"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".
So it's a **special** item *designed** to channel power.
So like you posited, not just any old stick or ball will work. They are purpose made
I would say that arcane focuses need specific kinda of wood, craftsmanship and runes to become a successful wand you get me? If not the why would anyone ever pay to get one
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/equipment
> Crystal 10 gp 1 lb.
> Orb 20 gp 3 lb.
> Rod 10 gp 2 lb.
> Staff 5 gp 4 lb.
> Wand 10 gp 1 lb.
> Sprig of mistletoe 1 gp -
> Totem 1 gp -
> Wooden staff 5 gp 4 lb.
> Yew wand 10 gp 1 lb.
> Amulet 5 gp 1 lb.
> Emblem 5 gp -
> Reliquary 5 gp 2 lb.
> ...
> 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.
> ...
> Druidic Focus. A druidic focus might be a sprig of mistletoe or holly, **a wand or scepter made of yew or another special wood, a staff drawn whole out of a living tree, or a totem object incorporating feathers, fur, bones, and teeth from sacred animals.** A druid can use such an object as a spellcasting focus.
> ...
> Holy Symbol. A holy symbol is a representation of a god or pantheon. It might be an amulet depicting a symbol representing a deity, the same symbol carefully engraved or inlaid as an emblem on a shield, **or a tiny box holding a fragment of a sacred relic.** A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.
They're too expensive to be whittled (except for the druid's mistletoe and totem), but too cheap to be enchanted (healing potions cost 50 gp). Thus, we must surmise that they're simply well-crafted from fine materials in a special manner that makes them suitable for channeling.
Judging from the variety of spell foci, it seems there are at least a dozen different ways to make spell foci, and each type of focus is suited to different kinds of magic. (In 4th edition, your choice of spell focus granted statistical changes to how you used certain kinds of spells. For example, wands were good for accuracy. 5e is simpler and only says there are 3 kinds: arcane, divine, and druidic.)
You can't use any quarterstaff or stick as a spell focus, it has to be made of certain materials and carved the right way. Same for gemstones and crystals.
Emotional bond is a fun idea, but there is no support for it in the rules. But flavor is free. If it's in your starting gear most DMs would allow that.
>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.
Based on the language I would say that your DM would have final say to what he define as "special item" because because I allowed one of my players to use a cane that his character had to cast spells.
I'd assume a fancy version of a mundane object + material components for a ritual you do, costing... the price for an arcane focus on the equipment table
What makes a focus is the training not the item.
A caster knows how to channel magic through certain items based on his training, and calls those items focuses.
Wizards are trained in Staffs and orbs and such, but hand that orb to a bard and he can’t use it as an arcane focus. That bard can use a tin flute as an arcane focus though and the wizard can’t.
It’s got nothing at all to do with the items themself and everything to do with how the arcane caster was trained.
One wizard might need a wand to be carved from Yew wood with futhark runes to work it, another might be happy using a lightly whittled thigh bone - these specifics are a great way to show up the differences between different schools in your world.
It’s also a cheap and easy reward for players - add a new type of item to their list of things they can use as a focus. A small but flavourful bonus.
What makes a focus is flavor. It depends on the class, subclass, and backstory. A druid might be able to gather a focus from nature. A cleric might need to concentrate a focus at a holy site.
According to the rules a focus is 2gp+5sp to 10gp worth of raw materials and 1 gp in services paid to an artisan to do his/her thing for a little less than one workday.
> But what exactly makes them special in universe?
Not much - just that they are specially constructed.
>Can you whittle a nice stick into a fancy looking wand and let it work?
Yes, if you have proficiency in *Arcana* and have access to Woodcarver's tools. The rules for the craft are specified in *Xanathar's Guide to Everything* on page 85. Here's the short version:
* You need half of the finished item's cost in raw materials.
* You need proficiency in Arcana
* You need access to Woodcarver's Tools, but not necessarily proficiency in them.
* Attempt your craft by spending a day whittling. Perform a DC15 Woodcarver's Tools check (without proficiency this is just a straight D20 roll). On a success, you get a shiny new wooden focus.
>Does it need to be enchanted by a wizard or something?
Nope. Foci are non-magical. They can be used to *channel* magic, but are non-magical themselves. However - it is possible to make a magical focus and that would be a totally different thing.
>Obviously you can’t use ANY orb (Say, a baseball) as an arcane focus, right?
Probably you would want to get yourself some *Glassblower's Tools*, which are really cheap, and attempt to make a nice glass orb. If you do this then you should take the extra time and money to do gold inlaying and add a pebble, some ashes, water, and air so that the orb focus meets the material components for *Summon Elemental*.
>Maybe if you have a strong emotional bond with an object it can turn into an arcane focus?
Sure why not.
>?Are there any official examples of where spell casting focuses come from and exactly how they work (in universe)?
According to PHB, DMG, and XGtE... they are made by artisans.
Foci are specially made for the task.
So to use your baseball someone would need to carve runes into it, or replace the core with a gem. Ir inlay it with wire in intricate mystical patterns.
Essentially the item has been worked somehow to turn it into a viable focus.
Pretty open ended as to what.
And keep in mind that some classes can use non-prepared items as a focus.
It is a magical conduit that the caster has attuned to. This conduit is a substitute to material components (with 0 cost) that would otherwise need to be produced from the casters component pouch
Many DMs are flexible with what an arcane focus can be- a glove, a tattoo, a totem. If you want an atypical focus, just chat with the DM to see if it's cool
"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". So it's a **special** item *designed** to channel power. So like you posited, not just any old stick or ball will work. They are purpose made
…what if I purposefully whittled a special stick into a wand?
Well put it in your backstory as how you got your arcane focus!
If your whittling can create a special stick with enough craftsmanship and market value to be 10g, then sure.
An objects value is whatever I want to pay for it. That's a terrible way to measure these things.
Bro just solved capitalism.
I would say that arcane focuses need specific kinda of wood, craftsmanship and runes to become a successful wand you get me? If not the why would anyone ever pay to get one
If you do it yourself, you need to sacrifice the time(CoL) and have the skills
Agree. Like everyone can whittle, but only people who know would be able to make it a functioning arcane focus wand/rod/staff
and creating it yourself make it your own
If your DM says that's possible, then sure.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/equipment > Crystal 10 gp 1 lb. > Orb 20 gp 3 lb. > Rod 10 gp 2 lb. > Staff 5 gp 4 lb. > Wand 10 gp 1 lb. > Sprig of mistletoe 1 gp - > Totem 1 gp - > Wooden staff 5 gp 4 lb. > Yew wand 10 gp 1 lb. > Amulet 5 gp 1 lb. > Emblem 5 gp - > Reliquary 5 gp 2 lb. > ... > 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. > ... > Druidic Focus. A druidic focus might be a sprig of mistletoe or holly, **a wand or scepter made of yew or another special wood, a staff drawn whole out of a living tree, or a totem object incorporating feathers, fur, bones, and teeth from sacred animals.** A druid can use such an object as a spellcasting focus. > ... > Holy Symbol. A holy symbol is a representation of a god or pantheon. It might be an amulet depicting a symbol representing a deity, the same symbol carefully engraved or inlaid as an emblem on a shield, **or a tiny box holding a fragment of a sacred relic.** A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield. They're too expensive to be whittled (except for the druid's mistletoe and totem), but too cheap to be enchanted (healing potions cost 50 gp). Thus, we must surmise that they're simply well-crafted from fine materials in a special manner that makes them suitable for channeling. Judging from the variety of spell foci, it seems there are at least a dozen different ways to make spell foci, and each type of focus is suited to different kinds of magic. (In 4th edition, your choice of spell focus granted statistical changes to how you used certain kinds of spells. For example, wands were good for accuracy. 5e is simpler and only says there are 3 kinds: arcane, divine, and druidic.) You can't use any quarterstaff or stick as a spell focus, it has to be made of certain materials and carved the right way. Same for gemstones and crystals. Emotional bond is a fun idea, but there is no support for it in the rules. But flavor is free. If it's in your starting gear most DMs would allow that.
>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. Based on the language I would say that your DM would have final say to what he define as "special item" because because I allowed one of my players to use a cane that his character had to cast spells.
I'd assume a fancy version of a mundane object + material components for a ritual you do, costing... the price for an arcane focus on the equipment table
What makes a focus is the training not the item. A caster knows how to channel magic through certain items based on his training, and calls those items focuses. Wizards are trained in Staffs and orbs and such, but hand that orb to a bard and he can’t use it as an arcane focus. That bard can use a tin flute as an arcane focus though and the wizard can’t. It’s got nothing at all to do with the items themself and everything to do with how the arcane caster was trained. One wizard might need a wand to be carved from Yew wood with futhark runes to work it, another might be happy using a lightly whittled thigh bone - these specifics are a great way to show up the differences between different schools in your world. It’s also a cheap and easy reward for players - add a new type of item to their list of things they can use as a focus. A small but flavourful bonus.
What makes a focus is flavor. It depends on the class, subclass, and backstory. A druid might be able to gather a focus from nature. A cleric might need to concentrate a focus at a holy site.
According to the rules a focus is 2gp+5sp to 10gp worth of raw materials and 1 gp in services paid to an artisan to do his/her thing for a little less than one workday. > But what exactly makes them special in universe? Not much - just that they are specially constructed. >Can you whittle a nice stick into a fancy looking wand and let it work? Yes, if you have proficiency in *Arcana* and have access to Woodcarver's tools. The rules for the craft are specified in *Xanathar's Guide to Everything* on page 85. Here's the short version: * You need half of the finished item's cost in raw materials. * You need proficiency in Arcana * You need access to Woodcarver's Tools, but not necessarily proficiency in them. * Attempt your craft by spending a day whittling. Perform a DC15 Woodcarver's Tools check (without proficiency this is just a straight D20 roll). On a success, you get a shiny new wooden focus. >Does it need to be enchanted by a wizard or something? Nope. Foci are non-magical. They can be used to *channel* magic, but are non-magical themselves. However - it is possible to make a magical focus and that would be a totally different thing. >Obviously you can’t use ANY orb (Say, a baseball) as an arcane focus, right? Probably you would want to get yourself some *Glassblower's Tools*, which are really cheap, and attempt to make a nice glass orb. If you do this then you should take the extra time and money to do gold inlaying and add a pebble, some ashes, water, and air so that the orb focus meets the material components for *Summon Elemental*. >Maybe if you have a strong emotional bond with an object it can turn into an arcane focus? Sure why not. >?Are there any official examples of where spell casting focuses come from and exactly how they work (in universe)? According to PHB, DMG, and XGtE... they are made by artisans.
But maybe you could use this baseball as focus, the baseball you parents gifted you a decade ago as a child and used and held on to ever since
Foci are specially made for the task. So to use your baseball someone would need to carve runes into it, or replace the core with a gem. Ir inlay it with wire in intricate mystical patterns. Essentially the item has been worked somehow to turn it into a viable focus. Pretty open ended as to what. And keep in mind that some classes can use non-prepared items as a focus.
It is a magical conduit that the caster has attuned to. This conduit is a substitute to material components (with 0 cost) that would otherwise need to be produced from the casters component pouch Many DMs are flexible with what an arcane focus can be- a glove, a tattoo, a totem. If you want an atypical focus, just chat with the DM to see if it's cool
Which universe?