Ignoring or handwaving components is 100% legit. DMs and groups should not use so many rules that they get overwhelmed.
We do use a lot of component related stuff in our campaign because we’re such hopeless tryhards. A list of magic words for the verbal components, and costs added to the material components low-level food-and-light–giving spells such as Light and Dancing Lights. And the special ink that wizards use in their spellbook.
It’s a part of the game I really love 🤷🏻♀️
The idea is that when we’re counting torches or trying to buy a pearl or incense, our concerns are the same as the character’s concern. We are doing what they are doing. There’s something magical in that.That’s not to sell anyone else on this philosophy. I love it so we do it—don’t do it if you don’t love it. Keep it simple and keep the parts of the game that you love.
And we absolutely do use focus or component pouch for all non-costed components so we don’t have to track basic eyelashes and guano. We also use the rule from Tasha’s Cauldron that even rangers and paladins can use a focus. (That might’ve just been an oversight in the PHB.)
Interesting article, as a new DM I admit I mostly ignore components. It feels like I have enough to manage. I mostly leave it up to players if they want to make a thing of it.
word of advice from a seasoned veteran DM: paying attention to components is a great way to keep your spell casters more in line with the martial characters when it comes to utility and combat (otherwise, they’ll eventually end up stealing the show).
For instance, Revivify is a great spell - 3rd level, relatively common on spell lists, and is a great way to keep PCs alive in the early-to-mid game. But, without component requirements, it can very easily turn into a crutch for a party, where a Paladin or Barbarian will make their heroic stand every battle, simply because they know the cleric/paladin/druid/artificer/etc. has a “get out of death free” card up their sleeve.
Unless, of course, you require the 300 gp of diamonds for each use of the spell. Sure, by the time the character can cast 3rd level spells, 300 gp is relatively inexpensive. But, the specific requirement of diamonds adds in a layer of sourcing. Maybe they could only find 600 gp of diamonds in their last large city they passed through, and so now they’ve only got two Revivify spells to last them? Suddenly, that “get out of death free” card turns into a valuable resource the party has to manage. Or that small amount of diamonds they were given as a reward becomes far more valuable.
Even better is Banishment - which requires “something distasteful to the target”.
In mid-to-late game, this becomes even more prominent, with spells like “Circle of Death” requiring 500 gp worth of rare components, or Holy Aura (super powerful divine spell that gives nearby party members advantage on all saving throws, and enemies disadvantage on all attack roles against them) requiring a religious reliquary from either a saint or holy book that’s worth at lease 1000 gp.
You don’t necessarily want to restrict/punish what they can do, but you don’t want to give them a completely blank check either.
I like the idea of spell components not mattering until they do. Like it’s been said, having to keep track of them all the time is sort of tedious and boring. But, I think there are times where suddenly lacking them can create interesting narratives or challenges for pcs.
There are two ways I like to make this happen. First is the normal rule where certain material with a higher gold expense to them are the only ones that must be explicitly bought. And the second is more homebrew, but I make it so every caster natural get a wonderous item: the bag of eschew materials. This item is what supplies them with an endless amount of mundane or substitute materials for their spells. It’s easily replaceable and basically weightless.
But, because it is an item, if your party happens to be stolen from, you’re imprisoned, or a smart town guard at the entrance of a no weapons town takes it, then for that section of the campaign specifically you may need to problem solve how you’ll cast your spells. Obviously depends on your players though.
That bag doesn’t have to be homebrew: check out the “component pouch” in the PHB p151 that does just what your eschew components bag does. It’s a small item at 2 lb.
Oh neat! I didn’t know they had one for 5e. Cool that it’s official.
