Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 thanson02 Nov 03, 2014 7:19:12	Hey all.  I am in an interesting situation and I was looking for some help.   I have been slowly getting into 5E to see if it was something I wanted to get involved with and my local gaming store gave me a DMing offer involving AL that I would be an idiot to turn down.  Since it is AL, I want to make sure I have a good understanding of the Player's Handbook and I have spent the last 4 days pouring through it.  I love the layout and that it is very strait forward, but I have 10 specific questions I need clarified because we are starting on the 9th.  So here I go...   1.  The Drow can get bonus spells at 3rd and 5th levels that they can cast once per day.  Do these work like cantrips, or do they require spell slots?   2.  What role does implements play in spell casting?  I am unclear on this.   3.  The Eldritch Knight Weapon Bond: is that an implement that they can cast spells through, like earlier editions arcane archers and sword mages?   4.  Feats: Can you go back and forth between Feats and Ability bonuses as character's level up, assuming the DM allows the use of feats or is it just ability bonuses or just feats with no cross over?   5.  Crafting objects:  The rules for crafting objects during downtime are strait forward and I have heard folks state that that is the only time you can craft objects, but on p. 177 of the PH under Other Dexterity Checks, the last item on the list is "Craft a small or detailed object".  This would tell me that a player can craft a simple object during gameplay, such as trap snares while hunting.  Also on p. 175, there is a section called, "Variant: Skills with Different Abilities" where it states that the DM can require different types of ability checks with proficiency.  So my question, if the player wants to make a specific item during the exploration of an old ruin and has the supplies to do so, would he/she be able to do so with the appropriate ability/skill check?   6.  In combat, can you use a Ready action to spring an attack on an enemy as a counter?  I know if you have a Battle Master Fighter, you can use Dodge and if they miss you, use your Riposte combat maneuver as a counter attack (which is cool and fun, BTW), but is there a variation of that type of action that other players can use, especially since magic users can ready actions with their spells?   7.  In Opportunity Attacks, are there limitations on what type of basic attack you can use (basic strike, grappling, or shoving a creature) or can you do any one of these three things?   8.  If you have more than one attack, can you grapple a creature with one attack and while holding them, strike with a free hand with the second attack?  I would assume no, but the Grappler Feat said you have advantage on attack roles against the creature you are grappling, which would suggest that striking and/or shoving a creature is an option if you have more than one attack.   9.  Are there rules for on-going damage?  I checked the index and I have not seen any.  Is it still in the game, or did they get rid of it for some other mechanic?   10.  Is there any place where they have the market values of the material components for magic spells?  Or are people figuring that they will be in the DMG?   I know this is a lot and I would take more time going through the forums to find the answers if I had more time to do so.  We start on Sunday.  If you know where any of these questions have been answered really well, feel free to post the link to the answer as well.  Any help is appreciated.   Thank you.
#2 mellored Nov 03, 2014 7:45:51	thanson02 wrote:
#3 thanson02 Nov 03, 2014 9:31:29	mellored wrote:
#4 jonathonhawke Nov 03, 2014 10:38:07	thanson02 wrote:
#5 mellored Nov 03, 2014 10:50:21	thanson02 wrote:
#6 thanson02 Nov 03, 2014 13:00:56	mellored wrote:
#7 mellored Nov 03, 2014 13:05:27	thanson02 wrote:
(Reply to #2) AaronOfBarbaria	mellored wrote:
#9 Coredump00 Nov 03, 2014 21:42:47	thanson02 wrote:
#10 paulstrait Nov 04, 2014 14:41:09	Coredump00 wrote:
#11 Undrhil Nov 04, 2014 21:28:37	In order to use an Arcane Focus to replace a component pouch, your class has to allow you to use Arcane Focii.  The Eldritch Knight does not get access to any kind of focus.  So, the Eldritch Knight either uses a component pouch or finds spells without the M.   Up in the air is whether an Eldritch Knight who MCs Wizard can then use an Arcane Focus, since the Eldritch Knight spells are still called 'Wizard' spells, technically.
#12 thanson02 Nov 18, 2014 8:01:59	Coredump00 wrote:
#13 thanson02 Nov 18, 2014 8:07:10	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
#14 mellored Nov 18, 2014 8:10:17	thanson02 wrote:
#15 thanson02 Nov 18, 2014 8:46:06	mellored wrote:
(Reply to #10) Coredump00	paulstrait wrote:
#17 Sword_of_Spirit Nov 18, 2014 15:26:23	I'm just going to say my piece on this and move on, because I don't want to restart a long argument about details.   The rules say that your implement/focus replaces M components. They book never says they replace S components. The only interaction between foci and S components is that you can perform S components with the same hand that is holding your focus (or holding your M components for that matter). You only ever need one hand for spellcasting, but if the spell has a S component, you *do* need that hand. Unless you have the War Caster feat.   Nothing in the rules allows you to ignore the requirement for a hand with M components. So War Caster only kicks in if you are casting a spell with S but no M components. Otherwise you still need a free hand to hold your foci or material component. Unless you are a divine caster using a holy symbol. You don't need a hand for M components if you are using a holy symbol in their place that you are wearing or have on your shield. If you don't have War Caster, you still need a hand for the S components of the same spells, however. If your DM rules that you can wave your shield arm around as the S component of said spells, then you wouldn't need a free hand, but that is highly dependent on DM ruling, as nothing specifies that a holy symbol on your shield turns your entire shield into a holy symbol and negates your need for a free hand. I'd probably allow that if I allowed someone with a shield to just wave their shield hand around as a S component, and not allow it if I didn't.   As far as what to do when you are fighting with a weapon and shield, that is DMs call. Mike Mearls would let you switch your weapon to your shield hand (most shields would still allow you to hold something in that hand) long enough to cast the spell, and then switch it back--all for free. I like his ruling because it keeps things simple and doesn't needlessly punish casters for their choice of combat style.
#18 CFK Nov 18, 2014 23:28:04	mellored wrote:
#19 OoftaMeg Nov 19, 2014 5:02:54	Somatic is some form of wiggling your fingers which can involve throwing the magic pixie dust (or whatever your material component is). Having said that, in my experience most DMs don't require a free hand, so ask first.
#20 CFK Nov 19, 2014 5:42:25	OoftaMeg wrote:
#21 mellored Nov 19, 2014 5:47:54	CFK wrote:
#22 mellored Nov 19, 2014 5:51:20	Basicly it comes down to this...     V = Breaks stealth and can be silenced. S = Need a free hand. M = Can be disarmed, and needs a free hand.  (not a second free hand). M (with a cost) = DM controlled.
#23 OoftaMeg Nov 19, 2014 6:26:15	Part of the reason I say that most DMs don't strictly enforce the Somatic component part of the spell is that it is very strict.   Somatic (S) Spellcasting gestures might include a forceful gesticulation or an intricate set of gestures. If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures.   This is similar if I remember correctly to the wording in pre-4E editions of D&D.  So technically you can't do the somatic component using a wand in one hand while holding something in the other.   My experience has been the most DMs only really care about Somatic components if your hands are bound.
(Reply to #22) Timborama	mellored wrote:
(Reply to #23) AaronOfBarbaria	OoftaMeg wrote:
#26 Sorxores Nov 20, 2014 7:20:58	thanson02 wrote:
(Reply to #26) thanson02	Sorxores wrote:
#28 mellored Nov 20, 2014 9:30:33	thanson02 wrote:
#29 Danny_Montanny Nov 20, 2014 14:02:53	I restrict the devine focus a bit. Still need a free hand for S spells even if the shield has the holy symbol inscribed on it. Not that it matters much when you do the same thing as Mearls describes. The S component part of War Caster doesn't really come into play when you're a little lose on the object interactions.