but the advantage of a pouch over focus is after you cast a spell you have a free hand if you use the pouch....but your hand is still occupied if you the focus...does that sound correct?
Some might rule that way, but I don't see any reason why that would have to be the case. A lot of spells have components that aren't consumed, these would potentially still be occupying the hand. It is also reasonable for a focus to be attached to your belt or a necklace so you can easily drop it. All of which would be subject to DM discresion.
The consistent advantage of a component pouch over other foci is compatibility. Every class can use it, while most other foci are class specific.
you do need a free hand to grapple though...now i don't know a lot of spellcasters who would...but i hate how the action rules are so ambiguous around unoccupied hands and stuff...
The consistent advantage of a component pouch over other foci is compatibility. Every class can use it, while most other foci are class specific.
Nitpick -- my understanding is that an Artificer cannot use a Component Pouch, only their Tools as if they were a Focus.
I keep forgetting they did that to artificer. Technically they can still use a component pouch for material components, but they have to do it while holding their focus in the other hand, making it stupid.
The consistent advantage of a component pouch over other foci is compatibility. Every class can use it, while most other foci are class specific.
Nitpick -- my understanding is that an Artificer cannot use a Component Pouch, only their Tools as if they were a Focus.
I keep forgetting they did that to artificer. Technically they can still use a component pouch for material components, but they have to do it while holding their focus in the other hand, making it stupid.
They can also use any of their Infusions as a focus too.
Not sure if this is a silly reason to have both. I am playing a Transmutation Wizard/Arcane Cleric. If I have my Transmuter's Stone on a cord around my neck with my Arcane Focus and holy symbol (Think Beni from The Mummy), can I drop the cord on the ground, use the pouch for the cocoon and polymorph into a Giant Ape then slip the cord over my wrist to keep keep the Proficiency in Constitution saving throws from my stone? Otherwise they would all be pulled inside the new form. Really a cosmetic reason for not just having the focus on a different cord but I like the image.
so the idea is that with a pouch you are touching in some way the actual material components of the spell? but you have a free hand afterward?
Basically. Whichever one you use, you still need that hand to cast Somatic and Material components. The pouch isn’t wielded, so after the casting you immediately have a free hand without needing to sheath the focus.
Does anyone use table rules around having to have a specific focus, as in “this wormwood wand which I have trained and practiced with which I would hate to lose because I’d have to craft a new one.” The idea being you couldn’t just pick one up in a shop or off a dead wizard. I get the impression that most people treat them as generic which I don’t particularly like. It feels like a missed story opportunity.
Does anyone use table rules around having to have a specific focus, as in “this wormwood wand which I have trained and practiced with which I would hate to lose because I’d have to craft a new one.” The idea being you couldn’t just pick one up in a shop or off a dead wizard. I get the impression that most people treat them as generic which I don’t particularly like. It feels like a missed story opportunity.
I like this idea a lot. Perhaps they’d have to craft a new one and find the right type of wood or materials. Or find a character that knows how to. I think I’ll do something like this
Does anyone use table rules around having to have a specific focus, as in “this wormwood wand which I have trained and practiced with which I would hate to lose because I’d have to craft a new one.” The idea being you couldn’t just pick one up in a shop or off a dead wizard. I get the impression that most people treat them as generic which I don’t particularly like. It feels like a missed story opportunity.
The concept is very interesting, however, it lends itself to a slower game pace that is more fitting with older editions. You might notice that 5e has a lot of complaints relating to downtime activities like crafting. In general, storytelling now-a-days is colored by actual video games and by action movies, where there's an ever present ticking clock in the background giving time pressure. You're not gonna spend 6 months forging enchanted chainmail, especially when you might find something equivalent or better by just cleaning out a random monster dungeon over the course of a couple days.
The consistent advantage of a component pouch over other foci is compatibility. Every class can use it, while most other foci are class specific.
Nitpick -- my understanding is that an Artificer cannot use a Component Pouch, only their Tools as if they were a Focus.
I keep forgetting they did that to artificer. Technically they can still use a component pouch for material components, but they have to do it while holding their focus in the other hand, making it stupid.
They can also use any of their Infusions as a focus too.
Galaxy brain: infuse your component pouch as a bag of holding.
Does anyone use table rules around having to have a specific focus, as in “this wormwood wand which I have trained and practiced with which I would hate to lose because I’d have to craft a new one.” The idea being you couldn’t just pick one up in a shop or off a dead wizard. I get the impression that most people treat them as generic which I don’t particularly like. It feels like a missed story opportunity.
The concept is very interesting, however, it lends itself to a slower game pace that is more fitting with older editions. You might notice that 5e has a lot of complaints relating to downtime activities like crafting. In general, storytelling now-a-days is colored by actual video games and by action movies, where there's an ever present ticking clock in the background giving time pressure. You're not gonna spend 6 months forging enchanted chainmail, especially when you might find something equivalent or better by just cleaning out a random monster dungeon over the course of a couple days.
yeah but i don't play modules as is. and my games are 100% diff. heck most times my players don't even search rooms. it's up to the DM to present the ticking clock. case in point...the sorcerer loses his special focus. ok it's made from a tree that's in XXX forest. now the team has to make a quest into the XXX forest find the tree and craft a new focus....in my mind this might be 2 sessions, the sorcerer will def be compromised but I'm not going to throw a Lich at them or something. Maybe some small monsters or 1 single dangerous thing...it's up to the party to adjust now that he can't cast material spells or must gather the materials until he makes the focus. i might even make the new focus have some "return" ability so if it ever gets away from him again he can summon it like Thor.
Say what if you wanted to use a gem or crystal as a focus, but wanted to place that on say your character's forehead as done in some mystic traditions (or some DC super heroine named after a type of bird) How would that fall under the rules as you guys interrupt it?
Say what if you wanted to use a gem or crystal as a focus, but wanted to place that on say your character's forehead as done in some mystic traditions (or some DC super heroine named after a type of bird) How would that fall under the rules as you guys interrupt it?
They would still need the free hand to perform the S components like touching their forehead or something.
The consistent advantage of a component pouch over other foci is compatibility. Every class can use it, while most other foci are class specific.
Nitpick -- my understanding is that an Artificer cannot use a Component Pouch, only their Tools as if they were a Focus.
I keep forgetting they did that to artificer. Technically they can still use a component pouch for material components, but they have to do it while holding their focus in the other hand, making it stupid.
They can also use any of their Infusions as a focus too.
Galaxy brain: infuse your component pouch as a bag of holding.
I miss the Girdle of Many Pockets, and the Pouch of Many. I think that's what they were called they were crafted for casters for spell components letting the caster take exactly what was needed without searching.
Say what if you wanted to use a gem or crystal as a focus, but wanted to place that on say your character's forehead as done in some mystic traditions (or some DC super heroine named after a type of bird) How would that fall under the rules as you guys interrupt it?
They would still need the free hand to perform the S components like touching their forehead or something.
i feel like the focus was riff off of harry potter style spellcasting...ie. the hand is holding the focus and performing the somatic component. that seems to be the intention. allowing someone to put it on their head...i'd say ok but you mechanically are holding it and it changes nothing as far as a free hand is concerned.
This thread is exactly why I home brew away the component rules and just go with focus or component pouch. I have never seen anyone keeping track of pinches of bat guano on hand in my three decades of playing. I think components add more record keeping to the already record keeping heavy classes with out much actual added game value. YMMV though.
This thread is exactly why I home brew away the component rules and just go with focus or component pouch. I have never seen anyone keeping track of pinches of bat guano on hand in my three decades of playing. I think components add more record keeping to the already record keeping heavy classes with out much actual added game value. YMMV though.
This isn't homebrew, this is the rules. If you wanted to actually follow all the (non-costly) components for spells without using focus/pouch, the rules don't actually support you, you'll have to mostly homebrew it.
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Some might rule that way, but I don't see any reason why that would have to be the case. A lot of spells have components that aren't consumed, these would potentially still be occupying the hand. It is also reasonable for a focus to be attached to your belt or a necklace so you can easily drop it. All of which would be subject to DM discresion.
The consistent advantage of a component pouch over other foci is compatibility. Every class can use it, while most other foci are class specific.
you do need a free hand to grapple though...now i don't know a lot of spellcasters who would...but i hate how the action rules are so ambiguous around unoccupied hands and stuff...
Nitpick -- my understanding is that an Artificer cannot use a Component Pouch, only their Tools as if they were a Focus.
If there is a price attached to the spell, you need those components
I exist, and I guess so does this
I keep forgetting they did that to artificer. Technically they can still use a component pouch for material components, but they have to do it while holding their focus in the other hand, making it stupid.
They can also use any of their Infusions as a focus too.
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Not sure if this is a silly reason to have both. I am playing a Transmutation Wizard/Arcane Cleric. If I have my Transmuter's Stone on a cord around my neck with my Arcane Focus and holy symbol (Think Beni from The Mummy), can I drop the cord on the ground, use the pouch for the cocoon and polymorph into a Giant Ape then slip the cord over my wrist to keep keep the Proficiency in Constitution saving throws from my stone? Otherwise they would all be pulled inside the new form. Really a cosmetic reason for not just having the focus on a different cord but I like the image.
Basically. Whichever one you use, you still need that hand to cast Somatic and Material components. The pouch isn’t wielded, so after the casting you immediately have a free hand without needing to sheath the focus.
Does anyone use table rules around having to have a specific focus, as in “this wormwood wand which I have trained and practiced with which I would hate to lose because I’d have to craft a new one.” The idea being you couldn’t just pick one up in a shop or off a dead wizard. I get the impression that most people treat them as generic which I don’t particularly like. It feels like a missed story opportunity.
I like this idea a lot. Perhaps they’d have to craft a new one and find the right type of wood or materials. Or find a character that knows how to. I think I’ll do something like this
The concept is very interesting, however, it lends itself to a slower game pace that is more fitting with older editions. You might notice that 5e has a lot of complaints relating to downtime activities like crafting. In general, storytelling now-a-days is colored by actual video games and by action movies, where there's an ever present ticking clock in the background giving time pressure. You're not gonna spend 6 months forging enchanted chainmail, especially when you might find something equivalent or better by just cleaning out a random monster dungeon over the course of a couple days.
Galaxy brain: infuse your component pouch as a bag of holding.
yeah but i don't play modules as is. and my games are 100% diff. heck most times my players don't even search rooms. it's up to the DM to present the ticking clock. case in point...the sorcerer loses his special focus. ok it's made from a tree that's in XXX forest. now the team has to make a quest into the XXX forest find the tree and craft a new focus....in my mind this might be 2 sessions, the sorcerer will def be compromised but I'm not going to throw a Lich at them or something. Maybe some small monsters or 1 single dangerous thing...it's up to the party to adjust now that he can't cast material spells or must gather the materials until he makes the focus. i might even make the new focus have some "return" ability so if it ever gets away from him again he can summon it like Thor.
Say what if you wanted to use a gem or crystal as a focus, but wanted to place that on say your character's forehead as done in some mystic traditions (or some DC super heroine named after a type of bird) How would that fall under the rules as you guys interrupt it?
They would still need the free hand to perform the S components like touching their forehead or something.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
I miss the Girdle of Many Pockets, and the Pouch of Many. I think that's what they were called they were crafted for casters for spell components letting the caster take exactly what was needed without searching.
i feel like the focus was riff off of harry potter style spellcasting...ie. the hand is holding the focus and performing the somatic component. that seems to be the intention. allowing someone to put it on their head...i'd say ok but you mechanically are holding it and it changes nothing as far as a free hand is concerned.
This thread is exactly why I home brew away the component rules and just go with focus or component pouch. I have never seen anyone keeping track of pinches of bat guano on hand in my three decades of playing. I think components add more record keeping to the already record keeping heavy classes with out much actual added game value. YMMV though.
This isn't homebrew, this is the rules. If you wanted to actually follow all the (non-costly) components for spells without using focus/pouch, the rules don't actually support you, you'll have to mostly homebrew it.