D&D 5E Does anyone actually track rations?

[Jester David]

Rations are like arrows or spell components. I don't consider tracking them.
Until I do.

When walking through the wilderness or stranded in the Underdark, when the party cannot just buy more supplies, then I track that sort of thing.

 

[The Human Target]

I disagree.

It lasts 24 hours. Therefore, if you cast it right before taking a long rest (or even better, right before finishing a long rest, and yes you can do that by RAW), you get your spell slot back and you have free food and healing for the entire next day.

Just ask my players, they do it every single day.

The spell is great in very common circumstances.

In my opinion, it desperately needs a nerf.

The player has an unused 1st level spell slot before resting to use on Goodberry? That they wouldn't rather use during the course of the day for a much more useful spell? If so, I say more power to them.

Wouldn't the party rather spend a wee bit of money or make some foraging rolls over wasting a possibly life saving spell on food?

They wouldn't rather the Druid prepare Jump or Thunderwave or Entangle or whatever in Goodberry's place?

What level are you guys? If it's to the point where they are really powerful is it really a problem? D&D in general has always had spells that negate common/minor issues easily after a certain point.

Unless your main game obstacle is a never ending famine, I don't see the trouble.

Nerfing wise, I'd say just knock down the time the Goodberry's last to 12 hours or 1 hour if it's a real issue in your game.

Or just enforce a general "If you cast anything other than a cantrip, your rest is negated. See you in 8 more hours" rule.

Or just tell them their characters are getting the embarrassing fruit squirts from a permanent berry overdose.