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Thread: Arcane focus questions...
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2019-11-18, 02:36 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2015
Arcane focus questions...
So we've begun a new campaign (different dm for this one to anyone who's followed my previous threads) and this dm is saying that we'll be using the material components for spellcasting (we've ignored them in other campaigns).
Because of this, I want to use an arcane focus as it seems better and more versatile than a component pouch, but there's a few questions to understand how to use an AF best:
1. How/can it work with spells that consume the material component(s)? If so, do I lose the AF in the process?
2. Will it cover ALL components? are there any restrictions on types of components it can't replace?
3. Can I have more than one in case I lose one (say I carry 2 of them so I have a backup one just in case)?
4. Is there anything I should know about using them that I might be missing? (any special rules, etc.)Last edited by samcifer; 2019-11-18 at 02:37 PM.
"I'll have my revenge, and Deathstalker (part) II! ™"
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2019-11-18, 02:40 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2018
Re: Arcane focus questions...
1. For spells that consume the material components and a price, usually in GP, you are required to have said components before casting the spell.
2. It will cover components that do not have a cost associated with them and that won't be consumed (e.g. Fireball uses guano and sulfur which the arcane focus can be substituted for, but Revivify requires a diamond worth x amount of GP which cannot be substituted for by the focus).
3. If you are able to find or purchase another (a component pouch works too) and carry it (Str permitting), there is no reason why you cannot. It needs to be an Arcane Focus for Wizard, Warlock, and Sorcerer spells; a holy symbol for Paladin and Cleric spells; a musical instrument for Bard spells.Last edited by Expected; 2019-11-18 at 02:43 PM.
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2019-11-18, 02:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2019
Re: Arcane focus questions...
A focus can substitute only materials components that both lack a cost and are not consumed.
If you want to cast a spell that requires a cristal worth 50 gp you can't use a focus in his place.
If you want to cast a spell that requires a hair of a hag and consumes it as part of the casting you can't use a focus in his place
If you want to cast a spell that requires 100 gp of diamond dus and consumes is as part of the casting you can't use a focus in his place.
That sayed an AF can sobstitute endlessly all other cases of material component required.
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2019-11-18, 02:49 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2016
Re: Arcane focus questions...
These answer both 1 and 2.
3. You can have as many non-magical arcane focus as you want (can afford).
4. If a spell requires a somatic component but not a material component and both of your hands are occupied even if one of those hands has a spell focus in it, you cannot cast the spell.Last edited by Garfunion; 2019-11-18 at 02:50 PM.
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2019-11-18, 02:52 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2018
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2019-11-18, 04:47 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2019
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2019-11-18, 09:46 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2015
Re: Arcane focus questions...
Besides Snare, what spells have M components don't have a listed cost but are consumed?
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2019-11-18, 10:25 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2015
- Location
- Maine
- Gender
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2019-11-18, 11:05 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2016
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2019-11-19, 01:05 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2013
- Location
- Somewhere
- Gender
Re: Arcane focus questions...
It's Eberron, not ebberon.
It's not high magic, it's wide magic.
And it's definitely not steampunk. The only time steam gets involved is when the fire and water elementals break loose.
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2019-11-19, 02:52 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2016
Re: Arcane focus questions...
Check with DM on how they handle Somatic Components and material components / focuses.
That line about being able to use the same hand to access material components / hold a focus and do the somatic gestures of a spell is one of the ongoing arguments on the forum.
To some, that means you can hold a focus the entire time you are casting a spell that uses the focus for the material component of the spell. To others, it means you do the somatic gestures and focus holding in sequence - the hand needing to be empty of even material components to form proper somatic gestures.
Not going to get into the arguments for or against either. Just find out the ruling this DM uses.