I have a ranger character that is going to use a Druidic focus for his spell casting. Can he wear said focus and still cast spells? Example: leather bracers.
I have a ranger character that is going to use a Druidic focus for his spell casting. Can he wear said focus and still cast spells? Example: leather bracers.
You must hold the focus when casting the spell.
So in theory you can wear something as long as you can hold it while casting a spell
Mechanics-wise, I think the idea is you need to use one of your hands to use the focus. So if it’s on your belt, or a bracer, or however you want to flavor or, as long as you have a free hand to touch the item, and you’re not holding something in it, that’s what the rule is after. To an extent, it could also mean the item could be dropped or lost or disarmed, but practically that almost never happens. So the big, important part is just a hand with nothing else in it.
"So the big, important part is just a hand with nothing else in it." - and more particularly nothing else in it WHEN CASTING a spell with material components the focus is meant to replace. With the new weapon drawing/stowing rules people are think a lot about how to accomplish this juggling, so if the focus was on a necklace and you began the turn with a weapon in your hand but we're able, under whatever rule, to stow the weapon before casting, that should be acceptable.
It is one of those areas where the power balancing of the mechanics is more important that the open world storytelling/reality of how it works. But, as with everything, up to DM discretion.
If a spell doesn’t consume its materials and doesn’t specify a cost for them, a spellcaster can use a Component Pouch (see chapter 6) instead of providing the materials specified in the spell, or the spellcaster can substitute a Spellcasting Focus if the caster has a feature that allows that substitution. To use a Component Pouch, you must have a hand free to reach into it, and to use a Spellcasting Focus, you must hold it unless its description says otherwise (see chapter 6 for descriptions).
The sentence "you must hold it unless its description says otherwise" is because some Spellcasting Foci (Holy Symbols) can be worn. For example, the Amulet, a Holy Symbol:
An Amulet is a Holy Symbol that is bejeweled or painted to channel divine magic. A Cleric or Paladin can use this item as a Spellcasting Focus. Amulets must be worn or held.
Yep, this one is pretty clear cut. There are exceptions made for a Cleric or Paladin who uses a Holy Symbol as a spellcasting focus. No exceptions are made for any Arcane or Druidic Focus. Must be held in a hand to cast the spells which require doing so.
The 2024 Druid starting equipment actually states that you start with a druidic focus that is a Quarterstaff.
Starting Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Leather Armor, Shield, Sickle, Druidic Focus (Quarterstaff), Explorer’s Pack, Herbalism Kit, and 9 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Not only a Druidic Focus must be held, but it's not commonly a pair leather bracers as the OP ask for, but instead a Spring of mistletoe, Wooden staff or Yew wand. Hence why DM permission should be in order.
A Druidic Focus takes on the form of in the Druidic Focuses Table...
The 2024 Druid starting equipment actually states that you start with a druidic focus that is a Quarterstaff.
Starting Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Leather Armor, Shield, Sickle, Druidic Focus (Quarterstaff), Explorer’s Pack, Herbalism Kit, and 9 GP; or (B) 50 GP
While it does, when your character Choose Starting Equipment from it's class choice, any coins that you gain at this step can be immediately spent on equipment as well. You get money as well in Background equipment.
Choose Starting Equipment: Your background and class both provide starting equipment. Any coins that you gain at this step can be immediately spent on equipment from chapter 6. In addition, you can have one trinket at no cost
I have a ranger character that is going to use a Druidic focus for his spell casting. Can he wear said focus and still cast spells? Example: leather bracers.
You could with your DM approuval
You must hold the focus when casting the spell.
So in theory you can wear something as long as you can hold it while casting a spell
Mechanics-wise, I think the idea is you need to use one of your hands to use the focus. So if it’s on your belt, or a bracer, or however you want to flavor or, as long as you have a free hand to touch the item, and you’re not holding something in it, that’s what the rule is after.
To an extent, it could also mean the item could be dropped or lost or disarmed, but practically that almost never happens. So the big, important part is just a hand with nothing else in it.
I will use the 2024 rules for this.
RAW, you can't do that. But as @Plaguescarred said, a nice DM might allow it.
The sentence "you must hold it unless its description says otherwise" is because some Spellcasting Foci (Holy Symbols) can be worn. For example, the Amulet, a Holy Symbol:
Just get a strap that goes into your hand from the bracer so you are technically holding it at that point.
Yep, this one is pretty clear cut. There are exceptions made for a Cleric or Paladin who uses a Holy Symbol as a spellcasting focus. No exceptions are made for any Arcane or Druidic Focus. Must be held in a hand to cast the spells which require doing so.
Could the focus be a weapon, like a quarterstaff?
The 2024 Druid starting equipment actually states that you start with a druidic focus that is a Quarterstaff.
Starting Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Leather Armor, Shield, Sickle, Druidic Focus (Quarterstaff), Explorer’s Pack, Herbalism Kit, and 9 GP; or (B) 50 GP
The staff foci are explicitly confirmed to function as a quarterstaff as well in 24, yes.
Not only a Druidic Focus must be held, but it's not commonly a pair leather bracers as the OP ask for, but instead a Spring of mistletoe, Wooden staff or Yew wand. Hence why DM permission should be in order.
While it does, when your character Choose Starting Equipment from it's class choice, any coins that you gain at this step can be immediately spent on equipment as well. You get money as well in Background equipment.