Dungeons and Dragons

Ignoring or handwaving components is 100% legit. DMs and groups should not use so many rules that they get overwhelmed.

We do use a lot of component related stuff in our campaign because we're such hopeless tryhards. A list of magic words for the verbal components, and costs added to the material components low-level food-and-light–giving spells such as Light and Dancing Lights. And the special ink that wizards use in their spellbook.

It's a part of the game I really love 🤷🏻‍♀️
The idea is that when we're counting torches or trying to buy a pearl or incense, our concerns are the same as the character's concern. We are doing what they are doing. There's something magical in that.

That's not to sell anyone else on this philosophy. I love it so we do it—don't do it if you don't love it. Keep it simple and keep the parts of the game that you love.

And we absolutely do use focus or component pouch for all non-costed components so we don't have to track basic eyelashes and guano. We also use the rule from Tasha's Cauldron that even rangers and paladins can use a focus. (That might've just been an oversight in the PHB.)

Interesting article, as a new DM I admit I mostly ignore components. It feels like I have enough to manage. I mostly leave it up to players if they want to make a thing of it.

I like the idea of spell components not mattering until they do. Like it's been said, having to keep track of them all the time is sort of tedious and boring. But, I think there are times where suddenly lacking them can create interesting narratives or challenges for pcs.

There are two ways I like to make this happen. First is the normal rule where certain material with a higher gold expense to them are the only ones that must be explicitly bought. And the second is more homebrew, but I make it so every caster natural get a wonderous item: the bag of eschew materials. This item is what supplies them with an endless amount of mundane or substitute materials for their spells. It's easily replaceable and basically weightless.

But, because it is an item, if your party happens to be stolen from, you're imprisoned, or a smart town guard at the entrance of a no weapons town takes it, then for that section of the campaign specifically you may need to problem solve how you'll cast your spells. Obviously depends on your players though.

The problem with spell components is that paying attention to them generally causes them to focus as a hindrance more than anything else, which is especially problematic given the hindrances other classes SHOULD have but often don't.

I've seen DM's go full-bore on clerics as well, with a whole lot of attention paid to proper religious observances in order to maintain spell-casting-levels of favor with their deity, but while that can ALSO provide some color and fun, it can also easily be more of a hindrance than anything else. It's hard to celebrate next tuesday's moderately important feast that requires horsemeat boiled in the leftover pomace from cidermaking when you're out on the road between towns in an area that doesn't grow apples or whatever the observance is. How many moderately important observances can you ignore before the metaphysical tie between your role and your granted abilities stretches too thin?

Functionally, it'd be like forcing melee classes to properly tend to their full plate armor, something which historically required several people working for a few hours in between military engagements. Heck, just getting in and out of the armor in order to sleep requires assistance. Fighter: "Can somebody help me with my..." Cleric: "Sorry, gotta pray!" Wizard:"Will you SHUT UP, I'm trying to memorize thi...: Barbarian: throws empty mug at wizard's head "REFILL!"

Everybody in a band knows what happens when you fail to keep the lead singer/instrumentalist happy. Is the group treading on thin ice just to keep Bard in great spirits?

etc, etc...

I like the ideas around incorporating some personalization to an individual's spells, though. One of the things that could lend well to that is substitute components. It allows for easy hand-waving with room for a story element as you change something minor about the spell due to it using something slightly different. No bats? Several types of bird guano should do if you're going the alchemical route, crushing fireflies into pack animal manure could work if you're going the symbolic route, but either way the point is that someone as schooled in the ways of magic as a wizard should be able to "punt" at almost all times unless you have a specific story-based reason for not allowing something (see: Dark Sun).