Like many other replies, I keep track of spell components that have a gp value. I also keep track of spell foci, like the red dragon scale for aganzzar's scorcher, since it actually makes Eschew Materials worth taking and I'm of the belief that just about every feat out there should be worth it to someone in some situation. Plus, as a DM, it's great to remind players of this when I see there character sheet maxed out the gp limit with bracers, wands, and rings.
Do you use spell components in your game?
- Thread starter Ghostwind
- Start date
Calico_Jack73
First Post
Yes and no...
If the spell component is cheap then any Wizard characters can buy enough in town to support them for the next adventure no matter how long it is. Only in the case of expensive components (such as Stone Skin) do I require Wizards to keep track of their exact number of components.
Sorcerers on the other hand are supposed to be intuitive casters. I never require material components for them... it doesn't make sense in my humble opinion. Yes... that is one more advantage they have but they still are held in check by the slower spell level progression, lack of free metamagic feats, and the limited number of spells per level.
If the spell component is cheap then any Wizard characters can buy enough in town to support them for the next adventure no matter how long it is. Only in the case of expensive components (such as Stone Skin) do I require Wizards to keep track of their exact number of components.
Sorcerers on the other hand are supposed to be intuitive casters. I never require material components for them... it doesn't make sense in my humble opinion. Yes... that is one more advantage they have but they still are held in check by the slower spell level progression, lack of free metamagic feats, and the limited number of spells per level.
A Riddle for Ye
When you cast a spell with Material Components, those components are consumed. I imagine this would be a magical process. So, if you cast a spell inside an antimagic field -- which you can do according to WotC, it's just that it is "suspended" -- then do the components vanish?
If they do, then why is this so? Their consumption -- whether they turn to dust, glow and crumble, or simply vanish -- is surely a magical process.
If they don't, then the spell would not go off. This would contradict WotC's ruling that you can cast a spell in an antimagic field (except that it's effect will be supressed and, if it has a duration, then than duration comes into effect at the moment of casting). When you leave the antimagic field, a spell with a duration still active will wink into effect with the remainder of the duration.
Can someone help me on this one? I know it's off topic, but I had to ask.
Thanks.
When you cast a spell with Material Components, those components are consumed. I imagine this would be a magical process. So, if you cast a spell inside an antimagic field -- which you can do according to WotC, it's just that it is "suspended" -- then do the components vanish?
If they do, then why is this so? Their consumption -- whether they turn to dust, glow and crumble, or simply vanish -- is surely a magical process.
If they don't, then the spell would not go off. This would contradict WotC's ruling that you can cast a spell in an antimagic field (except that it's effect will be supressed and, if it has a duration, then than duration comes into effect at the moment of casting). When you leave the antimagic field, a spell with a duration still active will wink into effect with the remainder of the duration.
Can someone help me on this one? I know it's off topic, but I had to ask.
Thanks.
Last edited:
Anthraxus
Explorer
Thanee said:
I just wish they would have made such a change in the 3.5 PHB. Being able to cast most of your spells when (for instance) you are taken prisoner is a small added bonus.
It would really differentiate between innate and learned spellcasting ability, methinks.
Too bad for me, no house rules in Living Greyhawk- my primary gaming source. :\
-A
Patman21967
First Post
Never in a million years ( how long it feels like I've been gaming )
This is not meant to sound snooty to anyone, but I've been gaming since 1981. I started the summer between Jr. High and High School. My first gaming experiences were with a group of guys who were contributing writers for Judges Guild. Maybe I'll get to the point. Never have I even seen spell components kept track of. That covers alot of gaming groups in over 20 years. I feel the less bookeeping, the better roleplaying you get. Just my 2cents worth
This is not meant to sound snooty to anyone, but I've been gaming since 1981. I started the summer between Jr. High and High School. My first gaming experiences were with a group of guys who were contributing writers for Judges Guild. Maybe I'll get to the point. Never have I even seen spell components kept track of. That covers alot of gaming groups in over 20 years. I feel the less bookeeping, the better roleplaying you get. Just my 2cents worth
My group doesn't use them, but our magic system is a homebrew where all magic is "innate," since the god of knowledge/magic is in a coma. Hence wizards really aren't much of an option.
We find keeping track of materials to be tedious, and not add any value to the game, so we're completely fine with that plot device.
We find keeping track of materials to be tedious, and not add any value to the game, so we're completely fine with that plot device.
