I would disagree that the game was set up to keep track of such things. The default 5e has you pick a focus or component pouch and forget about it, except for expensive components. It provides components for spells as fluff only to please the grognards. Same with supplies and encumbrance. That's why there are VARIANT rules for encumbrance if you want to actually track such things. Default 5e is less bookkeeping (hence why AL doesn't bother with any of it, either).
Sent from my SM-G900P using
EN World mobile app
You can disagree but you're wrong (as in factually incorrect).
If it wasn't set up to keep track of it, then you wouldn't have the ability to purchase, store, and see how many of each type of component you have.
Foci and component pouches do exist, and can be used to simplify things, but that doesn't mean the game isn't set up to allow a person to keep track of mundane spell components if they wish to.
And regardless of mundane components, components with a value cost are meant to be kept track of, since foci and pouches don't cover those.
In addition, the rules clearly state when a component is consumed and when it is not, further helping you to keep track of said components.
And regarding encumbrance, yes this is a variant. However,
carrying capacity is not. All encumbrance does is provide ready made rules for a DM to use to show the effects of carrying too much. Carrying capacity still provides you a raw number of what you can lift and carry and not "usually worry about it".
Regardless, inventory of items is not an encumbrance talk, it's about having an inventory of items you may or may not need.
Material components have never worked well in the game. There have been some ridiculous ones over the years. Also, they never felt they were taken into consideration when balancing classes. Some components are easy to come by, others not so much, and it doesn't always relate to the strength of the spell.
So in other words, because it was sometimes hard to get something, and you didn't like to put the effort in, that means it didn't work in the game? Funny, I know lots of players who feel differently.
Besides, warriors don't have to worry about keeping their weapons sharp, or replacing shields or maintaining their armour.
Archers, slingers, and crossbowmen do have to worry about having ammunition though, and that's an actual comparison, since you don't sharpen spell components, but do (sometimes) expend them.
Realistically, how do all those components fit in a pouch? How does the wizard pull out the right one so quickly? Just imagine, the wizard sticking her hand in a pouch full of gems, sand, spiders, vials of blood, tiny tarts, feathers, bones, etc., and getting the right one out quickly enough to get the spell off in the time frame listed under the spell description.
Material components for rituals? Sure. Down and dirty casting in middle of combat? Not so much...
Realistically (as much as can be discussed about a discussion of magic..?)? Each individual component is labeled and in its own pouch and vial, and is labeled and noted as such. If that's too hard for a caster to do, then they use a focus. Why else would a pouch of bat crap, fur, etc. cost what it does?