D&D 5E Object Interaction and Spell Material Components

[DND_Reborn]

As I was going through the spell list, I had a thought about material components for spells:

If you have a spell focus or component pouch, does holding it count as your one free object interaction? What about cost-specific components, such as the diamond worth 25 gp for a Chromatic Orb spell, which a spell focus or component pouch can't replace? According to the PHB, you have to have a hand free to access these components:

But you are allowed only one free interaction as part of your movement or action:

Do you play that counts as your free interaction?

Thoughts?

 

[DND_Reborn]

FWIW, we are playing with option #2 right now, but I voted for option #1 because that is more consistent with the rules as I see them and makes more sense. It also makes tracking and using components more interesting IMO.

 

[prabe]

The spellcasters in my campaigns all have foci (I think), so this hasn't come up. Looking at it, I'd be inclined to say that using the component is part of casting the spell, or at least no bigger an issue than using a spell focus (which the caster can effectively always have out). Heck, I have at least one player who works out what different spells look like as his bard casts them, and even though some of them might technically be more than an action, I don't ding him for that. I think the major difference is supposed to be a roleplaying thing, with a side helping of some people knowing to look for spell foci and others knowing to look for material components.

 

[Ristamar]

FYI:

Grabbing an arcane focus from belt counts as your 1 free object interaction or is a part of casting action?

D&D Sage Advice ·

www.sageadvice.eu

In summary, Crawford says retrieving an arcane focus or material components is not considered part of the casting.

EDIT: I voted for Option 1 - Accessing/using a material component counts as your free object interaction.

 

[DND_Reborn]

The spellcasters in my campaigns all have foci (I think), so this hasn't come up. Looking at it, I'd be inclined to say that using the component is part of casting the spell, or at least no bigger an issue than using a spell focus (which the caster can effectively always have out). Heck, I have at least one player who works out what different spells look like as his bard casts them, and even though some of them might technically be more than an action, I don't ding him for that. I think the major difference is supposed to be a roleplaying thing, with a side helping of some people knowing to look for spell foci and others knowing to look for material components.

Do you play that components with costs, such as the 25 gp diamond for Chromatic Orb, are not needed when you have a focus or component pouch? They are a separate items that you would interact with?

 

[DND_Reborn]

FYI:

Grabbing an arcane focus from belt counts as your 1 free object interaction or is a part of casting action?

D&D Sage Advice ·

www.sageadvice.eu

Thanks, but you might have just added that JC's response was using a component is not part of casting the spell.

But I am curious how groups play it, as well, not just JC's idea.

 

[prabe]

The ones that have costs, the casters need to buy (or in principle find). They are separate items, so you kinda need to keep a hand free even with, e.g., a staff, if you're using them.

 

[DND_Reborn]

The ones that have costs, the casters need to buy (or in principle find). They are separate items, so you kinda need to keep a hand free even with, e.g., a staff, if you're using them.

I guess that's my point, you aren't likely to have all those items on hand. You need to dig them out of a belt pouch or maybe even your backpack--which to me would require the free item interaction.

We played for a long time the spell material components just had to be on your person, then moved to thinking of getting them as part of the action (which we do now), but for the next game I will run I am moving it to an item interaction.

Thanks for your input.

 

[prabe]

I guess that's my point, you aren't likely to have all those items on hand. You need to dig them out of a belt pouch or maybe even your backpack--which to me would require the free item interaction.

We played for a long time the spell material components just had to be on your person, then moved to thinking of getting them as part of the action (which we do now), but for the next game I will run I am moving it to an item interaction.

Thanks for your input.

Sure. Some of these (like that 25 gp diamond) a PC might legitimately have more accessible than that (like, worn on a chain around the neck), but if not so specified, then yeah--it's your free interaction.

 

[Bolares]

I treat it as option because the components of a spell are part of the casting, and as nothing says otherwise in the rules I assume material component interaction is part os the action you use to cast the spell. I think that if the intention of the rules was for grabbing the components to cost you free interaction it would be clearly expressed in the rules, at least in the chapter were the rules describe the limitations of casting more than one spell a turn. Nothing in the rules say you cant cast a cantrip+spell if both have material components, so I assume, casting them would not cost an additional action to grab the material components