You can use the same staff as your arcane focus and as a quarter staff. But I wouldn’t with the 50 GP crystal on the end of it.
It's a cool idea with classic imagery. Generally speaking, the crystal should be fine. Most items in the game are only vulnerable when not worn/wielded (exception: rust monsters and slimes). If your GM has increased levels of realism, then yeah, wear the crystal around your neck. Otherwise, the crystal topped staff is cool looking.
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The 50 gp diamond is a component that you use for that specific spell.
You can hold that in one hand whilst having the staff in another so you don't need to worry about swapping and stowing items unless you are trying to wield a sword or shield in you other hand.
The original idea was that you needed to focus your magic into an object to then power a spell. You could focus it all into your hand(s) but that's risky. While all that magic power is gathered... well... things could go wrong. If you critically missed, for example, your sadistic DM could decide that the magic rebounds. Suddenly you have no hand... or focus.
Players choice really.
Taking the Quarterstaff as a weapon and then adding the crystal orb focus to that staff is a better idea, in my opinion, rather than making the actual staff your focus. Would you rather lose the replaceable crystal? Or your only means of defense when your magic runs out?
Again, players choice.
You can always use the Quarterstaff as a backup focus if things do go wrong.
The original idea was that you needed to focus your magic into an object to then power a spell. You could focus it all into your hand(s) but that's risky. While all that magic power is gathered... well... things could go wrong. If you critically missed, for example, your sadistic DM could decide that the magic rebounds. Suddenly you have no hand... or focus.
Players choice really.
Taking the Quarterstaff as a weapon and then adding the crystal orb focus to that staff is a better idea, in my opinion, rather than making the actual staff your focus. Would you rather lose the replaceable crystal? Or your only means of defense when your magic runs out?
Again, players choice.
You can always use the Quarterstaff as a backup focus if things do go wrong.
Hope this helps!
That is not really the way an arcane focus works, and not really what this thread is about.
Spells are a combination of sounds, gestures, and materials that resonate with the weave in order to produce a magical phenomena. Some spells require materials in order to cause this resonance. Most primary spellcasters have a focus they have learned to use as a tool to bypass the material requirement by manipulating the weave in the same way. A spellcasting focus cannot replace a material component that serves a specific purpose for the spell (as indicated by monetary cost).
If a DM wants weapons and foci to break on a 1, that is up to them, but the rules do not require it.
Choosing a "Staff" as an Arcane focus doesn't not grant me a staff of some sort... it is merely an item that I need to have to channel my powers....therefor I need to get myself a staff choosing this type of Arcane, whether it is a QuarterStaff or a wooden staff that I've carved myself as a tool, but not a weapon...
neat idea for the Staff of Adornment, didn't know that exist, although it wouldn't fit our campaign at the moment as anyone with magic are getting killed.....would have given a little more challenge though
So yeah, visually it is better having the crystal on a staff while practically, it is better to have it around your neck ….and even hidden somewhere on you... but that opens door to story if GM want to go that way...so I'll keep it hooked on my staff :)
A quarterstaff is 2sp. A staff focus (both the arcane one and the druidic one) is 5gp. This suggests that a focus is an ornate, crafted item, made from expensive materials (in other words, not just a big stick). I imagine that if you hit someone with your focus it will damage the item, possibly making it unsuitable to be a focus.
Inscribing a holy symbol on a shield costs 5gp, half the price of the original shield.
Not Weapons
The 12 different types of focus are listed in the Adventuring Gear section, not the Weapons section. The focus is called a "staff" or a "wooden staff", not a "quarterstaff". I think this clearly indicates that focuses are not supposed to be weapons.
A quarterstaff is 2sp. A staff focus (both the arcane one and the druidic one) is 5gp. This suggests that a focus is an ornate, crafted item, made from expensive materials (in other words, not just a big stick). I imagine that if you hit someone with your focus it will damage the item, possibly making it unsuitable to be a focus.
Inscribing a holy symbol on a shield costs 5gp, half the price of the original shield.
Not Weapons
The 12 different types of focus are listed in the Adventuring Gear section, not the Weapons section. The focus is called a "staff" or a "wooden staff", not a "quarterstaff". I think this clearly indicates that focuses are not supposed to be weapons.
That's not entirely correct either. The DMG states "Unless a staff’s description says otherwise, a staff can be used as a quarterstaff." Maybe it is only talking about magic item staffs because that is section it was in, but that is not made clear. Basically the exact rules for focus and material components are so scattered (and I've never seen two people agree 100% on every facet of it) that you had best just ask your DM what they would prefer you do. Many will not care and will let you take the simplest arrangement of objects, others like you to choose between certain equipment setups. In my games a staff can be weapon and a focus (though a non-weapon focus is more versatile) and also all components with gold values are abstracted away. You just pay the cost to learn the spell but no actual crystal needs to exist. Your DM may have similar or vastly different thoughts.
Should be fine to use that. If you mean for the DnD beyond character sheet, I dont know how that would be possible, but for a live game you would probably just need to check with the DM to see if that would be OK with them
Does the inverse apply as well? Can a quarter staff be used as an arcane focus or does it need to be modified for the magic?
A mundane 2sp quarterstaff will not function as an arcane focus, no. As noted above, the staff foci used for arcane and druidic casters costs significantly more than that, indicating that it takes extensive work to turn a piece of wood into a focus.
Does the inverse apply as well? Can a quarter staff be used as an arcane focus or does it need to be modified for the magic?
A mundane 2sp quarterstaff will not function as an arcane focus, no. As noted above, the staff foci used for arcane and druidic casters costs significantly more than that, indicating that it takes extensive work to turn a piece of wood into a focus.
This is incorrect for the 2024 ruleset. Both the arcane focus and druidic focus tables list a quarterstaff as a suitable focus.
This is incorrect for the 2024 ruleset. Both the arcane focus and druidic focus tables list a quarterstaff as a suitable focus.
I believe that is just saying that either can be used as a quarterstaff, not the other way around. The 2014 DMG had the same rule. The foci cost what foci cost; a quarterstaff is not a cheaper replacement.
This is incorrect for the 2024 ruleset. Both the arcane focus and druidic focus tables list a quarterstaff as a suitable focus.
I believe that is just saying that either can be used as a quarterstaff, not the other way around. The 2014 DMG had the same rule. The foci cost what foci cost; a quarterstaff is not a cheaper replacement.
That's how I'd interpret it too -- that the focus can be used as a quarterstaff, not that a quarterstaff can be used as a focus
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Really? Because that's the table of focuses, not the behaviors of each focus. Those are described in their descriptions.
The question the table answers is "What is an arcane focus?" and one of the several answers is "Staff (also quarterstaff)" yet you interpret that to mean that a quarterstaff isn't a focus?
Really? Because that's the table of focuses, not the behaviors of each focus. Those are described in their descriptions.
The question the table answers is "What is an arcane focus?" and one of the several answers is "Staff (also quarterstaff)" yet you interpret that to mean that a quarterstaff isn't a focus?
The tables don't say "also Quarterstaff". They say "also a Quarterstaff:" -- and yeah, if we're parsing the language, that article does make a difference
Would they have been better off putting this info in the Equipment descriptions instead, regardless of which way they meant it to work? Absolutely. But what those Equipment descriptions do say is "An Arcane Focus is bejeweled or carved to channel arcane magic" and "Wooden Staff is a Druidic Focus that is carved, tied with ribbon, or painted to channel primal magic.", and as such I'm not going to rule that a basic, off-the-rack 2 sp quarterstaff qualifies
If you want to use a quarterstaff as a focus, talk to your DM about the new crafting rules and work something out
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Flat out, if they only wanted it to mean a staff to work as as quarterstaff, it needs to say "works as a quarterstaff" instead of just adding "a quarterstaff" to the list of items that works as an arcane focus.
Hi
Picked a Sorcerer
So as an Arcane Focus, I've chosen a Staff
For Chromatic Orb, I've got a 50 GP crystal that I've putted hooked at the top of that Staff
Starting, I have to pick a weapon...which is basically useless but the better option would be the QuarterStaff
So, can this all be the same staff?
Not quiet sure how that arcane focus thing works...
Should I have a quarterstaff that I hold in one hand with a crystal at the top and that I can fight using my two hands or something...
How should this work
Thanks
You can use the same staff as your arcane focus and as a quarter staff. But I wouldn’t with the 50 GP crystal on the end of it.
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It's a cool idea with classic imagery. Generally speaking, the crystal should be fine. Most items in the game are only vulnerable when not worn/wielded (exception: rust monsters and slimes). If your GM has increased levels of realism, then yeah, wear the crystal around your neck. Otherwise, the crystal topped staff is cool looking.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
You may also want to try to get a staff of adornment
The 50 gp diamond is a component that you use for that specific spell.
You can hold that in one hand whilst having the staff in another so you don't need to worry about swapping and stowing items unless you are trying to wield a sword or shield in you other hand.
Here is the thing about Arcane Focuses:
The original idea was that you needed to focus your magic into an object to then power a spell. You could focus it all into your hand(s) but that's risky. While all that magic power is gathered... well... things could go wrong. If you critically missed, for example, your sadistic DM could decide that the magic rebounds. Suddenly you have no hand... or focus.
Players choice really.
Taking the Quarterstaff as a weapon and then adding the crystal orb focus to that staff is a better idea, in my opinion, rather than making the actual staff your focus. Would you rather lose the replaceable crystal? Or your only means of defense when your magic runs out?
Again, players choice.
You can always use the Quarterstaff as a backup focus if things do go wrong.
Hope this helps!
That is not really the way an arcane focus works, and not really what this thread is about.
Spells are a combination of sounds, gestures, and materials that resonate with the weave in order to produce a magical phenomena. Some spells require materials in order to cause this resonance. Most primary spellcasters have a focus they have learned to use as a tool to bypass the material requirement by manipulating the weave in the same way. A spellcasting focus cannot replace a material component that serves a specific purpose for the spell (as indicated by monetary cost).
If a DM wants weapons and foci to break on a 1, that is up to them, but the rules do not require it.
So if I understand this correctly:
Choosing a "Staff" as an Arcane focus doesn't not grant me a staff of some sort... it is merely an item that I need to have to channel my powers....therefor I need to get myself a staff choosing this type of Arcane, whether it is a QuarterStaff or a wooden staff that I've carved myself as a tool, but not a weapon...
neat idea for the Staff of Adornment, didn't know that exist, although it wouldn't fit our campaign at the moment as anyone with magic are getting killed.....would have given a little more challenge though
So yeah, visually it is better having the crystal on a staff while practically, it is better to have it around your neck ….and even hidden somewhere on you... but that opens door to story if GM want to go that way...so I'll keep it hooked on my staff :)
Ok never mind
found https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/116260/what-is-allowed-to-be-an-arcane-focus:
Item Value
A quarterstaff is 2sp. A staff focus (both the arcane one and the druidic one) is 5gp. This suggests that a focus is an ornate, crafted item, made from expensive materials (in other words, not just a big stick). I imagine that if you hit someone with your focus it will damage the item, possibly making it unsuitable to be a focus.
Inscribing a holy symbol on a shield costs 5gp, half the price of the original shield.
Not Weapons
The 12 different types of focus are listed in the Adventuring Gear section, not the Weapons section. The focus is called a "staff" or a "wooden staff", not a "quarterstaff". I think this clearly indicates that focuses are not supposed to be weapons.
That's not entirely correct either. The DMG states "Unless a staff’s description says otherwise, a staff can be used as a quarterstaff." Maybe it is only talking about magic item staffs because that is section it was in, but that is not made clear. Basically the exact rules for focus and material components are so scattered (and I've never seen two people agree 100% on every facet of it) that you had best just ask your DM what they would prefer you do. Many will not care and will let you take the simplest arrangement of objects, others like you to choose between certain equipment setups. In my games a staff can be weapon and a focus (though a non-weapon focus is more versatile) and also all components with gold values are abstracted away. You just pay the cost to learn the spell but no actual crystal needs to exist. Your DM may have similar or vastly different thoughts.
Should be fine to use that. If you mean for the DnD beyond character sheet, I dont know how that would be possible, but for a live game you would probably just need to check with the DM to see if that would be OK with them
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2014/09/11/focus-staff/
apparently this works, got this link from the dnd forum support staff....
arcane/druidic focus....
Does the inverse apply as well? Can a quarter staff be used as an arcane focus or does it need to be modified for the magic?
A mundane 2sp quarterstaff will not function as an arcane focus, no. As noted above, the staff foci used for arcane and druidic casters costs significantly more than that, indicating that it takes extensive work to turn a piece of wood into a focus.
This is incorrect for the 2024 ruleset. Both the arcane focus and druidic focus tables list a quarterstaff as a suitable focus.
I believe that is just saying that either can be used as a quarterstaff, not the other way around. The 2014 DMG had the same rule. The foci cost what foci cost; a quarterstaff is not a cheaper replacement.
That's how I'd interpret it too -- that the focus can be used as a quarterstaff, not that a quarterstaff can be used as a focus
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Really? Because that's the table of focuses, not the behaviors of each focus. Those are described in their descriptions.
The question the table answers is "What is an arcane focus?" and one of the several answers is "Staff (also quarterstaff)" yet you interpret that to mean that a quarterstaff isn't a focus?
The tables don't say "also Quarterstaff". They say "also a Quarterstaff:" -- and yeah, if we're parsing the language, that article does make a difference
Would they have been better off putting this info in the Equipment descriptions instead, regardless of which way they meant it to work? Absolutely. But what those Equipment descriptions do say is "An Arcane Focus is bejeweled or carved to channel arcane magic" and "Wooden Staff is a Druidic Focus that is carved, tied with ribbon, or painted to channel primal magic.", and as such I'm not going to rule that a basic, off-the-rack 2 sp quarterstaff qualifies
If you want to use a quarterstaff as a focus, talk to your DM about the new crafting rules and work something out
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Flat out, if they only wanted it to mean a staff to work as as quarterstaff, it needs to say "works as a quarterstaff" instead of just adding "a quarterstaff" to the list of items that works as an arcane focus.