Can a Wizard's arcane focus, if it is a melee weapon such as a staff or a dagger, does it count as a +1 Weapon?
I tend to think so (please correct me if I'm wrong) because 1) the focus is highly enchanted in order to conduct all that magical energy whenever the wizard casts a spell, and 2) the focus would have to be a Masterwork Item/Weapon, which automatically grants a +1 to hit (but not to damage.) All magic items are automatically masterwork items, of the highest quality and craftsmanship, to hold the magic. For example, a Bag of Holding is made from the finest leather, or cloth, with beautiful embroidery, not from burlap. A masterwork dagger with detailing, the steel folded several dozen times, and with gold chasing or silver chasing, and gems in the hilt, can be made into a magic dagger +1, but not something that is an apprentice smith's project.
With this in mind, I ruled as a DM, that a wizard's arcane focus, already highly enchanted, counts as a +1 weapon in the very rare case where the wizard is forced to fight in melee. Normally, the wizard hangs back with the archers, and fires spells off from a distance.
As waddingsly said, no, the focus is not a magic weapon. On the topic, you can use a magic staff (like a *1 quarterstaff) as a focus, but it does not effect your spells (no +1 on spell attacks or save DCs). But a focus is not inherently magical.
To unpack it a little more, there is nothing that says a focus needs to be highly enchanted, or enchanted at all. By RAW, you can pick up a stick off the ground and use it as a staff, or wand if it’s a small stick. There are no masterwork items in this edition.
Your suggestions about materials for other items are not RAW in this edition. A bag of holding can certainly be made from burlap, and a dull kitchen knife can be turned into a magic dagger. These other requirements you’re suggesting about fine materials seem to be using 3e ideas (back when masterwork was a thing). This edition has no such restrictions.
If you decide it is magic, per the PHB, a focus staff costs 5gp. I’m buying one for every martial in the party so they can all walk around with a +1 weapon from day 1. Heck, most shepards would save up and get one to help them fight off wolves.
BTW, daggers, by RAW, are not usable as a wizard focus (crystal, orb, rod, staff or wand).
My OoS wizard took 2 levels of artificer to get the Infusion: Enhanced Arcane Focus. You gain a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls. In addition, you ignore half cover when making a spell attack. I know that is not quite what you meant but I can't remember the last time I hit a monster with the stick.
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Can a Wizard's arcane focus, if it is a melee weapon such as a staff or a dagger, does it count as a +1 Weapon?
I tend to think so (please correct me if I'm wrong) because 1) the focus is highly enchanted in order to conduct all that magical energy whenever the wizard casts a spell, and 2) the focus would have to be a Masterwork Item/Weapon, which automatically grants a +1 to hit (but not to damage.) All magic items are automatically masterwork items, of the highest quality and craftsmanship, to hold the magic. For example, a Bag of Holding is made from the finest leather, or cloth, with beautiful embroidery, not from burlap. A masterwork dagger with detailing, the steel folded several dozen times, and with gold chasing or silver chasing, and gems in the hilt, can be made into a magic dagger +1, but not something that is an apprentice smith's project.
With this in mind, I ruled as a DM, that a wizard's arcane focus, already highly enchanted, counts as a +1 weapon in the very rare case where the wizard is forced to fight in melee. Normally, the wizard hangs back with the archers, and fires spells off from a distance.
No, a spell casting focus doesn't require any enchantment to act as such.
As waddingsly said, no, the focus is not a magic weapon. On the topic, you can use a magic staff (like a *1 quarterstaff) as a focus, but it does not effect your spells (no +1 on spell attacks or save DCs). But a focus is not inherently magical.
To unpack it a little more, there is nothing that says a focus needs to be highly enchanted, or enchanted at all. By RAW, you can pick up a stick off the ground and use it as a staff, or wand if it’s a small stick. There are no masterwork items in this edition.
Your suggestions about materials for other items are not RAW in this edition. A bag of holding can certainly be made from burlap, and a dull kitchen knife can be turned into a magic dagger. These other requirements you’re suggesting about fine materials seem to be using 3e ideas (back when masterwork was a thing). This edition has no such restrictions.
If you decide it is magic, per the PHB, a focus staff costs 5gp. I’m buying one for every martial in the party so they can all walk around with a +1 weapon from day 1. Heck, most shepards would save up and get one to help them fight off wolves.
BTW, daggers, by RAW, are not usable as a wizard focus (crystal, orb, rod, staff or wand).
My OoS wizard took 2 levels of artificer to get the Infusion: Enhanced Arcane Focus. You gain a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls. In addition, you ignore half cover when making a spell attack. I know that is not quite what you meant but I can't remember the last time I hit a monster with the stick.