Arcane Spellcaster with an Animated Shield

[Corwin the Confused]

Is an Arcane Spellcaster with an Animated Shield subject to Spell Failure?

 

[shilsen]

No. I can't quote a specific reference, but the description of arcane spell failure refers to wearing armor and using a shield causing problems for the caster since they interfere with the gestures needed (which is why there's no arcane spell failure chance for a wizard in full plate casting a spell with no somatic component). Since the animated shield is not even in physical contact with the user, it should not cause arcane spell failure. At least not in my estimation.

 

[mkletch]

An animated shield protects you as if you were wielding it. That does not count as wielding it.

-Fletch!

 

[Corwin the Confused]

hmmmmmm. My DM said today that there is a debate over this and that he is on the side that a sheid has arcane spell failure for somatic component spells whether animated or not. So if there is no rule that specifically states that an , animated sheild has no arcane spell failure, I am S.O.L.