Does a paladin's daily require him to drop his sword?

[Stalker0]

I just noticed that the paladin's daily (on pain of death) requires an implement. Since the paladin normally has a sword and board, does that mean he has to drop his sword, pull out his holy symbol in order to use the daily?

 

[Campbell]

I just noticed that the paladin's daily (on pain of death) requires an implement. Since the paladin normally has a sword and board, does that mean he has to drop his sword, pull out his holy symbol in order to use the daily?

Powers with the implement tag don't actually require an implement to use. Rather, they allow one to benefit from an implement.

 

[Green Knight]

Yeah. Make sure you're looking at the updated character sheets, as the old ones say they're required, when that's incorrect.

As for implement, I wonder if a sword or shield could be used as an implement? I imagine the implement is a holy symbol. Couldn't a Paladin have a shield with the symbol of his god on it, or have it engraved on the pommel of his sword?

 

[LowSpine]

I would imagine that the implement either only needs to be on the character's person. If you want to imagine your character holding it out in front of him with radiant beams shooting out or whatever, then all you have to do is have that action have no mechanical effect on held items - like dropping or swapping.

That is how I would rule it anyway. It would be a bit silly any other way. It would penalize a fighting/divine class for doing something divine.

Or - perhaps you only get an implement bonus when holding it out in front - but the only requirement is that you have it on your person.

 

[frankthedm]

As for implement, I wonder if a sword or shield could be used as an implement? I imagine the implement is a holy symbol. Couldn't a Paladin have a shield with the symbol of his god on it, or have it engraved on the pommel of his sword?

Holy symbols are more than just an engraving, enameling or a drawn picture. They are specific items on equipment lists. D&D is not a cheesy vampire movie where two random sticks held together function as a cross.

Four editions and folks still try this... sheesh.

 

[keterys]

That said, I'd find it eminently reasonable for a (feat / path / whatever) to give paladins the ability to count their sword as an implement.

 

[Lurker37]

That said, I'd find it eminently reasonable for a (feat / path / whatever) to give paladins the ability to count their sword as an implement.

Given that we now know there's a similar ability for Wizards, I assume this will be the case.

 

[Fifth Element]

Holy symbols are more than just an engraving, enameling or a drawn picture. They are specific items on equipment lists. D&D is not a cheesy vampire movie where two random sticks held together function as a cross.

I might agree with you, but this is a paladin we're talking about. A shield or sword engraved with the symbol of his/her deity is extremely appropriate for use as a holy symbol, thematically speaking.

 

[pawsplay]

Since forbidding a shield as a holy symbol is Not Awesome, my fourthedometer indicates it will be allowed.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

It ought to be allowed eventually (or with a feat, power, or specially made (IE expensive) shield - holysymbol crossbreed) but to simply alllow it is like saying to the ranger "sure your quarterstaff can be strung and used as a bow!"

Fitz