D&D General Do you track material components?

[wingsandsword]

I think 3E called it "Arcane Focus" - casting spells through a focus (like a holy symbol) rather than needing/consuming component.

Focus components in 3e are non-consumed material components. The miniature archery target for the spell True Strike would be an example of a Focus component, so would the sticks for an Augury spell.

In 3e rules, if you have a spell component pouch, you didn't need to track individual components and there is just a presumption that if you have a pouch, you have a suitable component in there (if the component didn't have a listed cost in GP). There wasn't something in the RAW, that I'm aware of, that just let you substitute another item, like a Holy Symbol, for that functionality.

 

[el-remmen]

Focus components in 3e are non-consumed material components. The miniature archery target for the spell True Strike would be an example of a Focus component, so would the sticks for an Augury spell.

In 3e rules, if you have a spell component pouch, you didn't need to track individual components and there is just a presumption that if you have a pouch, you have a suitable component in there (if the component didn't have a listed cost in GP). There wasn't something in the RAW, that I'm aware of, that just let you substitute another item, like a Holy Symbol, for that functionality.

I know. I was just trying to help you make the distinction between "spell focus" which had a different use and meaning - while the 5E rules are closer to the idea of the arcane focus of 3E.

 

[Charlaquin]

Giving every caster a +1 bonus to the DC's of one school of magic they can cast is a basic 5e rule?

I think we might be having some very different ideas when you say "Spell Focus".

You know, you could just read the rules except @tetrasodium posted if you’re confused by the different use of language.

 

[pming]

Hiya!

Simple question. Does your group bother to track the use of material components? Why or why not?

(Comic for illustrative purposes.)

Yes. But that's only up to the Player.
In my game, it is ALWAYS beneficial for the PC caster to have the actual material components. If they have the actual component(s) needed, the spellcaster can choose to 'up/enhance' the spell some way. This is done on a case-by-case basis, but typically is a bonus to Range, Area of Effect, Save penalty or 'average at worst' rolling if the spell involves dice. Our Rule-of-Thumb is "10% to 25% better", depending on spell.

For example, a PC Wizard casts Floating Disk. The PC Wizard actually has a vial with, say, 10 drops of mercury in it (the listed Spell Component for the spell). The Wizard casts the spell and drips a drop of mercury...it falls to about 3' off the ground then flattens out into the shape of a silver-platter (the Floating Disk). The Player just wants to carry a bit more weight. Normally Floating Disk carries 500 pounds. But I'd let it carry 550 lb now.

So, as I said, always a good thing, but if the Player doesn't want to deal with tracking and obtaining individual Spell Components, they don't have to. They can give up that potential bonus and just go with the easier "Spell Component Pouch" or "Arcane Focus" or whatever.

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[Umbran]

I don't generally track components without a cost.

Those with a cost, it is a bit situational. If you are out in the hinterlands, getting a 500 GP diamond may be difficult if you need a Raise Dead cast. If you are in the middle of Waterdeep, buying (or stealing) one is probably not a major barrier in the long run.

 

[Umbran]

Spell focus is a feat?

No, it is a class feature for every spellcasting class, iirc.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Back in 2e, I tried out tracking every single spell ingredient, no matter how mundane - every bit of fuzz, every black opal, every feather. It's just not worth the bean-counting (clearly I was going through a mood back then, because I was also keeping an in-game calendar that tracked every day spent adventuring, traveling, healing, and so on). These days, unless it costs a lot of gold, I don't really care.

 

[BacchusNL]

Giving every caster a +1 bonus to the DC's of one school of magic they can cast is a basic 5e rule?

I think we might be having some very different ideas when you say "Spell Focus".

Spellcasting

D&D Beyond - Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Tools, Rules, Races, Classes, Items, Spells, Monsters, and More

www.dndbeyond.com

Material (M)​

Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in “Equipment”) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.

 

[Shiroiken]

Unless it has a cost attached to it, it's assumed to be covered by spellcasting pouch or focus, but obviously losing those would require you to scavenge the actual components. If it's a fairly common thing, even without a pouch/focus it could be assumed to exist.

If it has a cost, they have to be purchased in advance. In our current Avernus game we've twice had the opportunity to buy components, and both times I bought stuff based on future levels. We never knew when (or if) we'd ever have a chance to resupply outside of treasure (diamonds), so I wanted to be prepared. We may never get to high enough level for the spells, but I don't want my options limited because of it!

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

Just the expensive ones.