Does a component pouch automatically contain components?How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?Are there any practical differences between a belt pouch and component pouch in 5e?Can a component pouch be emptied of its materials?How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?Would being stickler for material components break the game?To cast Find the Path, can a caster substitute an object from the location they wish to find with a component pouch?Are there any spells that do not have any components?What would be the impact of ignoring material components with a price?Do you need a “gameplay-wise” free hand to handle material components?When can a Ranger get a component pouch (or material components) outside of starting equipment?RAW, can innate spellcaster dragons cast spells with somatic components?Are material components with unique attributes unable to be replaced with a component pouch or spellcasting focus?Can a Spell Focus or Component Pouch be used with a spell that has costless consumed components?

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Does a component pouch automatically contain components?


How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?Are there any practical differences between a belt pouch and component pouch in 5e?Can a component pouch be emptied of its materials?How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?Would being stickler for material components break the game?To cast Find the Path, can a caster substitute an object from the location they wish to find with a component pouch?Are there any spells that do not have any components?What would be the impact of ignoring material components with a price?Do you need a “gameplay-wise” free hand to handle material components?When can a Ranger get a component pouch (or material components) outside of starting equipment?RAW, can innate spellcaster dragons cast spells with somatic components?Are material components with unique attributes unable to be replaced with a component pouch or spellcasting focus?Can a Spell Focus or Component Pouch be used with a spell that has costless consumed components?






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








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Are there any written rules on whether or not component pouches, when purchased, contain components or if users have to find the components and put them in?



If it's automatic, does it auto-fill when you get new spells?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Very related: How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 29 at 15:19







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @frog Please don't answer in the comments. You should submit that as answer and include information that backs it up.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    May 29 at 16:24


















16












$begingroup$


Are there any written rules on whether or not component pouches, when purchased, contain components or if users have to find the components and put them in?



If it's automatic, does it auto-fill when you get new spells?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Very related: How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 29 at 15:19







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @frog Please don't answer in the comments. You should submit that as answer and include information that backs it up.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    May 29 at 16:24














16












16








16


1



$begingroup$


Are there any written rules on whether or not component pouches, when purchased, contain components or if users have to find the components and put them in?



If it's automatic, does it auto-fill when you get new spells?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Are there any written rules on whether or not component pouches, when purchased, contain components or if users have to find the components and put them in?



If it's automatic, does it auto-fill when you get new spells?







dnd-5e equipment spell-components






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited May 29 at 22:05









Rubiksmoose

68.1k11332489




68.1k11332489










asked May 29 at 15:14









NautArchNautArch

69.2k11267465




69.2k11267465







  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Very related: How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 29 at 15:19







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @frog Please don't answer in the comments. You should submit that as answer and include information that backs it up.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    May 29 at 16:24













  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Very related: How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 29 at 15:19







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @frog Please don't answer in the comments. You should submit that as answer and include information that backs it up.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    May 29 at 16:24








4




4




$begingroup$
Very related: How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
May 29 at 15:19





$begingroup$
Very related: How many times can I use a spell component pouch before having to purchase a new one?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
May 29 at 15:19





1




1




$begingroup$
@frog Please don't answer in the comments. You should submit that as answer and include information that backs it up.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
May 29 at 16:24





$begingroup$
@frog Please don't answer in the comments. You should submit that as answer and include information that backs it up.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
May 29 at 16:24











3 Answers
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$begingroup$

The rules do not specifically say, but all indications are that they "always contain what you need" in them.



Here's what we know...



A Component Pouch costs 25gp and...




is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell's description).




source



The rules talking about Spell Components treat a Component Pouch and a Spellcasting Focus the same way...




A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.




source



This indicates that you only need to worry about possessing zero-cost components if you do not possess a component pouch or spellcasting focus. This may become relevant if, for example, you are kidnapped by the Drow, stripped of all of your possessions, and escape with nothing but the shirt on your back.



Next, while this is not part of the Sage Advice compendium and Crawford-Tweets are no longer considered "Official Rulings" until they make the compendium...he is still useful for clarification...he made the following Tweet.




Q: How do you handle components that don't have a cost but can't be stored? E.g. the flame for Heat Metal.



A: If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




source



While that was not a directly related Question and Answer...the idea that "free components are abstracted away" is pretty clear. You have a component pouch, therefore it is assumed that you have the zero-cost components that you need even when it doesn't make sense for that thing to go in a pouch.



Finally, a touch of logic: a Component Pouch is more expensive than any spellcasting focus (though it does leave your hands free when not actively casting a spell). If, after buying it, you had to run around every single time you leveled on mini-quests to stock up your component pouch--then the pouch is patently inferior to a spellcasting focus. It doesn't really make sense that the rules would treat a Component Pouch as equivalent to a Spellcasting Focus if it, ultimately, is not.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Could you clarify what you mean in saying a component pouch leaves your hands free? I was under the impression that a spellcaster was still required to hold the pouch in one of their hands when using it as a focus.
    $endgroup$
    – Xirema
    May 29 at 15:37






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @Xirema A series of Crawford Tweets (same thread I linked above) indicates that the assumption behind a Components Pouch is that you 'reach into it and pull out the component you need' as part of the Action that is casting the spell. You still need a hand free to actually cast the spell, but since you can wear the pouch on your belt--your hand is only occupied when actually casting the spell. And, if you had to hold it and draw from it...it would need 2 hands to use.
    $endgroup$
    – guildsbounty
    May 29 at 15:41






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    And, as an addendum...while this isn't rules based...the idea of wearing a component pouch on your belt and only pulling out what you need as you need it is supported by basically every spellcaster in D&D fiction who uses a Component Pouch (example: Raistlin Majere). Thus...you still need to dedicate a hand to Material Components...but your hand is free for other things (i.e. not holding a wand) when you are not casting. It's a pretty minor benefit, honestly.
    $endgroup$
    – guildsbounty
    May 29 at 15:42











  • $begingroup$
    I'm pretty sure that there are Arcane Foci which leave your hands free when not casting a spell - the Izzet have arcane foci that they wear strapped to the backs of their arms, for example, and it might be possible for a mage to have foci like Crystals strapped to the backs of their hands.
    $endgroup$
    – nick012000
    May 30 at 3:19










  • $begingroup$
    @nick012000 True...Crystals are probably a wearable foci as well.
    $endgroup$
    – guildsbounty
    May 30 at 11:28


















10












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It contains a complete set of commonly required, non-valuable, non-consumed spell components, and doesn't need to be refilled unless something unusual happens to it.



But the full answer will depend mostly on how the component pouch was acquired.



The listed price to purchase a component pouch (PH p25) is 25 gp; compare this with a pouch (5 sp) or a backpack (2 gp). It is quite safe to assume that upon purchasing a component pouch you are also purchasing a complete set of common spell components contained within.



As described under Spell Components (PH p203, emphasis in original):




Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is
indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.



If a spell states that a material component is consumed by the spell, the caster must provide this component for each casting of the spell.




So, RAW indicates that simply having a component pouch is a suitable substitute for a material component, so long as that component has no cost and is not consumed. The contents of a commercially acquired component pouch do not depend on (and therefor do not change because of) what spells you know. It is a standard set of components that any spellcaster might require.



However, if a component pouch was not purchased from a shop, you may find it is not complete. The pouch itself is not a magic item, after all; it is mundane, and may not have had a completely happy and safe existence thus far.



A DM may also decide that a spell component pouch purchased (or discovered) in one location isn't equipped with the components for an obscure, foreign, forgotten, or novel spell (or school, or collection, etc) depending on the campaign's setting and context, or any narrative/player power reasons they feel are important.






share|improve this answer









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    7












    $begingroup$

    The rules don't say if it comes full or not, but it doesn't matter RAW




    Component Pouch. A component pouch is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell’s description).




    This is all the information the book provides us about the pouch itself. And nothing about it indicates that materials come in it when purchased.



    However, the component pouch costs 25gp and weighs 2lbs compared to the other pouch in the adventuring equipment table which costs 5sp and weighs 1lb. Now this is very circumstantial, but that cost technically represents something in-game. It could be it's materials or construction or rarity — or it could be what is inside. (See Are there any practical differences between a belt pouch and component pouch in 5e? for more details on the comparison between the two items).



    Regardless, the rules don't say if the component pouch comes full or not so that is up to the DM.



    RAW it doesn't matter if it is full or not




    A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell.




    The rules for spellcasting say that you just need a component pouch that can count in place of the components themselves. It doesn't say the pouch actually has to contain the components (or really anything).



    The game just uses a pouch as an abstraction by intent



    Jeremy Crawford has provided a bit of unofficial clarification on the matter of what the purpose of the component pouch is in a Tweet1:




    If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




    Basically, the intent is, if you have a component pouch the designers intended to have you never have to think about components that do not have a cost.



    Your DM can of course rule differently and make you purchase each ingredient to painstakingly fill the pouch but that kind of verisimilitude isn't fun at many tables.




    1 - Thanks @guildsbounty for pointing this out in their answer.






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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      16












      $begingroup$

      The rules do not specifically say, but all indications are that they "always contain what you need" in them.



      Here's what we know...



      A Component Pouch costs 25gp and...




      is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell's description).




      source



      The rules talking about Spell Components treat a Component Pouch and a Spellcasting Focus the same way...




      A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.




      source



      This indicates that you only need to worry about possessing zero-cost components if you do not possess a component pouch or spellcasting focus. This may become relevant if, for example, you are kidnapped by the Drow, stripped of all of your possessions, and escape with nothing but the shirt on your back.



      Next, while this is not part of the Sage Advice compendium and Crawford-Tweets are no longer considered "Official Rulings" until they make the compendium...he is still useful for clarification...he made the following Tweet.




      Q: How do you handle components that don't have a cost but can't be stored? E.g. the flame for Heat Metal.



      A: If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




      source



      While that was not a directly related Question and Answer...the idea that "free components are abstracted away" is pretty clear. You have a component pouch, therefore it is assumed that you have the zero-cost components that you need even when it doesn't make sense for that thing to go in a pouch.



      Finally, a touch of logic: a Component Pouch is more expensive than any spellcasting focus (though it does leave your hands free when not actively casting a spell). If, after buying it, you had to run around every single time you leveled on mini-quests to stock up your component pouch--then the pouch is patently inferior to a spellcasting focus. It doesn't really make sense that the rules would treat a Component Pouch as equivalent to a Spellcasting Focus if it, ultimately, is not.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$








      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Could you clarify what you mean in saying a component pouch leaves your hands free? I was under the impression that a spellcaster was still required to hold the pouch in one of their hands when using it as a focus.
        $endgroup$
        – Xirema
        May 29 at 15:37






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @Xirema A series of Crawford Tweets (same thread I linked above) indicates that the assumption behind a Components Pouch is that you 'reach into it and pull out the component you need' as part of the Action that is casting the spell. You still need a hand free to actually cast the spell, but since you can wear the pouch on your belt--your hand is only occupied when actually casting the spell. And, if you had to hold it and draw from it...it would need 2 hands to use.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:41






      • 3




        $begingroup$
        And, as an addendum...while this isn't rules based...the idea of wearing a component pouch on your belt and only pulling out what you need as you need it is supported by basically every spellcaster in D&D fiction who uses a Component Pouch (example: Raistlin Majere). Thus...you still need to dedicate a hand to Material Components...but your hand is free for other things (i.e. not holding a wand) when you are not casting. It's a pretty minor benefit, honestly.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:42











      • $begingroup$
        I'm pretty sure that there are Arcane Foci which leave your hands free when not casting a spell - the Izzet have arcane foci that they wear strapped to the backs of their arms, for example, and it might be possible for a mage to have foci like Crystals strapped to the backs of their hands.
        $endgroup$
        – nick012000
        May 30 at 3:19










      • $begingroup$
        @nick012000 True...Crystals are probably a wearable foci as well.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 30 at 11:28















      16












      $begingroup$

      The rules do not specifically say, but all indications are that they "always contain what you need" in them.



      Here's what we know...



      A Component Pouch costs 25gp and...




      is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell's description).




      source



      The rules talking about Spell Components treat a Component Pouch and a Spellcasting Focus the same way...




      A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.




      source



      This indicates that you only need to worry about possessing zero-cost components if you do not possess a component pouch or spellcasting focus. This may become relevant if, for example, you are kidnapped by the Drow, stripped of all of your possessions, and escape with nothing but the shirt on your back.



      Next, while this is not part of the Sage Advice compendium and Crawford-Tweets are no longer considered "Official Rulings" until they make the compendium...he is still useful for clarification...he made the following Tweet.




      Q: How do you handle components that don't have a cost but can't be stored? E.g. the flame for Heat Metal.



      A: If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




      source



      While that was not a directly related Question and Answer...the idea that "free components are abstracted away" is pretty clear. You have a component pouch, therefore it is assumed that you have the zero-cost components that you need even when it doesn't make sense for that thing to go in a pouch.



      Finally, a touch of logic: a Component Pouch is more expensive than any spellcasting focus (though it does leave your hands free when not actively casting a spell). If, after buying it, you had to run around every single time you leveled on mini-quests to stock up your component pouch--then the pouch is patently inferior to a spellcasting focus. It doesn't really make sense that the rules would treat a Component Pouch as equivalent to a Spellcasting Focus if it, ultimately, is not.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$








      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Could you clarify what you mean in saying a component pouch leaves your hands free? I was under the impression that a spellcaster was still required to hold the pouch in one of their hands when using it as a focus.
        $endgroup$
        – Xirema
        May 29 at 15:37






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @Xirema A series of Crawford Tweets (same thread I linked above) indicates that the assumption behind a Components Pouch is that you 'reach into it and pull out the component you need' as part of the Action that is casting the spell. You still need a hand free to actually cast the spell, but since you can wear the pouch on your belt--your hand is only occupied when actually casting the spell. And, if you had to hold it and draw from it...it would need 2 hands to use.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:41






      • 3




        $begingroup$
        And, as an addendum...while this isn't rules based...the idea of wearing a component pouch on your belt and only pulling out what you need as you need it is supported by basically every spellcaster in D&D fiction who uses a Component Pouch (example: Raistlin Majere). Thus...you still need to dedicate a hand to Material Components...but your hand is free for other things (i.e. not holding a wand) when you are not casting. It's a pretty minor benefit, honestly.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:42











      • $begingroup$
        I'm pretty sure that there are Arcane Foci which leave your hands free when not casting a spell - the Izzet have arcane foci that they wear strapped to the backs of their arms, for example, and it might be possible for a mage to have foci like Crystals strapped to the backs of their hands.
        $endgroup$
        – nick012000
        May 30 at 3:19










      • $begingroup$
        @nick012000 True...Crystals are probably a wearable foci as well.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 30 at 11:28













      16












      16








      16





      $begingroup$

      The rules do not specifically say, but all indications are that they "always contain what you need" in them.



      Here's what we know...



      A Component Pouch costs 25gp and...




      is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell's description).




      source



      The rules talking about Spell Components treat a Component Pouch and a Spellcasting Focus the same way...




      A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.




      source



      This indicates that you only need to worry about possessing zero-cost components if you do not possess a component pouch or spellcasting focus. This may become relevant if, for example, you are kidnapped by the Drow, stripped of all of your possessions, and escape with nothing but the shirt on your back.



      Next, while this is not part of the Sage Advice compendium and Crawford-Tweets are no longer considered "Official Rulings" until they make the compendium...he is still useful for clarification...he made the following Tweet.




      Q: How do you handle components that don't have a cost but can't be stored? E.g. the flame for Heat Metal.



      A: If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




      source



      While that was not a directly related Question and Answer...the idea that "free components are abstracted away" is pretty clear. You have a component pouch, therefore it is assumed that you have the zero-cost components that you need even when it doesn't make sense for that thing to go in a pouch.



      Finally, a touch of logic: a Component Pouch is more expensive than any spellcasting focus (though it does leave your hands free when not actively casting a spell). If, after buying it, you had to run around every single time you leveled on mini-quests to stock up your component pouch--then the pouch is patently inferior to a spellcasting focus. It doesn't really make sense that the rules would treat a Component Pouch as equivalent to a Spellcasting Focus if it, ultimately, is not.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$



      The rules do not specifically say, but all indications are that they "always contain what you need" in them.



      Here's what we know...



      A Component Pouch costs 25gp and...




      is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell's description).




      source



      The rules talking about Spell Components treat a Component Pouch and a Spellcasting Focus the same way...




      A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.




      source



      This indicates that you only need to worry about possessing zero-cost components if you do not possess a component pouch or spellcasting focus. This may become relevant if, for example, you are kidnapped by the Drow, stripped of all of your possessions, and escape with nothing but the shirt on your back.



      Next, while this is not part of the Sage Advice compendium and Crawford-Tweets are no longer considered "Official Rulings" until they make the compendium...he is still useful for clarification...he made the following Tweet.




      Q: How do you handle components that don't have a cost but can't be stored? E.g. the flame for Heat Metal.



      A: If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




      source



      While that was not a directly related Question and Answer...the idea that "free components are abstracted away" is pretty clear. You have a component pouch, therefore it is assumed that you have the zero-cost components that you need even when it doesn't make sense for that thing to go in a pouch.



      Finally, a touch of logic: a Component Pouch is more expensive than any spellcasting focus (though it does leave your hands free when not actively casting a spell). If, after buying it, you had to run around every single time you leveled on mini-quests to stock up your component pouch--then the pouch is patently inferior to a spellcasting focus. It doesn't really make sense that the rules would treat a Component Pouch as equivalent to a Spellcasting Focus if it, ultimately, is not.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited May 29 at 15:50

























      answered May 29 at 15:35









      guildsbountyguildsbounty

      39.5k7159194




      39.5k7159194







      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Could you clarify what you mean in saying a component pouch leaves your hands free? I was under the impression that a spellcaster was still required to hold the pouch in one of their hands when using it as a focus.
        $endgroup$
        – Xirema
        May 29 at 15:37






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @Xirema A series of Crawford Tweets (same thread I linked above) indicates that the assumption behind a Components Pouch is that you 'reach into it and pull out the component you need' as part of the Action that is casting the spell. You still need a hand free to actually cast the spell, but since you can wear the pouch on your belt--your hand is only occupied when actually casting the spell. And, if you had to hold it and draw from it...it would need 2 hands to use.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:41






      • 3




        $begingroup$
        And, as an addendum...while this isn't rules based...the idea of wearing a component pouch on your belt and only pulling out what you need as you need it is supported by basically every spellcaster in D&D fiction who uses a Component Pouch (example: Raistlin Majere). Thus...you still need to dedicate a hand to Material Components...but your hand is free for other things (i.e. not holding a wand) when you are not casting. It's a pretty minor benefit, honestly.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:42











      • $begingroup$
        I'm pretty sure that there are Arcane Foci which leave your hands free when not casting a spell - the Izzet have arcane foci that they wear strapped to the backs of their arms, for example, and it might be possible for a mage to have foci like Crystals strapped to the backs of their hands.
        $endgroup$
        – nick012000
        May 30 at 3:19










      • $begingroup$
        @nick012000 True...Crystals are probably a wearable foci as well.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 30 at 11:28












      • 1




        $begingroup$
        Could you clarify what you mean in saying a component pouch leaves your hands free? I was under the impression that a spellcaster was still required to hold the pouch in one of their hands when using it as a focus.
        $endgroup$
        – Xirema
        May 29 at 15:37






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @Xirema A series of Crawford Tweets (same thread I linked above) indicates that the assumption behind a Components Pouch is that you 'reach into it and pull out the component you need' as part of the Action that is casting the spell. You still need a hand free to actually cast the spell, but since you can wear the pouch on your belt--your hand is only occupied when actually casting the spell. And, if you had to hold it and draw from it...it would need 2 hands to use.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:41






      • 3




        $begingroup$
        And, as an addendum...while this isn't rules based...the idea of wearing a component pouch on your belt and only pulling out what you need as you need it is supported by basically every spellcaster in D&D fiction who uses a Component Pouch (example: Raistlin Majere). Thus...you still need to dedicate a hand to Material Components...but your hand is free for other things (i.e. not holding a wand) when you are not casting. It's a pretty minor benefit, honestly.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 29 at 15:42











      • $begingroup$
        I'm pretty sure that there are Arcane Foci which leave your hands free when not casting a spell - the Izzet have arcane foci that they wear strapped to the backs of their arms, for example, and it might be possible for a mage to have foci like Crystals strapped to the backs of their hands.
        $endgroup$
        – nick012000
        May 30 at 3:19










      • $begingroup$
        @nick012000 True...Crystals are probably a wearable foci as well.
        $endgroup$
        – guildsbounty
        May 30 at 11:28







      1




      1




      $begingroup$
      Could you clarify what you mean in saying a component pouch leaves your hands free? I was under the impression that a spellcaster was still required to hold the pouch in one of their hands when using it as a focus.
      $endgroup$
      – Xirema
      May 29 at 15:37




      $begingroup$
      Could you clarify what you mean in saying a component pouch leaves your hands free? I was under the impression that a spellcaster was still required to hold the pouch in one of their hands when using it as a focus.
      $endgroup$
      – Xirema
      May 29 at 15:37




      2




      2




      $begingroup$
      @Xirema A series of Crawford Tweets (same thread I linked above) indicates that the assumption behind a Components Pouch is that you 'reach into it and pull out the component you need' as part of the Action that is casting the spell. You still need a hand free to actually cast the spell, but since you can wear the pouch on your belt--your hand is only occupied when actually casting the spell. And, if you had to hold it and draw from it...it would need 2 hands to use.
      $endgroup$
      – guildsbounty
      May 29 at 15:41




      $begingroup$
      @Xirema A series of Crawford Tweets (same thread I linked above) indicates that the assumption behind a Components Pouch is that you 'reach into it and pull out the component you need' as part of the Action that is casting the spell. You still need a hand free to actually cast the spell, but since you can wear the pouch on your belt--your hand is only occupied when actually casting the spell. And, if you had to hold it and draw from it...it would need 2 hands to use.
      $endgroup$
      – guildsbounty
      May 29 at 15:41




      3




      3




      $begingroup$
      And, as an addendum...while this isn't rules based...the idea of wearing a component pouch on your belt and only pulling out what you need as you need it is supported by basically every spellcaster in D&D fiction who uses a Component Pouch (example: Raistlin Majere). Thus...you still need to dedicate a hand to Material Components...but your hand is free for other things (i.e. not holding a wand) when you are not casting. It's a pretty minor benefit, honestly.
      $endgroup$
      – guildsbounty
      May 29 at 15:42





      $begingroup$
      And, as an addendum...while this isn't rules based...the idea of wearing a component pouch on your belt and only pulling out what you need as you need it is supported by basically every spellcaster in D&D fiction who uses a Component Pouch (example: Raistlin Majere). Thus...you still need to dedicate a hand to Material Components...but your hand is free for other things (i.e. not holding a wand) when you are not casting. It's a pretty minor benefit, honestly.
      $endgroup$
      – guildsbounty
      May 29 at 15:42













      $begingroup$
      I'm pretty sure that there are Arcane Foci which leave your hands free when not casting a spell - the Izzet have arcane foci that they wear strapped to the backs of their arms, for example, and it might be possible for a mage to have foci like Crystals strapped to the backs of their hands.
      $endgroup$
      – nick012000
      May 30 at 3:19




      $begingroup$
      I'm pretty sure that there are Arcane Foci which leave your hands free when not casting a spell - the Izzet have arcane foci that they wear strapped to the backs of their arms, for example, and it might be possible for a mage to have foci like Crystals strapped to the backs of their hands.
      $endgroup$
      – nick012000
      May 30 at 3:19












      $begingroup$
      @nick012000 True...Crystals are probably a wearable foci as well.
      $endgroup$
      – guildsbounty
      May 30 at 11:28




      $begingroup$
      @nick012000 True...Crystals are probably a wearable foci as well.
      $endgroup$
      – guildsbounty
      May 30 at 11:28













      10












      $begingroup$

      It contains a complete set of commonly required, non-valuable, non-consumed spell components, and doesn't need to be refilled unless something unusual happens to it.



      But the full answer will depend mostly on how the component pouch was acquired.



      The listed price to purchase a component pouch (PH p25) is 25 gp; compare this with a pouch (5 sp) or a backpack (2 gp). It is quite safe to assume that upon purchasing a component pouch you are also purchasing a complete set of common spell components contained within.



      As described under Spell Components (PH p203, emphasis in original):




      Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is
      indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.



      If a spell states that a material component is consumed by the spell, the caster must provide this component for each casting of the spell.




      So, RAW indicates that simply having a component pouch is a suitable substitute for a material component, so long as that component has no cost and is not consumed. The contents of a commercially acquired component pouch do not depend on (and therefor do not change because of) what spells you know. It is a standard set of components that any spellcaster might require.



      However, if a component pouch was not purchased from a shop, you may find it is not complete. The pouch itself is not a magic item, after all; it is mundane, and may not have had a completely happy and safe existence thus far.



      A DM may also decide that a spell component pouch purchased (or discovered) in one location isn't equipped with the components for an obscure, foreign, forgotten, or novel spell (or school, or collection, etc) depending on the campaign's setting and context, or any narrative/player power reasons they feel are important.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$

















        10












        $begingroup$

        It contains a complete set of commonly required, non-valuable, non-consumed spell components, and doesn't need to be refilled unless something unusual happens to it.



        But the full answer will depend mostly on how the component pouch was acquired.



        The listed price to purchase a component pouch (PH p25) is 25 gp; compare this with a pouch (5 sp) or a backpack (2 gp). It is quite safe to assume that upon purchasing a component pouch you are also purchasing a complete set of common spell components contained within.



        As described under Spell Components (PH p203, emphasis in original):




        Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is
        indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.



        If a spell states that a material component is consumed by the spell, the caster must provide this component for each casting of the spell.




        So, RAW indicates that simply having a component pouch is a suitable substitute for a material component, so long as that component has no cost and is not consumed. The contents of a commercially acquired component pouch do not depend on (and therefor do not change because of) what spells you know. It is a standard set of components that any spellcaster might require.



        However, if a component pouch was not purchased from a shop, you may find it is not complete. The pouch itself is not a magic item, after all; it is mundane, and may not have had a completely happy and safe existence thus far.



        A DM may also decide that a spell component pouch purchased (or discovered) in one location isn't equipped with the components for an obscure, foreign, forgotten, or novel spell (or school, or collection, etc) depending on the campaign's setting and context, or any narrative/player power reasons they feel are important.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$















          10












          10








          10





          $begingroup$

          It contains a complete set of commonly required, non-valuable, non-consumed spell components, and doesn't need to be refilled unless something unusual happens to it.



          But the full answer will depend mostly on how the component pouch was acquired.



          The listed price to purchase a component pouch (PH p25) is 25 gp; compare this with a pouch (5 sp) or a backpack (2 gp). It is quite safe to assume that upon purchasing a component pouch you are also purchasing a complete set of common spell components contained within.



          As described under Spell Components (PH p203, emphasis in original):




          Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is
          indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.



          If a spell states that a material component is consumed by the spell, the caster must provide this component for each casting of the spell.




          So, RAW indicates that simply having a component pouch is a suitable substitute for a material component, so long as that component has no cost and is not consumed. The contents of a commercially acquired component pouch do not depend on (and therefor do not change because of) what spells you know. It is a standard set of components that any spellcaster might require.



          However, if a component pouch was not purchased from a shop, you may find it is not complete. The pouch itself is not a magic item, after all; it is mundane, and may not have had a completely happy and safe existence thus far.



          A DM may also decide that a spell component pouch purchased (or discovered) in one location isn't equipped with the components for an obscure, foreign, forgotten, or novel spell (or school, or collection, etc) depending on the campaign's setting and context, or any narrative/player power reasons they feel are important.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          It contains a complete set of commonly required, non-valuable, non-consumed spell components, and doesn't need to be refilled unless something unusual happens to it.



          But the full answer will depend mostly on how the component pouch was acquired.



          The listed price to purchase a component pouch (PH p25) is 25 gp; compare this with a pouch (5 sp) or a backpack (2 gp). It is quite safe to assume that upon purchasing a component pouch you are also purchasing a complete set of common spell components contained within.



          As described under Spell Components (PH p203, emphasis in original):




          Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is
          indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.



          If a spell states that a material component is consumed by the spell, the caster must provide this component for each casting of the spell.




          So, RAW indicates that simply having a component pouch is a suitable substitute for a material component, so long as that component has no cost and is not consumed. The contents of a commercially acquired component pouch do not depend on (and therefor do not change because of) what spells you know. It is a standard set of components that any spellcaster might require.



          However, if a component pouch was not purchased from a shop, you may find it is not complete. The pouch itself is not a magic item, after all; it is mundane, and may not have had a completely happy and safe existence thus far.



          A DM may also decide that a spell component pouch purchased (or discovered) in one location isn't equipped with the components for an obscure, foreign, forgotten, or novel spell (or school, or collection, etc) depending on the campaign's setting and context, or any narrative/player power reasons they feel are important.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered May 29 at 15:42









          JohnnyJohnny

          360115




          360115





















              7












              $begingroup$

              The rules don't say if it comes full or not, but it doesn't matter RAW




              Component Pouch. A component pouch is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell’s description).




              This is all the information the book provides us about the pouch itself. And nothing about it indicates that materials come in it when purchased.



              However, the component pouch costs 25gp and weighs 2lbs compared to the other pouch in the adventuring equipment table which costs 5sp and weighs 1lb. Now this is very circumstantial, but that cost technically represents something in-game. It could be it's materials or construction or rarity — or it could be what is inside. (See Are there any practical differences between a belt pouch and component pouch in 5e? for more details on the comparison between the two items).



              Regardless, the rules don't say if the component pouch comes full or not so that is up to the DM.



              RAW it doesn't matter if it is full or not




              A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell.




              The rules for spellcasting say that you just need a component pouch that can count in place of the components themselves. It doesn't say the pouch actually has to contain the components (or really anything).



              The game just uses a pouch as an abstraction by intent



              Jeremy Crawford has provided a bit of unofficial clarification on the matter of what the purpose of the component pouch is in a Tweet1:




              If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




              Basically, the intent is, if you have a component pouch the designers intended to have you never have to think about components that do not have a cost.



              Your DM can of course rule differently and make you purchase each ingredient to painstakingly fill the pouch but that kind of verisimilitude isn't fun at many tables.




              1 - Thanks @guildsbounty for pointing this out in their answer.






              share|improve this answer











              $endgroup$

















                7












                $begingroup$

                The rules don't say if it comes full or not, but it doesn't matter RAW




                Component Pouch. A component pouch is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell’s description).




                This is all the information the book provides us about the pouch itself. And nothing about it indicates that materials come in it when purchased.



                However, the component pouch costs 25gp and weighs 2lbs compared to the other pouch in the adventuring equipment table which costs 5sp and weighs 1lb. Now this is very circumstantial, but that cost technically represents something in-game. It could be it's materials or construction or rarity — or it could be what is inside. (See Are there any practical differences between a belt pouch and component pouch in 5e? for more details on the comparison between the two items).



                Regardless, the rules don't say if the component pouch comes full or not so that is up to the DM.



                RAW it doesn't matter if it is full or not




                A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell.




                The rules for spellcasting say that you just need a component pouch that can count in place of the components themselves. It doesn't say the pouch actually has to contain the components (or really anything).



                The game just uses a pouch as an abstraction by intent



                Jeremy Crawford has provided a bit of unofficial clarification on the matter of what the purpose of the component pouch is in a Tweet1:




                If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




                Basically, the intent is, if you have a component pouch the designers intended to have you never have to think about components that do not have a cost.



                Your DM can of course rule differently and make you purchase each ingredient to painstakingly fill the pouch but that kind of verisimilitude isn't fun at many tables.




                1 - Thanks @guildsbounty for pointing this out in their answer.






                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$















                  7












                  7








                  7





                  $begingroup$

                  The rules don't say if it comes full or not, but it doesn't matter RAW




                  Component Pouch. A component pouch is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell’s description).




                  This is all the information the book provides us about the pouch itself. And nothing about it indicates that materials come in it when purchased.



                  However, the component pouch costs 25gp and weighs 2lbs compared to the other pouch in the adventuring equipment table which costs 5sp and weighs 1lb. Now this is very circumstantial, but that cost technically represents something in-game. It could be it's materials or construction or rarity — or it could be what is inside. (See Are there any practical differences between a belt pouch and component pouch in 5e? for more details on the comparison between the two items).



                  Regardless, the rules don't say if the component pouch comes full or not so that is up to the DM.



                  RAW it doesn't matter if it is full or not




                  A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell.




                  The rules for spellcasting say that you just need a component pouch that can count in place of the components themselves. It doesn't say the pouch actually has to contain the components (or really anything).



                  The game just uses a pouch as an abstraction by intent



                  Jeremy Crawford has provided a bit of unofficial clarification on the matter of what the purpose of the component pouch is in a Tweet1:




                  If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




                  Basically, the intent is, if you have a component pouch the designers intended to have you never have to think about components that do not have a cost.



                  Your DM can of course rule differently and make you purchase each ingredient to painstakingly fill the pouch but that kind of verisimilitude isn't fun at many tables.




                  1 - Thanks @guildsbounty for pointing this out in their answer.






                  share|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$



                  The rules don't say if it comes full or not, but it doesn't matter RAW




                  Component Pouch. A component pouch is a small, watertight leather belt pouch that has compartments to hold all the material components and other special items you need to cast your spells, except for those components that have a specific cost (as indicated in a spell’s description).




                  This is all the information the book provides us about the pouch itself. And nothing about it indicates that materials come in it when purchased.



                  However, the component pouch costs 25gp and weighs 2lbs compared to the other pouch in the adventuring equipment table which costs 5sp and weighs 1lb. Now this is very circumstantial, but that cost technically represents something in-game. It could be it's materials or construction or rarity — or it could be what is inside. (See Are there any practical differences between a belt pouch and component pouch in 5e? for more details on the comparison between the two items).



                  Regardless, the rules don't say if the component pouch comes full or not so that is up to the DM.



                  RAW it doesn't matter if it is full or not




                  A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell.




                  The rules for spellcasting say that you just need a component pouch that can count in place of the components themselves. It doesn't say the pouch actually has to contain the components (or really anything).



                  The game just uses a pouch as an abstraction by intent



                  Jeremy Crawford has provided a bit of unofficial clarification on the matter of what the purpose of the component pouch is in a Tweet1:




                  If you're using a spellcasting focus or a component pouch, free components are abstracted away.




                  Basically, the intent is, if you have a component pouch the designers intended to have you never have to think about components that do not have a cost.



                  Your DM can of course rule differently and make you purchase each ingredient to painstakingly fill the pouch but that kind of verisimilitude isn't fun at many tables.




                  1 - Thanks @guildsbounty for pointing this out in their answer.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited May 29 at 15:56

























                  answered May 29 at 15:36









                  RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

                  68.1k11332489




                  68.1k11332489



























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