D&D 5E Divine Smite questions and a few comments about the paladin class

[pukunui]

I would rule that unsheathing the weapon would need to happen as part of the character's action in the following round, as part of a melee attack action. So in a round 1, the paladin sheaths sword and casts a spell with M/S, next round he/she unsheathes and makes a melee attack.

This. Sheathing or unsheathing a weapon counts as an interaction with an object, of which you only get one free each turn. Grabbing material spell components, however, doesn't appear to count, so you can sheathe your weapon for free and cast your spell (and move) on round one. Then you can draw your sword as part of an attack you make on the following round. Or, if you've MCed into fighter and have Action Surge, you can draw your sword again as part of your second action on the same round.

 

[Joe Liker]

Does this mean you have time to sheathe the weapon, cast the somatic or material spell, and then unsheathe the weapon again? I'm just not clear at all on how M and S work with a paladin who holds a weapon and shield.

If the spell requires both M and S components, the S is only mentioned because you are supposed to use a hand to manipulate the material component. If you are using a focus (such as a holy symbol on a shield), your shield hand is assumed to be covering both the somatic and material components . There is no need to stow your weapon because that hand is not needed for the spell.

On the other hand, if you are casting a somatic spell with no material component, then the hand gestures are considered to be more exacting and precise; you cannot execute them with your hands full. In such a case, you would need to stow your weapon as part of the action of casting the spell. Once the spell is cast, you have no actions left and must wait until your next turn, when you can draw the weapon as part of an attack action. (Or not draw it if you want to cast another spell.)

If you want to make an opportunity attack in the meantime, you can either punch or use your shield as an improvised weapon, with all appropriate penalties.

 

[LittleElvis]

Thanks very much for answering. I'm unclear about using a holy symbol on a shield as a focus. Is this something you're always allowed to do instead of using the specific material component listed with a spell? Take Bless for example.

 

[guachi]

A spellcasting focus is allowed for all casting classes but the Ranger, Eldritch Knight, or Arcane Trickster. It's variously called and Arcane Focus (sorcerer, warlock, wizard), Druidic Focus (druid), or a Holy Symbol (cleric, paladin) depending on class. For the Bard it doesn't seem to have a specific term, so "your musical instrument" is good enough.

 

[pukunui]

It's a pity a warlock can't use their pact blade as a focus.

 

[Ahrimon]

Transfer the weapon to your shield hand, get the components as an item interaction, cast the spell (your casting hand can be the same as the material hand), grab the weapon from your shield hand.

 

[SirAntoine]

If you want to add a bonded mount to your paladin, I recommend it at 6th level, and for you to select a heavy war horse and increase all of its stats by 20%.

 

[the Jester]

Transfer the weapon to your shield hand, get the components as an item interaction, cast the spell (your casting hand can be the same as the material hand), grab the weapon from your shield hand.

That's still an awful lot of interacting with the environment. All those 'transfer weapon to other hand' things- I'd allow one per round, per the rules on your free interaction with the environment.

 

[bganon]

It's a pity a warlock can't use their pact blade as a focus.

Considering that the form an "arcane focus" takes is deliberately left vague, and that a Warlock can freely choose the form of their pact blade, I think I'd allow it. A Wizard could use a crystal pendant as a focus, keeping both hands free except maybe momentarily when casting, so I don't think a Warlock using a sword as a focus is out of line.

 

[Ahrimon]

That's still an awful lot of interacting with the environment. All those 'transfer weapon to other hand' things- I'd allow one per round, per the rules on your free interaction with the environment.

Very true, and not all DMs are going to allow that much interaction. But some will see just switching something from hand to hand as a negligible thing. But it does reflect how a sword and board caster can work. In a more strict sense, and going for a one round cast, put your holy symbol on your shield so it is a focus, swap your weapon as your interaction and cast the spell. You will be unable to make reaction attacks for the next round since your weapon is being held in the shield hand and is unusable, but that's a small price to pay.