A focus is just another way to satisfy the Material (M) component needed to cast a spell where it's required. If a spell needs a material component, you can use your focus instead. If the material component has a monetary value, for example a Pearl worth at least 100gp, then that specific material is still needed.
It seems as though a focus is a required component of some spells but I can't find any spells with a required focus.
Hi Maeglin16
What an Spellcasting Focus does is actually to avoid the need for material components when casting spells, as per this section of the rules. Keep in mind, though, that if a specific cost is specified for the material component for a spell in the spell description, you cannot use your focus in its place.
It seems as though a focus is a required component of some spells but I can't find any spells with a required focus.
Hi Maeglin16
What an Spellcasting Focus does is actually to avoid the need for material components when casting spells, as per this section of the rules. Keep in mind, though, that if a specific cost is associated with the material component for a spell, you cannot use your focus in its place.
But if it turns out that I can have 2 holy symbols, can I use the second one instead of the cost? Or does it still need the "payment"?
No, you can never replace the gp cost or consumed material with any number of focuses. The spells with a cost have that cost as a balancing mechanism. In my games you don't need to actually find a pearl of the right quality, but you definitely must pay the 100gp.
But if it turns out that I can have 2 holy symbols, can I use the second one instead of the cost? Or does it still need the "payment"?
No, you can never replace the gp cost or consumed material with any number of focuses. The spells with a cost have that cost as a balancing mechanism. In my games you don't need to actually find a pearl of the right quality, but you definitely must pay the 100gp.
But if it turns out that I can have 2 holy symbols, can I use the second one instead of the cost? Or does it still need the "payment"?
No, you can never replace the gp cost or consumed material with any number of focuses. The spells with a cost have that cost as a balancing mechanism. In my games you don't need to actually find a pearl of the right quality, but you definitely must pay the 100gp.
Seeing as identify doesn't consume the pearl you should probably not make them pay the money and instead find the pearl.
Actually finding the item is used as a gate keeping method. Just because you have 1000 gp on you doesn't mean you can cast raise dead. You need the diamond. To each their own of course, but I would recommend following the rules as intended to any new DMs.
As a player, I actually had fun seeking out specific items for spell components. I ended up in an interesting RP moment when I visited a shop that sold wood carvings and such and went out of my way to commission an ivory portal (for the purpose of casting Magnificent Mansion). Or even early in the adventure digging through some jewelry to try and pick out a pearl I could pop off of a ring or something. Also I've got some jade Dust in my inventory although I can't remember off the top of my head what specific spell that was for... but that was another thing where I had to go out of my way to find someone who could grind it up for me.
QUESTION: Does my spellcasting focus need to be hand held? Can it be a mask?
Up to your DM. The mechanical idea is that it require a free hand. A warlock in my game used a mask as her focus; "handling" it as required by the spellcasting rules involved lifting the mask to her face. The only spellcasting foci explicitly allowed by the rules are the ones listed in the book, but foci are such a great way to make a spellcaster interesting and unique that most DMs ought to be flexible as to the exact form it takes. Requiring a free hand is the only mechanically significant point (unless you're a cleric; they cheat).
QUESTION: Does my spellcasting focus need to be hand held? Can it be a mask?
Up to your DM. The mechanical idea is that it require a free hand. A warlock in my game used a mask as her focus; "handling" it as required by the spellcasting rules involved lifting the mask to her face. The only spellcasting foci explicitly allowed by the rules are the ones listed in the book, but foci are such a great way to make a spellcaster interesting and unique that most DMs ought to be flexible as to the exact form it takes. Requiring a free hand is the only mechanically significant point (unless you're a cleric; they cheat).
It's not cheating.... the Holy Symbol is a part of my Shield. I'm already wielding my Shield. So I need to put away my weapon to cast a spell?
And what's with just Clerics? Paladins are exactly the same! *grumble grumble*
QUESTION: Does my spellcasting focus need to be hand held? Can it be a mask?
Up to your DM. The mechanical idea is that it require a free hand. A warlock in my game used a mask as her focus; "handling" it as required by the spellcasting rules involved lifting the mask to her face. The only spellcasting foci explicitly allowed by the rules are the ones listed in the book, but foci are such a great way to make a spellcaster interesting and unique that most DMs ought to be flexible as to the exact form it takes. Requiring a free hand is the only mechanically significant point (unless you're a cleric; they cheat).
It's not cheating.... the Holy Symbol is a part of my Shield. I'm already wielding my Shield. So I need to put away my weapon to cast a spell?
And what's with just Clerics? Paladins are exactly the same! *grumble grumble*
RAW, it depends on the spell. A V,S spell like cure wounds does ask you to put your weapon away to cast it, unless you are a war caster.
Well, here's an interesting thought. A staff of striking is typically a quarterstaff, but the way our DM described it, a goat-headed staff acquired off of a certain Delvin in ToA, it sounded more like a magical staff. He said he'd allow me to use it (as a sorcerer) as a spellcasting focus (replacing my mundane staff). Just looking for ideas, how do y'all think this should interact with my spellcasting abilities?
QUESTION: Does my spellcasting focus need to be hand held? Can it be a mask?
Up to your DM. The mechanical idea is that it require a free hand. A warlock in my game used a mask as her focus; "handling" it as required by the spellcasting rules involved lifting the mask to her face. The only spellcasting foci explicitly allowed by the rules are the ones listed in the book, but foci are such a great way to make a spellcaster interesting and unique that most DMs ought to be flexible as to the exact form it takes. Requiring a free hand is the only mechanically significant point (unless you're a cleric; they cheat).
I'm pretty sure their deities just looked at the rules, and considered them guidelines for their clerics :)
Sorry for the basic question, but I'm a super-noob. I've built a character here that has a crystal as a focus. If I use the crystal to cast such spells (that do not have a gp cost associated with them) I'm assuming the item isn't consumed in the process? I'm not quite clear on how to know when they are/aren't. Even a link to such an answer if you don't want to take the time to explain would be most helpful. Thanks!
Sorry for the basic question, but I'm a super-noob. I've built a character here that has a crystal as a focus. If I use the crystal to cast such spells (that do not have a gp cost associated with them) I'm assuming the item isn't consumed in the process? I'm not quite clear on how to know when they are/aren't. Even a link to such an answer if you don't want to take the time to explain would be most helpful. Thanks!
That's correct, the focus isn't consumed. If a material component required for a spell is consumed, the component entry of the specific spell will tell you this. If a component is consumed, or if it has an explicit cost attached to it (for example, a diamond worth 300gp), then your crystal spellcasting focus can't be used to supply it; you'll need the actual item required by the spell. But any non-costly component that doesn't explicitly say the spell consumes it can be replaced with your spellcasting focus, and the focus isn't consumed either.
QUESTION: Does my spellcasting focus need to be hand held? Can it be a mask?
Up to your DM. The mechanical idea is that it require a free hand. A warlock in my game used a mask as her focus; "handling" it as required by the spellcasting rules involved lifting the mask to her face. The only spellcasting foci explicitly allowed by the rules are the ones listed in the book, but foci are such a great way to make a spellcaster interesting and unique that most DMs ought to be flexible as to the exact form it takes. Requiring a free hand is the only mechanically significant point (unless you're a cleric; they cheat).
Only if the spell has a material component. If it's V, S, they have to have a free hand. It's dumb, but that's the letter of the law.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Note: if both you and your DM are new, you’d probably be ok ignoring the costly/consumed component rules at first until you’re more familiar with stuff. The main place they pop up for most groups is that Familiars cost 10 gp of incense to recreate each time they die (to discourage you from being careless with them), and that resurrection spells like Revivify need diamonds (to discourage you from just letting friends die).
Hi folks,
Can anybody help me decipher how focuses work?
It seems as though a focus is a required component of some spells but I can't find any spells with a required focus.
A focus is just another way to satisfy the Material (M) component needed to cast a spell where it's required. If a spell needs a material component, you can use your focus instead. If the material component has a monetary value, for example a Pearl worth at least 100gp, then that specific material is still needed.
Hi Maeglin16
What an Spellcasting Focus does is actually to avoid the need for material components when casting spells, as per this section of the rules.
Keep in mind, though, that if a specific cost is specified for the material component for a spell in the spell description, you cannot use your focus in its place.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Thanks, LeK. That clarifies the rule. 😁
But if it turns out that I can have 2 holy symbols, can I use the second one instead of the cost? Or does it still need the "payment"?
No, you can never replace the gp cost or consumed material with any number of focuses. The spells with a cost have that cost as a balancing mechanism. In my games you don't need to actually find a pearl of the right quality, but you definitely must pay the 100gp.
Ok Thanks
paladin / cleric holy symbol for ie bless
Seeing as identify doesn't consume the pearl you should probably not make them pay the money and instead find the pearl.
Actually finding the item is used as a gate keeping method. Just because you have 1000 gp on you doesn't mean you can cast raise dead. You need the diamond. To each their own of course, but I would recommend following the rules as intended to any new DMs.
As a player, I actually had fun seeking out specific items for spell components. I ended up in an interesting RP moment when I visited a shop that sold wood carvings and such and went out of my way to commission an ivory portal (for the purpose of casting Magnificent Mansion). Or even early in the adventure digging through some jewelry to try and pick out a pearl I could pop off of a ring or something. Also I've got some jade Dust in my inventory although I can't remember off the top of my head what specific spell that was for... but that was another thing where I had to go out of my way to find someone who could grind it up for me.
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QUESTION: Does my spellcasting focus need to be hand held? Can it be a mask?
Up to your DM. The mechanical idea is that it require a free hand. A warlock in my game used a mask as her focus; "handling" it as required by the spellcasting rules involved lifting the mask to her face. The only spellcasting foci explicitly allowed by the rules are the ones listed in the book, but foci are such a great way to make a spellcaster interesting and unique that most DMs ought to be flexible as to the exact form it takes. Requiring a free hand is the only mechanically significant point (unless you're a cleric; they cheat).
It's not cheating.... the Holy Symbol is a part of my Shield. I'm already wielding my Shield. So I need to put away my weapon to cast a spell?
And what's with just Clerics? Paladins are exactly the same! *grumble grumble*
RAW, it depends on the spell. A V,S spell like cure wounds does ask you to put your weapon away to cast it, unless you are a war caster.
Well, here's an interesting thought. A staff of striking is typically a quarterstaff, but the way our DM described it, a goat-headed staff acquired off of a certain Delvin in ToA, it sounded more like a magical staff. He said he'd allow me to use it (as a sorcerer) as a spellcasting focus (replacing my mundane staff). Just looking for ideas, how do y'all think this should interact with my spellcasting abilities?
I'm pretty sure their deities just looked at the rules, and considered them guidelines for their clerics :)
Sorry for the basic question, but I'm a super-noob. I've built a character here that has a crystal as a focus. If I use the crystal to cast such spells (that do not have a gp cost associated with them) I'm assuming the item isn't consumed in the process? I'm not quite clear on how to know when they are/aren't. Even a link to such an answer if you don't want to take the time to explain would be most helpful. Thanks!
That's correct, the focus isn't consumed. If a material component required for a spell is consumed, the component entry of the specific spell will tell you this. If a component is consumed, or if it has an explicit cost attached to it (for example, a diamond worth 300gp), then your crystal spellcasting focus can't be used to supply it; you'll need the actual item required by the spell. But any non-costly component that doesn't explicitly say the spell consumes it can be replaced with your spellcasting focus, and the focus isn't consumed either.
Only if the spell has a material component. If it's V, S, they have to have a free hand. It's dumb, but that's the letter of the law.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Note: if both you and your DM are new, you’d probably be ok ignoring the costly/consumed component rules at first until you’re more familiar with stuff. The main place they pop up for most groups is that Familiars cost 10 gp of incense to recreate each time they die (to discourage you from being careless with them), and that resurrection spells like Revivify need diamonds (to discourage you from just letting friends die).
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.