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Message: <blockquote data-quote="HeavenShallBurn" data-source="post: 5832590" data-attributes="member: 39593">That depends on how you interpret setting canon.  They clearly do serve a purpose since they react to contact with wizards and can "fit" a wizard with vary degrees of compatibility.  They also clearly aren't entirely necessary because we see that both accidental magic is possible and we see some wandless magic in use during the series.  I favor the interpretation that they serve primarily as a mental focus, just like words.  Potterverse magic is above all else a direct application of force of will and belief to alter reality.  The words are a mnemonic device Potterverse wizards are taught in order to make the mental focus and effort of their magic easier and more controllable.  But wizards are expected to learn casting silently before they leave Hogwarts.  Similarly I think wands need to be matched in order to properly conduct the magical energy used by wizards, but their primary purpose is to serve as a mental key so that wizards aren't doing magic with every stray thought.  By conditioning them in such a way that they only do magic in concert with the wand it creates a subconscious association that mostly prevents them from working magic without it.  But for primarily setting reasons they would be considered a focus item (required to cast) unless characters bought that off via a feat or feat chain.  One I personally wouldn't make available without significant in-character roleplay to justify.</blockquote>

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