Okay, so I know the standard focuses RAW, but can a PC use something not listed? I'm not very familiar with wizards or the lore/need for an arcane focus. My wizard is wanting to know if he can use a dagger as his arcane focus. I told him I'd have to think it over (and immediately logged on here to post haha). Is a throw-able weapon a good idea to have as a focus? My understanding is that the focus is needed to cast spells, so if it was used as a ranged weapon you would no longer have the ability to cast spells until it was retrieved, is this correct?
As long as I can correctly communicate the drawbacks to my PC I don't mind if he still wants to do this, but I don't want to say fine before I understand the mechanics better. I've not had a wizard PC before, so I feel out of my element here. Thanks for any help!
The rules are scant on exactly what is required for something to be an arcane focus. You have the list of arcane foci in the equipment list which has everything from 20gp orbs to 5gp staffs. Makes you wonder what makes an arcane focus an arcane focus. Can a wizard just pick up a rock and use it as a focus.
Ultimately its all up to you. But yes you must have the arcane focus in hand while casting a spell, so if you throw an arcane focus dagger at someone you would no longer be able to cast spells with it. Doesn't stop you from just buying a backup focus, but at that point why not just buy a normal dagger, its not like having the dagger be an arcane focus is gonna benefit you in the action economy, drawing a weapon can be done for free with your action anyway.
All that aside, figure out what makes something an arcane focus in your world and if that something can be part of a dagger.
I'd say you can safely allow any weapon lesser than a quarterstaff be available in "focus" form without affecting game balance much at all. Perhaps decide that it is a dagger covered in arcane symbols and decorative enamel, and that it is not balanced for throwing. Come to think of it, I would not allow a focus to have the Light, Reach or Thrown attributes, but otherwise any simple melee weapon could be made appropriate.
Any simple or martial weapon - not any weapon. No using it with your two-handed greatsword ;)
A dagger or Athame is a traditional magical implement in some Wiccan or Neopagan magical rituals - so the request isn't totally off the wall.
I would agree with the "you threw it away, you can't use it" concept - so it's really unlikely that a dagger focus would get used much as a weapon - either you have to be in close ( bad idea for a Wizard ), or you lose your spell focus.
The game balance concept is to not make something particularly useful for another task that the Character is likely to have anyway, also be a focus - otherwise you're really just telling them they don't need a focus at all ( oh, hey - my shoes are my arcane focus ). IMHO - It should be something they have to carry, and be at risk of losing or breaking if they don't take care of it.
I think the dagger idea kinds of rides the cusp on that one - but I'd probably allow it.
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Any simple or martial weapon - not any weapon. No using it with your two-handed greatsword ;)
A great sword is a martial weapon. The weapon types are simple, martial, natural, and improvised. So it can be used on anything you call a weapon (not a chair leg or your fist).
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Okay, so I know the standard focuses RAW, but can a PC use something not listed? I'm not very familiar with wizards or the lore/need for an arcane focus. My wizard is wanting to know if he can use a dagger as his arcane focus. I told him I'd have to think it over (and immediately logged on here to post haha). Is a throw-able weapon a good idea to have as a focus? My understanding is that the focus is needed to cast spells, so if it was used as a ranged weapon you would no longer have the ability to cast spells until it was retrieved, is this correct?
As long as I can correctly communicate the drawbacks to my PC I don't mind if he still wants to do this, but I don't want to say fine before I understand the mechanics better. I've not had a wizard PC before, so I feel out of my element here. Thanks for any help!
The rules are scant on exactly what is required for something to be an arcane focus. You have the list of arcane foci in the equipment list which has everything from 20gp orbs to 5gp staffs. Makes you wonder what makes an arcane focus an arcane focus. Can a wizard just pick up a rock and use it as a focus.
Ultimately its all up to you. But yes you must have the arcane focus in hand while casting a spell, so if you throw an arcane focus dagger at someone you would no longer be able to cast spells with it. Doesn't stop you from just buying a backup focus, but at that point why not just buy a normal dagger, its not like having the dagger be an arcane focus is gonna benefit you in the action economy, drawing a weapon can be done for free with your action anyway.
All that aside, figure out what makes something an arcane focus in your world and if that something can be part of a dagger.
I'd say you can safely allow any weapon lesser than a quarterstaff be available in "focus" form without affecting game balance much at all. Perhaps decide that it is a dagger covered in arcane symbols and decorative enamel, and that it is not balanced for throwing. Come to think of it, I would not allow a focus to have the Light, Reach or Thrown attributes, but otherwise any simple melee weapon could be made appropriate.
The ruby of the war mage lets you use any weapon as an arcane focus.
Any simple or martial weapon - not any weapon. No using it with your two-handed greatsword ;)
A dagger or Athame is a traditional magical implement in some Wiccan or Neopagan magical rituals - so the request isn't totally off the wall.
I would agree with the "you threw it away, you can't use it" concept - so it's really unlikely that a dagger focus would get used much as a weapon - either you have to be in close ( bad idea for a Wizard ), or you lose your spell focus.
The game balance concept is to not make something particularly useful for another task that the Character is likely to have anyway, also be a focus - otherwise you're really just telling them they don't need a focus at all ( oh, hey - my shoes are my arcane focus ). IMHO - It should be something they have to carry, and be at risk of losing or breaking if they don't take care of it.
I think the dagger idea kinds of rides the cusp on that one - but I'd probably allow it.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
A great sword is a martial weapon. The weapon types are simple, martial, natural, and improvised. So it can be used on anything you call a weapon (not a chair leg or your fist).