Toolkits
A tool helps you do something you couldn't otherwise do, such as craft or repair an item, forge a document, or pick a lock. Proficiency with a tool allows you to add your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make using that tool. Tool use is not tied to a single ability, since proficiency with a tool represents broader knowledge of its use. For example, the GM might ask you to make a Dexterity check to carve a fine detail with your woodcarver's tools, or a Strength check to make something out of particularly hard wood.
What are Toolkits?
Toolkits represent a character's skill in a particular trade, be it woodworking, blacksmithing, or otherwise, and enable a character to craft various items or attempt certain actions that they would be otherwise incapable of completing. While there may be some overlap between various artisan's tools (such as both Alchemist's Supplies and Herbalism Kit enabling a character to craft Potions of Healing), each tool proficiency unlocks unique opportunities.
If you have proficiency with a toolkit, you may add your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make using the tools.
Learning Toolkits
A character can gain proficiency or expertise in a tool through various means, such as class abilities or feats. Alternatively, a character can train in order to get additional tool proficiencies to a limited amount. A character can learn a number of additional tools from downtime training equal to 2 + the character's Intelligence modifier. Baseline gaming set and instrument proficiency does not count against this number.
Training to gain proficiency in a tool typically takes at least ten workweeks, but this time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character's Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn't increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek, and a workweek is the equivalent of five 8 hour days.
A character can train for additional time in order to gain expertise in a tool you already have proficiency in. The cost and time needed to do so is equivalent to the cost and time needed to earn proficiency in the tool, but gaining expertise in a tool in this manner takes up an additional number of additional tool slots. Expertise in a gaming set or instrument would count as 1 additional tool slot, but covers expertise in up to 3 gaming sets or 3 instruments for the singular slot (2 slots earns expertise in up to 7 instruments). Expertise in an actual toolkit or vehicle takes up 2 additional slots.
| Proficiency | Slots |
|---|---|
| Toolkit Proficiency | 1 |
| Toolkit Expertise | 2 |
| Gaming Set Proficiency | 0 |
| Gaming Set Expertise | 1 (for up to 3 sets) |
| Instrument Proficiency | 0 |
| Instrument Expertise | 1 (for up to 3 instruments) |
Artisan's Tools
The list of existing artisan's tools, what they entail, and suggestions for what they may be used for can be found below. Each type of tool also has an abbreviation noted in parentheses, which is used to reference the type of tool in the various crafting tables on the Crafting page.
Frontier Tools
Gaming Sets
This item encompasses a wide range of game pieces, including dice and decks of cards (for games such as Three-Dragon Ante). A few Common examples appear on the Tools table, but other kinds of Gaming Sets exist. If you are proficient with a Gaming Set, you can add your Proficiency bonus to Ability Checks you make to play a game with that set. Each type of Gaming Set requires a separate Proficiency.
Instruments
If you have Proficiency with a given musical Instrument, you can add your Proficiency bonus to any Ability Checks you make to play music with the Instrument. A bard can use a musical Instrument as a Spellcasting focus. Each type of musical Instrument requires a separate Proficiency.
Roguish Tools
Vehicles
