spell components - are they really needed?

[Krumm]

I'm sure it's been mentioned but if the developers can't get the spell components to work in bags, then how about we just get rid of spell components all together?

Spell component costs are negliable and it's just a hassle having to keep track of.... nothing like having my sorc, which I play very infrequently, run out components in the middle of a quest.

I do not believe the spell components do anything in this game but be a nuisance to all spell caster. Sure they add flavor but is it worth it?

K.


PS, while we are at it, consider giving ammos (arrows/bolts/throwing weapons/etc) a boot also.
Way it can work is to make it so that if u run out "special ammo" like +5 arrows or silver arrows, the ranged weapon defaults to unlimited plain ammo. So you can opt to stock up on magical ammo while not having to worry about running out and not being able to use your ranged weapon.

[Habreno]

Whilst the second idea is not a bad suggestion, it might be better off in a seperate thread. I personally support a basic arrow with unlimited use that does not take up an inventory slot but it is best debated in a seperate thread.

Back to part 1 of the OP:

Spell components are indeed a hassle. 10 spaces out of 100 is a lot; a bag would improve this. To solve the problem of running out mid-quest, keep stacks of 1000 and keep the stacks on some hotbar... this is how I solve that problem.

[Henrieta]

But wouldn't this remove the d&d Flavor?

Maybe add special spell components which boost spell durations or damage?

[DocBenway]

The second suggestion would make a signature AA benefit near worthless and remove a lot of value from the favor ranks in House D.

[justhavinfun]

Just take the eschew materials feat. No more components and opens up your inventory. This is one of the few feats that I run all of the time.

[Rapthorn]

Just take the eschew materials feat. No more components and opens up your inventory. This is one of the few feats that I run all of the time.

^^This^^

[der_kluge]

In my tabletop game, Sorcerers get Eschew Materials for free. Doesn't make sense to require someone with inate spellcasting ability a component to cast the spells which comare naturally to them.

So, give Eschew Materials to Sorcerers and Favored Souls.

Problem solved.

Incidentally, I figured out a while back that about half the components I had in my inventory I wasn't using - I simply hadn't prepared whatever spells required the components. I put them in the bank instead, and freed up about 4 inventory slots as a result. Clerics and wizards probably can't do that as easily, however.

[DocBenway]

...
So, give Eschew Materials to Sorcerers and Favored Souls.
...

I'd like this on my feat starved sorc, but would still be stuck with nothing to swap for the silly focus feat req in the upcoming PrE.

[Uska]

How about NO its all about resource management makes the game a little more intersting and more like pnp for me I like the sick little feeling I get when I realize I forgot to stock up on haste or firewall componets or the little feeling I get when I am out of bolts on my repeater build its one few things that takes me out of the video game feel that this game so often gives.

[Habreno]

How about NO its all about resource management makes the game a little more intersting and more like pnp for me I like the sick little feeling I get when I realize I forgot to stock up on haste or firewall componets or the little feeling I get when I am out of bolts on my repeater build its one few things that takes me out of the video game feel that this game so often gives.

This I cannot disagree with either, as it is also true.

[Trillea]

Since casters are get regenerating SP when we are below 12, could we get regenerating components too??

[FlyingTurtle]

But wouldn't this remove the d&d Flavor?

In d&d you often need a specific material focus as well as a different component for EACH spell.

Most PnP groups just assume the caster's carrying whatever they need to carry instead of tracking all this nonsense (bat guano, mmmhmm), except for exceptionally valuable components like the diamond for the resurrection etc.

[PopeJual]

Just take the eschew materials feat. No more components and opens up your inventory. This is one of the few feats that I run all of the time.

This thread is a comedy GOLDMINE!

[Aaxeyu]

/Signed. Spell components are just annoying.

[dkyle]

But wouldn't this remove the d&d Flavor?

Actually:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverv...htm#components

A material component is one or more physical substances or objects that are annihilated by the spell energies in the casting process. Unless a cost is given for a material component, the cost is negligible. Don’t bother to keep track of material components with negligible cost. Assume you have all you need as long as you have your spell component pouch.

Default rules in PnP, all you need is a spell component bag, for most spells. The ingredients are assumed to be in it.

So, /signed. It is silly to track components with negligible cost.

[Gkar]

But wouldn't this remove the d&d Flavor?

Actually it would CREATE the D&D flavor. D&D rules specify that you do not track componants for most spells. You are supposed to have a "componant bag" that can be assumed to include the ingrediants at any time for any spell you can cast except ones with exceptional cost (so in DDO terms that would include things like the ingredient for stoneskin, trap the soul, etc)

[Ungood]

/not signed.

It's part of the game, for now, it is at best a nuance, not really worth a new post every month.

[TheKaige]

All for the removal of spell components save for Trap the Soul stones and Paladin Holy Swords.

They add NOTHING to game; resource management is a cool idea in a dungeon (the basis of this game pretty much) but having to visit a vendor every 10 dungeons isn't actually resource management; it's an unnecessary feature.

I'm all for loot only components however that boost your spell effectiveness (Spell components adding say a stacking 10% damage boost to all your spells for instance, or maybe just a certain element of damage)

Of course some spells would have to be balanced with this change; most prominent one that comes to my mind is making Death Pact a level 9 spell.

[der_kluge]

Two things:

1. Give us a spell component bag.
2. Give us a warning message (like a monk's uncentered warning) that indicates that we are getting low on a specific component, so we can save ourselves the embarrassment of running out mid-dungeon.

[HanseShadowen]

a low components warning? hmmm could useful. but I just drag them to one my hot key bars and look at that to see what I have.