Can you fight while Spider Climbing?

[Noumenon]

Spider Climb says "The affected creature must have its hands free to climb in this manner." So you'd have to sheathe your weapons, huh? But can you draw them, stay stuck to the wall and fight from overhead? Or do you need all four feet touching?

 

[Shin Okada]

What do you mean, "stay stuck to the wall and fight from overhead"?

And, if you can fly, why do you need spider climb anyway?

 

[Noir le Lotus]

Slippers of Spider Climbing

When worn, a pair of these slippers enable movement on vertical surfaces or even upside down along ceilings, leaving the wearer’s hands free. Her speed is 20 feet. Severely slippery surfaces—icy, oiled, or greased surfaces— make these slippers useless. The slippers can be used for 10 minutes per day, split up as the wearer chooses.

With the slippers, I would say that you can fight. With only the spell, I would say no !!

 

[Noumenon]

What do you mean, "stay stuck to the wall and fight from overhead"?

Forex, the vampire in plate mail (how does he spider climb through plate mail anyway) has two fighters in front of him protecting the wizard, so he climbs up five feet, then over the fighter's head, then five feet farther so he's on the wall right over the wizard's head. Then he bonks him on the head.

 

[Shin Okada]

Forex, the vampire in plate mail (how does he spider climb through plate mail anyway) has two fighters in front of him protecting the wizard, so he climbs up five feet, then over the fighter's head, then five feet farther so he's on the wall right over the wizard's head. Then he bonks him on the head.

So you are not actually talking about using fly speed but just jumping down, right? Because usual vampire cannot fly without taking either gaseous form or Dire Bat form (both need a standard action to change into. And in those forms a vampire cannot use spider climb, because in those forms he has no hands).

But anyway, as already mentioned, Spider Climb spell (and Vampire's Spider Climb ability) needs free hands. So one must first sheath one's weapon to clime a wall.

 

[Alzrius]

Could a character use just one hand to climb in this manner, the other wielding a light or one-handed weapon? Similarly, if not climbing but just maintaining their position on a wall/ceiling, would that be possible?

 

[Shin Okada]

Could a character use just one hand to climb in this manner, the other wielding a light or one-handed weapon? Similarly, if not climbing but just maintaining their position on a wall/ceiling, would that be possible?

The spell says "The affected creature must its hands free to climb in this manner." It says "hands" not "hand". So the answer is NO.

 

[Noumenon]

While you need both hands free to climb, obviously you can have one hand and maybe a foot free without falling, otherwise you wouldn't be able to move. Think of it like fighting on a ladder, or rigging. You need both hands to climb effectively, but you can definitely stop climbing and start fighting. Spider climb with a knife between your teeth!

So you are not actually talking about using fly speed but just jumping down, right?

I really never mentioned fly speed anywhere. And I don't mean jumping either (I don't see how the rules would handle one character jumping down into another character's space -- does anyone know?) I mean stopping, feet still stuck to the wall, drawing your weapon, and fighting in place.

My first inclination was "the character is in that square," and I had stuff like him hitting people on the other side of the ten-foot hallway. But when you think about it that would require superhuman strength even if your feet were glued on, to stretch yourself across the hall like that. I think I'd restrict the spider climber to attacking the square directly below him, with a one-handed weapon.

 

[Animal]

While you need both hands free to climb, obviously you can have one hand and maybe a foot free without falling, otherwise you wouldn't be able to move. Think of it like fighting on a ladder, or rigging. You need both hands to climb effectively, but you can definitely stop climbing and start fighting. Spider climb with a knife between your teeth!

Rules are quite clear in this case and Shin is absolutely right. Of course, if you feel that this rule is illogical, you can always houserule it.

 

[Jhaelen]

While you need both hands free to climb, obviously you can have one hand and maybe a foot free without falling, otherwise you wouldn't be able to move. Think of it like fighting on a ladder, or rigging. You need both hands to climb effectively, but you can definitely stop climbing and start fighting. Spider climb with a knife between your teeth!

I'd allow it and in fact have actually allowed it in the past.