Sacred Cow Death Watch: Do you use material components?

[BOZ]

i love the idea as a concept, but it is a pain in the ass to keep track of all that stuff.

 

[Shade]

I only use pricey ones, and wouldn't mind seeing them all disappear.

In its place I'd love to see a flavorful set of optional rules for empowering your magic with additional components.

So instead of requiring 250 gp worth of diamond dust for stoneskin, don't require anything, and then allow me to make it better if I do happen to have an appropriate component on me.

Component casting should take more time -- a move to get the component out, and then the normal casting time after that.

Now this I like!

 

[Mercule]

Technically, I don't have a "free eschew components" rule -- but since I never bother with them unless they're pricey it amounts to about the same thing.

Ditto.

 

[diaglo]

we use V, S, and M.

 

[Psion]

In its place I'd love to see a flavorful set of optional rules for empowering your magic with additional components.

So instead of requiring 250 gp worth of diamond dust for stoneskin, don't require anything, and then allow me to make it better if I do happen to have an appropriate component on me.

Phil reed has several "spell component" products based on this concept (many of which make it into the unusual treasures print compilation.)

 

[BOZ]

i like Eric Noah's idea as well. see my "Critter Bits" thread for further ideas on developing that.

 

[Chiaroscuro23]

Technically, I don't have a "free eschew components" rule -- but since I never bother with them unless they're pricey it amounts to about the same thing.

That's pretty much what I do, too.

 

[frankthedm]

Oh yes. Material components fit quite well into my vision of the D&D magic system. Every component is important to the spell, the final words of power, those sometimes silly seeming somatic gestures and the materials all help shape the spell. To not use one of those takes considerable effort to keep the spell safe to use. [in the form of the metamagic feat or eschew materials].

Component pouches are also more costly.

IMG young sorcerer’s developing powers are uncontrolled because they do not know the proper components of the spell. The lucky ones learn or improvise. The unlucky ones blow their families to bits with uncontrolled magical tantrums. If a sorcerer willfully chooses not to use the proper components for a spell, she gets a repeat of the uncontrolled magical outbursts that heralded the development of her powers. This is very unhealthy with higher level spells.

 

[Gez]

Oh yes. Material components fit quite well into my vision of the D&D magic system. Every component is important to the spell, the final words of power, those sometimes silly seeming somatic gestures and the materials all help shape the spell. To not use one of those takes considerable effort to keep the spell safe to use. [in the form of the metamagic feat or eschew materials].

Component pouches are also more costly.

IMG young sorcerer’s developing powers are uncontrolled because they do not know the proper components of the spell. The lucky ones learn or improvise. The unlucky ones blow their families to bits with uncontrolled magical tantrums. If a sorcerer willfully chooses not to use the proper components for a spell, she gets a repeat of the uncontrolled magical outbursts that heralded the development of her powers. This is very unhealthy with higher level spells.

Other: Spell component pouches have 50 uses. If you actually have the material component, then you can use it to avoid removing one charge from the pouch, of course.

But that's the theory. In practice, we tend to forget about them. As well as about many other rules. Last time the ranger was complaining that his ability to walk unimpeded through thick vegetation was useless because nobody ever had his movement impeded by natural things. Spells such as entangle and web, yes. Nets and tanglefoot bags, yes. But bushes and vines, never... Oops!

 

[frankthedm]

Last time the ranger was complaining that his ability to walk unimpeded through thick vegetation was useless because nobody ever had his movement impeded by natural things. Spells such as entangle and web, yes. Nets and tanglefoot bags, yes. But bushes and vines, never... Oops!

That come from the DM failing to put in terrain on the outdoor battlefield. Whether it is forgotton or not used so it does not make things "unfun" for other characters, a disservice is done to the ranger or druid when that happens.

It is alot like a paladin's disease immunity. If the Paladin is getting the benefit he deserves from it, the other players are likly suffering form diseases or taking step s to avoid contracting said diseases, as they should be.