For any spell that has DF (divine focus) listed as a component, yes, which is most. Several cleric spells do not (i.e. Command).
If it has DF as a component -- damnit Ringtail.
In general, yes. They need it. That's why it's recommended to bring 10 or so.
In general, yes. They need it. That's why it's recommended to bring 10 or so.
Or suck it up and get a tattoo of it; just don't cry when the enemy only has one way to take it away. :)
There are however a large grouping of spells that do not require a DF but can use material components instead...for these is the DF required?
If the spell only has a material component, sure, you can cast it if you have said component. Components with less than 1 gp value are assumed to be on hand if you have a spell component pouch. Tricky part is that some spells have a listing of 'M/DF', which means the cleric needs the focus, but another spellcaster needs the component.
There are however a large grouping of spells that do not require a DF but can use material components instead...for these is the DF required?
If the Components line includes F/DF or M/DF, the arcane version of the spell has a focus component or a material component (the abbreviation before the slash), and the divine version has a divine focus component (the abbreviation after the slash).
Essentially, if you are casting a spell with a M/DF component as a divine caster, then you need your divine focus. If you are casting it as an arcane caster, you need the material component.
Edit: Lathiira both ninja'd me and gave a more complete answer. I am shamed.
Well the situation in question is as follows, a player cast a Silence spell on the BBEG in an effort to limit the BBEG's casting ability, the BBEG threw the symbol over the edge of a platform & now one of the players is asking if the BBEG can still cast certain spells such as Animate Dead (yes I am a player in said game)
I presume they cast silence on the holy symbol. Clever girl.
If he can touch a corpse, he can animate it.
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Well the situation in question is as follows, a player cast a Silence spell on the BBEG in an effort to limit the BBEG's casting ability, the BBEG threw the symbol over the edge of a platform & now one of the players is asking if the BBEG can still cast certain spells such as Animate Dead (yes I am a player in said game)
Animate Dead has no DF component, so yes you could cast that spell.
I presume they cast silence on the holy symbol. Clever girl.
Why would you? The object is in the possession of the BBEG, so it will receive a save, which is the same or better than the BBEG's. The same goes for spell resistance
I've always looked at it this way the Clerics faith not some piece of metal or wood is his power some spells need a channel hence DF component but a diety would be foolish to tell his cleric who has been stripped naked and is hours away from being used in a ritual to raise a dark evil that he cant cast a spell with no DF componet with out the holy symbol the cultist took from him.
I presume they cast silence on the holy symbol. Clever girl.Why would you? The object is in the possession of the BBEG, so it will receive a save, which is the same or better than the BBEG's. The same goes for spell resistance
Because then the silence moves with him, meaning he can't just move 10' to the left to start casting spells again.
By casting it on the holy symbol, it'll follow that. Meaning that if he wants to cast any spells, he needs to get rid of it (maybe throwing it far away). The number of spells he can cast will go down, but at least he'll have *some* he can cast.
I think the point being made was if your targeting the symbol you might as well target the BBEG since the save would be the same.
I think the point being made was if your targeting the symbol you might as well target the BBEG since the save would be the same.
Yup. In the PRD it says:
The spell can be cast on a point in space, but the effect is stationary unless cast on a mobile object. The spell can be centered on a creature, and the effect then radiates from the creature and moves as it moves. An unwilling creature can attempt a Will save to negate the spell and can use spell resistance, if any. Items in a creature's possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and spell resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not.
I can see no advantage in casting it on the symbol, except to make him toss it. Now, I agree that this might be good in some situations, but that depends on BBEG's spell selection, which is generally unknown to PCs.
Sorry for a small bit of thread-derailing.
On a side note, Oracles do not require DF.
I can see no advantage in casting it on the symbol, except to make him toss it. Now, I agree that this might be good in some situations, but that depends on BBEG's spell selection, which is generally unknown to PCs.
Actually, it's a quite devious plan. PC casts silence on (un-)holy symbol, BBEG throws away the symbol "Bah, I don't need that thing to cast my spells...", and then realizes "Oh s#*t, how am I going to channel energy now?"
Any cleric can release a wave of energy by channeling the power of her faith through her holy (or unholy) symbol.
I've always looked at it this way the Clerics faith not some piece of metal or wood is his power some spells need a channel hence DF component but a diety would be foolish to tell his cleric who has been stripped naked and is hours away from being used in a ritual to raise a dark evil that he cant cast a spell with no DF componet with out the holy symbol the cultist took from him.
I'd rule that the cleric can always draw the symbol into the dirt as a full round action and use that as a DF. The only disadvantage is that he cannot take it with him.
I've always looked at it this way the Clerics faith not some piece of metal or wood is his power some spells need a channel hence DF component but a diety would be foolish to tell his cleric who has been stripped naked and is hours away from being used in a ritual to raise a dark evil that he cant cast a spell with no DF componet with out the holy symbol the cultist took from him.I'd rule that the cleric can always draw the symbol into the dirt as a full round action and use that as a DF. The only disadvantage is that he cannot take it with him.
Barring that, he can always whiz into the snow.