Spell Components and Metamagic
Spells require somatic (manipulate), verbal (concentrate), and/or material components determining action cost and traits. Metamagic adds 1 action before casting to modify range, area, or traits.
Spell components determine the action cost, traits, and vulnerability of a spell when cast.
Component Types:
- Somatic: A physical gesture. Adds the manipulate trait. Takes 1 action. Can trigger reactions like Attack of Opportunity from creatures that have it.
- Verbal: A spoken incantation. Adds the concentrate trait. Takes 1 action. Does not trigger Attack of Opportunity.
- Material: Handling a physical component. Adds the manipulate trait. Takes 1 action. Most material components are provided by a spell component pouch (free) and are not consumed.
- Focus: A specific item you must hold (holy symbol, weapon, instrument). Not consumed. Adds the manipulate trait.
Typical Spell Costs: Most spells require somatic + verbal (2 actions). Some 3-action spells add a material component. Some focus spells require only 1 component (1 action). Cantrips often cost 2 actions.
Metamagic: Metamagic actions modify how you cast a spell. They are free actions or 1-action activities used immediately before casting.
- Reach Spell (1 action): Increase the spell's range by 30 feet (or give a touch spell a 30 ft range).
- Widen Spell (1 action): Increase a burst or emanation's radius by 5 feet.
- Silent Spell (1 action): Remove the verbal component (and its traits).
- Quickened Casting: Some high-level class features let you reduce a spell's action cost.
Important: Metamagic is always a separate action that must be taken immediately before the Cast a Spell action. A Reach + 2-action spell costs 3 actions total.