How to use Foci and Refinements with Sponsored Magic

[Sanctaphrax]

Technically, there is also a possible bonus to slots within a focus item that comes from Thaumaturgy (Crafting) as well, but I think the general consensus is that that option is weak to the point of uselessness compared to practically any other option.

Actually you can't make a focus focus, for some reason.

You can have a focus specialization though. Not that anyone actually does.

[Tedronai]

I can actually see the Focus specialisation being useful.
It just requires a character at an absurd Refresh level relative to their available Skill budget and/or Skill cap. (though the usefulness even here tapers off sometime around when those foci are so powerful that they need to be the size of a car or more)

[Mr. Death]

I can actually see the Focus specialisation being useful.
It just requires a character at an absurd Refresh level relative to their available Skill budget and/or Skill cap. (though the usefulness even here tapers off sometime around when those foci are so powerful that they need to be the size of a car or more)

Actually, I could see it useful for lower level characters, too. If it lets you put more slots into a given item, then it means you could get something the size of a ring with the same bonuses you might otherwise require something the size of a staff for.

[Tedronai]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't affect the item size 'soft' limits, only the strict bonus cap.

[Sanctaphrax]

Actually, I could see it useful for lower level characters, too. If it lets you put more slots into a given item, then it means you could get something the size of a ring with the same bonuses you might otherwise require something the size of a staff for.

I'm not sure whether that works. The rules say "a crafting specialization may be applied to increase the limit on how many bonuses may be placed on a single focus item". That doesn't say anything about size. But I dunno, maybe it's implied.

PS: I too can think of situations where the focus specialization is useful, but that doesn't change the fact that I've seen almost no focus specializations in all my time playing this game.

[Haru]

Actually, the reduction in size would be the only useful specialization I could see for a focus item specialization. At low levels, specializations will almost always be the better choice, while at higher levels, you'll run into the size problem sooner or later. The RAW focus item specialization only has use for a handful of characters overall.

[Deadmanwalking]

I'd allow it to reduce possible size, if only to make it actually remotely useful. Also, because there should be something to do that, as a Wizard who's skilled enough making small items that contain more power makes sense to me.

But yeah, that's not really supported by the RAW per se.

[Sanctaphrax]

Actually, the reduction in size would be the only useful specialization I could see for a focus item specialization.

A focus specialization can still be handy for someone with low Lore, or for someone who's gone all-in on blasting power. In theory.

[Vairelome]

A focus specialization can still be handy for someone with low Lore, or for someone who's gone all-in on blasting power. In theory.

I guess, but that seems more like "I responded to my mistake by doubling down!"