Components? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Components? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Xanphia
09-17-06, 11:45 AM I apologize if this is a stupid question. When casting a spell, the components sometime say "V,S,DF..." and sometimes other things. What do they stand for. I'm using tree stride as an example. I've never really used components so I'm not sure how these works. I'm soooo sorry if this is a stupid question!!!:(
Androlphas
09-17-06, 12:28 PM V = "Verbal" - The character must be able to speak magic words.

S = "Somatic" - The character must be able to use at least one hand for arcane gestures.

M = "Material" - Requires some sort of item, noted in the spell description. Your spell component pouch is assumed to have those items unless there is gp value attached to the item (ex. a gem worth 100gp), you have to buy those. The item is used up after the spell is cast.

F = "Focus" - Like a material component but it doesn't get used up after the spell is cast.

DF = "Divine Focus" - A holy symbol (in the clase of a cleric), or a sprig of holly (in the case of a druid, I believe).
RogerWilco
09-17-06, 12:31 PM Players Handbook page 174
Xanphia
09-17-06, 12:48 PM So, for Somatic, if I had a weapon in one hand and a shield in another, I would have to put one down or give the shield to someone else to hold onto while I cast the spell? Could I do that all in an action and movement?
Bionisam
09-17-06, 07:50 PM Well, on the SRD, it says that to ready or loose a shield, (you don't even have to get someone else to hold it) is a move action, casting a spell is a standard action, so yes, you can do both.
DarthCthulu
09-17-06, 07:50 PM So, for Somatic, if I had a weapon in one hand and a shield in another, I would have to put one down or give the shield to someone else to hold onto while I cast the spell? Could I do that all in an action and movement?

Sheathing a weapon is a move action.
Casting a spell(with a casting time of 1 st. action) is a standard action.

You can cast a spell before or after a move action.(PHB3.5, p.140)

Take a 5-15% Arcane Failure Chance, depending on the size of the shield, if you cast arcane spells.
Arvagor
09-17-06, 07:58 PM So, for Somatic, if I had a weapon in one hand and a shield in another, I would have to put one down or give the shield to someone else to hold onto while I cast the spell? Could I do that all in an action and movement?According to the FAQ (page 8 of the 8/16/06 version), depending on the size of the shield, you may not need to put the shield down

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Xanphia 09-17-06, 11:45 AM	I apologize if this is a stupid question. When casting a spell, the components sometime say "V,S,DF..." and sometimes other things. What do they stand for. I'm using tree stride as an example. I've never really used components so I'm not sure how these works. I'm soooo sorry if this is a stupid question!!!:(
Androlphas 09-17-06, 12:28 PM	V = "Verbal" - The character must be able to speak magic words. S = "Somatic" - The character must be able to use at least one hand for arcane gestures. M = "Material" - Requires some sort of item, noted in the spell description. Your spell component pouch is assumed to have those items unless there is gp value attached to the item (ex. a gem worth 100gp), you have to buy those. The item is used up after the spell is cast. F = "Focus" - Like a material component but it doesn't get used up after the spell is cast. DF = "Divine Focus" - A holy symbol (in the clase of a cleric), or a sprig of holly (in the case of a druid, I believe).
RogerWilco 09-17-06, 12:31 PM	Players Handbook page 174
Xanphia 09-17-06, 12:48 PM	So, for Somatic, if I had a weapon in one hand and a shield in another, I would have to put one down or give the shield to someone else to hold onto while I cast the spell? Could I do that all in an action and movement?
Bionisam 09-17-06, 07:50 PM	Well, on the SRD, it says that to ready or loose a shield, (you don't even have to get someone else to hold it) is a move action, casting a spell is a standard action, so yes, you can do both.
DarthCthulu 09-17-06, 07:50 PM	So, for Somatic, if I had a weapon in one hand and a shield in another, I would have to put one down or give the shield to someone else to hold onto while I cast the spell? Could I do that all in an action and movement? Sheathing a weapon is a move action. Casting a spell(with a casting time of 1 st. action) is a standard action. You can cast a spell before or after a move action.(PHB3.5, p.140) Take a 5-15% Arcane Failure Chance, depending on the size of the shield, if you cast arcane spells.
Arvagor 09-17-06, 07:58 PM	So, for Somatic, if I had a weapon in one hand and a shield in another, I would have to put one down or give the shield to someone else to hold onto while I cast the spell? Could I do that all in an action and movement?According to the FAQ (page 8 of the 8/16/06 version), depending on the size of the shield, you may not need to put the shield down