D&D (2024) One thing that Rangers need in 1D&D if they will keep spellcasting for rangers.

[Horwath]

As rangers are should be some kind of outdoor, guerrilla, stealth warriors, and WotC obviously cannot make rangers without spells,

Rangers need a new 1st level ability, same as aberrant mind sorcerers and their psionic spells.

New ability:
Covert spellcasting:
Ranger can cast spells that are prepared/known by ranger class with ignoring Somatic, Verbal and Material components that are not consumed in spellcasting.

 

[Leatherhead]

I was was fully expecting this request to be to be a variation of paladin smites that do a selection of elemental damage, and work on ranged weapons.

Though I will admit, it is quite a pain to juggle components when you are using two weapon fighting, I find that "stealth casting" is just too useful of an ability to not have at least an associated cost. Monsters and NPCs need to know where the spells are coming from to stand a reasonable chance to fight back or counter.

 

[Yaarel]

New ability:
Covert spellcasting:
Ranger can cast spells that are prepared/known by ranger class with ignoring Somatic, Verbal and Material components that are not consumed in spellcasting.

I prefer 1DD deletes spell components. No more V, S, M.

Instead, "Spellcasting Focus" is everything. Each Class has its own method for casting spells.

The Ranger might use natural material components ONLY. Such as certain plant products or animal products that are known for their magical properties, and carried in a sacklet, like a component bag.

A Bard ONLY uses Voice to cast spells, whether song, poem, or military command. But a certain Bardic College might use somatic Dance instead.

The Wizard uses an Implement, such as a Wand, Orb, or the Spellbook itself.

The Warlock uses a Familiar, whether a Cat, Imp, or sentient Sword.

The Sorcerer uses the magic of ones own Body.

Mental focus is the way of the Psion and possibly for a prayerful and contemplative Cleric too.

And so on.

 

[Horwath]

I was was fully expecting this request to be to be a variation of paladin smites that do a selection of elemental damage, and work on ranged weapons.

Though I will admit, it is quite a pain to juggle components when you are using two weapon fighting, I find that "stealth casting" is just too useful of an ability to not have at least an associated cost. Monsters and NPCs need to know where the spells are coming from to stand a reasonable chance to fight back or counter.

It is only for Ranger spells. And rangers SHOULD be stealthy in all things. Unless they really don't want to be.

Not many rangers will have fireball on their spell selection(unless some subclass gives it to them)

Also there are effects of spells that can be traced.

maybe you cannot hear someone cast conjure volley with this trait, but most will see a hail of arrows coming from that bush over there.

 

[Mephista]

I don't really like making the spellcasting system any stronger than it needs to be.

I mean, really, how difficult is it to whisper a prayer to the spirits nature (V), pull out a dagger (M), and throw it (S) from several dozen feet away under cover? Replace dagger with arrow and nocking/releasing it with throwing, and same question.

Its not like they're in the middle of the woods dancing skyclad here.

 

[Horwath]

I don't really like making the spellcasting system any stronger than it needs to be.

I mean, really, how difficult is it to whisper a prayer to the spirits nature (V),

Some DMs belive that Verbal components are at volume of opera singer.

better be safe than sorry

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I like the Idea of requiring an implement to cast spells. For all spells that affect other targets and have a saving throw. And if you lack an implement, your DC to resist is lowered by not adding prof bonus to the DC.

 

[DEFCON 1]

This is one of those Legacy things that I think WotC keeps in the game for like the 6 people across the globe who actually care about components. But they know like we all know that everyone else just completely ignores them, so they don't even bother wasting their time with making corrections or 'variant rules' to try and "fix" components for people. Same thing with Handedness-- they give the most basic level of "Here's what you can do" to slightly nod at the issue... and then completely forget about it. And those who really care about shuffling objects / weapons / shields / spell components around from hand to hand can just go ahead create their own "advanced" system for it if it really matters that much to them.

In this case if there are DMs out there who really won't let their players cast spells while being Hidden... I suspect Jeremy, Chris et. al. would just throw up their hands and say "Look, that DM can do what they want but that's just kind of silly... so we're not going to get involved with this in some misguided attempt to "fix" that DM." And I wouldn't blame them in the least for that attitude.

 

[Horwath]

This is one of those Legacy things that I think WotC keeps in the game for like the 6 people across the globe who actually care about components. But they know like we all know that everyone else just completely ignores them, so they don't even bother wasting their time with making corrections or 'variant rules' to try and "fix" components for people. Same thing with Handedness-- they give the most basic level of "Here's what you can do" to slightly nod at the issue... and then completely forget about it. And those who really care about shuffling objects / weapons / shields / spell components around from hand to hand can just go ahead create their own "advanced" system for it if it really matters that much to them.

In this case if there are DMs out there who really won't let their players cast spells while being Hidden... I suspect Jeremy, Chris et. al. would just throw up their hands and say "Look, that DM can do what they want but that's just kind of silly... so we're not going to get involved with this in some misguided attempt to "fix" that DM." And I wouldn't blame them in the least for that attitude.

This is one of few beef that I have with 5E, ruling not rules.

Please, just write in:
What perception DC is for noticing Verbal components?
At what range does perception gets penalty and how much?
At what range Perception is impossible to succeed?
At what range is Perception auto-success?

Sometimes, I feel that I need to merge 3.5e and 5e PHB/DMG together to get decent rules.

 

[Mephista]

That sounds like a DM issue, not a rules one. I've met my share of DMs that really hate anything stealth, not just casting while stealthy.

And removing the need for components basically means it makes it harder to bind a spellcaster when they're already so powerful.