I can't seem to find a good example outside of 3rd party materials right now and pending GM or Dev input I figured I'd ask here. The example I'm specifically looking at is the Dart Gun I spell from Ponyfinder with a 24 hour duration that uses a focus component that is an armlet worth at least 25g. If that armlet were removed for some reason (stolen, confiscated, handed to someone else, etc) would the spell duration end at that point or is the focus component only needed for the initial casting? If it were a Concentration spell I could see it needing to stick around, but IDK otherwise. Anyone have any official rulings on this?
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1\$\begingroup\$ So you know, while this question's fine as-is, better answers are usually received when the question asks about the specific case then lets the respondents generalize if they want. (Often answers will strive for completeness by addressing both the specific case and the general case.) I mean, currently, folks looking for information on the same spell won't find this question by searching for the spell! \$\endgroup\$– Hey I Can ChanCommented Mar 19, 2020 at 14:15
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\$\begingroup\$ I am always hesitant to mention the spell and its source because of obvious reasons considering the source in question. I have edited those in now though. \$\endgroup\$– DorianCommented Mar 19, 2020 at 14:17
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\$\begingroup\$ I'm not judging. We're all in this hobby together, man. Now, which Ponyfinder product includes the dart gun I spell? \$\endgroup\$– Hey I Can ChanCommented Mar 19, 2020 at 14:33
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\$\begingroup\$ Kollective 23 - The Living Factory \$\endgroup\$– DorianCommented Mar 19, 2020 at 14:45
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1 Answer
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Losing a spell's divine or arcane focus component after casting the spell typically has no ill effects on the spell
Unless the spell says otherwise, a spell's components only need to be satisfied during the spell's casting: On Components says, "A spell’s components explain what you must do or possess to cast the spell," and among those components is a focus component. Later, Casting Time details when a spell comes into effect, ending its casting, and no longer mandating the spell's caster satisfy the spell's components.
Thus in the same way that a spell must say that it requires the caster to gesture continually throughout its duration or else the spell's duration ends (none to my knowledge do, by the way), a spell must also say that any focus component is required throughout the spell's duration and explain the consequences of its loss.
For example, the shapechange spell has as its focus component a jade circlet with a price of 1,500 gp, but after casting the spell the caster can do whatever with that circlet without worrying about the spell ending prematurely or any other effects. (Using the shapechange spell to change form may cause the circlet to meld with the caster—see Transmutation on Polymorph—, but casting the spell then doffing the circlet then taking a free action to change form using the spell's effect is totally legit.) Compare this to the consequences described for destroying the focus of the magic jar spell while the caster's life force is inside the focus.
answered Mar 19, 2020 at 13:42
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1\$\begingroup\$ I feel like there are some spells that you need the Focus or Material component to like... aim the spell... For example, Scrying. I feel like their are others, but none come to mind quickly. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 19, 2020 at 16:16
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\$\begingroup\$ @Ifusaso The scrying spell's weird. While it's easy to imagine the caster viewing the subject's actions in that snazzy 1,000-gp silver mirror (or free puddle), the spell doesn't actually say that's what happens. Technically, the mirror (or puddle) is just for show, maybe with the caster getting a PiP view of the subject that doesn't interfere with the caster's normal sight? GM's call, really, but, as written, the components? They do nothing. The spell's effect is all in the caster's head. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 20, 2020 at 6:07
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\$\begingroup\$ @Ifusaso (It's the actual, explicit physical effect that makes the spell blood biography so awesome, by the way. The results of that spell very difficult to forge, but Mr. Yrcs can say that, for example, his scrying spell that he's using right now proves Rellik is the murderer and only more magic will prove that he's telling the truth and that he wasn't instead just using the spell to violate a random dude's privacy or even that the subject succeeded on the saving throw.) \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 20, 2020 at 6:15