Obviously I agree with Heroe’s Feast, as well as anything from Revify to True Resurrection. One happy reasoning for Heroe’s Feast is my absolute fury at having a Green Dragon encounter be so savagely nerfed. Green Dragon’s are my favorite and having them declawed was terrible.
Its not hard and it adds flavor. Most common components can be found almost any place. I can pick them up while walking for the most part.Or even buy them in a local market.
The expensive consumed ones are that way to keep balance. Would it be good if a "Hero's feast" could be cast on the party every day? Not so much.
Stuff like a feather for Feather Fall is easy. Buy a chicken wing with the feathers and skin still on it. Pin it to your hat. As for wire wrap a bunch into a bracelet. Wool can be the padding for your backpack straps. Things can be added or included into your gear and equipment.
As for that component pouch I think of them more like a magic pouch that brings to the top the component you ask for, You still need to fill it with everything you will eventually need.
How exactly do foci fit in, then, when they can eliminate the majority of components and typically cost less than a component pouch?
Why wouldn't or when can foci not be used in your game? We still use them they still focus your magic. We just still use components. Exactly how often is a caster without their components or can not find a few in their immediate area? Almost never with a little pre planning. And if you look at the spells for the half casters most of the components are cheap and or very common. Normally because of the spell levels.
Only spells that specifically say the components are use up need them to be replaced.
Forbiddance "If you cast forbiddance every day for 30 days in the same location, the spell lasts until it is dispelled, and the material components are consumed on the last casting." * - (a sprinkling of holy water, rare incense, and powdered ruby worth at least 1,000 gp) If they were meant to be consumed with each casting why state they are used up on the LAST casting.
In most cases components only need to be bought or found once.
Buy a chicken wing with the feathers and skin still on it. Pin it to your hat.
👀
As for that component pouch I think of them more like a magic pouch that brings to the top the component you ask for, You still need to fill it with everything you will eventually need.
You're free to make it so, but the default rules are pretty clear: the component pouch definitely isn't magical, and definitely does come with stuff in it.
It’s interesting that the Forbiddance spell lists the 1,000 GP worth of Ruby dust at the bottom of the spell amidst the other components, but the only place it mentions consuming it is at the end of of the spell description and definitely seems tied to the completion of the 30th casting. I don’t think I’ve seen that often, will have to look at Hallow.
Edit: Never mind, it’s automatically “permanent” (until dispelled).
With a component pouch/focus tracking mundane unconsumed components is a waste of time. Tracking/acquiring costly nonconsumed components can be essential but then they are mostly gems and pretty much given to you as rewards in the written modules (homebrewed remember to add some pearls etc so the casters can cast an identify or 3 on all the magical loot you didn’t give them). Expensive consumed components need to be acquired (in game or downtime) and tracked. I actually kind of miss the components from earlier editions and actually having to think about getting them and keeping track of them but then I sort of miss the graininess of keeping track of rations, arrows etc back then as well. As for petrified Newt eyes - that’s an easy alchemical reaction: simmer the eyes in lime water (quick lime dissolved in water until it stops dissolving) for a couple of days and then let cool and evaporate- voila petrified newt eyes. How many can I sell you?
Spell components are dumb and completely pointless. The only one we use are high value consumable components, and even then it's basically just "this spell costs X gold to cast"
Spell components are dumb and completely pointless. The only one we use are high value consumable components, and even then it's basically just "this spell costs X gold to cast"
As I've already said here, a big factor of M components is that they allow casters to be disarmed without having to default to an anti-magic chamber or similar hard shutdown.
As I've already said here, a big factor of M components is that they allow casters to be disarmed without having to default to an anti-magic chamber or similar hard shutdown.
I'm totally fine with saying that casters automatically have every spell component in their pouch but can be shut down by taking away their component pouch. Actually playing out the acquisition of spell components is boring and a waste of play time though (with exceptions for high value consumable ones like diamonds for rezzes)
It’s interesting that I actually got to like just harvesting the crap out of flowers and other stuff in The Witcher 3 and such, but I’m also the weirdo that picked up every can in Fallout 3. Interesting because my OCD doesn’t really (or hasn’t yet) applied to Arrows, Rations, or Spell Components.
As I've already said here, a big factor of M components is that they allow casters to be disarmed without having to default to an anti-magic chamber or similar hard shutdown.
I'm totally fine with saying that casters automatically have every spell component in their pouch but can be shut down by taking away their component pouch. Actually playing out the acquisition of spell components is boring and a waste of play time though (with exceptions for high value consumable ones like diamonds for rezzes)
The designers of 5e agree. That's literally how it works by default.
Yes and no. If the players are creative with gathering, keeping track of, and using spell components, we might get Inspiration/Hero Point and a creative description of how the spell goes off. Otherwise, it's just business as usual as if a focus was used instead. It can drag down gameplay as a requirement but a fun little add-on when added on voluntarily.
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Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
My group does, but only because they get a perk of what they do. Our group has regular downtime. If they choose to hunt and shop for magical components and keep them on hand, they get to use it like an extra spell slot if they have expended all of their slots.
However to balance out the extra spell slot or two the idea is to have them roll a chance for a magical backlash due to exhaustion. Where they take half damage of the spell.
Our group uses spell components, with option for focus use.
I personally, as a player or DM, like spell component use. I think that the need for the components, and the cost/difficulty incurred in obtaining powerful spell components, adds flavor and thoughtfulness to the game play.
Others in my groups would love to dump the need for components, or even a focus, should the DM allow it. These are the same players who tend to want as simplified a form of play as possible, are miserly in their expenditures, and/or simply want maximum game play advantage for minimum expenditure of time, money, and/or thought.
I find it interesting that, in my groups at least, that the players who strive for the most power and wealth and advantage for their characters, in the form of high powered items, spells, etc., are the ones who want the component requirement dropped.
Edit: I think of components this way; if a fighter knows how to shoot a bow, and has arrows, but does not have a bow to use (a material component required to launch an arrow), then that fighter cannot shoot an arrow. If a wizard knows a spell, but does not have the necessary material component, then the wizard cannot launch that spell.
Obviously I agree with Heroe’s Feast, as well as anything from Revify to True Resurrection. One happy reasoning for Heroe’s Feast is my absolute fury at having a Green Dragon encounter be so savagely nerfed. Green Dragon’s are my favorite and having them declawed was terrible.
Could you please provide some context? I do not understand the connection between Heroes Feast and a green dragon losing potency, as an opponent.
Obviously I agree with Heroe’s Feast, as well as anything from Revify to True Resurrection. One happy reasoning for Heroe’s Feast is my absolute fury at having a Green Dragon encounter be so savagely nerfed. Green Dragon’s are my favorite and having them declawed was terrible.
Could you please provide some context? I do not understand the connection between Heroes Feast and a green dragon losing potency, as an opponent.
The spell gives all its targets immunity to poison damage. Which is what a green dragon uses for its breath weapon and bite.
I make sure my casters are generally following the rules, and keep track of components that are consumed or expensive like for find familiar, Jim's glowing coin and identify. But in describing my casting I flavor it whatever feels cool, my artificer/conjuration wizard channels his magic through various made up devices rather than listed components or focus.
I'm in a new campaign where the PCs started with zero gear beyond the clothes on our backs. Three of us are spellcasters and so far (in my opinion) figuring out how to find or improvise material components for our spells has been a lot of fun! One of the things I liked about 5e is that focuses did away with the need for component pouches for most spells but now I'm starting to change my tune.
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Obviously I agree with Heroe’s Feast, as well as anything from Revify to True Resurrection. One happy reasoning for Heroe’s Feast is my absolute fury at having a Green Dragon encounter be so savagely nerfed. Green Dragon’s are my favorite and having them declawed was terrible.
Why wouldn't or when can foci not be used in your game? We still use them they still focus your magic. We just still use components.
Exactly how often is a caster without their components or can not find a few in their immediate area? Almost never with a little pre planning.
And if you look at the spells for the half casters most of the components are cheap and or very common. Normally because of the spell levels.
Only spells that specifically say the components are use up need them to be replaced.
Forbiddance "If you cast forbiddance every day for 30 days in the same location, the spell lasts until it is dispelled, and the material components are consumed on the last casting." * - (a sprinkling of holy water, rare incense, and powdered ruby worth at least 1,000 gp)
If they were meant to be consumed with each casting why state they are used up on the LAST casting.
In most cases components only need to be bought or found once.
👀
You're free to make it so, but the default rules are pretty clear: the component pouch definitely isn't magical, and definitely does come with stuff in it.
It’s interesting that the Forbiddance spell lists the 1,000 GP worth of Ruby dust at the bottom of the spell amidst the other components, but the only place it mentions consuming it is at the end of of the spell description and definitely seems tied to the completion of the 30th casting. I don’t think I’ve seen that often, will have to look at Hallow.
Edit: Never mind, it’s automatically “permanent” (until dispelled).
Teleportation Circle also becomes permanent if you cast it a bunch of times. But the component is consumed every time. (The component is chalk lol.)
With a component pouch/focus tracking mundane unconsumed components is a waste of time. Tracking/acquiring costly nonconsumed components can be essential but then they are mostly gems and pretty much given to you as rewards in the written modules (homebrewed remember to add some pearls etc so the casters can cast an identify or 3 on all the magical loot you didn’t give them). Expensive consumed components need to be acquired (in game or downtime) and tracked. I actually kind of miss the components from earlier editions and actually having to think about getting them and keeping track of them but then I sort of miss the graininess of keeping track of rations, arrows etc back then as well.
As for petrified Newt eyes - that’s an easy alchemical reaction: simmer the eyes in lime water (quick lime dissolved in water until it stops dissolving) for a couple of days and then let cool and evaporate- voila petrified newt eyes. How many can I sell you?
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Spell components are dumb and completely pointless. The only one we use are high value consumable components, and even then it's basically just "this spell costs X gold to cast"
As I've already said here, a big factor of M components is that they allow casters to be disarmed without having to default to an anti-magic chamber or similar hard shutdown.
I'm totally fine with saying that casters automatically have every spell component in their pouch but can be shut down by taking away their component pouch. Actually playing out the acquisition of spell components is boring and a waste of play time though (with exceptions for high value consumable ones like diamonds for rezzes)
It’s interesting that I actually got to like just harvesting the crap out of flowers and other stuff in The Witcher 3 and such, but I’m also the weirdo that picked up every can in Fallout 3. Interesting because my OCD doesn’t really (or hasn’t yet) applied to Arrows, Rations, or Spell Components.
The designers of 5e agree. That's literally how it works by default.
Yes and no. If the players are creative with gathering, keeping track of, and using spell components, we might get Inspiration/Hero Point and a creative description of how the spell goes off. Otherwise, it's just business as usual as if a focus was used instead. It can drag down gameplay as a requirement but a fun little add-on when added on voluntarily.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
My group does, but only because they get a perk of what they do. Our group has regular downtime. If they choose to hunt and shop for magical components and keep them on hand, they get to use it like an extra spell slot if they have expended all of their slots.
However to balance out the extra spell slot or two the idea is to have them roll a chance for a magical backlash due to exhaustion. Where they take half damage of the spell.
Our group uses spell components, with option for focus use.
I personally, as a player or DM, like spell component use. I think that the need for the components, and the cost/difficulty incurred in obtaining powerful spell components, adds flavor and thoughtfulness to the game play.
Others in my groups would love to dump the need for components, or even a focus, should the DM allow it. These are the same players who tend to want as simplified a form of play as possible, are miserly in their expenditures, and/or simply want maximum game play advantage for minimum expenditure of time, money, and/or thought.
I find it interesting that, in my groups at least, that the players who strive for the most power and wealth and advantage for their characters, in the form of high powered items, spells, etc., are the ones who want the component requirement dropped.
Edit: I think of components this way; if a fighter knows how to shoot a bow, and has arrows, but does not have a bow to use (a material component required to launch an arrow), then that fighter cannot shoot an arrow. If a wizard knows a spell, but does not have the necessary material component, then the wizard cannot launch that spell.
Could you please provide some context? I do not understand the connection between Heroes Feast and a green dragon losing potency, as an opponent.
The spell gives all its targets immunity to poison damage. Which is what a green dragon uses for its breath weapon and bite.
^ Thank you!
I make sure my casters are generally following the rules, and keep track of components that are consumed or expensive like for find familiar, Jim's glowing coin and identify. But in describing my casting I flavor it whatever feels cool, my artificer/conjuration wizard channels his magic through various made up devices rather than listed components or focus.
I'm in a new campaign where the PCs started with zero gear beyond the clothes on our backs. Three of us are spellcasters and so far (in my opinion) figuring out how to find or improvise material components for our spells has been a lot of fun! One of the things I liked about 5e is that focuses did away with the need for component pouches for most spells but now I'm starting to change my tune.