Questions tagged [spell-components]
For questions about the components that go into spells, or how they are involved in spellcasting.
239
questions
8
votes
2answers
109 views
Do you need to provide Somatic Components when casting from a spell scroll?
The general rules provided in the DMG for Magic Item Scrolls states:
Most scrolls are spells stored in written form, [...].
[...]
[...] Whatever the nature of the magic contained in a ...
6
votes
3answers
233 views
Can I pretend to be casting from a spell scroll, but instead cast normally, or vice versa? [closed]
Background
I am working on a tactic for my artificer for combating mages which focuses on out-sustaining their spell slots. To do so he asked a companion (the cleric in the party) to craft a dozen ...
5
votes
2answers
271 views
If I am holding a shield and sword, do I need the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation to cast spells with a material component?
I am playing a Hexblade, who is holding a shield in one hand, and a sword in the other.
Because I don't really want to use a bow, and like a lot of other invocations, I have decided not to take ...
2
votes
1answer
231 views
Is the War Caster feat effectively required for a sword-and-board Hexblade/Paladin multiclass?
In our next campaign I want to play a Hexblade - Vengeance Paladin multiclass.
The campaign will eventually reach the high levels. I want my final level split to be 14 levels in Hexblade and 6 in ...
5
votes
2answers
244 views
With only one free hand, can I still cast spells with somatic components?
I have a doubt about this. I have had various answers and they contradict each other so I would like some clarity on this.
I am a Cleric, I have a shield (which is also my focus), I want to wear my ...
7
votes
1answer
321 views
Can Bard spellcasting go unnoticed by their audience?
I've noticed that it explicitly states in some spells, such as Dissonant whispers which has a verbal component only, that it can only be heard by the target
The caster would whisper a cacophonous ...
4
votes
2answers
203 views
Does a dragon need material components, specifically body bits, for a Simulacrum spell?
Please consider an ancient Green dragon with the variant ability to cast spells. She would like to cast Simulacrum.
Monster Manual Page 86 / Variant:
VARIANT: DRAGONS AS INNATE SPELLCASTERS: ...
2
votes
1answer
103 views
Does an artificer's magical focus replace costly spell components?
To my knowledge, an artificer must use thieves' tools, artisan's tools they are proficient with, or an infusion as a magical focus when casting spells.
However, some artificer spells, such as ...
6
votes
1answer
737 views
Does the Githyanki's racial spellcasting ignore all spell components, or only the material components?
The githyanki playable racial option has the Githyanki Psionics trait, which permits limited casting of a few spells. It is similar to the spellcasting granted to several other racial options, but ...
5
votes
0answers
32 views
Can a familiar deliver only a portion of a touch spell? [duplicate]
Can I have my familiar deliver only a portion of a touch spell and the caster deliver the other portion of it. The specific spell in question is Fly (upcast to 5th level because Warlock) and my ...
18
votes
4answers
2k views
What is a mud-filled cyst?
The 8th-level spell Clone has a mention of a mud-filled cyst in the ground in its spell components:
a vessel worth at least 2,000 gp that has a sealable lid and is large
enough to hold a Medium ...
8
votes
2answers
546 views
Can the Mage Hand Spell do somatic components if the person who cast it doesn't have a free hand?
A wizard casts the Mage Hand spell. They then pick up a short sword and a shield. They then want to cast Burning Hands against an opponent. Can they use the active Mage Hand to provide the somatic ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Can an arcane caster cast a spell that has as its only focus component a divine focus? [duplicate]
Magic on Components on Divine Focus (DF) says
A divine focus component is an item of spiritual significance. The divine focus for a cleric or a paladin is a holy symbol appropriate to the character’...
6
votes
1answer
511 views
What happens if I try to use a magical piece of ammunition/thrown weapon as a spell component for the Conjure Volley spell?
The spell conjure volley has one piece of ammunition or one thrown weapon as its material component. The spell effect further describe the requirement of the said ammunition or thrown weapon: they ...
7
votes
1answer
351 views
Can an artificer cast spells with a free hand and a shield without using an object interaction action?
Suppose a level 1 artificer has a hand free and the other wielding a shield.
Can the artificer cast spells without using up their object interaction action?
For most spellcasters, a free hand is ...
3
votes
2answers
315 views
What exactly is the verbal component of the Prestidigitation cantrip?
The prestidigitation cantrip may be among the most versatile spells in the whole game, and the effects that can be created with it vary widely.
Since the spell requires verbal and somatic components, ...
8
votes
2answers
380 views
In RAW for 5e, can a player use a monster as a spell component?
One of the D&D legends stories that floated around my campus involved a poorly balanced boss fight in a 3.5 game. The players were facing a Giant Spider Wizard, and it was wiping the floor with ...
4
votes
2answers
162 views
Spellcasting and interactions with S/M components when hands are in use
Let's say I've got a creature who has a shield in one hand and their focus in another. They also have the war caster feat
They'd like to cast a spell requiring a Material component with cost/that ...
13
votes
2answers
415 views
Do you need an empty hand to cast spells?
The Weapon Storm spell has a somatic component1 (CRB p384):
[...] This damage has the same type as the weapon and uses the same die size. Determine the die size as if you were attacking with the ...
5
votes
1answer
387 views
Druids, Focuses, Shields, and Spells involving a weapon
One of my players has a 2nd level Druid. He’s been casting shillelagh on his club, he’s also using a shield. I’ve been a little loose with the Druidic focus mechanics but I desire to be more precise ...
7
votes
1answer
253 views
Do I need to put copper pieces on the eyes to cast the Gentle Repose spell if I have a spellcasting focus?
The material components of the gentle repose spell are:
a pinch of salt and one copper piece placed on each of the corpse's eyes, which must remain there for the duration
The rules for material ...
8
votes
2answers
214 views
How does the Mizzium Apparatus's ability to serve as an arcane focus interact with its ability to let you cast a spell you don't know/have prepared?
I recently got to DM my first campaign, and I was planning on letting my players get their hands on a Mizzium Apparatus. However, reading what the Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica says about the item, ...
5
votes
2answers
338 views
Must a component pouch/focus be “out” to be handled, or can I keep it in my pocket?
When casting a spell with a material component, does one have to spend an object interaction taking the component pouch/focus out of wherever it's kept, or can it just be "handled" by touching it and ...
17
votes
2answers
979 views
What is the expected way to acquire costly material components?
If a spell's material components include any items with an indicated cost (such as the pearl worth at least 100 gp needed for identify), those items cannot be satisfied via a component pouch or ...
4
votes
1answer
140 views
Would casting the Ventriloquism spell into a Silence field allow you to cast silently?
I know Ventriloquism is an arcane spell and Silence divine, so normally most people wouldnt be able to cast both without needing magic items or such.
But if you were to use Ventriloquism to throw ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
How would a mute spell caster work?
Would a PC with no or limited ability to speak (like a character born deaf or mute) be able to use spells with Verbal components?
5
votes
2answers
270 views
Does using the Silent Spell metamagic change the action cost for a spell?
Silent Spell costs 1 action, but allows you to waive the spell's verbal component. Does waiving the verbal component reduce the spell's action cost by 1, thus producing no net change in the number of ...
8
votes
1answer
749 views
Can a gem used as the material component for the Magic Jar spell also be used for the Imprisonment spell?
I want to cast Magic Jar to transfer my soul into a gem, then possess someone, then cast Imprisonment (using the Minimus Containment option) on my now-soulless body to store it safely into the same ...
2
votes
1answer
272 views
If a dragon uses Change Shape to turn into an Evoker, does it gain/have the material components for its spells?
Nuanced question about true polymorph (TP) and dragons changing shape:
I have a wizard who has a simulacrum (sim). Wizard TPs the sim into an Adult Bronze Dragon, which can then Change Shape into a ...
1
vote
0answers
183 views
How big are somatic components? [duplicate]
I am wondering how large the hand gestures have to be for spells with somatic components. I know in the question How loud/obvious is a wizard casting a spell? the Player Basic Rules p.79 say,
...
22
votes
2answers
3k views
Does the spell “Silence” affect the caster?
While I was DMing a 5th Edition game, one of my player's sorcerers cast the spell Silence while they were 5 feet away from an enemy caster. They centered the spell on the space that the enemy caster ...
14
votes
1answer
856 views
Do all 2019 UA Artificer spells have a de facto material component?
The 2019 UA Artificer's Spellcasting feature contains this sentence:
You must have a spellcasting focus—specifically thieves’ tools or some kind of artisan’s tool—in hand when you cast any spell ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Can a warlock shoot multiple beams from the Eldritch Blast cantrip with only a single free hand?
How do multiple beams of eldritch blast work with a Pact of the Blade weapon? When I, as warlock, have my Pact of the Blade rapier in one hand and cast multiple beams to hit either single or multiple ...
1
vote
0answers
62 views
If I counterspell with subtle metamagic, can my counterspell be counterspelled? [duplicate]
BBEG casts a spell, I counterspell, and the mob has a chance to counterspell my counterspell under normal circumstances, leading to a wasted slot and some hurt from the incoming spell.
If however I ...
2
votes
1answer
191 views
If you use the Still Spell metamagic feat to cast the Fireball spell, do you still have to aim with your finger?
The description for Fireball says
You point your finger and determine the range (distance and height) at which the fireball is to burst. A glowing, pea-sized bead streaks from the pointing digit
...
4
votes
1answer
447 views
If you cast Darkness using sorcery points as a Shadow Magic sorcerer, do you need material components?
Shadow Magic sorcerers at 3rd level gain the spell Darkness, which doesn't count against their spells known. In addition, they can cast it by expending 2 sorcery points.
Can you circumvent the need ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
Can I pluck a polymorphed creature and keep its feathers? [duplicate]
So this is a question about the polymorph and true polymorph spells. Both spells include in their description an explanation as to what happens to the gear of the target of the polymorph spells ...
...
6
votes
2answers
352 views
What are the benefits to casting without the need for somatic components?
I am playing a Shadowcaster in a 3.5e Forgotten Realms campaign and I took Still Mystery at 1st level, which lets me cast mysteries without the use of somatic components. What is the benefit of being ...
18
votes
4answers
3k views
Does a wizard need their hands free in order to cause their familiar from the Find Familiar spell to reappear?
Recently, in the first session of a new campaign, my level 1 wizard found himself held captive with his hands and feet tied by rope. The DM made it clear that I could not cast spells/cantrips that ...
26
votes
5answers
3k views
How does one acquire an undead eyeball encased in a gem?
The Shadow of Moil spell (XGtE, p. 164) requires an undead eyeball inside a gem (worth at least 150 gp) as its material component.
Who would be selling such an item and if someone was selling it, how ...
2
votes
2answers
315 views
Does a caster need a free hand to cast a spell from a spell scroll?
Does a caster need a free hand to cast a spell from a spell scroll? What if they have the War Caster feat?
7
votes
1answer
202 views
How can I avoid paying for costly material components?
Create Magic Tattoo (SC p55) looks like a great spell, but it is very pricy at 100gp per casting. Is there a way to avoid/reduce the cost?
The solution should be official, at least from Dragon ...
19
votes
2answers
515 views
Can I cast reaction spells like Shield or Counterspell when I'm in the middle of casting a spell with a long casting time and don't stop casting it?
Can I use reaction spells like shield or counterspell when I'm in the middle of casting a spell with a long casting time and don't stop casting it?
The Sage Advice Compendium says:
Can you cast a ...
10
votes
1answer
238 views
How does a Spell Scroll function when the spell has a special relationship to its material components?
According to the rules for Spell Scrolls, casting from a scroll requires no material components other than the scroll itself; similarly the rules in Xanathar's Guide for scribing a spell scroll say ...
4
votes
2answers
356 views
Does a spell scroll remove the need for ‘special’ material components?
The description of a spell scroll in the DMG states:
If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll
and cast its spell without providing any material components.
Does this ...
2
votes
0answers
216 views
Is Charm Monster obvious to bystanders? [duplicate]
Is Charm Monster (or similar magic) obvious to bystanders that the spell is being cast?
I've looked at a number of sources, for example I've looked at the "Sage Advice Compendium" which reads:
Do ...
17
votes
1answer
681 views
Can Hunter's Mark be moved after Silence has been cast on a character?
Situation:
In a battle sequence our Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) has successfully cast Hunter's mark, later in the battle our Wizard cast Silence.
We know that Hunter's Mark requires V (verbal) ...
17
votes
3answers
7k views
Does a component pouch automatically contain components?
Are there any written rules on whether or not component pouches, when purchased, contain components or if users have to find the components and put them in?
If it's automatic, does it auto-fill when ...
10
votes
1answer
279 views
Can a component pouch be emptied of its materials?
Since the component pouch has materials in it, would you be able to empty the pouch for its materials? Say for example you need something to light a fire; could you pull a piece of coal from your ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Can you use two wands to cast one spell?
Basically, in the May 2019 Artificer UA (Unearthed Arcana: the Artificer Returns), the Artificer got two mutually-exclusive ways to enhance a non-magical wand to improve the spells it casts: the Wand ...
