I have heard the following statement several times in one form or another:
"Warlocks must be holding a focus in order to cast spells."
I have not seen this rule anywhere in the rulebook. The only thing I've seen is the following from the Warlock section of the Basic Rules/PHB:
Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (see the Adventuring Gear section) as a spellcasting focus for your warlock spells.
So the text says "can use", not "must use". Furthermore, in the Spellcasting section, there's this information on arcane foci:
Material (M)
Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5, “Equipment”) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.
What this seems to mean is that the Warlock would only NEED the arcane focus for spells that have a material component, and it would be used in place of the material component of spells that REQUIRE A MATERIAL COMPONENT (unless the spell component has a cost next to it). Conversely, this would mean that a Warlock would not need to be holding an arcane focus to cast a spell that doesn't have a material component.
I have heard the following statement several times in one form or another:
"Warlocks must be holding a focus in order to cast spells."
I have not seen this rule anywhere in the rulebook. The only thing I've seen is the following from the Warlock section of the Basic Rules/PHB:
Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (see the Adventuring Gear section) as a spellcasting focus for your warlock spells.
So the text says "can use", not "must use". Furthermore, in the Spellcasting section, there's this information on arcane foci:
Material (M)
Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5, “Equipment”) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.
What this seems to mean is that the Warlock would only NEED the arcane focus for spells that have a material component, and it would be used in place of the material component of spells that REQUIRE A MATERIAL COMPONENT (unless the spell component has a cost next to it). Conversely, this would mean that a Warlock would not need to be holding an arcane focus to cast a spell that doesn't have a material component.
Am I understanding this correctly?
Father. Gamer. Biker. Geek.
You're understanding the rules correctly. If a spell doesn't require M components, you don't need a component pouch or spellcasting focus.
Also keep in mind that a component pouch or focus won't substitute for components that are consumed either, even if they don't have a cost listed.
Yes, you are correct.
Spells that require a material component can be cast only by handling that component or holding the focus.
Material components with a cost or are consumed (or both) are the exception, you need specifically those components.
Spells that do not have a material component attached need only a free hand for the somatic components, if they require one.
This is the bit I have been overlooking, and would explain why the War Caster feat exists.
Father. Gamer. Biker. Geek.