Can a Pact of the Blade warlock with Improved Pact Weapon use a reach weapon as a spellcasting focus to...











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The warlock's (Pact of the Blade-only) Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 57) states that you can use your pact weapon as a spellcasting focus. Using a whip, let's say, would give your weapon a reach of 10 feet.



Using a reach weapon as a spellcasting focus, can you deliver a touch spell through it to a creature 10 feet away from you?










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  • Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already. Clarification: It's the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation that lets you use your weapon as a spellcasting focus, not the Pact of the Blade feature.
    – V2Blast
    2 days ago















up vote
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down vote

favorite
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The warlock's (Pact of the Blade-only) Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 57) states that you can use your pact weapon as a spellcasting focus. Using a whip, let's say, would give your weapon a reach of 10 feet.



Using a reach weapon as a spellcasting focus, can you deliver a touch spell through it to a creature 10 feet away from you?










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  • Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already. Clarification: It's the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation that lets you use your weapon as a spellcasting focus, not the Pact of the Blade feature.
    – V2Blast
    2 days ago













up vote
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up vote
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down vote

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1





The warlock's (Pact of the Blade-only) Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 57) states that you can use your pact weapon as a spellcasting focus. Using a whip, let's say, would give your weapon a reach of 10 feet.



Using a reach weapon as a spellcasting focus, can you deliver a touch spell through it to a creature 10 feet away from you?










share|improve this question









New contributor




L. H. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











The warlock's (Pact of the Blade-only) Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 57) states that you can use your pact weapon as a spellcasting focus. Using a whip, let's say, would give your weapon a reach of 10 feet.



Using a reach weapon as a spellcasting focus, can you deliver a touch spell through it to a creature 10 feet away from you?







dnd-5e spells class-feature weapons warlock






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edited 2 days ago









V2Blast

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asked Nov 10 at 6:28









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  • Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already. Clarification: It's the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation that lets you use your weapon as a spellcasting focus, not the Pact of the Blade feature.
    – V2Blast
    2 days ago


















  • Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already. Clarification: It's the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation that lets you use your weapon as a spellcasting focus, not the Pact of the Blade feature.
    – V2Blast
    2 days ago
















Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already. Clarification: It's the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation that lets you use your weapon as a spellcasting focus, not the Pact of the Blade feature.
– V2Blast
2 days ago




Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already. Clarification: It's the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation that lets you use your weapon as a spellcasting focus, not the Pact of the Blade feature.
– V2Blast
2 days ago










3 Answers
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accepted










No, a focus does not deliver spells



Page 202 of the Player's Handbook states (emphasis mine):




Material (M)



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. A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these components - or to hold a spellcasting focus - but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components.




Normally you would need one empty hand to hold your focus and do somatic components of the spell. Thus, could not hold a weapon and shield while casting. In effect, the Pact of the Blade feature removes this restriction by making your weapon a focus.






share|improve this answer























  • @V2Blast -- the PHB does not contain the words "or to hold a spellcasting focus" though I agree that it is implied.
    – ravery
    2 days ago










  • The most recent versions, in fact, do. That's why the basic rules say the same thing. See the errata: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf
    – V2Blast
    2 days ago








  • 1




    @V2Blast - thanks for the link to the errata
    – ravery
    2 days ago


















up vote
2
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No.



Using something as a spell focus means you no longer need to provide costless material components when casting a spell (Player's Handbook, p. 203, section on material components). There is no provision for delivering touch attacks through your spell focus, so unless a specific rule (e.g., an item or spell) says otherwise, you cannot do that.






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    up vote
    1
    down vote













    RAW says no (or tenuously unclear)



    Touch spells have no special rules apart from this bit in Player's Handbook, page 202, under Range:




    Some spells can target only a creature (including you) that you touch.




    Lacking a proper definition, to touch a target means the same as in natural English: you need to have body contact.



    I am aware that it's also idiomatic to "touch someone with something", however, this is not a very natural reading of the rules to me and would empower any caster to acquire a long, thin pole to poke their spell targets with.



    Whichever reading you prefer, the fact that the weapon is one's focus doesn't have any impact on using it to deliver touch spells.






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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      10
      down vote



      accepted










      No, a focus does not deliver spells



      Page 202 of the Player's Handbook states (emphasis mine):




      Material (M)



      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. A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these components - or to hold a spellcasting focus - but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components.




      Normally you would need one empty hand to hold your focus and do somatic components of the spell. Thus, could not hold a weapon and shield while casting. In effect, the Pact of the Blade feature removes this restriction by making your weapon a focus.






      share|improve this answer























      • @V2Blast -- the PHB does not contain the words "or to hold a spellcasting focus" though I agree that it is implied.
        – ravery
        2 days ago










      • The most recent versions, in fact, do. That's why the basic rules say the same thing. See the errata: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf
        – V2Blast
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @V2Blast - thanks for the link to the errata
        – ravery
        2 days ago















      up vote
      10
      down vote



      accepted










      No, a focus does not deliver spells



      Page 202 of the Player's Handbook states (emphasis mine):




      Material (M)



      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. A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these components - or to hold a spellcasting focus - but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components.




      Normally you would need one empty hand to hold your focus and do somatic components of the spell. Thus, could not hold a weapon and shield while casting. In effect, the Pact of the Blade feature removes this restriction by making your weapon a focus.






      share|improve this answer























      • @V2Blast -- the PHB does not contain the words "or to hold a spellcasting focus" though I agree that it is implied.
        – ravery
        2 days ago










      • The most recent versions, in fact, do. That's why the basic rules say the same thing. See the errata: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf
        – V2Blast
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @V2Blast - thanks for the link to the errata
        – ravery
        2 days ago













      up vote
      10
      down vote



      accepted







      up vote
      10
      down vote



      accepted






      No, a focus does not deliver spells



      Page 202 of the Player's Handbook states (emphasis mine):




      Material (M)



      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. A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these components - or to hold a spellcasting focus - but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components.




      Normally you would need one empty hand to hold your focus and do somatic components of the spell. Thus, could not hold a weapon and shield while casting. In effect, the Pact of the Blade feature removes this restriction by making your weapon a focus.






      share|improve this answer














      No, a focus does not deliver spells



      Page 202 of the Player's Handbook states (emphasis mine):




      Material (M)



      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. A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these components - or to hold a spellcasting focus - but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components.




      Normally you would need one empty hand to hold your focus and do somatic components of the spell. Thus, could not hold a weapon and shield while casting. In effect, the Pact of the Blade feature removes this restriction by making your weapon a focus.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited 2 days ago









      V2Blast

      17.8k248113




      17.8k248113










      answered Nov 10 at 6:50









      ravery

      6,90811152




      6,90811152












      • @V2Blast -- the PHB does not contain the words "or to hold a spellcasting focus" though I agree that it is implied.
        – ravery
        2 days ago










      • The most recent versions, in fact, do. That's why the basic rules say the same thing. See the errata: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf
        – V2Blast
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @V2Blast - thanks for the link to the errata
        – ravery
        2 days ago


















      • @V2Blast -- the PHB does not contain the words "or to hold a spellcasting focus" though I agree that it is implied.
        – ravery
        2 days ago










      • The most recent versions, in fact, do. That's why the basic rules say the same thing. See the errata: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf
        – V2Blast
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @V2Blast - thanks for the link to the errata
        – ravery
        2 days ago
















      @V2Blast -- the PHB does not contain the words "or to hold a spellcasting focus" though I agree that it is implied.
      – ravery
      2 days ago




      @V2Blast -- the PHB does not contain the words "or to hold a spellcasting focus" though I agree that it is implied.
      – ravery
      2 days ago












      The most recent versions, in fact, do. That's why the basic rules say the same thing. See the errata: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf
      – V2Blast
      2 days ago






      The most recent versions, in fact, do. That's why the basic rules say the same thing. See the errata: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf
      – V2Blast
      2 days ago






      1




      1




      @V2Blast - thanks for the link to the errata
      – ravery
      2 days ago




      @V2Blast - thanks for the link to the errata
      – ravery
      2 days ago












      up vote
      2
      down vote













      No.



      Using something as a spell focus means you no longer need to provide costless material components when casting a spell (Player's Handbook, p. 203, section on material components). There is no provision for delivering touch attacks through your spell focus, so unless a specific rule (e.g., an item or spell) says otherwise, you cannot do that.






      share|improve this answer



























        up vote
        2
        down vote













        No.



        Using something as a spell focus means you no longer need to provide costless material components when casting a spell (Player's Handbook, p. 203, section on material components). There is no provision for delivering touch attacks through your spell focus, so unless a specific rule (e.g., an item or spell) says otherwise, you cannot do that.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          2
          down vote










          up vote
          2
          down vote









          No.



          Using something as a spell focus means you no longer need to provide costless material components when casting a spell (Player's Handbook, p. 203, section on material components). There is no provision for delivering touch attacks through your spell focus, so unless a specific rule (e.g., an item or spell) says otherwise, you cannot do that.






          share|improve this answer














          No.



          Using something as a spell focus means you no longer need to provide costless material components when casting a spell (Player's Handbook, p. 203, section on material components). There is no provision for delivering touch attacks through your spell focus, so unless a specific rule (e.g., an item or spell) says otherwise, you cannot do that.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Nov 10 at 6:43

























          answered Nov 10 at 6:37









          Zhuge

          2,60221324




          2,60221324






















              up vote
              1
              down vote













              RAW says no (or tenuously unclear)



              Touch spells have no special rules apart from this bit in Player's Handbook, page 202, under Range:




              Some spells can target only a creature (including you) that you touch.




              Lacking a proper definition, to touch a target means the same as in natural English: you need to have body contact.



              I am aware that it's also idiomatic to "touch someone with something", however, this is not a very natural reading of the rules to me and would empower any caster to acquire a long, thin pole to poke their spell targets with.



              Whichever reading you prefer, the fact that the weapon is one's focus doesn't have any impact on using it to deliver touch spells.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                1
                down vote













                RAW says no (or tenuously unclear)



                Touch spells have no special rules apart from this bit in Player's Handbook, page 202, under Range:




                Some spells can target only a creature (including you) that you touch.




                Lacking a proper definition, to touch a target means the same as in natural English: you need to have body contact.



                I am aware that it's also idiomatic to "touch someone with something", however, this is not a very natural reading of the rules to me and would empower any caster to acquire a long, thin pole to poke their spell targets with.



                Whichever reading you prefer, the fact that the weapon is one's focus doesn't have any impact on using it to deliver touch spells.






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote









                  RAW says no (or tenuously unclear)



                  Touch spells have no special rules apart from this bit in Player's Handbook, page 202, under Range:




                  Some spells can target only a creature (including you) that you touch.




                  Lacking a proper definition, to touch a target means the same as in natural English: you need to have body contact.



                  I am aware that it's also idiomatic to "touch someone with something", however, this is not a very natural reading of the rules to me and would empower any caster to acquire a long, thin pole to poke their spell targets with.



                  Whichever reading you prefer, the fact that the weapon is one's focus doesn't have any impact on using it to deliver touch spells.






                  share|improve this answer












                  RAW says no (or tenuously unclear)



                  Touch spells have no special rules apart from this bit in Player's Handbook, page 202, under Range:




                  Some spells can target only a creature (including you) that you touch.




                  Lacking a proper definition, to touch a target means the same as in natural English: you need to have body contact.



                  I am aware that it's also idiomatic to "touch someone with something", however, this is not a very natural reading of the rules to me and would empower any caster to acquire a long, thin pole to poke their spell targets with.



                  Whichever reading you prefer, the fact that the weapon is one's focus doesn't have any impact on using it to deliver touch spells.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 2 days ago









                  kviiri

                  30.2k7112181




                  30.2k7112181






















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