Do these spellcasting foci from Xanathar's Guide to Everything have to be held in a hand?
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I see that, for example:
A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.
Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.
What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.
Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?
dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
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asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
I see that, for example:
A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.
Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.
What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.
Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?
dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
2277
New contributor
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I see that, for example:
A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.
Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.
What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.
Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?
dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
2277
New contributor
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
I see that, for example:
A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.
Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.
What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.
Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?
dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components
dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
2277
New contributor
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
2277
New contributor
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
edited 5 hours ago
T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
33.3k5116174
asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
2277
New contributor
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
2277
asked 5 hours ago
Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman
2277
2277
New contributor
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
5 hours ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
5 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
5 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
The Hat of Wizardry says:
This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:
You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.
You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]
The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.
Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.
The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
4 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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$begingroup$
The Hat of Wizardry says:
This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:
You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.
You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]
The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.
Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.
The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Hat of Wizardry says:
This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:
You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.
You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]
The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.
Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.
The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Hat of Wizardry says:
This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:
You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.
You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]
The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.
Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.
The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
$endgroup$
The Hat of Wizardry says:
This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:
You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.
You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]
The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.
Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.
The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
edited 4 mins ago
V2Blast
24.6k383155
24.6k383155
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
answered 5 hours ago
T.J.L.T.J.L.
33.3k5116174
33.3k5116174
3
$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
4 hours ago
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
4 hours ago
3
3
$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
4 hours ago
add a comment |
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Louis Wasserman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
5 hours ago