Are Eldritch Knights allowed to use an arcane focus for their spells? - Rules & Game Mechanics - Dungeons & Dragons Discussion - D&D Beyond Forums (2024)

  • Search
    • Search all Forums
    • Search this Forum
    • Search this Thread
  • Tools
    • Jump to Forum

Are Eldritch Knights allowed to use an arcane focus for their spells?

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next
  • #1 Mar 31, 2019

    Jake_Gustafson

    Jake_Gustafson

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Join Date: 4/16/2018
    • Posts: 5
    • Member Details

    Are Eldritch Knights allowed to use an arcane focus for their spells? On the one hand, the Eldritch Knights section doesn't specify that they can, and the description of arcane focuses (on page 151 of the PHB) states that it's for sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards. But on the other hand, there's nothing in the PHB (as far as I know) that says Eldritch Knights can't use arcane focuses and they basically become half-wizards, using the wizard spell list and using intelligence as the spellcasting ability. Any thoughts?

  • #2 Mar 31, 2019

    pwhimp

    pwhimp

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Hero
    • Location: Sigil
    • Join Date: 5/5/2017
    • Posts: 633
    • Member Details

    If it doesn't say in the EK subclass section that they can use a focus, they can't use a focus. Classes that can use a focus explicitly say so in the spellcasting section of the class because it's not part of the general rules for casting spells.

  • #3 Mar 31, 2019

    Sigvard_Vigrid

    Sigvard_Vigrid

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Skald
    • Join Date: 2/13/2018
    • Posts: 741
    • Member Details

    It states they use an arcane focus in their class features.

    Last edited by Sigvard_Vigrid: Mar 31, 2019

  • #4 Mar 31, 2019

    Brotherbock

    Brotherbock

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • (Perfect)
    • Join Date: 8/25/2018
    • Posts: 708
    • Member Details

    Quote from Sigvard_Vigrid >>

    It states they use an arcane focus in their class features.

    Where? Not finding that.

    EDIT: Wait, do you mean generally? Like 'all classes that get to use one state it?' Or were you saying E-Knight states that they get to use one? I don't see that.

    Last edited by Brotherbock: Mar 31, 2019

    Looking for newsubclasses, spells,magic items, feats, and races?Opinions welcome :)

  • #5 Mar 31, 2019

    Sigvard_Vigrid

    Sigvard_Vigrid

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Skald
    • Join Date: 2/13/2018
    • Posts: 741
    • Member Details
  • #6 Mar 31, 2019

    BoboBoombang

    BoboBoombang

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Disciple
    • Location: Merica
    • Join Date: 9/23/2018
    • Posts: 3,902
    • Member Details

    Eldritch Knights don’t get Invications. That’s a Warlock.

    Extended Signature! Yay!https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/off-topic/adohands-kitchen/3153-extended-signature-thread?page=2#c21

    Haven’t used this account in forever. Still a big fan of crawling claws.

  • #7 Mar 31, 2019

    Sigvard_Vigrid

    Sigvard_Vigrid

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Skald
    • Join Date: 2/13/2018
    • Posts: 741
    • Member Details

    Yeah, I'm an idiot. Was looking at the completely wrong thing. Edited my previous post about the general rule.

  • #8 Mar 31, 2019

    DxJxC

    DxJxC

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Half-Dragon Archmage
    • Location: Saar Chasm
    • Join Date: 4/5/2018
    • Posts: 15,651
    • Member Details

    No. The Eldritch knight, arcane trickster, and ranger cannot use a focus and must use a component pouch instead, RAW.

  • #9 Apr 1, 2019

    Emmber

    Emmber

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Tracker
    • Location: UK
    • Join Date: 4/26/2018
    • Posts: 2,407
    • Member Details

    While the general rule for the M component of spells says you can use either a component pouch or a focus - the specific rule for fociprohibit classes from using them.
    For example the Arcane Focus equipment item restricts it's use to Wizards, Warlocks and Sorcerers only. Likewise the Druidic Focus can only be used by a Druid. And the Holy Symbol can only be used by Paladin's and Clerics. Lastly there's the Musical Instrument for Bards.

    That leaves nothing for the Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, etc. so they are forced to use component pouches as DxJxC said.

    Last edited by Emmber: Apr 1, 2019

    Mega Yahtzee Thread:
    Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
    Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
    Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).

  • #10 Apr 1, 2019

    Unruly_Cow

    Unruly_Cow

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • (Perfect)
    • Join Date: 3/20/2017
    • Posts: 412
    • Member Details

    Focus versus component pouch doesn't have much of a mechanical effect, so most DMs will probably allow arcane foci, even if it's not allowed RAW. You may want a Ruby of the War Mage to make your weapon a focus

  • #11 Apr 1, 2019

    DxJxC

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Half-Dragon Archmage
    • Location: Saar Chasm
    • Join Date: 4/5/2018
    • Posts: 15,651
    • Member Details

    Quote from Unruly_Cow >>

    Focus versus component pouch doesn't have much of a mechanical effect, so most DMs will probably allow arcane foci, even if it's not allowed RAW. You may want a Ruby of the War Mage to make your weapon a focus

    Ruby of the war mage and magic wands, rods, and staffs are exactly why the distinction is important. While holding a weapon, wand, rod, or staff they will still need a hand free to access their component pouch.

    The idea is that these classes are less versatile in their casting than other spellcasters. The ranger compensates for this by having their most important spells either not having material or the material is ammo or a weapon.

  • #12 Jun 11, 2020

    GreynGalcoa

    GreynGalcoa

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Adventurer
    • Join Date: 3/28/2020
    • Posts: 6
    • Member Details

    now what if an ek were to multiclass with a class that COULD use a focus? specifically a blade pact warlock with improved pact weapon

  • #13 Jun 11, 2020

    SagaTympana

    SagaTympana

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Rhymer
    • Join Date: 8/17/2017
    • Posts: 3,188
    • Member Details

    Quote from GreynGalcoa >>

    now what if an ek were to multiclass with a class that COULD use a focus? specifically a blade pact warlock with improved pact weapon

    This is answered by the text of the warlock's class feature:

    Spellcasting Focus

    You can use an arcane focus (see theAdventuring Gearsection) as a spellcasting focus for your warlock spells.

    Your eldritch knight spells are not your warlock spells.

  • #14 Jun 11, 2020

    WolfOfTheBees

    WolfOfTheBees

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Initiate of the 3rd Circle
    • Join Date: 3/25/2017
    • Posts: 3,432
    • Member Details

    In a recent UA, didn't they provide an option for some of these classes to use a focus? If you really want your EK, AT, or ranger to use a focus, ask your DM if you could adopt (at least) that section of the class options UA.

  • #15 Nov 8, 2021

    Tfin

    Tfin

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Adventurer
    • Join Date: 5/11/2021
    • Posts: 4
    • Member Details

    The Ranger can use a druidic focus.

    The Bard can use any instrument as a spellcasting focus.

    My Eldritch Knight is left searching for anything he might need if he has no component pouch.

  • #16 Nov 8, 2021

    WolfOfTheBees

    WolfOfTheBees

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Initiate of the 3rd Circle
    • Join Date: 3/25/2017
    • Posts: 3,432
    • Member Details

    And at the same time, a cleric without a focus or material component pouch is stuck in the same position. What exactly is the problem that you’re trying to articulate? That without the proper material components, a spell caster cannot cast spells with an M component requirement? Or that you wish you could use a different thing to fulfill M components as an EK?

  • #17 Nov 8, 2021

    naruhoodie

    naruhoodie

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Master Trickster
    • Location: Colorado
    • Join Date: 11/23/2019
    • Posts: 3,328
    • Member Details

    Quote from Tfin >>

    The Ranger can use a druidic focus.

    The Bard can use any instrument as a spellcasting focus.

    My Eldritch Knight is left searching for anything he might need if he has no component pouch.

    Yep. Same with my Arcane Trickster, until getting ahold of a Ruby of the War Mage.

    Helpful rewriter of Japanese->English translation and delver into software codebases (she/e/they)

  • #18 Jan 15, 2023

    shadoowe

    shadoowe

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Adventurer
    • Join Date: 11/6/2022
    • Posts: 1
    • Member Details

    Honestly, if your DM allows it, the E-Knight already gets a magical weapon bonded to it, and I say it could be fair game if they use that bonded weapons as their spellcasting focus.

  • #19 Jan 15, 2023

    DxJxC

    DxJxC

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Half-Dragon Archmage
    • Location: Saar Chasm
    • Join Date: 4/5/2018
    • Posts: 15,651
    • Member Details

    Quote from shadoowe >>

    Honestly, if your DM allows it, the E-Knight already gets a magical weapon bonded to it, and I say it could be fair game if they use that bonded weapons as their spellcasting focus.

    The bonded weapon does not become magical. Yeah, if the DM house rules that you can use it as a focus that is fine, but we tend to talk about the printed rules in the rules forum and talk about house rules in the house rules forum...

  • #20 Feb 5, 2024

    AzureEyeDevil

    AzureEyeDevil

    • View User Profile
    • View Posts
    • Send Message

    • Adventurer
    • Join Date: 12/24/2022
    • Posts: 5
    • Member Details

    The problem is casting spells in combat while wielding sword and shield, or two weapon fighting, especially with their war magic capabilities that replace an attack with a Cantrip or Spell. Obviously the Warcaster Feat helps, and the Ruby of the War Mage was specifically designed for this issue per Crawford but it's never been officially added in the RAW according to some.

  • To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
  • 1
  • 2
  • Next

Posts Quoted:

Reply

Clear All Quotes

Previous Thread

Jump to Forum

Next Thread

Are Eldritch Knights allowed to use an arcane focus for their spells? - Rules & Game Mechanics - Dungeons & Dragons Discussion - D&D Beyond Forums (2024)

FAQs

Are Eldritch Knights allowed to use an arcane focus for their spells? - Rules & Game Mechanics - Dungeons & Dragons Discussion - D&D Beyond Forums? ›

The Eldritch Knight Fighter

Fighter
The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics. Fighter or Fighting Man.
https://en.wikipedia.org › Fighter_(Dungeons_&_Dragons)
doesn't have any class Features that explicitly allows this. In fact, they cannot use spellcasting foci at all. In point of fact, at present Fighters cannot use Arcane Foci.

Can Eldritch Knight use Arcane Focus? ›

As an Eldritch Knight, you cannot use an arcane focus. The description for the arcane focus includes this clause: A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.

Can Eldritch Knights use spell books? ›

An Eldritch Knigjt doesn't have a spellbook, but they can still pick spells from the wizard spell list.

Can you use an arcane focus as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells? ›

Specific rules relevant to General Rule 3: You can use an arcane focus as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells. This is not an exception, but it's still worth pointing out. Wizards can use an arcane focus, and only an arcane focus, as a spellcasting focus to replace material components.

Can you use an arcane focus instead of materials? ›

No. An arcane focus for any class can not replace any material components with a gold value. What are arcane spells in Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)? Arcane spells are magic magic.

When can you use an arcane focus? ›

Wizards, Warlocks, and Sorcerers can use an Arcane Focus. An Arcane Focus is a special item that replaces the Material component of your spells, provided the spell doesn't consume the material. This is specified in the spell description if the material component has a determined gold value. For example, Scrying (pg.

How many times can you use Arcane Focus? ›

Your arcane focus will never be used up. Some spells consume their material components though and those spells have notes in their descriptions saying that the material components are consumed by the spell. Protection from Evil and Good is a spell where the components are consumed by casting the spell.

Do Eldritch Knights need a focus? ›

The Eldritch Knight Has Three Core Abilities to Focus On

As a spellcasting fighter, it's imperative to make sure that AC is as high as possible, so they can maintain concentration on any spells that require it to keep the spell-effect going.

Can Eldritch Knights use ritual spells? ›

When you learn a spell as an Eldritch Knight (determined by the EK chart) you can cast as a regular spell using a spell slot. You cannot, however, cast those EK spells as a ritual, even if it has the ritual tag.

What is the highest spell level for Eldritch Knight? ›

Yes, the Eldritch Knight cannot cast spells higher than 4th level. The only way you could access 5th-level spells would be to take a bunch of levels into a more potent spellcaster, such as Wizard.

Can a tattoo be an Arcane Focus? ›

As well, you can use your tattoos as an arcane focus when casting wizard spells.

Can a book be an Arcane Focus? ›

In Dungeons and Dragons, can a Warlock's Book of Shadows be used as an arcane focus? Not directly. There is currently no Warlock Feature or feat that allows you to use your Pact Tome as an arcane focus, and spellbooks don't automatically have that utility.

Can a weapon be an arcane focus? ›

Being proficient in a weapon doesn't make it an arcane focus. Which foci your class has access to is listed in their class description in the Players Handbook. Wizards use Arcane Foci, which are: Crystals, Rods, Wands, Staffs and Orbs.

Can any wand be an arcane focus? ›

All wands, rods, and staffs can be used as an arcane focus.

Which is better, component pouch or Arcane Focus? ›

A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5, “Equipment”) in place of the components specified for a spell. Component Pouches work mechanically just the same as any of the spellcasting focuses, so the only reason to pick one over the other is flavor.

Do you need a free hand for arcane focus? ›

An arcane focus can take the place of (non-valued, non-consumed) material components. You need a hand free to wield your arcane focus, but it can be the same hand you use to perform somatic components of spells.

Does enhanced arcane focus work with Eldritch Cannon? ›

Enhanced Arcane Focus is almost necessary for a D&D 5e Artillerist artificer build. Given how much they rely on their spells for damage, and that their Eldritch Turrets use their spell attack bonus, they want to bolster it by any means necessary.

Does enhanced arcane focus affect Eldritch Cannon? ›

while you hold it, the enhanced arcane focus adds +1 to your spell attack rolls, and the attack ignores half cover. With Eldritch Cannon's Force Ballista, you use your bonus action to make a ranged spell attack from the cannon, using your To-Hit for spell attacks, therefore the +1 should apply to the attack roll.

Can a pact weapon be an arcane focus? ›

You can use any weapon you summon with your Pact of the Blade feature as a spellcasting focus for your warlock spells.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6114

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.