Can a Bard use an arcane focus?












12












$begingroup$


The description of the Weave of Magic in the Spellcasting chapter says Bards are users of Arcane magic, but they seem to only be offered the use of an instrument as a focus. Can they use a standard Arcane focus?






dnd-5e bard arcane-focus







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  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Possibly related
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    @KorvinStarmast Thought you had found a dupe before I was reminded that Rangers don't get foci. But it's probably close enough for guidance here and a similar answer.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    Oh, not a dupe, just related.
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday
















12












$begingroup$


The description of the Weave of Magic in the Spellcasting chapter says Bards are users of Arcane magic, but they seem to only be offered the use of an instrument as a focus. Can they use a standard Arcane focus?






dnd-5e bard arcane-focus







share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Possibly related
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    @KorvinStarmast Thought you had found a dupe before I was reminded that Rangers don't get foci. But it's probably close enough for guidance here and a similar answer.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    Oh, not a dupe, just related.
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday














12












12








12





$begingroup$


The description of the Weave of Magic in the Spellcasting chapter says Bards are users of Arcane magic, but they seem to only be offered the use of an instrument as a focus. Can they use a standard Arcane focus?






dnd-5e bard arcane-focus







share|improve this question











$endgroup$




The description of the Weave of Magic in the Spellcasting chapter says Bards are users of Arcane magic, but they seem to only be offered the use of an instrument as a focus. Can they use a standard Arcane focus?






dnd-5e bard arcane-focus




dnd-5e bard arcane-focus






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited yesterday









Sdjz

13.6k465109




13.6k465109










asked yesterday









NautArchNautArch

61.1k8218406




61.1k8218406








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Possibly related
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    @KorvinStarmast Thought you had found a dupe before I was reminded that Rangers don't get foci. But it's probably close enough for guidance here and a similar answer.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    Oh, not a dupe, just related.
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Possibly related
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    @KorvinStarmast Thought you had found a dupe before I was reminded that Rangers don't get foci. But it's probably close enough for guidance here and a similar answer.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    Oh, not a dupe, just related.
    $endgroup$
    – KorvinStarmast
    yesterday








1




1




$begingroup$
Possibly related
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
yesterday




$begingroup$
Possibly related
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
yesterday












$begingroup$
@KorvinStarmast Thought you had found a dupe before I was reminded that Rangers don't get foci. But it's probably close enough for guidance here and a similar answer.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
yesterday




$begingroup$
@KorvinStarmast Thought you had found a dupe before I was reminded that Rangers don't get foci. But it's probably close enough for guidance here and a similar answer.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
yesterday












$begingroup$
Oh, not a dupe, just related.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
yesterday




$begingroup$
Oh, not a dupe, just related.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
yesterday










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















19












$begingroup$

Bards cannot use an arcane focus



The description of the Arcane Focus which explicitly defines which classes are allowed to use it as a focus:




A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




No bards are allowed it seems.



Foci are determined by class, not spellcasting type



It seems that the type of focus allowed to be used is defined by the class and not by what type of caster they are.



The Bard class says:




You can use a musical instrument [...] as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




The wizard class says:




You can use an arcane focus [...] as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.




Both are "arcane" classes. But the class specifies what can be used. If an arcane focus was allowed to be used by all arcane casters, then the wizard wouldn't specify it as their only option.



For what it is worth, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights also cannot use an arcane focus despite also being arcane casters for the same reasons. (Thanks @DavidCoffron)



Jeremy Crawford also indirectly supports this in an unofficial tweet:




Every spellcaster—including bards—can use a component pouch for spellcasting.



Some classes also know how to use certain objects as a spellcasting
focus. Bards, for example, can use musical instruments in this way,
but they aren't required to.




It just goes to show that arcane foci are very, very classy.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 3




    $begingroup$
    As well as the ranger class also doesn't allow the substitution of a focus and must depend on a component pouch.
    $endgroup$
    – J. A. Streich
    yesterday



















15












$begingroup$

Bards can't use an Arcane Focus



In the Bard class features there is a "Spellcasting Focus" section stating:




You can use a musical instrument (see the Tools section) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




Further, the description of an Arcane Focus states:




A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




Since the bard is not included in the list of classes in the Arcane Focus description and the Spellcasting Focus section only mentions musical instruments, bards can't use a normal Arcane Focus.



As pointed out by David Coffron, this is also true for Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights despite them using Arcane magic because they do not have an entry for using a spellcasting focus in their description (and Arcane Focus does not mention them)






share|improve this answer











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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
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    active

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    19












    $begingroup$

    Bards cannot use an arcane focus



    The description of the Arcane Focus which explicitly defines which classes are allowed to use it as a focus:




    A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




    No bards are allowed it seems.



    Foci are determined by class, not spellcasting type



    It seems that the type of focus allowed to be used is defined by the class and not by what type of caster they are.



    The Bard class says:




    You can use a musical instrument [...] as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




    The wizard class says:




    You can use an arcane focus [...] as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.




    Both are "arcane" classes. But the class specifies what can be used. If an arcane focus was allowed to be used by all arcane casters, then the wizard wouldn't specify it as their only option.



    For what it is worth, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights also cannot use an arcane focus despite also being arcane casters for the same reasons. (Thanks @DavidCoffron)



    Jeremy Crawford also indirectly supports this in an unofficial tweet:




    Every spellcaster—including bards—can use a component pouch for spellcasting.



    Some classes also know how to use certain objects as a spellcasting
    focus    . Bards, for example, can use musical instruments in this way,
    but they aren't required to.




    It just goes to show that arcane foci are very, very classy.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$









    • 3




      $begingroup$
      As well as the ranger class also doesn't allow the substitution of a focus and must depend on a component pouch.
      $endgroup$
      – J. A. Streich
      yesterday
















    19












    $begingroup$

    Bards cannot use an arcane focus



    The description of the Arcane Focus which explicitly defines which classes are allowed to use it as a focus:




    A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




    No bards are allowed it seems.



    Foci are determined by class, not spellcasting type



    It seems that the type of focus allowed to be used is defined by the class and not by what type of caster they are.



    The Bard class says:




    You can use a musical instrument [...] as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




    The wizard class says:




    You can use an arcane focus [...] as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.




    Both are "arcane" classes. But the class specifies what can be used. If an arcane focus was allowed to be used by all arcane casters, then the wizard wouldn't specify it as their only option.



    For what it is worth, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights also cannot use an arcane focus despite also being arcane casters for the same reasons. (Thanks @DavidCoffron)



    Jeremy Crawford also indirectly supports this in an unofficial tweet:




    Every spellcaster—including bards—can use a component pouch for spellcasting.



    Some classes also know how to use certain objects as a spellcasting
    focus    . Bards, for example, can use musical instruments in this way,
    but they aren't required to.




    It just goes to show that arcane foci are very, very classy.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$









    • 3




      $begingroup$
      As well as the ranger class also doesn't allow the substitution of a focus and must depend on a component pouch.
      $endgroup$
      – J. A. Streich
      yesterday














    19












    19








    19





    $begingroup$

    Bards cannot use an arcane focus



    The description of the Arcane Focus which explicitly defines which classes are allowed to use it as a focus:




    A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




    No bards are allowed it seems.



    Foci are determined by class, not spellcasting type



    It seems that the type of focus allowed to be used is defined by the class and not by what type of caster they are.



    The Bard class says:




    You can use a musical instrument [...] as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




    The wizard class says:




    You can use an arcane focus [...] as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.




    Both are "arcane" classes. But the class specifies what can be used. If an arcane focus was allowed to be used by all arcane casters, then the wizard wouldn't specify it as their only option.



    For what it is worth, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights also cannot use an arcane focus despite also being arcane casters for the same reasons. (Thanks @DavidCoffron)



    Jeremy Crawford also indirectly supports this in an unofficial tweet:




    Every spellcaster—including bards—can use a component pouch for spellcasting.



    Some classes also know how to use certain objects as a spellcasting
    focus    . Bards, for example, can use musical instruments in this way,
    but they aren't required to.




    It just goes to show that arcane foci are very, very classy.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    Bards cannot use an arcane focus



    The description of the Arcane Focus which explicitly defines which classes are allowed to use it as a focus:




    A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




    No bards are allowed it seems.



    Foci are determined by class, not spellcasting type



    It seems that the type of focus allowed to be used is defined by the class and not by what type of caster they are.



    The Bard class says:




    You can use a musical instrument [...] as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




    The wizard class says:




    You can use an arcane focus [...] as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.




    Both are "arcane" classes. But the class specifies what can be used. If an arcane focus was allowed to be used by all arcane casters, then the wizard wouldn't specify it as their only option.



    For what it is worth, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights also cannot use an arcane focus despite also being arcane casters for the same reasons. (Thanks @DavidCoffron)



    Jeremy Crawford also indirectly supports this in an unofficial tweet:




    Every spellcaster—including bards—can use a component pouch for spellcasting.



    Some classes also know how to use certain objects as a spellcasting
    focus    . Bards, for example, can use musical instruments in this way,
    but they aren't required to.




    It just goes to show that arcane foci are very, very classy.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited yesterday

























    answered yesterday









    RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

    59.6k10287440




    59.6k10287440








    • 3




      $begingroup$
      As well as the ranger class also doesn't allow the substitution of a focus and must depend on a component pouch.
      $endgroup$
      – J. A. Streich
      yesterday














    • 3




      $begingroup$
      As well as the ranger class also doesn't allow the substitution of a focus and must depend on a component pouch.
      $endgroup$
      – J. A. Streich
      yesterday








    3




    3




    $begingroup$
    As well as the ranger class also doesn't allow the substitution of a focus and must depend on a component pouch.
    $endgroup$
    – J. A. Streich
    yesterday




    $begingroup$
    As well as the ranger class also doesn't allow the substitution of a focus and must depend on a component pouch.
    $endgroup$
    – J. A. Streich
    yesterday













    15












    $begingroup$

    Bards can't use an Arcane Focus



    In the Bard class features there is a "Spellcasting Focus" section stating:




    You can use a musical instrument (see the Tools section) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




    Further, the description of an Arcane Focus states:




    A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




    Since the bard is not included in the list of classes in the Arcane Focus description and the Spellcasting Focus section only mentions musical instruments, bards can't use a normal Arcane Focus.



    As pointed out by David Coffron, this is also true for Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights despite them using Arcane magic because they do not have an entry for using a spellcasting focus in their description (and Arcane Focus does not mention them)






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$


















      15












      $begingroup$

      Bards can't use an Arcane Focus



      In the Bard class features there is a "Spellcasting Focus" section stating:




      You can use a musical instrument (see the Tools section) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




      Further, the description of an Arcane Focus states:




      A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




      Since the bard is not included in the list of classes in the Arcane Focus description and the Spellcasting Focus section only mentions musical instruments, bards can't use a normal Arcane Focus.



      As pointed out by David Coffron, this is also true for Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights despite them using Arcane magic because they do not have an entry for using a spellcasting focus in their description (and Arcane Focus does not mention them)






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$
















        15












        15








        15





        $begingroup$

        Bards can't use an Arcane Focus



        In the Bard class features there is a "Spellcasting Focus" section stating:




        You can use a musical instrument (see the Tools section) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




        Further, the description of an Arcane Focus states:




        A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




        Since the bard is not included in the list of classes in the Arcane Focus description and the Spellcasting Focus section only mentions musical instruments, bards can't use a normal Arcane Focus.



        As pointed out by David Coffron, this is also true for Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights despite them using Arcane magic because they do not have an entry for using a spellcasting focus in their description (and Arcane Focus does not mention them)






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        Bards can't use an Arcane Focus



        In the Bard class features there is a "Spellcasting Focus" section stating:




        You can use a musical instrument (see the Tools section) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.




        Further, the description of an Arcane Focus states:




        A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus.




        Since the bard is not included in the list of classes in the Arcane Focus description and the Spellcasting Focus section only mentions musical instruments, bards can't use a normal Arcane Focus.



        As pointed out by David Coffron, this is also true for Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights despite them using Arcane magic because they do not have an entry for using a spellcasting focus in their description (and Arcane Focus does not mention them)







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited yesterday

























        answered yesterday









        SdjzSdjz

        13.6k465109




        13.6k465109






























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