D&D 5E Basic question: Do material components get consumed?

[akr71]

here is list of spells that cost money and maybe consumed
C = consumed when cast
snip

Forbiddance 1000 gp ruby dust, rare incense

snip

It seems odd that incense is not consumed with the casting of a spell, especially one that takes 10 minutes to cast. I would assume that the incense needs to be burned during the casting?

Upon looking it up in the PHB (not trying to rules lawyer, I just wanted to read what the spell does), it also requires a sprinkling of holy water as a material component, but it does not say the components are consumed. Seems odd to me, but whatever.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Unless otherwise stated, material components aren't consumed as far as the game is concerned. Keep in mind also that, as far as the game is concerned, your pouch of components will never run out of spiderwebs or bat guano. That doesn't necessarily mean they aren't actually consumed within the narrative, just that you don't have to track every component in your inventory.

It's assumed that you are constantly restocking your cheap components as you need them, because they don't want you to waste time at the table with such a mundane task. If you just dump everything in your pouch onto the ground, you probably only have enough for a dozen castings of your most common spells.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

So this is a change from 3.x and 2nd ed then? Interesting!

Thanks folks

Since the difference in 3.x was already mentioned, I'll just cover 2nd ed as a (not likely to be useful) history lesson;

In 2nd edition, the default rule was actually that spells didn't have specific components to track. You needed to be able to speak clearly and gesture with hands/arms for every spell, but there were no materials required for any spell.

An optional rule was included in the book that made it so that each spell might or might not require verbal, somatic, or material components, and if a material component was listed it was consumed in the casting of the spell.

Of course, the presentation - a side-bar tucked away in a different chapter than the spell lists, and every spell description including a line saying which type(s) of component were necessary and if a material was required what it was being mentioned right there in the description - did lead to some confusion regarding what the default assumed rule on the matter was. Because of reasonable questions like "If this is actually optional, why is it incorporated into the format of every spell in the book instead of listed in the part of the book that says "Here's an optional rule"?"

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

It seems odd that incense is not consumed with the casting of a spell, especially one that takes 10 minutes to cast. I would assume that the incense needs to be burned during the casting?

Upon looking it up in the PHB (not trying to rules lawyer, I just wanted to read what the spell does), it also requires a sprinkling of holy water as a material component, but it does not say the components are consumed. Seems odd to me, but whatever.

That's an effect of the component pouch item assuming itself to contain all the bits and bobs needed, such as enough rare incense and sprinklings of holy water to not have to track supplies.

Plus, the spellcasting focus rules allow for those items to be replaced by the use of said spellcasting focus, so you would need 1,000 gp of ruby dust and a spellcasting focus, rather than actually still needing rare incense and holy water to sprinkle.

 

[Ancalagon]

Oh I don't really care about the peas and bat guanos and belly lint and whatnots. They are just there for flavor/fluff (and almost all of those are little puns and inside jokes). What matter is when high value components are expended or not.

The 5e Identify is a one time 100 gp investment. The 3.x one is going to cost you thousands of GP over a long career.

 

[jaelis]

Dang now I want to think of a spell that would use belly lint. Heck this deserves a thread...
http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?516588-Spell-Component-Game!

 

[Mad_Jack]

Dang now I want to think of a spell that would use belly lint. Heck this deserves a thread...

It could be an extra component in any spell that involves giving the target disadvantage or making you invisible/obscured as the target or anyone near you is suddenly consumed with an intense bout of navel-gazing...

I made up a spell in 2nd Ed. that, upon a failed saving throw, allowed you to steal a small item from the target's backpack, pouches or pockets. The material component was pocket lint.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

The 5e Identify is a one time 100 gp investment. The 3.x one is going to cost you thousands of GP over a long career.

The 5E spell won't even cost you the one-time investment, generally. Identifying magic items is something that anyone can do during a short rest.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

The 5E spell won't even cost you the one-time investment, generally. Identifying magic items is something that anyone can do during a short rest.

Yup, the reason for identify in this edition is to do what anybody can do without magic, but do it faster.

 

[aco175]

You can simplify things with a spellcasting focus like a wand or holy symbol. This takes the place of material components that are not consumed, but cannot be used on spells where they are. We do not really worry about components when we play unless they cost a lot or are consumed like in raise dead.

The link to 2015 Wizards is here.