OK. I have a Wizard character that I am playing through the DDEX modules. He has an Arcane Focus: Staff that he uses as a Quarterstaff. Is this allowable in AL?
I'd allow it at my table -- though I would not allow the reverse (using a quarterstaff as an arcane focus).
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Pauper
Undrhil wrote:
Seems fine to me, but I maybe wouldn't allow the versatile property or the polearm master bit.... though I could see the fun of polearm master and battle caster.
IxidorRS wrote:
I have discussed this in a different thread. A strict reading of the rules would require a player to use the Improvised weapons rules (p147-148) when making an attack with an arcane focus (staff).
Without going into detail, the weapon would be treated as an improvised quarterstaff. This is an important distinction, as the arcane focus would still count as an improvised weapon for the purposes of interacting with other rules elements (such as the Tavern Brawler feat).
My only question is what the AL stance is on players gaining proficiency bonus to attack rolls with improvised weapons which are similar to a weapon. The rules on page 147 state that gaining proficiency bonus is subject to DM approval, however AL expects all DMs to rule equally in respect to such rules.
Curious ruling. However, it's easily sidestepped -- since the description of Arcane Focus specifies that the focus is a 'specially constructed staff', it's not that much of a burden to add an additional 2sp to the cost of the focus and say that my Arcane Focus is a specially constructed quarterstaff.
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Pauper
P.S.: Actually, it's a buck-and-a-quarter staff, but I'm not telling Kalani that!
Pauper wrote:
Actually, I'm kind of curious why someone would disallow Arcane Focus: Staff, Quarterstaff, and Polearm Master to be combined. I think it's natural - your staff has been ritually prepared, is useful in combat, and you know how to use it as a weapon.
Though I was amused when it was pointed out to me that Polearm Master doesn't require you to use the weapon two-handed to benefit from it. You can be equipped with two quarterstaves and get three attacks from it. 
Why would it be disallowed. There is nothing in the rules stating that an improvised weapon doesnt count as the weapon it simulates for the purpose of feats, class abilities, and other game effects. By a strict interpretation, an improvised quartstaff is treated no differently than an actual quartestaff for the purpose of the Polearm master feat (or any other feat).
It is still treated as an improvised weapon however, for the purpose of other game rules.... For example:
Hypothetical Monster: A hypothetical monster has the following ability
- Sundering Rebuke: When the creature is hit with a melee weapon attack, the creature can take a reaction to sunder the opponents weapon. The weapon that triggered the attack must make a constitution save or gain the broken condition. The DC of this check is 10+the damage dealt by the triggering attack. If the triggering attack was made by an improvised weapon, the DC is 15+damage dealt by the triggering attack instead.
If a PC hits said creature with a quarterstaff dealing 6 damage, the quarterstaff must make a DC 16 constitution save or be broken.
If a PC hits said creature with an arcane staff for the same damage, the arcane staff must make a DC 21 save instead, as it is an improvised weapon.
I guess I missed a subtlety, but I thought the original objection was to using a 2sp quarterstaff as an arcane focus in place of a 5gp arcane focus: staff, for starting characters. ;o)
TheBreen wrote:
Tashiro wrote:
Quarterstaves are not finesse weapons, so two weapon fighting won't trigger from an attack from one. Improved Quarterstaves would be even *less* of a finesse weapon...
Anyways, thanks for the answers here, everyone!
My wizard will be multiclassing Paladin and will be pick up a shield, so it'll be nice to be able to keep his arcane focus in hand.
Undrhil wrote:
Undrhil wrote:
Vincen6407 wrote: