Eyebite Q: somatic component?

[Ciaran]

The spell description for eyebite states that "You can merely meet the gaze of a creature and speak a single word to affect it". The spell has verbal and somatic components. Does this mean that the spell's somatic component is the meeting of the target's gaze, or is this just poor phrasing on the part of the writers?

- Eric

 

[shilsen]

I'd say that's just flavor text you're quoting. Since the spell does list a S component, you still need one hand free to cast it.