Do these spellcasting foci from Xanathar's Guide to Everything have to be held in a hand?












4












$begingroup$


I see that, for example:




A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.




Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.



What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.



Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?






dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components







share|improve this question









New contributor




Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







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  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    4 hours ago
















4












$begingroup$


I see that, for example:




A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.




Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.



What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.



Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?






dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components







share|improve this question









New contributor




Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    4 hours ago














4












4








4


1



$begingroup$


I see that, for example:




A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.




Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.



What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.



Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?






dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components







share|improve this question









New contributor




Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




I see that, for example:




A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.




Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.



What I'm not sure about is, for example, the Hat of Wizardry or the Dark Shard Amulet from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their Hat of Wizardry in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their Dark Shard Amulet with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.



Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?






dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components




dnd-5e warlock wizard spell-components






share|improve this question









New contributor




Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 4 hours ago









T.J.L.

33.3k5116174




33.3k5116174






New contributor




Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 4 hours ago









Louis WassermanLouis Wasserman

2277




2277




New contributor




Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor





Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Louis Wasserman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    4 hours ago














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
    $endgroup$
    – Blake Steel
    4 hours ago








1




1




$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
Maybe you have to tip the Hat of Wizardry like a fedora to use its power ;)
$endgroup$
– Blake Steel
4 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















6












$begingroup$

The Hat of Wizardry says...




This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:




  • You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.


  • You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]





The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.



Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.



The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    3 hours ago











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1 Answer
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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

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active

oldest

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active

oldest

votes









6












$begingroup$

The Hat of Wizardry says...




This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:




  • You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.


  • You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]





The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.



Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.



The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    3 hours ago
















6












$begingroup$

The Hat of Wizardry says...




This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:




  • You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.


  • You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]





The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.



Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.



The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    3 hours ago














6












6








6





$begingroup$

The Hat of Wizardry says...




This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:




  • You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.


  • You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]





The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.



Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.



The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$



The Hat of Wizardry says...




This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:




  • You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.


  • You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]





The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.



Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.



The Dark Shard Amulet has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 4 hours ago









T.J.L.T.J.L.

33.3k5116174




33.3k5116174








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    3 hours ago














  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    3 hours ago








3




3




$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
3 hours ago




$begingroup$
Are you saying you don't need a free hand to touch the focus?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
3 hours ago










Louis Wasserman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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