One issue I seem to be running into in my games is spell components. As my characters are usually never near a populated town, they can never find spell ingredients. I decided to let them cast spells without it. I feel like this might become a problem at later levels, with 50k gp diamond requirements for certain high-level spells. I can't decide what to do about this. Do I use no components for any spell? Do I make a spell level that components must be used if they want to cast a spell that level or higher, do I make them use components for every spell? I really don't know.
One option is to assume that focus and/or component pouches cover all non-gold components; then assume all gold-cost ingredients can be acquired or a substitute arranged simply by the player supplying the gold cost from their supplies. So if you want to learn or prepare Chromatic Orb for the first time then you just pay 50gp into the universe and it is done. No actual diamond needs to be found and purchased, just assume it is done. After that then assume that the component is now stored in the player's pouch or integrated with their focus. The spells still have their cost to balance their power, but without the inconvenience of tracking and acquiring actual random gems and junk.
Components are really just flavor. I mean there is a need for some things but I usually just say that you always have the ingredients to a spell if needed, but if they have a cost then you gotta have it written down. One of my players whenever something happens to him didn't chance his hp, or mark an expended spell slot so when he was looting and found quite a lot of gold and I ask if he was writting it down he said but you are. So I told him that yes because that was for me, and after that I told him that the rule "It ain't written? It ain't there". That if I couldn't remember him getting it/ he didn't write it down he didn't have it. But material components or focuses I mostly use for flavor. But he needs a way to cast spells. So if the material component is the only one he would need the component. Else he gets the ability to cast a spell without doing anything. So he could have a weapon in each hand and cast it. So I just say that unless it has a cost you can cast it. Mostly.
Hope this helps! ^^
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One issue I seem to be running into in my games is spell components. As my characters are usually never near a populated town, they can never find spell ingredients. I decided to let them cast spells without it. I feel like this might become a problem at later levels, with 50k gp diamond requirements for certain high-level spells. I can't decide what to do about this. Do I use no components for any spell? Do I make a spell level that components must be used if they want to cast a spell that level or higher, do I make them use components for every spell? I really don't know.
it's been a long time...
Spell components are meant to balance more powerful spells. Material components that don't have a GP cost can be replaced with a spellcasting focus.
Additionally, really expensive or rare spell components can form part of loot hauls or quest rewards.
One option is to assume that focus and/or component pouches cover all non-gold components; then assume all gold-cost ingredients can be acquired or a substitute arranged simply by the player supplying the gold cost from their supplies. So if you want to learn or prepare Chromatic Orb for the first time then you just pay 50gp into the universe and it is done. No actual diamond needs to be found and purchased, just assume it is done. After that then assume that the component is now stored in the player's pouch or integrated with their focus. The spells still have their cost to balance their power, but without the inconvenience of tracking and acquiring actual random gems and junk.
Components are really just flavor. I mean there is a need for some things but I usually just say that you always have the ingredients to a spell if needed, but if they have a cost then you gotta have it written down. One of my players whenever something happens to him didn't chance his hp, or mark an expended spell slot so when he was looting and found quite a lot of gold and I ask if he was writting it down he said but you are. So I told him that yes because that was for me, and after that I told him that the rule "It ain't written? It ain't there". That if I couldn't remember him getting it/ he didn't write it down he didn't have it. But material components or focuses I mostly use for flavor. But he needs a way to cast spells.
So if the material component is the only one he would need the component. Else he gets the ability to cast a spell without doing anything. So he could have a weapon in each hand and cast it. So I just say that unless it has a cost you can cast it. Mostly.
Hope this helps! ^^