Spell Components--do you use them?

[Sir Trent]

Us too

We use a system of "If it is an expensive or rare component you need to prove that you can provide it, but if it is common and/or cheap, it's assumed you keep a supply in your component pouch"

Our rules for what is rare/expensive are pretty arbitrary, but nobody has ever had a problem with them. A 100gp pearl for the identify spell is probably the best example of a common component that you need to prove you bought on a regular basis.

QUOTE]
We also use a similar system, where components are assumed to be on hand unless they are extremely difficult to find. I as the DM modify the treasure recovered to 'assume' most of these costs and make it easier on the players. We do they same thing with normal equipment. The players simply notify me that they are buying a new backpack, or coil of rope, flask of oil, trail rations etc. In early levels when characters are extremely poor they must provide money for such purchases but later we just don't bother.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Channelers (Wizards) are as-written, but have the option of creating a focus item (ala Gandolf's staff), with the expense/time required to fashion it scaled to the Spell Level it's intended to permit casting of (inclusive to lower levels, so a 5th Level Focus Item permits casting of Cantrips to 5th Level without components).

Witch Doctors (Primal Codex) make a monthly sacrifice to the Spirits; This sacrifice must include all of the material components required for spells cast during the previous months. Failure to perform this ritual results in the loss of the specific spells until the following month, when the Witch Doctor may make the sacrifice again. (The spirits are fickle.)

For Sorcerers, I use the Eldritch Might rule regarding Exp-for-Component, although I have a minimum scale per Spell Level (5 per, 1 for Cantrips).

 

[Malcolm]

We use the exact same system. I also give eschew materials to sorcerers for free.
It just occurred to me - I need to pick pocket our wizard's spell component pouch before a battle some time.

quick reply to PC: Try sundering them. Just once for flavor, and to liven up the PCs fun combat.

Buttercup:

We go with spell component pouches for the "non gp cost" items.
For anything that has a costly component we have players mark down a set amount of gold they have set aside for costly components. It doesn't matter what the component is, the gp for it gets marked off when the PC casts it.
I've found this makes players come together more as a group to keep the casters up and running.

This "stash" can be refilled or upgraded at cities but we apply the "City size X has Y amount of cash for purchases" to gp-costly components as well. This doesn't hamper the players too much over the long run, but it makes them more appreciative of larger cities when they need something "right away". example: getting the gem for Trap the Soul.

 

[Wombat]

I put spell components into the same category as Fighters keeping whetstones and oil, Clerics having a devotional tome or two, and a Rogue having a basic set of picks -- who wouldn't go out with these? Now if the component is very expensive, that is another matter, but otherwise why bother? Do I want to slow down the game just because someone didn't list "Cobweb" on their character sheet?

 

[Nifft]

In a functioning city, I don't even bother making PCs track normal arrow usage. It's part of their "upkeep".

Out in the wilderness, I make them track everything uncommon. Survival out in the wilds is part of my game... especially in the current "unusual" conditions. Uncommon spell components are certainly part of the "adventure".

I also like the idea of "Power Components", so PCs with item creation feats can make stuff when away from civilization.

-- N

 

[MerakSpielman]

I voted for "rare and expensive," but really I think it was phrased poorly. I assume that spellcasters have components for all of their spells in their spell component pouch. I assume that they keep this pouch well-stocked with components for all their zero-cost spells. Somethimes things will happen that deprive a caster of their pouch, or a cleric of their holy symbol. We don't role-play the use and acquisition of each component, or keep an inventory of exactly how many of each component they have.

Rare or expensive components have to be purchased ahead of time and kept track of.

 

[Chronosome]

We use the exact same system. I also give eschew materials to sorcerers for free.

It just occurred to me - I need to pick pocket our wizard's spell component pouch before a battle some time.

Ditto on the sorcerers, and the Pick Pocket "gelding" thing is fuuun.

 

[Ylis]

Typically my spell-casting players would find a magic item that made components un-necessary. I felt that they slowed down play, were nearly impossible to keep track of, and basically created yet another thing for the DM to try to keep tabs on. Now, something I DO do, is allow a small bonus on the damage or accuracy (or range, etc) of the spell for using the components and keeping track of them, especially the expensive ones.

 

[Stalker0]

We also don't keep track of them. But if the person is using eschew materials, I give people +5 to the dc of their spellcraft checks to know the spell (T&B rule)

 

[Sir Whiskers]

We don't use any spell components in our game. We keep track of V, and S, but as far as the cost of anything, we don't bother (except for XP costs). It hasn't been unbalancing in our campaign and it allows the casting of spells without looking up what is required for them.

My group is very similar. The spellcasters are assumed to have whatever components a spell requires, excluding extraordinary circumstance. The only time this came up was when the entire party was captured, so the wizard couldn't cast many of his spells until they escaped and recovered his component pouch.

I think we're just too lazy to add this bit of bookkeeping to the game. As we haven't had any problems with spellcasters overshadowing the other classes, it's not a problem.