I had a bard npc who carried a bag full of spell components around with him instead of a focus. However every character I've dm'd for who can cast spells had a focus. Except for one time...
Only time I've asked for spellcasting components:
Wizard: "I'm gonna clear out this room with ease, I shoot a fireball into the centre of the room Me (The DM): "Do you have bat guano and sulphur on you?" Wizard: "I have a spellcasting focus, I don't need the material components" Me: "Oh right, my bad... just to clarify, what are you using as your focus?" Wizard: "My ring" Me: "What ring?" Wizard: "The ring on my finger!!!" Me: "Strange, there doesn't seem to be a ring on any of your fingers" -Evil Smile- Wizard: "What did you do!?!" Me: "Well remember 10 minutes ago, when I described that guy shaking your hand really hard, then I asked you to make a perception check and you rolled a 1?" Wizard: "You absolute f*****!"
Despite getting the ring back 10 minutes later, he still hasn't forgiven me since the event happened several months ago.
I once ran a one-shot where the 3 players were all wizards who had to go on a mission to get their spell foci back because they were stolen. Basically the whole point of it was to have fun with components. It worked really well as a quick and fun one-shot, but in my normal campaigns I only make characters gather components if it has a cost.
For casters that are not Wizards (or Tome Warlocks, or Knowledge Clerics, or anyone else whose magic is not based out of intense study in any way), what kind of logic do you use for PCs that want to cast spells with costly components?
Example: A druid just hit level three, and wants to add Summon Beast to her repertoire. Summon Beast has a costly and unusual material component: "a feather, tuft of fur, and fish tail inside a gilded acorn worth at least 200 gp" ... if the PC is just an ordinary Druid, no special book learning and only casting spells they learn from their kinship with nature, why in the world would that Druid know to procure a gilded acorn? How and where would a Druid procure such a thing?
Same can go for a Sorcerer learning Clairvoyance, or a Cleric learning Revivify -- what internal logic is necessary for them to wake up one morning, suddenly realize, "Hey, I need so-and-so costly component for this spell I want to cast", and then attempt to find it? In the case of the TCE summoning spells, the required objects are incredibly particular and will be very difficult to come by.
For casters that are not Wizards (or Tome Warlocks, or Knowledge Clerics, or anyone else whose magic is not based out of intense study in any way), what kind of logic do you use for PCs that want to cast spells with costly components?
Example: A druid just hit level three, and wants to add Summon Beast to her repertoire. Summon Beast has a costly and unusual material component: "a feather, tuft of fur, and fish tail inside a gilded acorn worth at least 200 gp" ... if the PC is just an ordinary Druid, no special book learning and only casting spells they learn from their kinship with nature, why in the world would that Druid know to procure a gilded acorn? How and where would a Druid procure such a thing?
Same can go for a Sorcerer learning Clairvoyance, or a Cleric learning Revivify -- what internal logic is necessary for them to wake up one morning, suddenly realize, "Hey, I need so-and-so costly component for this spell I want to cast", and then attempt to find it? In the case of the TCE summoning spells, the required objects are incredibly particular and will be very difficult to come by.
Because they are well trained in their craft and know what is necessary to perform their job. Even though they may not have cast the spell before, they still know how to. For example, did anyone ever sit you down and give you an in-depth explanation of why you need to go to a gas station to fill the tank of your car, or did you just kind of pick that up from seeing it happen around you.
And as for the ones difficult to come by, that’s a balancing mechanic so a player can’t just blow up a campaign Willy-nilly. Look at plane shift. No way a character gets the right tuning fork unless the DM wants it to happen. That’s kind of the point.
Clerics, I think, would probably just know through knowledge bestowed upon them by their God. I think that generally covers Warlocks as welll. Other than that, uh... no idea.
Yeah, clerics and druids and warlocks are casting magic by appealing to some "higher power", the material component is an offering so that the appeal is heard.
And re: my earlier comment on sorcerers, I agree with TransmorpherDDS that v, and s components can and should be party of the sorcerer's spell craft (the somatic gestures and whatever utterances they make are the "body work" used to bring the magic forth from the sorcerer's "font of magic" (it's self). Sorcerers are the class that I'd argue don't need material components as their magic is from within.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
For casters that are not Wizards (or Tome Warlocks, or Knowledge Clerics, or anyone else whose magic is not based out of intense study in any way), what kind of logic do you use for PCs that want to cast spells with costly components?
Logically, at least for someone like a cleric, the value of the components equates to a one-time votive offering.
I should clarify - my campaign is set in an alt version of the Roman Empire, with gods like Apollo, Jupiter, and Venus. In those days, worshippers brought valuable items (what we would call "loot" or "treasure") to the temple to give to the gods. These items were stored in the temple storehouse (or a nearby storehouse), and were considered property of the god. The idea was that the item of value, which could have been used by the donor, was given up as a sacrifice to the god. This went along with actual sacrifice (of a goat or ox or something). Temples were thus full of treasures, and had to be guarded, so the god's treasure wasn't taken.
When it comes to material components, then, say the 300 gp worth of diamonds to cast revivify, this is like the cleric doing a spontaneous votive offering to their deity, which the deity then accepts (the diamonds vanish) and responds with rez'ing the target character.
How would they know to do this? Study/prayer. Same way they know the verbal components of their spells and whatnot.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I ask because I haven't for my current game but am debating for the next one.
Does anyone know just how much the cost of components is factored into spell balance (more powerful spells cost WAY more to cast)?
I'm not worried about plants or items that are easily bought and carried but I've seen gemstones into the thousands of gp as well as chalices and other crazy stuff you might have to really hunt for.
Yes and I have a sheet of the expensive ones which is on the player side of the DM Screen. And give each new player one. Total GP cost for all spells.
Grand total 91,342 gp 3 sp 2 cp
Consumed 41,825 gp or 60,155 gp
Non consumed 31,187 gp 3 sp 2 cp
Includes Elemental Evil, Sword Coast, Tasha’s, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
For casters that are not Wizards (or Tome Warlocks, or Knowledge Clerics, or anyone else whose magic is not based out of intense study in any way), what kind of logic do you use for PCs that want to cast spells with costly components?
Example: A druid just hit level three, and wants to add Summon Beast to her repertoire. Summon Beast has a costly and unusual material component: "a feather, tuft of fur, and fish tail inside a gilded acorn worth at least 200 gp" ... if the PC is just an ordinary Druid, no special book learning and only casting spells they learn from their kinship with nature, why in the world would that Druid know to procure a gilded acorn? How and where would a Druid procure such a thing?
Same can go for a Sorcerer learning Clairvoyance, or a Cleric learning Revivify -- what internal logic is necessary for them to wake up one morning, suddenly realize, "Hey, I need so-and-so costly component for this spell I want to cast", and then attempt to find it? In the case of the TCE summoning spells, the required objects are incredibly particular and will be very difficult to come by.
Because they are well trained in their craft and know what is necessary to perform their job. Even though they may not have cast the spell before, they still know how to. For example, did anyone ever sit you down and give you an in-depth explanation of why you need to go to a gas station to fill the tank of your car, or did you just kind of pick that up from seeing it happen around you.
And as for the ones difficult to come by, that’s a balancing mechanic so a player can’t just blow up a campaign Willy-nilly. Look at plane shift. No way a character gets the right tuning fork unless the DM wants it to happen. That’s kind of the point.
I mean, part of my driver's ed course was how to properly fill a tank of gas at a gas station (though this is beside the point).
I guess I don't agree with the "they know how to cast this spell, they just haven't" logic. If they knew how to cast these spells, then they should be of a higher level in their class. I can maybe see that argument for prepared spellcasters, but for Rangers who "learn" new spells at each level, they must have some justification for suddenly knowing they need material components for spells.
And for a Druid whose magical powers could be driven "from the force of nature itself" (PHB 64), it doesn't track that they know how to do these things innately. (The PHB also notes that they could get magic from a nature god, but it gives this alternate method as well.) They just have a deep connection to nature that allows them to do nature magic. In the case of a gilded acorn, I see no way to justify that, in-character, as something nature magic would be based on. A degree of technology and science is needed for that kind of thing -- a nature god (or "nature itself") would not demand such a thing, because it is not natural.
I dunno, it is those things especially that feel impossible to justify. A gilded acorn worth 200 GP could just as easily be replaced by "fine feathers and furs worth 200 GP, or requiring x hours of search and discovery in a natural setting". Maybe it is just me.
For casters that are not Wizards (or Tome Warlocks, or Knowledge Clerics, or anyone else whose magic is not based out of intense study in any way), what kind of logic do you use for PCs that want to cast spells with costly components?
Example: A druid just hit level three, and wants to add Summon Beast to her repertoire. Summon Beast has a costly and unusual material component: "a feather, tuft of fur, and fish tail inside a gilded acorn worth at least 200 gp" ... if the PC is just an ordinary Druid, no special book learning and only casting spells they learn from their kinship with nature, why in the world would that Druid know to procure a gilded acorn? How and where would a Druid procure such a thing?
Same can go for a Sorcerer learning Clairvoyance, or a Cleric learning Revivify -- what internal logic is necessary for them to wake up one morning, suddenly realize, "Hey, I need so-and-so costly component for this spell I want to cast", and then attempt to find it? In the case of the TCE summoning spells, the required objects are incredibly particular and will be very difficult to come by.
All warlock spells are the result of study - they're just being taught by an extra planar creature instead of a fellow mortal.
Others covered clerics and, by extension, fellow priest-type druids.
Do bards have any spells with material components worth gold? As far as I'm aware, their material components always involve using an instrument of some kind. At which point, I can see them going "I need a better instrument to play this." Magical Secrets are an exception, of course, but you should get the secret to casting the spell and not lose out on components info.
Sorcerers are a bit trickier, given the whole innate magic thing, but I just go with "downtime trial and error."
I ignore component costs. To me, having to have components to cast a spell isn't magic; it's alchemy or witchcraft. I don't understand how throwing treasure into the air has anything to do with magic. Why would supernatural forces care about petty mortal artifacts like gold or diamonds? Is Mystra hard up for cash or something?
Then for Druids, some of their components aren't naturally occurring. Like a gilded flower. Somebody dipped a flower in gold and a Druid is cool with that? It's not an affront to nature? Or how about "water inside a gold-inlaid vial worth at least 400 gp" for Summon Elemental? Why is their magic based on the materialism of civilization? (Yes, I know other classes can cast Summon Elemental.)
Makes no sense to me. If it's a matter of balance, characters have limited spell slots and there are other ways to tax them of their wealth without having to fill up your inventory with extremely specific junk. It just slows the game down.
For casters that are not Wizards (or Tome Warlocks, or Knowledge Clerics, or anyone else whose magic is not based out of intense study in any way), what kind of logic do you use for PCs that want to cast spells with costly components?
Example: A druid just hit level three, and wants to add Summon Beast to her repertoire. Summon Beast has a costly and unusual material component: "a feather, tuft of fur, and fish tail inside a gilded acorn worth at least 200 gp" ... if the PC is just an ordinary Druid, no special book learning and only casting spells they learn from their kinship with nature, why in the world would that Druid know to procure a gilded acorn? How and where would a Druid procure such a thing?
Same can go for a Sorcerer learning Clairvoyance, or a Cleric learning Revivify -- what internal logic is necessary for them to wake up one morning, suddenly realize, "Hey, I need so-and-so costly component for this spell I want to cast", and then attempt to find it? In the case of the TCE summoning spells, the required objects are incredibly particular and will be very difficult to come by.
All warlock spells are the result of study - they're just being taught by an extra planar creature instead of a fellow mortal.
Others covered clerics and, by extension, fellow priest-type druids.
Do bards have any spells with material components worth gold? As far as I'm aware, their material components always involve using an instrument of some kind. At which point, I can see them going "I need a better instrument to play this." Magical Secrets are an exception, of course, but you should get the secret to casting the spell and not lose out on components info.
Sorcerers are a bit trickier, given the whole innate magic thing, but I just go with "downtime trial and error."
Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any materials for Bards that the components are worth gold but I think there are a few. Also, Bards are not required to have an instrument as their magic focus.
I ignore component costs. To me, having to have components to cast a spell isn't magic; it's alchemy or witchcraft. I don't understand how throwing treasure into the air has anything to do with magic. Why would supernatural forces care about petty mortal artifacts like gold or diamonds? Is Mystra hard up for cash or something?
Then for Druids, some of their components aren't naturally occurring. Like a gilded flower. Somebody dipped a flower in gold and a Druid is cool with that? It's not an affront to nature? Or how about "water inside a gold-inlaid vial worth at least 400 gp" for Summon Elemental? Why is their magic based on the materialism of civilization? (Yes, I know other classes can cast Summon Elemental.)
Makes no sense to me. If it's a matter of balance, characters have limited spell slots and there are other ways to tax them of their wealth without having to fill up your inventory with extremely specific junk. It just slows the game down.
I understand and appreciate your critique of gilded or luxurious druid spell components. However for Wizard magic, which is a form of magic untapped by the Wizard through academic study usually, I treat the material components as instruments or catalysts for a magical reaction. The copper wire in Message for instance has an antennae role. The more valuable components that are consumed are catalysts for powerful magical reactions with the environment.
But Sorcererors make problems. Maybe one can use "imbued with stuff of magic, no material components necessary" as retcon justification for their reduced spell lists.
I ignore component costs. To me, having to have components to cast a spell isn't magic; it's alchemy or witchcraft. I don't understand how throwing treasure into the air has anything to do with magic. Why would supernatural forces care about petty mortal artifacts like gold or diamonds? Is Mystra hard up for cash or something?
Then for Druids, some of their components aren't naturally occurring. Like a gilded flower. Somebody dipped a flower in gold and a Druid is cool with that? It's not an affront to nature? Or how about "water inside a gold-inlaid vial worth at least 400 gp" for Summon Elemental? Why is their magic based on the materialism of civilization? (Yes, I know other classes can cast Summon Elemental.)
Makes no sense to me. If it's a matter of balance, characters have limited spell slots and there are other ways to tax them of their wealth without having to fill up your inventory with extremely specific junk. It just slows the game down.
Ah young druid. You first must find an natural source of gold. And with your forehead hammer it out until it as thin as the bee's knees. Then between march 15 and April 16, find the morning glory growing on a northern slope. Pluck it before the last of the morning dew vanishes. Then using school paste gilt the flower using only your sweat as water. .
As to slowing down the game. Guys, "Smoke break for me. You are in a large town buy what you need of components and note on the log sheet."
I find you get few to no casters if you enforce spell components.
I tend to not enforce them except for spells like True Resurrection or Imprisonment. Then I do enforce spell components. But when all it's asking for is a piece of copper or a feather, I don't enforce it.
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Hi!!!! My pronouns are She/They!
Picture a halfling riding a flumph and be happy!!!!!
I find you get few to no casters if you enforce spell components.
This is also a worry of mine as it feels like it penalizes casters. Sure, martial classes often have to lay out big coin for some of their stuff and then maintain it/replace it on occasion, but the idea of depleting the nation's supply of 100+gp diamonds just so your party can cast spells seems a bit harsh to me.
I'm sure there has to be a happy medium somewhere. I'm off to do way more research than I should on what will likely amount to a minor point.
I find you get few to no casters if you enforce spell components.
Since you muster out basic spell casting training with a component pouch or focus, I find even while enforce components it does not make a difference in number of people playing casters. IN AL with their restricted gold rules, some spells are now showing up a little less often.
Yes, I use spellcasting components when I play. And I enforce them on my players. I think they're fun, and it gives my players something to spend their gold on.
When I played an Eldritch Knight, I didn't start with a component pouch. I was limited to spells that didn't need a material component cost. And that's fine. There are so many 1st-level spells to choose from that I wasn't really hindered. And I had what I needed by 7th-level (and 2nd-level spells) that it was never an issue.
I have a Hexblade Patron warlock right now, but I can't use both my handaxe and shield most of the time. I still need a free hand to cast a spell without a material component or to use my orb. And, honestly, it's kind of fun juggling them to see what works.
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I had a bard npc who carried a bag full of spell components around with him instead of a focus. However every character I've dm'd for who can cast spells had a focus. Except for one time...
Only time I've asked for spellcasting components:
Wizard: "I'm gonna clear out this room with ease, I shoot a fireball into the centre of the room
Me (The DM): "Do you have bat guano and sulphur on you?"
Wizard: "I have a spellcasting focus, I don't need the material components"
Me: "Oh right, my bad... just to clarify, what are you using as your focus?"
Wizard: "My ring"
Me: "What ring?"
Wizard: "The ring on my finger!!!"
Me: "Strange, there doesn't seem to be a ring on any of your fingers" -Evil Smile-
Wizard: "What did you do!?!"
Me: "Well remember 10 minutes ago, when I described that guy shaking your hand really hard, then I asked you to make a perception check and you rolled a 1?"
Wizard: "You absolute f*****!"
Despite getting the ring back 10 minutes later, he still hasn't forgiven me since the event happened several months ago.
I once ran a one-shot where the 3 players were all wizards who had to go on a mission to get their spell foci back because they were stolen. Basically the whole point of it was to have fun with components. It worked really well as a quick and fun one-shot, but in my normal campaigns I only make characters gather components if it has a cost.
This is only tangentially related, but:
For casters that are not Wizards (or Tome Warlocks, or Knowledge Clerics, or anyone else whose magic is not based out of intense study in any way), what kind of logic do you use for PCs that want to cast spells with costly components?
Example: A druid just hit level three, and wants to add Summon Beast to her repertoire. Summon Beast has a costly and unusual material component: "a feather, tuft of fur, and fish tail inside a gilded acorn worth at least 200 gp" ... if the PC is just an ordinary Druid, no special book learning and only casting spells they learn from their kinship with nature, why in the world would that Druid know to procure a gilded acorn? How and where would a Druid procure such a thing?
Same can go for a Sorcerer learning Clairvoyance, or a Cleric learning Revivify -- what internal logic is necessary for them to wake up one morning, suddenly realize, "Hey, I need so-and-so costly component for this spell I want to cast", and then attempt to find it? In the case of the TCE summoning spells, the required objects are incredibly particular and will be very difficult to come by.
Because they are well trained in their craft and know what is necessary to perform their job. Even though they may not have cast the spell before, they still know how to. For example, did anyone ever sit you down and give you an in-depth explanation of why you need to go to a gas station to fill the tank of your car, or did you just kind of pick that up from seeing it happen around you.
And as for the ones difficult to come by, that’s a balancing mechanic so a player can’t just blow up a campaign Willy-nilly. Look at plane shift. No way a character gets the right tuning fork unless the DM wants it to happen. That’s kind of the point.
Clerics, I think, would probably just know through knowledge bestowed upon them by their God. I think that generally covers Warlocks as welll. Other than that, uh... no idea.
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Yeah, clerics and druids and warlocks are casting magic by appealing to some "higher power", the material component is an offering so that the appeal is heard.
And re: my earlier comment on sorcerers, I agree with TransmorpherDDS that v, and s components can and should be party of the sorcerer's spell craft (the somatic gestures and whatever utterances they make are the "body work" used to bring the magic forth from the sorcerer's "font of magic" (it's self). Sorcerers are the class that I'd argue don't need material components as their magic is from within.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
So now I have to ask about the Spell Focus for RAW because I think I've been doing it wrong.
A quick refresher or a page reference would be appreciated.
Edit: NVM I found it. Now I need to ask my next group of players how they feel about it.
Thanks everyone
Logically, at least for someone like a cleric, the value of the components equates to a one-time votive offering.
I should clarify - my campaign is set in an alt version of the Roman Empire, with gods like Apollo, Jupiter, and Venus. In those days, worshippers brought valuable items (what we would call "loot" or "treasure") to the temple to give to the gods. These items were stored in the temple storehouse (or a nearby storehouse), and were considered property of the god. The idea was that the item of value, which could have been used by the donor, was given up as a sacrifice to the god. This went along with actual sacrifice (of a goat or ox or something). Temples were thus full of treasures, and had to be guarded, so the god's treasure wasn't taken.
When it comes to material components, then, say the 300 gp worth of diamonds to cast revivify, this is like the cleric doing a spontaneous votive offering to their deity, which the deity then accepts (the diamonds vanish) and responds with rez'ing the target character.
How would they know to do this? Study/prayer. Same way they know the verbal components of their spells and whatnot.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Yes and I have a sheet of the expensive ones which is on the player side of the DM Screen. And give each new player one. Total GP cost for all spells.
Grand total 91,342 gp 3 sp 2 cp
Consumed 41,825 gp or 60,155 gp
Non consumed 31,187 gp 3 sp 2 cp
Includes Elemental Evil, Sword Coast, Tasha’s, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
No Gaming is Better than Bad Gaming.
I mean, part of my driver's ed course was how to properly fill a tank of gas at a gas station (though this is beside the point).
I guess I don't agree with the "they know how to cast this spell, they just haven't" logic. If they knew how to cast these spells, then they should be of a higher level in their class. I can maybe see that argument for prepared spellcasters, but for Rangers who "learn" new spells at each level, they must have some justification for suddenly knowing they need material components for spells.
And for a Druid whose magical powers could be driven "from the force of nature itself" (PHB 64), it doesn't track that they know how to do these things innately. (The PHB also notes that they could get magic from a nature god, but it gives this alternate method as well.) They just have a deep connection to nature that allows them to do nature magic. In the case of a gilded acorn, I see no way to justify that, in-character, as something nature magic would be based on. A degree of technology and science is needed for that kind of thing -- a nature god (or "nature itself") would not demand such a thing, because it is not natural.
I dunno, it is those things especially that feel impossible to justify. A gilded acorn worth 200 GP could just as easily be replaced by "fine feathers and furs worth 200 GP, or requiring x hours of search and discovery in a natural setting". Maybe it is just me.
All warlock spells are the result of study - they're just being taught by an extra planar creature instead of a fellow mortal.
Others covered clerics and, by extension, fellow priest-type druids.
Do bards have any spells with material components worth gold? As far as I'm aware, their material components always involve using an instrument of some kind. At which point, I can see them going "I need a better instrument to play this." Magical Secrets are an exception, of course, but you should get the secret to casting the spell and not lose out on components info.
Sorcerers are a bit trickier, given the whole innate magic thing, but I just go with "downtime trial and error."
I ignore component costs. To me, having to have components to cast a spell isn't magic; it's alchemy or witchcraft. I don't understand how throwing treasure into the air has anything to do with magic. Why would supernatural forces care about petty mortal artifacts like gold or diamonds? Is Mystra hard up for cash or something?
Then for Druids, some of their components aren't naturally occurring. Like a gilded flower. Somebody dipped a flower in gold and a Druid is cool with that? It's not an affront to nature? Or how about "water inside a gold-inlaid vial worth at least 400 gp" for Summon Elemental? Why is their magic based on the materialism of civilization? (Yes, I know other classes can cast Summon Elemental.)
Makes no sense to me. If it's a matter of balance, characters have limited spell slots and there are other ways to tax them of their wealth without having to fill up your inventory with extremely specific junk. It just slows the game down.
Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any materials for Bards that the components are worth gold but I think there are a few. Also, Bards are not required to have an instrument as their magic focus.
I understand and appreciate your critique of gilded or luxurious druid spell components. However for Wizard magic, which is a form of magic untapped by the Wizard through academic study usually, I treat the material components as instruments or catalysts for a magical reaction. The copper wire in Message for instance has an antennae role. The more valuable components that are consumed are catalysts for powerful magical reactions with the environment.
But Sorcererors make problems. Maybe one can use "imbued with stuff of magic, no material components necessary" as retcon justification for their reduced spell lists.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Ah young druid. You first must find an natural source of gold. And with your forehead hammer it out until it as thin as the bee's knees. Then between march 15 and April 16, find the morning glory growing on a northern slope. Pluck it before the last of the morning dew vanishes. Then using school paste gilt the flower using only your sweat as water. .
As to slowing down the game. Guys, "Smoke break for me. You are in a large town buy what you need of components and note on the log sheet."
No Gaming is Better than Bad Gaming.
I find you get few to no casters if you enforce spell components.
I tend to not enforce them except for spells like True Resurrection or Imprisonment. Then I do enforce spell components. But when all it's asking for is a piece of copper or a feather, I don't enforce it.
Hi!!!! My pronouns are She/They!
Picture a halfling riding a flumph and be happy!!!!!
:)
This is also a worry of mine as it feels like it penalizes casters. Sure, martial classes often have to lay out big coin for some of their stuff and then maintain it/replace it on occasion, but the idea of depleting the nation's supply of 100+gp diamonds just so your party can cast spells seems a bit harsh to me.
I'm sure there has to be a happy medium somewhere. I'm off to do way more research than I should on what will likely amount to a minor point.
Thanks, everyone.
Since you muster out basic spell casting training with a component pouch or focus, I find even while enforce components it does not make a difference in number of people playing casters. IN AL with their restricted gold rules, some spells are now showing up a little less often.
No Gaming is Better than Bad Gaming.
Yes, I use spellcasting components when I play. And I enforce them on my players. I think they're fun, and it gives my players something to spend their gold on.
When I played an Eldritch Knight, I didn't start with a component pouch. I was limited to spells that didn't need a material component cost. And that's fine. There are so many 1st-level spells to choose from that I wasn't really hindered. And I had what I needed by 7th-level (and 2nd-level spells) that it was never an issue.
I have a Hexblade Patron warlock right now, but I can't use both my handaxe and shield most of the time. I still need a free hand to cast a spell without a material component or to use my orb. And, honestly, it's kind of fun juggling them to see what works.