Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="schnee" data-source="post: 7300881" data-attributes="member: 16728">I absolutely did not say that. Nope, not at all. Since this has gotten really out of hand, once more, just to make it clear: Yes, players need material components, spell foci, or the pouch. If they have none of those things, then their spells are limited. That is literally in the rules. That was never my point.My actual point - for non-consumable, non-expensive components, there is absolutely no reason to devote any game time or thought beyond 'they have them' or 'they don't'. Because if you do, that falls on the level of 'Fighter using whetstone to sharpen sword during short rests' or 'Assassin buying more face paint for the disguise kit'. Those things are the equivalent of tying your shoes. It's not worth devoting game time to them. Every campaign I've ever played in just hand-waves it away. It's kind of fun a few times at most, but then everyone forgets about it, because it's dull. So, when I say 'they're fluff', that's what I mean, because it is absolutely absurd to say they 'matter'. Sure, they matter. The fighter having a sword matters. A rogue having tools matters. So what? It's a think you put on your sheet once and then forget about - because the game isn't managing and acquiring components. It's exploring dungeons and slaying dragons.The only time it matters (for non-consumed cheap components) is if gear is stripped away. 90% of the time that is a gambit of hack DMs who think 'your butler was the big bad evil guy the whole time is the pinnacle of plot.That's why I'm being a bit bold here; I've had campaigns where the DM jerks players around on stupid things like that, and all it really does is add frustration and micro-management mini games. Most spell components should be, in the game, functionally equivalent to a Backpack. You need a Backpack? Buy a backpack. You need a focus? Buy one. You need a component pouch? Buy one. Done. The only components that need game-time beyond that are a) expensive and/or b) consumed.</blockquote>

Verification