Darkwing Duck
First Post
Are verbal and somatic components worth the added complication?
D&D 5E Somatic and Verbal - Value Added?
KahlessNestor
Adventurer
I'm not sure they are. They mostly get ignored anyway.
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If you are a player or DM who actually enjoys the whole component aspect of spellcasting... then absolutely they are worth it. But it's probably then also worth your time jerry-rigging the current system to be one that is a bit more compiled, calculated, and organized.
I suspect that the component aspect of spellcasting was one where Mike & Co. knew that probably 95 to 99% of the playerbase just ignores for whatever reasons-- more complicated for little gain, not fun, etc. etc. But rather than completely remove it from the game (even though that's what most players would do anyway)... they decided to leave the basics in (including individual material components) for those few players who would be upset that they were missing (because after all... it's no skin off anyone's nose if each spell has a single line with V, S, or M plus a small specific object listed-- easy enough to ignore).
So they gave the basics to it, but also weren't overly vigorous in determining how the system actually worked, plus gave countless workarounds (component pouches, arcane foci) for those who wanted to ignore them. The only problem now is that because they only did the basics, the methodology needed for a more vigorous component system is revealing more flaws in it, and is why Jeremy's Sage Advice rulings aren't always the most useful or comprehendable. Because I don't know if it was built with that sort of intense logical structure in mind.
Which just means that if you are the type of person who wants to know all the ins-and-outs about how/where/when Verbal components work (the volume they need to be said at, the length of the incantation), Somatic components work (hand motions or finger motions or full arm motion needed, one/two hands free, presenting a holy symbol or foci *being* the somatic component for certain spells) and Material components work (how much arm/hand movement is necessary to get them out, do you need to make the caster find individual components in the world etc.)... you have to almost build the system yourself from the ground up. Because otherwise, there will probably be holes as the guys at WotC didn't really think it through that much because they knew most players wouldn't care either way.
delericho
Legend
For the most part I would say "no".
I think there are fairly easy ways to make the component system worthwhile, but as-written I'm inclined to ignore it except for 'costly' material components.
I use verbal and somatic because binding a wizard hands or silence is worth while and adds to the game IMO. I do not use material components expect in a few rare cases like raise dead because I can tie that into quest etc to raise a dead ally. Kind of depends on what school of magic do you like from reading.
Components big pain in the dairy air except in a few cases where it makes sense from a story line prospective so i dodge them. The other two I use because I think it has added value does not always come in play but does on some fights and I keep it simple.
What "added complication" would that be?
As a player you don't have to actually move your hands or say any magic words...you know that right?
As a player you don't have to actually move your hands or say any magic words...you know that right?
Ralif Redhammer
Legend
Not really. The only time I care about them is if someone's hands are tied or they are gagged. Heck, the only time I care about material components is when they're something exotic and/or expensive.
I handwave a lot of the somatic stuff at my tables. If a spell requires a somatic component and the character is not fully restrained, then having a hand free is kind of assumed. Taking an action to stow/redraw a weapon isn't necessary imo.
Verbal is definitely run with RAW, as not enforcing it makes silence pretty useless.
Material components are another story. If they're using a focus as the material component, focus must be in hand (or on shield in other hand in the case of a cleric). If it's a costly material component, then, yes, I will enforce them needing to have it to cast the spell (but assumed that un-stowing and grasping it are part of the cast action). Does anyone know of a compiled list of spells with costly components available anywhere?
Verbal is definitely run with RAW, as not enforcing it makes silence pretty useless.
Material components are another story. If they're using a focus as the material component, focus must be in hand (or on shield in other hand in the case of a cleric). If it's a costly material component, then, yes, I will enforce them needing to have it to cast the spell (but assumed that un-stowing and grasping it are part of the cast action). Does anyone know of a compiled list of spells with costly components available anywhere?
bedir than
Full Moon Storyteller
Yes, because if they aren't worth the complication than your non-magical fighter shouldn't need a weapon. Why should fighters have to track ammunition and have hands?
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