dispel Magic, but technically those spells just call for a raw ability check using your spellcasting mod, so Arcana proficiency or Expertise shouldn't apply. But, it might be worth asking your DM, as that could also be a handy benefit that isn't super overpowered, but that fits well with the concept of a character who is truly an expert in all things magical.

As a side note, it's always kind of bothered me that Bards, Rogues and Knowledge Clerics can be Arcane experts, but Wizards can't without multi-classing.

[wunderkid]

Arcana is used to identify and disarm magical traps. Pretty big use for it as most people ignore it. Definitely something handy to have if you have a trap happy DM

[hymer]

FWIW: Casting spells from scrolls that are higher level than you can cast normally is an Arcana check.

[Slipperychicken]

I usually just cross my fingers, hope for an arcana check that actually matters, then realize 2 sessions later that it's not going to happen.

Remember that knowledge skills are equivalent to begging the DM for hints. He might play along for a few sessions, but after that he'll get sick of it and start declaring you couldn't possibly know. If you're lucky you might get a lore dump once in a while, or maybe a monster weakness that you can take advantage of, but those aren't as common as you'd hope.

So I'd opt for expertise in something more commonly used and less likely to be denied, like acrobatics, perception, or investigation.

[Fast Jimmy]

So, here's a build I put together that gives you great Intelligence skills.

One could always go:

27 Point Buy:
8 Str
15 Dex
12 Con
15 Int
13 Wis
8 Cha

Race: Eladrin, High Elf, Variant Human or Forest Gnome (my favorite, need DM approval for non-elf)

Create a Custom Background: Investigation, Nature

Fighter 1: Proficiencies in History, Perception
Cleric (Knowledge) 1: Expertise in Arcana, Religion
Rogue 1: Expertise in History, Nature

Wizard X (Bladesinger): Go the rest Wizard (Bladesinger). Now, at Level 5, you can cast Bladesinging, get the extra attack bonus on your SCAG cantrips like GFB, can cast Cleric cantrips and 1st level spells, gain a Fighting Style (Defense seems a likely candidate to add more AC to the Bladesinger's already high values), you can add some minimal sneak attack damage, will eventually reach Level 9 spells...

...oh, and you get Proficiency is Perception and Investigation (an intelligence skill check), while Expertise in all the remaining Intelligence Knowledge checks (Arcana, Religion, History, Nature).

You can play a wizard that is fairly effective in melee, gains full caster progression and (in true wizard fashion) uses their high intelligence to know everything about everything.

[KorvinStarmast]

What would you do with Expertise in Arcana?

I would, as an adventurer, dig through musty old tomes and ancient writings and carvings found in various ruins to uncover rare and exotic erotica and even porn. I'd then sell these to those rich, eccentric collectors, charging extra for any such exotica that has to do with celestials, fiends, and fey.

I think I'd get about half rich, if game worlds are even 10% like RL. (FWIW, my cousin made no small amount of money on eBay back in the 2000's doing just this, in terms of finding rare erotic books/publications/stuff and selling it to a very narrow customer base. Those folks paid good money for a certain category of erotica (not so much on the porn. Most of his "stock" he picked up at estate sales).

A few years later, when 50 Shades of Gray made all that money (the book, not the movie) his text to me was "there was a larger market than I had imagined, but it doesn't surprise me."