Timeline for answer to Can a multiclass Warlock/Sorcerer use the Rod of the Pact Keeper as a spellcasting focus for both classes? by Eddymage
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Post Revisions
8 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2, 2023 at 15:33 | comment | added | Ryan C. Thompson | Let us continue this discussion in chat. | |
| Oct 2, 2023 at 13:14 | comment | added | Eddymage | If you look in DND Beyond for the Orb entry it states "Type: arcane focus", and its description presents the wording reported in my previous comment. Not every orb, crystal, wand etc etc can be used as an arcane focus: otherwise, even a simple glass bottle can be used as such, since glass is actually a crystal. Of course, a DM and/or a table can rule otherwise, allowing any magic item (such as wands, etc) as focus. | |
| Oct 2, 2023 at 11:54 | comment | added | Ryan C. Thompson | A quick search through D&D Beyond's item list didn't turn up any items that simply restate the standard rules for using them as a spellcasting focus. As far as I can tell, an item's description only ever states that it can be used as a focus when the rules for using it differ from the standard rules. I find it hard to believe that not a single orb, wand, crystal, staff, or rod is usable as an arcane focus except for the few that happen to have non-standard rules for using them as foci. | |
| Oct 2, 2023 at 11:25 | comment | added | Eddymage | @RyanC.Thompson Again, I vibrantly disagree: the fact that has to specify it confirms that a magic item must list this property, it is not automatic. Indeed, the description of focuses says: "An arcane focus is a special item designed to channel the power of arcane spells." Magic items must be designed to be arcane focuses | |
| Oct 2, 2023 at 11:16 | comment | added | Ryan C. Thompson | If it just said "You can use the shard as a spellcasting focus while you wear it", it would be confusing. Does that override the normal rule that one must hold a focus to use it, or does it add to it? Wording it as "hold or wear" removes the ambiguity, at the very minor cost of being slightly redundant with the normal spellcasting rules. Likewise for the other items: the special rules for using these items as foci overlap with the normal rules, which is redundant but unambiguous. | |
| Oct 2, 2023 at 5:46 | comment | added | Eddymage | @RyanC.Thompson I completely disagree. The shard text says: "You can use the shard as a spellcasting focus while you hold or wear it", so it specifies that you can use it as an arcane focus even with the usual way of usage. The Ruby Weave Gem and the Orb of Shieldgin are specifying this usage even for spellcasters that can use orbs for as focus. | |
| Oct 2, 2023 at 2:50 | comment | added | Ryan C. Thompson | The 3 items you cite at the start of this answer all include text specifying that they can be used as foci because their usage as foci is non-standard. That is, they can all be used as foci in specific ways that nonmagical foci cannot. The Astral Shard can be used as a spellcasting focus while wearing it (normal foci must be held); the Orb of Shielding and Ruby Weave Gem can be used by any spellcasters, even those that can't normally use orbs/crystals as foci. Hence, these items are not evidence that a magic item must include such text to be used normally as a focus. | |
| Oct 1, 2023 at 21:41 | history | answered | Eddymage | CC BY-SA 4.0 |