There are also other uses. For example, having a party member proficient with smith’s tools allows the party to always have someone on hand who can maintain weapons and armor and even do things like repair a broken sword, a carpenter can fix the party’s wagon, ship, or home base, or someone proficient with a musical instrument could make some extra gold on the side or even enhance the benefits of short or long rests.
Ultimu Shadowon August 11, 2023 at 4:48 pm
My artificer had thieves, smiths, jewelers and glassblowers, needless to say I made a lot of fancy jewelry and armor modifications that campaign
A.D. Malcolmsonon August 11, 2023 at 4:51 pm
I like these suggestions! Toolkits don’t usually come up outside of crafting in downtime, unless one of your players is a blue-collar tradesman like me. I typically suggest my own use of tools to my GMs (on the few occasions I get to be a player), and they’re usually at a loss for what benefit to give, so it usually turns into a simple Crafting check to solve a problem that they thought would stymie the party a little.
Ben Butleron August 11, 2023 at 4:51 pm
Carpender, lol. An adventurer that kills fish. Specifically carp.
ZimZimphon August 11, 2023 at 4:52 pm
What about the long long list of tool enhancements from Xanathars? They’ve got examples for everything
Orange Dragonon August 11, 2023 at 4:54 pm
My real life skills would be pointless in D&D. XD
A plumber and an electrician. I can also weld steel and plastic pipes.
But this idea is awesome.
Knicon August 11, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Yes more flavor for random background tools.
nrais76on August 11, 2023 at 4:58 pm
This is likely going to end up being one of THE most useful pieces of DMing advice for 5e inhave EVER heard. Thank you very much. Subbed.
n mon August 11, 2023 at 5:00 pm
What will say the background of someone who know 16 tools in the age 23
Brian Brockmanon August 11, 2023 at 5:01 pm
Carpender, destroyer of fish
Am LongPigon August 11, 2023 at 5:02 pm
I am playing a Gnome Barbarian/Monk who doubles as the parties smith because he was originally a smith for a group of Goliath, Orc, and Human bandits. The DM makes me roll for proficiency checks and performance checks to determine the quality of the repair or making a weapon, so far my best weapon was made from magic ore and a few high rolls I managed to make a +2 sword bc my assistant was a druid Human who came with my character. The dm said it became +2 from the magic used to heat the metal.
Seba Sebaon August 11, 2023 at 5:02 pm
*sees cute dog
*Likes video
Alpha Noodleon August 11, 2023 at 5:09 pm
What I usually do is have tools and whatever stat they feel fits best with prof is used for pretty much any situation we think it makes sense in
MentalRebllionon August 11, 2023 at 5:11 pm
I mostly lean on the herbalism kit for most of my characters. However my dm and I discussed one of my characters who kept somehow collecting potions throughout the campaign. Because of that, during a particularly long rest period we decided to focus on my character learning about potions. So sure, for some things this definitely means the herbalism kit right? Well yeah, but also we felt potions as a general topic covered way more tools than that. So we also filled the down time with learning alchemists tools. Considering my character already has proficiency in medicine, nature, and survival and a regular habit of dismantling the prey they party takes down, this seemed suitable. And given we got a wizard in the party, it works out for arcana checks too. I’ll probably have him focus on picking up a proficiency in arcana next. Not that we need that as most “ingredients” we focus on are mostly covered by my character’s original skill proficiencies. Dm thinks it’s pretty fun to add the potions to the mix and has my character work with a coven of hags (who, to keep their safe space, are polite and helpful since the magic house will kick them out if they aren’t) to help him brew a specific potion. Mostly they help him with potions that take a lot of time due to high level. He goes and gets ingredients for them and brings it back. He also has traded some of his potions with them. It’s actually made them genuinely amicable with them as they have had long discussions over potion making. As for why I didn’t bother taking up poisons. For one, my character is a drow and I gave him something of an internalized dislike (kinda hatred) of being connected with “one of those drow” and so he avoids poisons. Second, there is another ranger/rogue in the party (different multiclass set up) who is focused on poisons and I want that to be their thing as much as they please. I’ll offer my character’s assistance for advantage for the checks for creating stuff (they don’t have the spread I do for skills) but I don’t have my character do more than that. It does make us a good stealth duo though. Especially if we need to make different types of things for a mission. Like mine making acid or climbing potions, etc, and they make the proper poisons for the job. It works out too because my god we will need a lot of potions to stave off the cold too.
Alex Pieron August 11, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Interesting take. In my games tools are used for explaining what the players do or how they make money during the downtime between quests. Like Pathfinder’s profession skill
Eric asdasdon August 11, 2023 at 5:15 pm
We can do even better! We can just not play D&D 5E! That would solve many of these problems
Looking In With Victor Bon August 11, 2023 at 5:17 pm
I recently made an Artificer Duegar as a supporting character, with proficiency in Investigation, Theive’s Tools, Tinkering, Smithing, Masonry, and Carpentry.
So while the Rogue might be an expert at disarming traps, he’d be thw first to find all the places they might be, as well as hidden passages, regardless the building’s construction materials.
Wyvern Knighton August 11, 2023 at 5:19 pm
The thing that saddens me is that there are tools that are VERY niche in there area, like cobblers and glassblowers, there isnt a lot of things you can do in a sudden event in where carpentry, navigation, or cooking is a lot better. The best thing you could do with cobblers and etc is sell your craft when you have some downtime, obviously there are exceptions, however, when there are key moments that rely on your character’s abilities like that, i’d say it’s worth it
John Barneson August 11, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Use the alternate tool rules from the DMG they’re sick and make tool proficiency so much better.
Jasper Maijon August 11, 2023 at 5:24 pm
Omg am I the first here? That’s dope. I love your vids man
Brian Meanson August 11, 2023 at 5:28 pm
So my sorcerer that was a ship rigger and geologist by hobby notices that the bridge is damaged from continuous stress at the 3/4 point and commands the party to rest as there is clearly an ambush planned. He then proceeds to cut off one end of the bridge and begins to build a natural bridge through the ampel use of move earth and transmute earth.
GiantDwarf94on August 11, 2023 at 5:29 pm
I’ve got a character that I made prof. In cooking utensils. I want to use it at least as flavor to kick off rp or something
jhk ahuon August 11, 2023 at 5:29 pm
Lots of dms would simply not take tools into account.
Chamiyah de Booijon August 11, 2023 at 5:29 pm
What a timing, just yesterday I was looking up tools to find out their effects and uses. (New to the game and also starting as DM)
TheNecessaryEvilon August 11, 2023 at 5:29 pm
One thing to look at is which craft skills use the same tools and allow cross skill attempts. Most of the cobbler’s tools are just leatherworking tools. Most jewelry making tools and clockwork tinker tools are the same thing. Ect
JakeLovesSteakon August 11, 2023 at 5:35 pm
*carpenter 😁
LordRavensongon August 11, 2023 at 5:36 pm
"A carpenter KNOWS how to plank a tree, no check required!"
I like this, but I would still have them roll, as dice rolling creates drama. But instead, the check is to see how quickly they can do it.
Matthew Autodidactylon August 11, 2023 at 5:37 pm
I’m here for the tiny islands and suspended bridge.
pool noodleson August 11, 2023 at 5:38 pm
Doggy!
Jedediah Coulbourneon August 11, 2023 at 5:39 pm
When your thief fails the check for the lock pick so Fighter man saves the day with his daddy’s carpentry tools
Eddie Dormeron August 11, 2023 at 5:42 pm
The one time I played 5th I was a wizard, I forget what background I had but it gave me proficiency with a lute. We were in a tavern and I challenged the bard that was playing to a friendly musical duel of sorts. I expected to drum up some business for the bar and lose gracefully to feed his ego. Well I ended up winning but said it was a fluke and that he was far more skilled than I. He didn’t take it well and ended up hiring an assassins guild to kill me. I felt like it was a way overreaction, on the DM’s part, to what I did considering I was outright friendly.
PokeMageTechon August 11, 2023 at 5:43 pm
DOOOG!!! Good dog!
Nido Himeon August 11, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Or in the case of magical classes make them part of their magical abilities.
For example a wizard could be a tailor who uses magical yarn to restrain people, a needle to heal wounds by sewing, or a cursed pair of scizors to cut anything, even the threads of one’s fate.
Zeno Salazaron August 11, 2023 at 5:43 pm
It also doesn’t help that it took years for Wizards to release examples of how to use these tools in interesting ways. Or what are some of them even used for. I tried looking through so many pages, scanning over and over again on the tools page to not find what you can even use them primarily.
Not such a big deal of you know what some do but if you don’t… eh.
There are also other uses. For example, having a party member proficient with smith’s tools allows the party to always have someone on hand who can maintain weapons and armor and even do things like repair a broken sword, a carpenter can fix the party’s wagon, ship, or home base, or someone proficient with a musical instrument could make some extra gold on the side or even enhance the benefits of short or long rests.
My artificer had thieves, smiths, jewelers and glassblowers, needless to say I made a lot of fancy jewelry and armor modifications that campaign
I like these suggestions! Toolkits don’t usually come up outside of crafting in downtime, unless one of your players is a blue-collar tradesman like me. I typically suggest my own use of tools to my GMs (on the few occasions I get to be a player), and they’re usually at a loss for what benefit to give, so it usually turns into a simple Crafting check to solve a problem that they thought would stymie the party a little.
Carpender, lol. An adventurer that kills fish. Specifically carp.
What about the long long list of tool enhancements from Xanathars? They’ve got examples for everything
My real life skills would be pointless in D&D. XD
A plumber and an electrician. I can also weld steel and plastic pipes.
But this idea is awesome.
Yes more flavor for random background tools.
This is likely going to end up being one of THE most useful pieces of DMing advice for 5e inhave EVER heard. Thank you very much. Subbed.
What will say the background of someone who know 16 tools in the age 23
Carpender, destroyer of fish
I am playing a Gnome Barbarian/Monk who doubles as the parties smith because he was originally a smith for a group of Goliath, Orc, and Human bandits. The DM makes me roll for proficiency checks and performance checks to determine the quality of the repair or making a weapon, so far my best weapon was made from magic ore and a few high rolls I managed to make a +2 sword bc my assistant was a druid Human who came with my character. The dm said it became +2 from the magic used to heat the metal.
*sees cute dog
*Likes video
What I usually do is have tools and whatever stat they feel fits best with prof is used for pretty much any situation we think it makes sense in
I mostly lean on the herbalism kit for most of my characters. However my dm and I discussed one of my characters who kept somehow collecting potions throughout the campaign. Because of that, during a particularly long rest period we decided to focus on my character learning about potions. So sure, for some things this definitely means the herbalism kit right? Well yeah, but also we felt potions as a general topic covered way more tools than that. So we also filled the down time with learning alchemists tools. Considering my character already has proficiency in medicine, nature, and survival and a regular habit of dismantling the prey they party takes down, this seemed suitable. And given we got a wizard in the party, it works out for arcana checks too. I’ll probably have him focus on picking up a proficiency in arcana next. Not that we need that as most “ingredients” we focus on are mostly covered by my character’s original skill proficiencies. Dm thinks it’s pretty fun to add the potions to the mix and has my character work with a coven of hags (who, to keep their safe space, are polite and helpful since the magic house will kick them out if they aren’t) to help him brew a specific potion. Mostly they help him with potions that take a lot of time due to high level. He goes and gets ingredients for them and brings it back. He also has traded some of his potions with them. It’s actually made them genuinely amicable with them as they have had long discussions over potion making. As for why I didn’t bother taking up poisons. For one, my character is a drow and I gave him something of an internalized dislike (kinda hatred) of being connected with “one of those drow” and so he avoids poisons. Second, there is another ranger/rogue in the party (different multiclass set up) who is focused on poisons and I want that to be their thing as much as they please. I’ll offer my character’s assistance for advantage for the checks for creating stuff (they don’t have the spread I do for skills) but I don’t have my character do more than that. It does make us a good stealth duo though. Especially if we need to make different types of things for a mission. Like mine making acid or climbing potions, etc, and they make the proper poisons for the job. It works out too because my god we will need a lot of potions to stave off the cold too.
Interesting take. In my games tools are used for explaining what the players do or how they make money during the downtime between quests. Like Pathfinder’s profession skill
We can do even better! We can just not play D&D 5E! That would solve many of these problems
I recently made an Artificer Duegar as a supporting character, with proficiency in Investigation, Theive’s Tools, Tinkering, Smithing, Masonry, and Carpentry.
So while the Rogue might be an expert at disarming traps, he’d be thw first to find all the places they might be, as well as hidden passages, regardless the building’s construction materials.
The thing that saddens me is that there are tools that are VERY niche in there area, like cobblers and glassblowers, there isnt a lot of things you can do in a sudden event in where carpentry, navigation, or cooking is a lot better. The best thing you could do with cobblers and etc is sell your craft when you have some downtime, obviously there are exceptions, however, when there are key moments that rely on your character’s abilities like that, i’d say it’s worth it
Use the alternate tool rules from the DMG they’re sick and make tool proficiency so much better.
Omg am I the first here? That’s dope. I love your vids man
So my sorcerer that was a ship rigger and geologist by hobby notices that the bridge is damaged from continuous stress at the 3/4 point and commands the party to rest as there is clearly an ambush planned. He then proceeds to cut off one end of the bridge and begins to build a natural bridge through the ampel use of move earth and transmute earth.
I’ve got a character that I made prof. In cooking utensils. I want to use it at least as flavor to kick off rp or something
Lots of dms would simply not take tools into account.
What a timing, just yesterday I was looking up tools to find out their effects and uses. (New to the game and also starting as DM)
One thing to look at is which craft skills use the same tools and allow cross skill attempts. Most of the cobbler’s tools are just leatherworking tools. Most jewelry making tools and clockwork tinker tools are the same thing. Ect
*carpenter 😁
"A carpenter KNOWS how to plank a tree, no check required!"
I like this, but I would still have them roll, as dice rolling creates drama. But instead, the check is to see how quickly they can do it.
I’m here for the tiny islands and suspended bridge.
Doggy!
When your thief fails the check for the lock pick so Fighter man saves the day with his daddy’s carpentry tools
The one time I played 5th I was a wizard, I forget what background I had but it gave me proficiency with a lute. We were in a tavern and I challenged the bard that was playing to a friendly musical duel of sorts. I expected to drum up some business for the bar and lose gracefully to feed his ego. Well I ended up winning but said it was a fluke and that he was far more skilled than I. He didn’t take it well and ended up hiring an assassins guild to kill me. I felt like it was a way overreaction, on the DM’s part, to what I did considering I was outright friendly.
DOOOG!!! Good dog!
Or in the case of magical classes make them part of their magical abilities.
For example a wizard could be a tailor who uses magical yarn to restrain people, a needle to heal wounds by sewing, or a cursed pair of scizors to cut anything, even the threads of one’s fate.
It also doesn’t help that it took years for Wizards to release examples of how to use these tools in interesting ways. Or what are some of them even used for. I tried looking through so many pages, scanning over and over again on the tools page to not find what you can even use them primarily.
Not such a big deal of you know what some do but if you don’t… eh.