Are Arcane Foci universal for Arcane casters?











up vote
9
down vote

favorite












Do I need one focus per spellcasting class I have, or does one work for both? In other words if I multi class from Warlock to Sorcerer, do I need an Arcane Focus for both classes or use just one between them?










share|improve this question




















  • 3




    Related (but probably not duplicate): Can Yew Wands be used as a focus for both druids and wizards?
    – Xirema
    Dec 5 at 15:33








  • 3




    Related (also not dupe) on Can a multiclass spellcaster have one thing be two different focuses?
    – NautArch
    Dec 5 at 15:41















up vote
9
down vote

favorite












Do I need one focus per spellcasting class I have, or does one work for both? In other words if I multi class from Warlock to Sorcerer, do I need an Arcane Focus for both classes or use just one between them?










share|improve this question




















  • 3




    Related (but probably not duplicate): Can Yew Wands be used as a focus for both druids and wizards?
    – Xirema
    Dec 5 at 15:33








  • 3




    Related (also not dupe) on Can a multiclass spellcaster have one thing be two different focuses?
    – NautArch
    Dec 5 at 15:41













up vote
9
down vote

favorite









up vote
9
down vote

favorite











Do I need one focus per spellcasting class I have, or does one work for both? In other words if I multi class from Warlock to Sorcerer, do I need an Arcane Focus for both classes or use just one between them?










share|improve this question















Do I need one focus per spellcasting class I have, or does one work for both? In other words if I multi class from Warlock to Sorcerer, do I need an Arcane Focus for both classes or use just one between them?







dnd-5e arcane-focus






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 5 at 16:01









SevenSidedDie

203k28653927




203k28653927










asked Dec 5 at 15:29









Jhyarelle Silver

2,52721651




2,52721651








  • 3




    Related (but probably not duplicate): Can Yew Wands be used as a focus for both druids and wizards?
    – Xirema
    Dec 5 at 15:33








  • 3




    Related (also not dupe) on Can a multiclass spellcaster have one thing be two different focuses?
    – NautArch
    Dec 5 at 15:41














  • 3




    Related (but probably not duplicate): Can Yew Wands be used as a focus for both druids and wizards?
    – Xirema
    Dec 5 at 15:33








  • 3




    Related (also not dupe) on Can a multiclass spellcaster have one thing be two different focuses?
    – NautArch
    Dec 5 at 15:41








3




3




Related (but probably not duplicate): Can Yew Wands be used as a focus for both druids and wizards?
– Xirema
Dec 5 at 15:33






Related (but probably not duplicate): Can Yew Wands be used as a focus for both druids and wizards?
– Xirema
Dec 5 at 15:33






3




3




Related (also not dupe) on Can a multiclass spellcaster have one thing be two different focuses?
– NautArch
Dec 5 at 15:41




Related (also not dupe) on Can a multiclass spellcaster have one thing be two different focuses?
– NautArch
Dec 5 at 15:41










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
9
down vote













An arcane focus is...




...a special item designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in the Spellcasting section.




There's an argument to be made, based on a passage in the multiclassing section, that might go counter to this:




Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




However, read as natural language, any arcane focus is "associated" with all the arcane casting classes listed in the description of the arcane focus itself. The description of an arcane focus is where that association is made.



There is nothing to indicate that one arcane focus is functionally different from any other, nor to indicate it varies by class. The equipment lists do not include "wizard focus", "warlock focus", or "sorcerer focus", just...



...an arcane focus.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    4
    down vote













    The PHB is ambiguously written and requires DM interpretation



    There are three relevant sections to make this determination.



    The Sections on Spellcasting Focuses and what those focuses are suggest that this is fine



    Firstly, the sections for each class that specify what a class may use to cast spells. I'll use the Sorcerer class as an example, but all three classes have simple, identical wording for their "Spellcasting Focus" section:




    Spellcasting Focus



    You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your sorcerer spells.




    Substitute "Warlock" or "Wizard" for "Sorcerer", and you have the wording for those other classes.



    The second important section is referenced by that paragraph. In Chapter 5, "Equipment", under the "Adventuring Gear" section, the entry for Arcane Focuses reads like this:




    Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.




    And this paragraph references the "Material Components" part of the "Components" paragraph in the Spellcasting chapter.



    By these descriptions alone, one could easily be led to believe that an Arcane Focus should be transferable between these three classes, no caveats or exemptions to worry about.



    However, the Multiclassing rules muddy this interpretation



    The final important section is in the Multiclassing rules. In Chapter 9, where the Multiclassing rules are written, the paragraph on Spell Preparation has this to say (emphasis mine):




    Spells Known and Prepared. You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually...

    [...]

    Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




    The use of the singular word 'Class' seems to imply that one focus may only be used for one class, and without a clarifying sentence or paragraph implying that a focus compatible with multiple classes would be valid for all of them, we can't infer that it's therefore okay for an Arcane Focus to be applied to all of these classes.



    One observation we can make is with its example of a Holy Symbol: in the Player's Handbook, a Holy Symbol is a valid focus for both Clerics and Paladins. Since this kind of focus could easily be used for two (relatively complementary) classes, the omission of an explicit clarification (i.e. a rewording that reads like "a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, may only be used for the spells from a class that is permitted to use that kind of focus") and the decision to use a singular word rather than a plural, makes it impossible to affirmatively assert that a multiclassed Cleric/Paladin could use the same Holy Symbol for all their spells.



    As far as I'm aware, Jeremy Crawford has never made a ruling on this topic (please leave a comment on this answer if he has!), and we don't have errata clarifying this issue so we're left with several conclusions:




    • Until we reach the Multiclassing rules themselves, there's nothing that infers that a focus could not be shared between classes that are permitted to use the same object

    • The Multiclassing rules themselves are Optional Rules, and thus subject to some degree of flexibility,


    • But, the Multiclassing rules themselves are not written to strictly support the allowance of one focus for multiple classes

    • And, the Multiclassing rules are generally used to supercede rule interpretations that would otherwise be made in their absence—in other words, the Multiclassing rules are the reason why certain features that read "at level X gain the ability to..." are generally interpreted to actually mean "when you reach level X in this class gain the ability to...".


    So as it is, you'll need to ask your DM how they would rule.



    As usual, Component Pouches are the "universal focus", so to speak



    Since every spellcasting class can use a Component Pouch to access their Material requirements, this is always an option to ensure that a multiclassed character can access all their spells without juggling a focus, and this remains true regardless of how your DM rules on this issue.






    share|improve this answer






























      up vote
      -5
      down vote













      Yes, as specified above by the others.



      Also it's worth noting that if one focus is specified on two different lists, then it works for both. A Yew Wand works for both Druids (Yew Wand is specified for Druid focus) and for Wizards (Wands in general work for wizards) Therefore, that same wand could be used for both types of spells by a dual-classed wizard/druid.






      share|improve this answer

















      • 5




        NB there’s no “above” or “below”, since answers can be sorted by the reader in different ways. (What’s “above” your answer currently to me is the question comments.)
        – SevenSidedDie
        Dec 5 at 18:20






      • 2




        This seems to be more of an addendum than an actual answer. Remember, answers are all expected to be complete self-contained answers to the question. Right now yours doesn't seem to answer it at all.
        – Rubiksmoose
        Dec 5 at 19:20










      • For what it's worth I'm also not sure that the note you are trying to make is worth it since the example you give is not of arcane casters and thus not really relevant to the question at hand.
        – Rubiksmoose
        Dec 5 at 19:20













      Your Answer





      StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
      return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
      StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
      StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["\$", "\$"]]);
      });
      });
      }, "mathjax-editing");

      StackExchange.ready(function() {
      var channelOptions = {
      tags: "".split(" "),
      id: "122"
      };
      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
      StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
      createEditor();
      });
      }
      else {
      createEditor();
      }
      });

      function createEditor() {
      StackExchange.prepareEditor({
      heartbeatType: 'answer',
      convertImagesToLinks: false,
      noModals: true,
      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
      reputationToPostImages: null,
      bindNavPrevention: true,
      postfix: "",
      imageUploader: {
      brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
      contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
      allowUrls: true
      },
      noCode: true, onDemand: true,
      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
      });


      }
      });














      draft saved

      draft discarded


















      StackExchange.ready(
      function () {
      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f136825%2fare-arcane-foci-universal-for-arcane-casters%23new-answer', 'question_page');
      }
      );

      Post as a guest















      Required, but never shown

























      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      9
      down vote













      An arcane focus is...




      ...a special item designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in the Spellcasting section.




      There's an argument to be made, based on a passage in the multiclassing section, that might go counter to this:




      Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




      However, read as natural language, any arcane focus is "associated" with all the arcane casting classes listed in the description of the arcane focus itself. The description of an arcane focus is where that association is made.



      There is nothing to indicate that one arcane focus is functionally different from any other, nor to indicate it varies by class. The equipment lists do not include "wizard focus", "warlock focus", or "sorcerer focus", just...



      ...an arcane focus.






      share|improve this answer



























        up vote
        9
        down vote













        An arcane focus is...




        ...a special item designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in the Spellcasting section.




        There's an argument to be made, based on a passage in the multiclassing section, that might go counter to this:




        Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




        However, read as natural language, any arcane focus is "associated" with all the arcane casting classes listed in the description of the arcane focus itself. The description of an arcane focus is where that association is made.



        There is nothing to indicate that one arcane focus is functionally different from any other, nor to indicate it varies by class. The equipment lists do not include "wizard focus", "warlock focus", or "sorcerer focus", just...



        ...an arcane focus.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          9
          down vote










          up vote
          9
          down vote









          An arcane focus is...




          ...a special item designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in the Spellcasting section.




          There's an argument to be made, based on a passage in the multiclassing section, that might go counter to this:




          Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




          However, read as natural language, any arcane focus is "associated" with all the arcane casting classes listed in the description of the arcane focus itself. The description of an arcane focus is where that association is made.



          There is nothing to indicate that one arcane focus is functionally different from any other, nor to indicate it varies by class. The equipment lists do not include "wizard focus", "warlock focus", or "sorcerer focus", just...



          ...an arcane focus.






          share|improve this answer














          An arcane focus is...




          ...a special item designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in the Spellcasting section.




          There's an argument to be made, based on a passage in the multiclassing section, that might go counter to this:




          Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




          However, read as natural language, any arcane focus is "associated" with all the arcane casting classes listed in the description of the arcane focus itself. The description of an arcane focus is where that association is made.



          There is nothing to indicate that one arcane focus is functionally different from any other, nor to indicate it varies by class. The equipment lists do not include "wizard focus", "warlock focus", or "sorcerer focus", just...



          ...an arcane focus.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Dec 5 at 19:42

























          answered Dec 5 at 15:42









          T.J.L.

          28k593149




          28k593149
























              up vote
              4
              down vote













              The PHB is ambiguously written and requires DM interpretation



              There are three relevant sections to make this determination.



              The Sections on Spellcasting Focuses and what those focuses are suggest that this is fine



              Firstly, the sections for each class that specify what a class may use to cast spells. I'll use the Sorcerer class as an example, but all three classes have simple, identical wording for their "Spellcasting Focus" section:




              Spellcasting Focus



              You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your sorcerer spells.




              Substitute "Warlock" or "Wizard" for "Sorcerer", and you have the wording for those other classes.



              The second important section is referenced by that paragraph. In Chapter 5, "Equipment", under the "Adventuring Gear" section, the entry for Arcane Focuses reads like this:




              Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.




              And this paragraph references the "Material Components" part of the "Components" paragraph in the Spellcasting chapter.



              By these descriptions alone, one could easily be led to believe that an Arcane Focus should be transferable between these three classes, no caveats or exemptions to worry about.



              However, the Multiclassing rules muddy this interpretation



              The final important section is in the Multiclassing rules. In Chapter 9, where the Multiclassing rules are written, the paragraph on Spell Preparation has this to say (emphasis mine):




              Spells Known and Prepared. You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually...

              [...]

              Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




              The use of the singular word 'Class' seems to imply that one focus may only be used for one class, and without a clarifying sentence or paragraph implying that a focus compatible with multiple classes would be valid for all of them, we can't infer that it's therefore okay for an Arcane Focus to be applied to all of these classes.



              One observation we can make is with its example of a Holy Symbol: in the Player's Handbook, a Holy Symbol is a valid focus for both Clerics and Paladins. Since this kind of focus could easily be used for two (relatively complementary) classes, the omission of an explicit clarification (i.e. a rewording that reads like "a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, may only be used for the spells from a class that is permitted to use that kind of focus") and the decision to use a singular word rather than a plural, makes it impossible to affirmatively assert that a multiclassed Cleric/Paladin could use the same Holy Symbol for all their spells.



              As far as I'm aware, Jeremy Crawford has never made a ruling on this topic (please leave a comment on this answer if he has!), and we don't have errata clarifying this issue so we're left with several conclusions:




              • Until we reach the Multiclassing rules themselves, there's nothing that infers that a focus could not be shared between classes that are permitted to use the same object

              • The Multiclassing rules themselves are Optional Rules, and thus subject to some degree of flexibility,


              • But, the Multiclassing rules themselves are not written to strictly support the allowance of one focus for multiple classes

              • And, the Multiclassing rules are generally used to supercede rule interpretations that would otherwise be made in their absence—in other words, the Multiclassing rules are the reason why certain features that read "at level X gain the ability to..." are generally interpreted to actually mean "when you reach level X in this class gain the ability to...".


              So as it is, you'll need to ask your DM how they would rule.



              As usual, Component Pouches are the "universal focus", so to speak



              Since every spellcasting class can use a Component Pouch to access their Material requirements, this is always an option to ensure that a multiclassed character can access all their spells without juggling a focus, and this remains true regardless of how your DM rules on this issue.






              share|improve this answer



























                up vote
                4
                down vote













                The PHB is ambiguously written and requires DM interpretation



                There are three relevant sections to make this determination.



                The Sections on Spellcasting Focuses and what those focuses are suggest that this is fine



                Firstly, the sections for each class that specify what a class may use to cast spells. I'll use the Sorcerer class as an example, but all three classes have simple, identical wording for their "Spellcasting Focus" section:




                Spellcasting Focus



                You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your sorcerer spells.




                Substitute "Warlock" or "Wizard" for "Sorcerer", and you have the wording for those other classes.



                The second important section is referenced by that paragraph. In Chapter 5, "Equipment", under the "Adventuring Gear" section, the entry for Arcane Focuses reads like this:




                Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.




                And this paragraph references the "Material Components" part of the "Components" paragraph in the Spellcasting chapter.



                By these descriptions alone, one could easily be led to believe that an Arcane Focus should be transferable between these three classes, no caveats or exemptions to worry about.



                However, the Multiclassing rules muddy this interpretation



                The final important section is in the Multiclassing rules. In Chapter 9, where the Multiclassing rules are written, the paragraph on Spell Preparation has this to say (emphasis mine):




                Spells Known and Prepared. You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually...

                [...]

                Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




                The use of the singular word 'Class' seems to imply that one focus may only be used for one class, and without a clarifying sentence or paragraph implying that a focus compatible with multiple classes would be valid for all of them, we can't infer that it's therefore okay for an Arcane Focus to be applied to all of these classes.



                One observation we can make is with its example of a Holy Symbol: in the Player's Handbook, a Holy Symbol is a valid focus for both Clerics and Paladins. Since this kind of focus could easily be used for two (relatively complementary) classes, the omission of an explicit clarification (i.e. a rewording that reads like "a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, may only be used for the spells from a class that is permitted to use that kind of focus") and the decision to use a singular word rather than a plural, makes it impossible to affirmatively assert that a multiclassed Cleric/Paladin could use the same Holy Symbol for all their spells.



                As far as I'm aware, Jeremy Crawford has never made a ruling on this topic (please leave a comment on this answer if he has!), and we don't have errata clarifying this issue so we're left with several conclusions:




                • Until we reach the Multiclassing rules themselves, there's nothing that infers that a focus could not be shared between classes that are permitted to use the same object

                • The Multiclassing rules themselves are Optional Rules, and thus subject to some degree of flexibility,


                • But, the Multiclassing rules themselves are not written to strictly support the allowance of one focus for multiple classes

                • And, the Multiclassing rules are generally used to supercede rule interpretations that would otherwise be made in their absence—in other words, the Multiclassing rules are the reason why certain features that read "at level X gain the ability to..." are generally interpreted to actually mean "when you reach level X in this class gain the ability to...".


                So as it is, you'll need to ask your DM how they would rule.



                As usual, Component Pouches are the "universal focus", so to speak



                Since every spellcasting class can use a Component Pouch to access their Material requirements, this is always an option to ensure that a multiclassed character can access all their spells without juggling a focus, and this remains true regardless of how your DM rules on this issue.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  4
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  4
                  down vote









                  The PHB is ambiguously written and requires DM interpretation



                  There are three relevant sections to make this determination.



                  The Sections on Spellcasting Focuses and what those focuses are suggest that this is fine



                  Firstly, the sections for each class that specify what a class may use to cast spells. I'll use the Sorcerer class as an example, but all three classes have simple, identical wording for their "Spellcasting Focus" section:




                  Spellcasting Focus



                  You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your sorcerer spells.




                  Substitute "Warlock" or "Wizard" for "Sorcerer", and you have the wording for those other classes.



                  The second important section is referenced by that paragraph. In Chapter 5, "Equipment", under the "Adventuring Gear" section, the entry for Arcane Focuses reads like this:




                  Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.




                  And this paragraph references the "Material Components" part of the "Components" paragraph in the Spellcasting chapter.



                  By these descriptions alone, one could easily be led to believe that an Arcane Focus should be transferable between these three classes, no caveats or exemptions to worry about.



                  However, the Multiclassing rules muddy this interpretation



                  The final important section is in the Multiclassing rules. In Chapter 9, where the Multiclassing rules are written, the paragraph on Spell Preparation has this to say (emphasis mine):




                  Spells Known and Prepared. You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually...

                  [...]

                  Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




                  The use of the singular word 'Class' seems to imply that one focus may only be used for one class, and without a clarifying sentence or paragraph implying that a focus compatible with multiple classes would be valid for all of them, we can't infer that it's therefore okay for an Arcane Focus to be applied to all of these classes.



                  One observation we can make is with its example of a Holy Symbol: in the Player's Handbook, a Holy Symbol is a valid focus for both Clerics and Paladins. Since this kind of focus could easily be used for two (relatively complementary) classes, the omission of an explicit clarification (i.e. a rewording that reads like "a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, may only be used for the spells from a class that is permitted to use that kind of focus") and the decision to use a singular word rather than a plural, makes it impossible to affirmatively assert that a multiclassed Cleric/Paladin could use the same Holy Symbol for all their spells.



                  As far as I'm aware, Jeremy Crawford has never made a ruling on this topic (please leave a comment on this answer if he has!), and we don't have errata clarifying this issue so we're left with several conclusions:




                  • Until we reach the Multiclassing rules themselves, there's nothing that infers that a focus could not be shared between classes that are permitted to use the same object

                  • The Multiclassing rules themselves are Optional Rules, and thus subject to some degree of flexibility,


                  • But, the Multiclassing rules themselves are not written to strictly support the allowance of one focus for multiple classes

                  • And, the Multiclassing rules are generally used to supercede rule interpretations that would otherwise be made in their absence—in other words, the Multiclassing rules are the reason why certain features that read "at level X gain the ability to..." are generally interpreted to actually mean "when you reach level X in this class gain the ability to...".


                  So as it is, you'll need to ask your DM how they would rule.



                  As usual, Component Pouches are the "universal focus", so to speak



                  Since every spellcasting class can use a Component Pouch to access their Material requirements, this is always an option to ensure that a multiclassed character can access all their spells without juggling a focus, and this remains true regardless of how your DM rules on this issue.






                  share|improve this answer














                  The PHB is ambiguously written and requires DM interpretation



                  There are three relevant sections to make this determination.



                  The Sections on Spellcasting Focuses and what those focuses are suggest that this is fine



                  Firstly, the sections for each class that specify what a class may use to cast spells. I'll use the Sorcerer class as an example, but all three classes have simple, identical wording for their "Spellcasting Focus" section:




                  Spellcasting Focus



                  You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your sorcerer spells.




                  Substitute "Warlock" or "Wizard" for "Sorcerer", and you have the wording for those other classes.



                  The second important section is referenced by that paragraph. In Chapter 5, "Equipment", under the "Adventuring Gear" section, the entry for Arcane Focuses reads like this:




                  Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.




                  And this paragraph references the "Material Components" part of the "Components" paragraph in the Spellcasting chapter.



                  By these descriptions alone, one could easily be led to believe that an Arcane Focus should be transferable between these three classes, no caveats or exemptions to worry about.



                  However, the Multiclassing rules muddy this interpretation



                  The final important section is in the Multiclassing rules. In Chapter 9, where the Multiclassing rules are written, the paragraph on Spell Preparation has this to say (emphasis mine):




                  Spells Known and Prepared. You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually...

                  [...]

                  Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.




                  The use of the singular word 'Class' seems to imply that one focus may only be used for one class, and without a clarifying sentence or paragraph implying that a focus compatible with multiple classes would be valid for all of them, we can't infer that it's therefore okay for an Arcane Focus to be applied to all of these classes.



                  One observation we can make is with its example of a Holy Symbol: in the Player's Handbook, a Holy Symbol is a valid focus for both Clerics and Paladins. Since this kind of focus could easily be used for two (relatively complementary) classes, the omission of an explicit clarification (i.e. a rewording that reads like "a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, may only be used for the spells from a class that is permitted to use that kind of focus") and the decision to use a singular word rather than a plural, makes it impossible to affirmatively assert that a multiclassed Cleric/Paladin could use the same Holy Symbol for all their spells.



                  As far as I'm aware, Jeremy Crawford has never made a ruling on this topic (please leave a comment on this answer if he has!), and we don't have errata clarifying this issue so we're left with several conclusions:




                  • Until we reach the Multiclassing rules themselves, there's nothing that infers that a focus could not be shared between classes that are permitted to use the same object

                  • The Multiclassing rules themselves are Optional Rules, and thus subject to some degree of flexibility,


                  • But, the Multiclassing rules themselves are not written to strictly support the allowance of one focus for multiple classes

                  • And, the Multiclassing rules are generally used to supercede rule interpretations that would otherwise be made in their absence—in other words, the Multiclassing rules are the reason why certain features that read "at level X gain the ability to..." are generally interpreted to actually mean "when you reach level X in this class gain the ability to...".


                  So as it is, you'll need to ask your DM how they would rule.



                  As usual, Component Pouches are the "universal focus", so to speak



                  Since every spellcasting class can use a Component Pouch to access their Material requirements, this is always an option to ensure that a multiclassed character can access all their spells without juggling a focus, and this remains true regardless of how your DM rules on this issue.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Dec 5 at 18:54

























                  answered Dec 5 at 15:54









                  Xirema

                  13.7k24084




                  13.7k24084






















                      up vote
                      -5
                      down vote













                      Yes, as specified above by the others.



                      Also it's worth noting that if one focus is specified on two different lists, then it works for both. A Yew Wand works for both Druids (Yew Wand is specified for Druid focus) and for Wizards (Wands in general work for wizards) Therefore, that same wand could be used for both types of spells by a dual-classed wizard/druid.






                      share|improve this answer

















                      • 5




                        NB there’s no “above” or “below”, since answers can be sorted by the reader in different ways. (What’s “above” your answer currently to me is the question comments.)
                        – SevenSidedDie
                        Dec 5 at 18:20






                      • 2




                        This seems to be more of an addendum than an actual answer. Remember, answers are all expected to be complete self-contained answers to the question. Right now yours doesn't seem to answer it at all.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20










                      • For what it's worth I'm also not sure that the note you are trying to make is worth it since the example you give is not of arcane casters and thus not really relevant to the question at hand.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20

















                      up vote
                      -5
                      down vote













                      Yes, as specified above by the others.



                      Also it's worth noting that if one focus is specified on two different lists, then it works for both. A Yew Wand works for both Druids (Yew Wand is specified for Druid focus) and for Wizards (Wands in general work for wizards) Therefore, that same wand could be used for both types of spells by a dual-classed wizard/druid.






                      share|improve this answer

















                      • 5




                        NB there’s no “above” or “below”, since answers can be sorted by the reader in different ways. (What’s “above” your answer currently to me is the question comments.)
                        – SevenSidedDie
                        Dec 5 at 18:20






                      • 2




                        This seems to be more of an addendum than an actual answer. Remember, answers are all expected to be complete self-contained answers to the question. Right now yours doesn't seem to answer it at all.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20










                      • For what it's worth I'm also not sure that the note you are trying to make is worth it since the example you give is not of arcane casters and thus not really relevant to the question at hand.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20















                      up vote
                      -5
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      -5
                      down vote









                      Yes, as specified above by the others.



                      Also it's worth noting that if one focus is specified on two different lists, then it works for both. A Yew Wand works for both Druids (Yew Wand is specified for Druid focus) and for Wizards (Wands in general work for wizards) Therefore, that same wand could be used for both types of spells by a dual-classed wizard/druid.






                      share|improve this answer












                      Yes, as specified above by the others.



                      Also it's worth noting that if one focus is specified on two different lists, then it works for both. A Yew Wand works for both Druids (Yew Wand is specified for Druid focus) and for Wizards (Wands in general work for wizards) Therefore, that same wand could be used for both types of spells by a dual-classed wizard/druid.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Dec 5 at 18:19









                      MarkTO

                      1,478117




                      1,478117








                      • 5




                        NB there’s no “above” or “below”, since answers can be sorted by the reader in different ways. (What’s “above” your answer currently to me is the question comments.)
                        – SevenSidedDie
                        Dec 5 at 18:20






                      • 2




                        This seems to be more of an addendum than an actual answer. Remember, answers are all expected to be complete self-contained answers to the question. Right now yours doesn't seem to answer it at all.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20










                      • For what it's worth I'm also not sure that the note you are trying to make is worth it since the example you give is not of arcane casters and thus not really relevant to the question at hand.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20
















                      • 5




                        NB there’s no “above” or “below”, since answers can be sorted by the reader in different ways. (What’s “above” your answer currently to me is the question comments.)
                        – SevenSidedDie
                        Dec 5 at 18:20






                      • 2




                        This seems to be more of an addendum than an actual answer. Remember, answers are all expected to be complete self-contained answers to the question. Right now yours doesn't seem to answer it at all.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20










                      • For what it's worth I'm also not sure that the note you are trying to make is worth it since the example you give is not of arcane casters and thus not really relevant to the question at hand.
                        – Rubiksmoose
                        Dec 5 at 19:20










                      5




                      5




                      NB there’s no “above” or “below”, since answers can be sorted by the reader in different ways. (What’s “above” your answer currently to me is the question comments.)
                      – SevenSidedDie
                      Dec 5 at 18:20




                      NB there’s no “above” or “below”, since answers can be sorted by the reader in different ways. (What’s “above” your answer currently to me is the question comments.)
                      – SevenSidedDie
                      Dec 5 at 18:20




                      2




                      2




                      This seems to be more of an addendum than an actual answer. Remember, answers are all expected to be complete self-contained answers to the question. Right now yours doesn't seem to answer it at all.
                      – Rubiksmoose
                      Dec 5 at 19:20




                      This seems to be more of an addendum than an actual answer. Remember, answers are all expected to be complete self-contained answers to the question. Right now yours doesn't seem to answer it at all.
                      – Rubiksmoose
                      Dec 5 at 19:20












                      For what it's worth I'm also not sure that the note you are trying to make is worth it since the example you give is not of arcane casters and thus not really relevant to the question at hand.
                      – Rubiksmoose
                      Dec 5 at 19:20






                      For what it's worth I'm also not sure that the note you are trying to make is worth it since the example you give is not of arcane casters and thus not really relevant to the question at hand.
                      – Rubiksmoose
                      Dec 5 at 19:20




















                      draft saved

                      draft discarded




















































                      Thanks for contributing an answer to Role-playing Games Stack Exchange!


                      • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                      But avoid



                      • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                      • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                      Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


                      To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.





                      Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.


                      Please pay close attention to the following guidance:


                      • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                      But avoid



                      • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                      • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                      To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                      draft saved


                      draft discarded














                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function () {
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f136825%2fare-arcane-foci-universal-for-arcane-casters%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                      }
                      );

                      Post as a guest















                      Required, but never shown





















































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown

































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown







                      Popular posts from this blog

                      Plaza Victoria

                      In PowerPoint, is there a keyboard shortcut for bulleted / numbered list?

                      How to put 3 figures in Latex with 2 figures side by side and 1 below these side by side images but in...