D&D 5E Somatic and Verbal - Value Added?

[AaronOfBarbaria]

Yes, there being some spells which have a verbal component but not a somatic component and some spells which have a somatic component but not a verbal component is absolutely worth the complexity of tracking (which is as easy as noting 1, 2, or 3 letters next to each spell on your character sheet, resulting in a note of "CR-VSMgpc" being the most complex possible note and meaning that the spell requires concentration, is a ritual, has verbal, somatic, and material components, that the material component has a specific cost and is consumed in casting)

If for no other reason than for their to be some spells which work even in silence, and for their to be the possibility of escape via spell when otherwise physically stuck.

 

[Psikerlord#]

Are verbal and somatic components worth the added complication?

In my view: No.

 

[happyhermit]

I think it is obvious, but since some of you missed it, I'll expound.

Verbal and Somatic components could be replaced with a flat rule that _all_ spells have verbal and somatic components or that none of the spells have them. The added complication is in keeping track of which spells do and which spells do not have verbal and/or somatic components.

Personally I didn't miss it, I just am not sure what added complication "keeping track of which spells..." really has. Keeping track of how and by whom. As a GM, I don't really "keep track" of it at all, if a character is in a situation where one of them is restricted, then we look if there is a V &or M in the spell description. As a player, we look at them if wanting to "correctly" describe casting the spell, otherwise it doesn't matter outside of the aforementioned circumstance.

Maybe I am actually missing some sort of complication in "keeping track of" these things, but they are just 2 letters in the spell description. We do use the spell cards quite a bit, and find that that does help with mental overhead and complications, but when playing without components barely ever came up, outside of situations where they were "cool".

 

[Darkwing Duck]

if a character is in a situation where one of them is restricted, then we look if there is a V &or M in the spell description.

If that works for you, that's great. But, many players and groups of players feel that anytime the book is opened, the sense of immersion is disrupted.

 

[Ganymede81]

I much prefer a system where, to cast a spell, you must be able to speak clearly, gesture dramatically, and possess your magical focus. If you are missing one (maybe you lost your wand or are attempting to cast silently), you must succeed a concentration check to cast. If you are missing two or more, you simply can't cast.

 

[happyhermit]

If that works for you, that's great. But, many players and groups of players feel that anytime the book is opened, the sense of immersion is disrupted.

Ok, maybe that is where I am lost, are you talking about writing the different letters on a character sheet as the complication? To me, that doesn't even register. I actually find that the spell cards DO reduce some overhead for us, but if copying down spell descriptions then a couple extra letters don't make any difference for me. If you are talking about memorizing all spell descriptions, then I am out, most of my players would never do this.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

Ok, maybe that is where I am lost, are you talking about writing the different letters on a character sheet as the complication? To me, that doesn't even register. I actually find that the spell cards DO reduce some overhead for us, but if copying down spell descriptions then a couple extra letters don't make any difference for me. If you are talking about memorizing all spell descriptions, then I am out, most of my players would never do this.

Are you looking for a discussion or an argument?
After I've put area of effect, range, detailed notes about particulars (such as how Mirror Image is affected by the d20 die roll to see if an image is hit), etc. FOR EACH SPELL KNOWN on the character sheet I really don't have space to put down something as trivial as verbal and somatic components. Which means that when they become important, we have to search the book.

 

[Lehrbuch]

If that works for you, that's great. But, many players and groups of players feel that anytime the book is opened, the sense of immersion is disrupted.

Not if the PC is a wizard!

 

[happyhermit]

Are you looking for a discussion or an argument?
After I've put area of effect, range, detailed notes about particulars (such as how Mirror Image is affected by the d20 die roll to see if an image is hit), etc. FOR EACH SPELL KNOWN on the character sheet I really don't have space to put down something as trivial as verbal and somatic components. Which means that when they become important, we have to search the book.

I don't know how you could interpret my post as looking for an argument, but I am sorry that you did. I was simply trying to understand by asking questions, which you have answered now, sorry that I upset you in the process.

To me, 2 letters was never something to consider, but we all have different levels of what we consider effort. I write a LOT, both on paper and typing, so I suppose something that might not register for me could be a pain for someone else. Space hasn't been much of an issue as I use multiple pages. Also, like mentioned we use the spell cards most of the time, so that removes it entirely.

So, now that I know we are on the same page; personally I am glad they included them, we use them when necessary or wanted and it is no trouble for us. I also think they can be skipped without any real problems.

 

[Lehrbuch]

Verbal and Somatic components could be replaced with a flat rule that _all_ spells have verbal and somatic components or that none of the spells have them. The added complication is in keeping track of which spells do and which spells do not have verbal and/or somatic components.

The advantage that some spells thus cannot be cast when gagged, bound, and/or mugged of components, whereas other spells still can be cast in these circumstances makes for a richer game. It gives PCs (and NPCs) different options in different circumstances and so the PCs can plan for those circumstances / try to avoid those circumstances / try to create those circumstances (if trying to restrict NPC options), depending on what they want to achieve.

So, I think that the added complication of keeping track of V, S, M is worthwhile. It isn't much effort to keep track, anyway.