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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tessarael" data-source="post: 9806698" data-attributes="member: 12909">To the best of my knowledge, all classes have spell casting focuses that only require one hand, including Bard instruments. There are of course instruments that require two hands to use, and maybe they should have some other additional benefit to compensate for that.Along the lines that CreamCloud0 suggested, some combinations such as weapon+shield, two-handed weapon, or two-weapon fighting, may impose some additional penalty such as -1 spell save DC when spell casting rather than causing the sheathe/unsheathe shuffle.<a href="https://plusthreepress.com/#crystalpunk" target="_blank">Crystalpunk</a> has some interesting variant focuses, such as Channeling Pistol, Channeling Rifle, and Wooden Gauntlet. And they have an optional rule for two-hand spell casting focus use to extend the range of spells by 50% to a maximum of +30', which doesn't apply to spells with range self or touch. (It probably shouldn't apply to emanation ranges either of course.)If I was going to cook up some house rules, disallowing weapon shuffling, I might trial something like this:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Spell casting with one-hand free, standard, no penalty nor benefit.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Spell casting with both hands free, or both manipulating spell casting focus or material components, +1 save DC and +1 spell attack roll for your spells as they are strengthened.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Spell casting with a two-handed weapon, -1 save DC and -1 spell attack roll as your spells are weakened, and spell casting uses your free object interaction for your turn.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Spell casting with a weapon-and-shield, or two-weapon-fighting, -2 save DC and -2 spell attack roll as your spells are unfocused, and spell casting uses your free object interaction for your turn.</li> </ul>But then are there still the complicate mechanics to get around this? Namely, Ruby of the War Mage, the War Mage feat, Warlock's Pact of the Blade, Cleric and Paladin with a holy symbol emblazoned on their shield, Bladesinger two-weapon-fighting, etc. I'd prefer to avoid such complications, which is why maybe it makes sense to have some minor benefit when keeping one or two hands free or on a spell casting focus when spell casting, at least if you have a magical spell casting focus.</blockquote>

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