Crafting? In Dungeons & Dragons? It's more likely than you think. This is a downtime activity players can partake in, whether it's to make a product to sell, an item to gift, or a good to keep and use that can come in handy on their adventures.

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But how the heck does crafting work exactly? How much time is spent and which materials are used can be a confusing place to start if you feel unsure about the rules. This guide will break down what crafting looks like in the 2024 Player's Handbook, the kinds of things that can be made, and how to calculate gold and time spent.

What Is Crafting?

Artwork by Mike Pape via Wizards of the Coast

Crafting is what's considered a downtime activity, which basically means any time the players spend in a campaign that isn't spent on a quest, mission, or in combat. Other downtime activities include the beloved bar hopping, studying, gambling, and so the list goes.

Just like crafting in other games or in real life, it allows you to devote time, energy, and, in D&D's case, gold to a project. This can range from wood and metal-based goods to useable equipment and even potions. However, that will be explored later in this guide.

Why Spend Downtime On Crafting?

Gnomes by Eric Belisle via Wizards of the Coast

There's a reason why your character may want to spend some of their downtime on crafting. These items you produce, like armor, can be used by you or a party member. You can sell the items you've made, netting you a bit of profit if you're either struggling in the financial department or simply want to make some money while honing this skill. You can also make gifts for the other party members or for NPCs if you're looking to gain favor or impress someone. Maybe start a little romance.

The reasons why are as endless as a never-ending campaign because it comes down to any reason a player can think of or for a Dungeon Master (DM) to help facilitate the players. And, even if a specific item isn't covered by the rules, those rules can be applied to the creation of anything you think to make.

What are the rules for crafting? Depending on what you want to make, the rules vary slightly, but it comes down to three basic choices.

  • Crafting non-magical items
  • Crafting potions of healing
  • Crafting (or scribing) spell scrolls

Crafting Non-Magical Items

Artwork by Irina Nordsol via Wizards of the Coast

In order to craft any non-magical items, you have to have the proper tools and materials. Depending on the type of campaign you're in, you may have to actually go about gathering the right materials, or the DM may elect to instead make it so that you spend the amount of gold needed for the supplies. You then also need to set aside the time in order to craft the good.

Tools

Artwork by Jane Katsubo via WIzards of the Coast

There are two types of tools: artisan tools and other tools. Yes, that's what they're named in the 2024 Player's Handbook. Each of them has a cost to purchase the tools or kits, what skill proficiency is needed to use them, some different ideas of how to utilize them, and a brief list of what they can be used to make.

Tool Name

Cost (In Gold)

Ability Used

Alchemist's Supplies

50gp

Intelligence

Brewer's Supplies

20gp

Intelligence

Calligrapher's Supplies

10gp

Dexterity

Carpenter's Tools

8gp

Strength

Cartographer's Tools

15gp

Wisdom

Cobbler's Tools

5gp

Dexterity

Cook's Utensils

1gp

Wisdom

Glassblower's Tools

30gp

Intelligence

Jeweler's Tools

25gp

Intelligence

Leatherworker's Tools

5gp

Dexterity

Mason's Tools

10gp

Strength

Painter’s Supplies

10gp

Wisdom

Potter's Tools

10gp

Wisdom

Smith's Tools

10gp

Intelligence

Tinker's Tools

20gp

Strength

Weaver's Tools

50gp

Dexterity

Woodcarver's Tools

1gp

Dexterity

Disguise Kit

25gp

Charisma

Forgery Kit

15gp

Dexterity

Gaming Set (Varies)

Varies

Wisdom

Herbalism Kit

5gp

Intelligence

Musical Instrument (Varies)

Varies

Charisma

Navigator's Tools

25gp

Wisdom

Poisoner's Kit

50gp

Intelligence

Thieves' Tools

25gp

Dexterity

read more

The Gaming Sets and Musical Instruments vary because there is more than one option for both the sets and instruments to choose from. A dice set and chess set will vary because of the formulas for cost and time. This is explained further below.

Utilization means that there are different things you can use these tools for outside of crafting with them. For the Alchemist's Supplies, for example, you can utilize them to start a fire. Whether that's for a campfire, some good old property damage, or lighting up a torch or lantern is all completely up to you and the circumstances you're in.

However, when it comes to crafting, things like Acid, Alchemist's Fire, and Oil are listed as things you can create with your Alchemist's Supplies. You aren't limited to only what is suggested, of course. These simply give players and DMs a baseline when it comes to what common items can be made.

For any item you want to craft that isn't listed with its appropriate tool, the DM decides what tool you use. If you are ever unsure about a ruling, consult your DM.

To craft an item, you have to use a set of tools and you have to be proficient with that tool. And, if anyone is helping you, they must also be proficient with that same tool.

Raw Materials

Artwork by Aldo Dominguez via Wizards of the Coast

As stated above, your DM may rule that you must gather appropriate materials themselves, or you can just expend the amount of gold needed for those materials. Either way, the materials must be worth half of the item's sell price. If this results in a fraction or decimal, you round down.

As a DM, you can further decide that gathering the actual materials lessens the cost burden. Or, if you want to make planning easier, you can skip the gathering process altogether and just have your player(s) pay the required amount of money.

The example given in the book is of plate armor. Plate armor sells for 1,500gp. So you would need raw materials worth 750gp in order to craft the armor. It doesn't state if this is all paid upfront, so you can always confirm with your DM as to when the money is paid and if you can pay in installments.

Time

Artwork by Gaboleps via Wizards of the Coast

To know how much time is needed to complete an item, you divide that item's worth by ten gold pieces. So, in the example above, it would take 75 days to finish crafting your plate armor. If the division leads to a fraction or decimal, you round up a day.

A day, when it comes to D&D crafting, is defined as an eight-hour working day.

These days don't need to be consecutive, and party members or other assistants can help lessen the amount of time by helping you craft the item. The book does say that, while usually only one helper would be allowed, the DM can make the ruling that more people can lend a hand.

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Brewing Healing Potions

A Druid by Jessica Fong.

The rules are so much more simplistic when it comes to brewing a healing potion. You do have to use a Herbalism Kit, and you spend 25gp on the raw materials as well as one eight-hour day brewing it. That's it.

It is worth noting that, like anything, a DM can alter these rules. Some DMs, like myself, might rule that Alchemist's Supplies or Brewer's Tools could also be utilized. After all, you are crafting a potion and/or brewing it.

Scribing Spell Scrolls

The Wizard Leomund by Michele Giorgi.

Back to the more complicated rules. Scribing a spell scroll requires a couple of different things besides time and money. You have to either be proficient with the Arcana skill or the Calligrapher's Supplies. You then must also have the spell in question prepared for each day of the scribing process. You must also have access to the material components a spell requires if it requires any.

Each spell level has its own requirements for how much time and money must be set aside. This makes it so that the higher the spell level, the longer and more expensive it is to craft.

Spell Level

Gold Needed

Time Needed

Cantrip

15gp

1 Day

1st Level

25gp

1 Day

2nd Level

100gp

3 Days

3rd Level

150gp

5 Days

4th Level

1,000gp

10 Days

5th Level

1,500gp

25 Days

6th Level

10,000gp

40 Days

7th Level

12,500gp

50 Days

8th Level

15,000gp

60 Days

9th Level

50,000gp

120 Days

When you use a cantrip spell scroll, you use it based on your current level, not the scribe's level.

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