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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Herbalizer" data-source="post: 6853914" data-attributes="member: 6824144">So what's the consensus on casting with a shield ?  According to the PHB 1. You can draw or sheath a weapon as part of an action (page 190) 2. You can pick up a dropped weapon as part as an action (page 190) 3. You need a free hand to do the Somatic (S) portion of the spell (page 203) 4. You need a free hand to provide the Component (C), but can use the same hand used for Somatic (page 203) 5. The non-consumable or non-costly components can be replaced by a spell focus (page 203) 6. The Bard can use a musical instrument as a spell focus (page 53)  With that in mind , what would be the mechanics of attack/spellcasting for a Bard with a weapon and SHIELD ?  Here's how I think it works:  Round 1: Bard (with Shield in Hand) cast Crowd of Madness (V,S,), draws rapier Round 2: Bard attacks, sheath sword Round 3: Bard cast Thunderwave (V,S), draws horn Round 4: Bard drop shield and cast Sleep (V,S,M) --- (use free hand for Somatic and the other hand to hold/play musical_instrument/spell_focus) Round 5: Bard picks up Shield, cast Bestow Cure (V,S) Round 6: Bard draws sword and attack ...  Do the Bard need 2 hands to do Somatic and material ..I understand with a pouch, you can grab powder from it, throw it in the air, then do the hand gesture, but it seems odd to do it while holding a musical instrument ...Also, a wizard would usually hold the spell focus (staff) in one hand and do the gestures with the other hand ...I guess my issue is that it becomes very difficult to cast a spell with a Somatic and Material components if you have a Weapon and Shield..I mean the Valor Bard does get Shield proficiency, so you'd think that he'd be able to do so without complicated mechanics ..and he gets that at 3rd level !!  He shouldn't have to be forced to get the War Casting feat to take advantage of a Class feature, no ?  This must have been discussed before, so what is the consensus on this ? Thanks</blockquote>

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