D&D 5E Casting with two handed weapon?

[Horwath]

For spells with somatic components ("S"), you need one hand free.

with 2hander it's quite easy to free your hand(probably "off" hand) to cast a spell and right back re grip your sword/axe/whatever.

because drawing/sheating weapon is one free object interaction for each, but how much time does it consume and how much is it with comparison to simple release of hand grip.

IMO, releasing grip on twohander and re griping it should be free action or at worst one object interaction.

Or should "S" components be just a limitation on being shackled/tied up/pinned/carrying 300lb barrel with both hands etc... and not interfere with basic combat?

 

[delericho]

These days all the cool kids are using ridiculous oversized weapons that can't just be held in one hand. So you clearly need a full "manipulate an object" either to release or re-grip the item. So the same logic as for the sword&board guys applies - round one you let go of the item and cast; round two you re-grip the item and attack; between the two you can't use the weapon for Opportunity Attacks or the like.

Or you could apply common sense, and just allow it freely.

 

[Al2O3]

I'm not sure if there has been official word on it, but I think going from welding a weapon with two hands to holding it with one and having one free counts as totally free, similar to dropping hammer to the ground. Gripping the weapon again might count as interaction if the DM wants to make things harder.

 

[Rya.Reisender]

Doesn't even require an action.

Read the rules on two-handed:

Two-Handed.
This weapon requires two hands when you attack with it.

As long as you don't attack with a two-handed weapon, it still only requires one hand.

 

[Dausuul]

As long as you don't attack with a two-handed weapon, it still only requires one hand.

That doesn't answer the question of what's required to switch between a one-hand and a two-hand grip. For example, say you're playing an Eldritch Knight with the Sentinel feat. You want to cast on your turn (requiring a free hand), but you also want to be ready to make opportunity attacks (requiring both hands on the sword) if a monster tries to move past you. If you start your turn with the sword gripped in both hands, can you go to one hand, cast, and then go back to both hands in a single turn?

My take on it is that letting go of something requires no action; grabbing hold of something counts as your "interact with an object." So you could indeed do this, but it would use up your free interaction for the turn when you return to the two-hand grip.

 

[jodyjohnson]

It uses the same rules as a two handed ranged weapon. When you attack you need 2 hands. While you are loading (or doing something else) you only need one hand. This is part of the errata.

IMO.

 

[Maxperson]

That doesn't answer the question of what's required to switch between a one-hand and a two-hand grip. For example, say you're playing an Eldritch Knight with the Sentinel feat. You want to cast on your turn (requiring a free hand), but you also want to be ready to make opportunity attacks (requiring both hands on the sword) if a monster tries to move past you. If you start your turn with the sword gripped in both hands, can you go to one hand, cast, and then go back to both hands in a single turn?

There are no hand grips. Hand grips don't exist in the rules. The only rule in play here is that you need to use two hands while attacking with the sword. At all other times you can be holding it in one hand, leaving the other free.

My take on it is that letting go of something requires no action; grabbing hold of something counts as your "interact with an object." So you could indeed do this, but it would use up your free interaction for the turn when you return to the two-hand grip.

Simply by holding it in one hand you are continuously interacting with it already. The amount of time it takes to place your hand on a sword hilt of a sword you already hold is practically none. I wouldn't gimp the PC that way. Especially since there are no rules for interacting with the same object twice simultaneously, so it would seem that the object interaction rule doesn't apply.

I'm also fairly sure that I saw this tweeted and responded to on the WotC forum with the answer that it worked just fine.

 

[Leatherhead]

IMO, releasing grip on twohander and re griping it should be free action or at worst one object interaction.

It would be a Non-Action and/or an Object Interaction. Free Actions don't technically exist, they were replaced with Flourishes, and even then the only one that doesn't really cost anything is just talking.

Or should "S" components be just a limitation on being shackled/tied up/pinned/carrying 300lb barrel with both hands etc... and not interfere with basic combat?

Considering that "Free Hand" isn't a defined mechanical term, this is probably for the best.

On the other hand (heh), if you feel like being a stickler (or simply can't wrap your head around the logistics), you could justify limiting this kind of combat to Versatile weapons. Which would give them a legitimate niche outside of being the short character's poor substitute for real two-handed weapons.

 

[Rya.Reisender]

What maxperson said, there is no "Changing Grip" as action in 5e.

If you use the attack action with a two-handed sword, the action you use already includes:
1. Switching grip to both hands
2. Attack
3. Switching grip back to one hand

When we are talking generally and not about "two-handed" then you are right, though. Letting go doesn't require an action, but taking is an object interaction. This was clarified by Jeremy Crawford already who said that dropping an object doesn't require an object interaction.

 

[Valador]

PHB errata and also a long time asked question that's been addressed in prior editions.

5E PHB Errata
Two-Handed (p. 147). This property is relevant only when you attack with the weapon, not when you simply hold it.

I own a few "two handed" swords and it's not hard to maintain the weapon in one hand while using the other for doing various things. It's also very easy to simply hold the sword in your hand and prop the blade against your shoulder and then use your body movement to swing it off your shoulder to get momentum going while at the same time bringing your other hand to the grip.