Questions tagged [spell-components]
For questions about the components that go into spells, or how they are involved in spellcasting.
282
questions
4
votes
2answers
134 views
Can a wereraven Way of Shadow monk cast Darkness while in raven form?
In my ongoing Curse of Strahd game,
The question has arisen about what spells a wood elf Way of the Shadow Monk would have access to in the various wereraven forms.
In the humanoid (wood elf) form, ...
-1
votes
0answers
42 views
Can you Greenflame Blade / Booming Blade with a Shield? [duplicate]
Both these cantrips want a weapon as the material Component, and then later want a weapon attack. However if you are an Arcana Cleric (learns a wizard cantrip), and as a cleric you can use your shield ...
1
vote
0answers
101 views
How to use the material components for Pass Without Trace [closed]
I am aware that many material components are either a joke (good or bad) or somehow related to how the spell works (IE: fleece for illusion is pulling the wool over someone). But for Pass Without ...
8
votes
2answers
390 views
Does an artificer require two hands to cast spells with a costly material component?
An artificer must use an appropriate spellcasting focus when casting artificer spells. And they must use costly material components when applicable. Neither can replace the other.
But can they handle ...
32
votes
6answers
5k views
How big is a 5000 gp diamond? [duplicate]
I play a teleportation and extra dimensional sorcerer in my group and I'm getting close to obtaining the spell Gate which requires "a diamond worth at least 5,000 gp". How big would a ...
14
votes
5answers
2k views
Does a Druid with the Archdruid feature need spell components when under effects like Shapechange?
Does a level 20 druid need components for spells when in another form caused by non-wildshape effects that change their form but still allow them access to their class features, like the spell ...
5
votes
1answer
182 views
Does an artificer's Spell-Storing Item bypass the need for costly/consumed material components?
Suppose I am an 11th-level Artificer with a +5 intelligence modifier, and I use my Spell-storing Item feature to store Continual Flame, whose material component is "ruby dust worth 50 gp, which ...
8
votes
3answers
479 views
Do you need a free hand for your holy symbol if you're wearing it visibly?
I've been creating a Paladin who uses the Defense fighting style while wielding two weapons (instead of the more common Dueling style with weapon and shield). However, I was worried that spell ...
3
votes
1answer
98 views
How do spell components work in regards to the UA Psionic Soul Sorcerer's Psychic Sorcery ability?
The UA Psionic Soul Sorcerer has the following Psionic Talent option:
Psychic Sorcery. When you cast a spell, you can use your mind to form it, rather than relying on words, gestures, and materials. ...
7
votes
3answers
343 views
Can the Chromatic Orb diamond be used as an Arcane Focus?
Chromatic Orb
Components: V, S, M (a diamond worth at least 50 gp)
You hurl a 4-inch-diameter sphere of energy at a creature that you can see within range. You choose acid, cold, fire, lightning, ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there a way to bypass the somatic components of spells?
I was thinking of making a character that has no hands, and was wondering if there's any way to get around somatic components of spells. I made a list of all the spells that don't have somatic ...
5
votes
2answers
110 views
What is the verbal component of the Dissonant Whispers spell?
This was thought up while reading the following question:
Increase the range of Dissonant Whispers
The dissonant whispers spell has only Verbal components and states:
[...] You whisper a discordant ...
3
votes
1answer
229 views
What appendages are needed to perform the somatic components of a spell?
In Dungeons & Dragons, many sentient beings or devices could learn spells &/or rituals. But it's unclear who is able is able to perform somatic components normally done by a humanoid of 3' to ...
12
votes
1answer
597 views
Can you tell if someone transfers Hunter's Mark or Hex after the original target is reduced to 0HP?
The spells hunter's mark and hex both have this clause:
If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to [mark/curse] a new ...
14
votes
4answers
283 views
Does contingency work if you are polymorphed and so the statuette merged with your body?
The spell Contingency has a material component of:
a statuette of yourself carved from ivory and decorated with gems worth at least 1,500 gp
The spell also ends if this statue isn't on your person.
...
2
votes
1answer
107 views
Should magic items which allow to cast spells be considered as material components? [duplicate]
For using Counterspell, a spell needs to contain some kind of component, otherwise it cant be countered.
https://twitter.com/jeremyecrawford/status/642086415040294912?lang=en
When casting spells from ...
3
votes
2answers
142 views
Can two spells with different types of components be cast in the same action?
Would someone who is casting something with a Somatic and Material component, say Minor Illusion, also be able to cast something with only a Verbal component, say Thaumaturgy, in the same action? I'm ...
6
votes
1answer
147 views
If a spellcaster's racial trait grants a spell that requires material components, can they use their class' focus to cast that spell?
Based on the answer to this question about non-spellcasters, spells granted by racial traits don't waive the need for material components. However, can spellcasters use their class' allowed focuses ...
1
vote
1answer
114 views
What would verbal components actually sound like?
Something I've always wondered is what does a verbal component actually sounds like in-universe. Is it random sounds, gibberish, or do you anime it and chant something in actual words. Given that the ...
14
votes
1answer
908 views
Can concentration spells be “adjusted” while silenced?
For an example, the party is fighting Strahd, a vampire spellcaster. The party cleric casts Dawn, off center on Strahd to only affect him. Then the party wizard casts silence directly on top of ...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
If a Cleric uses “a sprinkling of holy water” in a spell, does the flask eventually get used up?
e.g. the Bless spell calls for "a sprinkling of holy water"
Is the flask essentially unlimited for Bless, or is there a conversion of X sprinklings in 1 flask?
1
vote
1answer
192 views
Does Green-Flame Blade benefit from the Alchemist artificer's Alchemical Savant feature if they use alchemist's supplies as an improvised weapon?
The Alchemist artificer's 5th-level Alchemical Savant feature states (WGtE, p. 180; E:RftLW, p. 58):
Whenever you cast a spell using your alchemist’s supplies as the spellcasting focus, you gain a ...
1
vote
1answer
165 views
Are the Power Word spells especially easy to identify?
There are various high level spells named "Power Word: X". They are all verbal-only spells (except Power Word: Heal), and tend to have the following text in them(...except Power Word: Heal):
You ...
3
votes
1answer
156 views
Can spellcasters try to make it difficult to identify what spell they're casting?
How to identify a spell being cast? discusses how to identify a spell.
This question seeks to discover whether there are steps a spellcaster could take during casting to make this identification more ...
10
votes
2answers
264 views
If one of the platinum rings that serves as a component of the Warding Bond spell is removed and then replaced, do the effects of the spell resume?
Warding Bond has a duration of 1 hour and has a material requirement of
a pair of platinum rings worth at least 50 gp each, which you and the target must wear for the duration
If one of the two ...
2
votes
1answer
105 views
Does activating a scroll require satisfying the spell's verbal and somatic components?
Example: The wizard is in the area of a silence spell effect and wants to activate a scroll. The spell on the scroll normally requires verbal and somatic components. Is the wizard prevented from ...
2
votes
3answers
176 views
Does using an arcane focus reduce the cost of adding a spell to your spellbook?
The material explanation in chapter 10 of the Players Handbook states that:
'A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a ...
5
votes
1answer
155 views
Spirit Guardians Material Components
Short Version:
The 5e rules state that a player can substitute material components with a focus. Could the player provide the actual material instead?
If so, could a Divine Soul Sorcerer/Paladin use ...
5
votes
1answer
102 views
As far as Spell Components are concerned, what do “retrieve”, “manipulate” and “stow” mean?
From Core Rulebook (p. 303):
Focus: A focus is an object that funnels the magical energy of the spell. The spell gains the manipulate trait and requires you to either have a free hand to retrieve ...
2
votes
2answers
570 views
What is Jester using as a focus for Scrying in Critical Role?
Reading through the PHB, I found the spell Scrying, which has the following Components:
Components: V, S, M, (a focus worth at least 1000 gp, such as a crystal ball, a silver mirror or a font ...
12
votes
1answer
1k views
If a sorcerer rolls on the Wild Magic Surge table and gets a result that says they cast a certain spell, does it require the usual components?
Several effects from the Wild Magic sorcerer's Wild Magic Surge table (PHB, p. 104) tell you, the sorcerer, to cast a spell as the result, for example:
You cast fireball as a 3rd-level spell ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
If you cast a spell with a focus component and a long duration, does it end if the focus component goes missing?
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
91 views
Does Shades/Shadow Conjuration/Evocation requires material components?
I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but I just wanted to be sure I didn't miss a rule somewhere, after all it is an illusion.
Let's say I use Shadow Conjuration, Greater to duplicate Acid Storm that ...
12
votes
1answer
489 views
Where in 5e does it state that the Plane Shift spell's target plane has to be the plane that its tuning fork is attuned to?
Judging from previous editions, the Plane Shift spell's target plane and the plane its material components are attuned to both have to be the same plane. But, does it actually say that anywhere in ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
Can a druid who is wild shaped into an ape cast spells that only have somatic components (e.g. Thunderclap)?
The question Can a druid use a focus to cast beast spells while in wild shape? is related, but does not deal with "somatic-only" spells; they only say "no" due to lack of access to verbal or material ...
16
votes
4answers
2k 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 scroll, ...
8
votes
1answer
458 views
Can I pretend to be casting from a spell scroll, but instead cast normally, or vice versa?
The strategy
I am working on a tactic for my artificer (battlesmith) for combating mages which focuses on out-sustaining their spell slots. To do so he asked a companion (the cleric in the party) to ...
5
votes
2answers
378 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
758 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
952 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
481 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
297 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: Dragons ...
2
votes
1answer
302 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
887 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
3k 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
834 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
52 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’s ...
6
votes
1answer
537 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
1k 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 ...
