Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 MinisterKohobi Feb 02, 2015 23:41:51	It would seem to be a given that magic items such as Magical Wands and Rods could be used as Arcane Foci, but it doesn't seem as clear when it comes to magical staves, esp. those more geared toward combat such as a staff of striking. Just because a staff is enchanted doesn't automatically mean that it could be used as an arcane foci, does it? Does anyone know if there is anything in the rules that clarifies that magic items of the same kind as an arcane foci can be used as such?   Thanks MK
#2 Caliburn Feb 03, 2015 3:55:02	The only thing you need to have an item as a focus is that it be the right form. Staff, Wand, etc.   It doesn't matter whether it's enchanted or not, just so long as it is the right type of object.
#3 mellored Feb 03, 2015 6:08:37	Staff of striking is still an arcane foucs (staff).   Just like a +1 magic long sword is still a 1 handed martial melee weapon.
#4 Kalani Feb 03, 2015 9:38:27	While a +1 quarterstaff could only be used as a weapon, a staff of striking is most definately an arcane focus.
(Reply to #4) MinisterKohobi	I guess my confusion stemmed from the previous discussion about the difference between the arcane focus staff and the fighting quarterstaff. I'm playing a fighter/wizard and my DM doesn't think the two two are the same and I had to have an arcane focus staff specially made to be able to use it as a quarterstaff. SO I wanted to have something from the rules that would allow me to use any magical staff I came across for either purpose.   Thank you for answering my question. MK
#6 Nevvur Feb 04, 2015 9:19:05	From the item description in the PHB, the arcane focus is a "special item... designed to channel the power of arcane spells"   I would imagine the original creator of most magical staves/wands/etc anticipated using them as an arcane focus, or would have liked the option in a pinch, and would have gone through whatever preparatory steps were necessary to turn it into a focus. Just looking at the pictures of the magical staves in the DMG, they don't seem very combat worthy, at least not the way you'd smack people around with a quarterstaff. But then, most magical items are said to be especially durable.   In the end, arcane focus - staff is pretty cheap (5 GP), so whatever goes into the design of such a focus must be a fairly common procedure. It hasn't come up at my table, but I would probably allow PCs to turn a staff that is not a focus into one that is, for an equivalent amount of gold in components as the PHB listing, a little time and spending a spell slot, similarly to how clerics and paladins make holy water.   Also, if your DM likes LotR, bring up Gandalf's staff fighting skills. =)
#7 Kalani Feb 04, 2015 12:14:35	At best, arcane staff foci could act as an improvised quarterstaff. It would still be up to the DM if you added your proficiency bonus to attack however (although this is reasonable).
#8 Bloodscythe Feb 05, 2015 10:33:30	All magical staves are staves first (and thus arcane foci), and possibly quarterstaves second.  In fact, the rules state that the staves can only be used as a quarterstaff if it explicitly says it can be.   Staff of Striking is one of those staves.   It says it can be used as a quarterstaff.  It also doesn't require attunement from a spellcaster.   I would say that unless it can be used as a quarterstaff, it is an improvised weapon and won't gain your proficiency bonus when making an attack.   Holy Symbols bring up an interesting point though... I would think that under no circumstances can a priest of one faith channel the power of their deity through another deity's symbol.  However, it's conceivable that the priest can pray to the god of that particular symbol to possibly channel that deity's power.  In D&D, traditionally, clerics were generic... not restricted to a particular deity.  Priests were specific, and clerics were generic... kinda like a mage versus a specialist like necromancer or evoker.  Both are wizards, but one is generic and the other is specific.
#9 Timborama Feb 05, 2015 10:56:51	Note: In the DMG it says ALL magical staves can also be used as quarterstaves. The same can't be said for "mundane" Arcane Focii from the PHB, though. At least, not as explixictly as the DMG! It's more...implied and left to the DM to rule on than outright saying...
#10 AaronOfBarbaria Feb 05, 2015 11:43:23	To clear up any confusion: Bloodscythe has misremembered the DMG, Timborma hasn't.   page 140: "Unless a staff's description says otherwise, a staff can also be used as a quarterstaff."
(Reply to #10) Pinchfist	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
(Reply to #11) AaronOfBarbaria	Pinchfist wrote:
(Reply to #12) Pinchfist	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
(Reply to #13) AaronOfBarbaria	Pinchfist wrote:
#15 Pinchfist Feb 09, 2015 18:59:17	So, Arcane Focus (staff) would not under AL at my local game store also work as a quarterstaff? I'm very new to AL, so I'm not sure how DMs are supposed to handle sitautions like PHB p. 147, but it sounds like it woudn't be allowed. Or am I undererstimating the DM's power to rule on that stuff in AL? Thanks for the help, by the way, and apologies for jumping into the thread as i did.
#16 AaronOfBarbaria Feb 09, 2015 20:58:28	You can use your arcane focuss staff as a weapon in AL games. It might only deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage and not add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll, or it might function as a quarterstaff instead... I don't think that the AL is going to take that decision out of the DM's hands.
#17 Kalani Feb 09, 2015 21:51:39	Pinchfist wrote:
(Reply to #10) Bloodscythe	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
(Reply to #18) AaronOfBarbaria	Bloodscythe wrote:
#20 Kalani Feb 10, 2015 9:35:37	I believe the staff of striking was only available in the Starter Set. I remember hearing a rumor that it never made it to the DMG. I could be wrong, as I have not combed through the magic item section entry by entry to know what it contains yet.
(Reply to #20) AaronOfBarbaria	Kalani wrote:
#22 Kalani Feb 10, 2015 13:42:26	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
(Reply to #19) Bloodscythe	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
(Reply to #23) AaronOfBarbaria	Bloodscythe wrote:
(Reply to #24) Bloodscythe	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
#26 MinisterKohobi Feb 11, 2015 13:25:14	Well the clear solution to my dilemma is for my DM to give my 4th level character a Staff of Power. Problem solved! Thanks everybody, g'night!