Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Brannon Zahand 01-18-05, 09:43 PM	I am having an arguement with a friend over whether or not Bards require material components to cast spells. I've been to a number of websites that interpret AD&D 3.5 as saying they do NOT need components... however this never appears to be clearly called out in the player's handbook. Can anyone shed light?
The Simbul 01-18-05, 09:55 PM	Bards require all components listed in a spell's description in order to cast that spell. The only exception is that the Bard does not need to provide a divine focus when casting a spell that both belongs to the cleric spell list and the bard spell list (i.e. cure light wounds). Since a Bard is an arcane spellcaster, they dont need a Divine Focus (holy symbol), but they must provide all other components of any given spell. In addition, all bard spells require a verbal component, and the use the Silent Spell feat or similar effects cannot remove the verbal component from any of their bard spells.
MystErikEry 01-18-05, 10:22 PM	I think the PHB is quite clear on the subject. The starting bard package includes a Spell Component Pouch. It would be silly for the starting Bard to have a Spell Component Pouch if he didn't use spell components when casting spells. Thus, like all arcane spellcasters, he uses material components instead of divine focuses.