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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 7159273" data-attributes="member: 6801845">I was debating posting this more long-winded response but I'm procrastinating on some things I really should be doing... I think part of the problem here is that what you define as "vastly more newb friendly" in post #3, IMHO is not.For example your "Shield stance" if I read it right is basically "ignore the rules on needing a hand".  The others?  They simply restate rules that are already pretty clear and are well explained in the rules.  Your hand isn't free if you are using it to wear a shield.  There's no need to explain that your character can't hold a shield, a weapon and a torch since most people realize that they don't have 3 hands.  If I create house rules it has to add something to the game.  I'm sorry, but your example didn't do that.  They just restated (other than Shield stance) the rules in a different way and gave them a label.  I don't see the point.The only confusion I've ever seen with newbies is that I have to clarify how shields work and that you can't hold anything with the same hand as a shield.But your other "stances"?  They're just an alternate, wordier version of what the rules already say.  I really don't think a stance that says "if you don't have anything in your hands, your hands are free to do other things" adds any value.Now, I wasn't going to post any of that because I didn't want to sound insulting.  I thought maybe if we explained the alternative rules we use that you'd have some feedback and maybe we could figure something out.If I was being super-detailed (and didn't change the rules) I would have a section in my campaign intro on spell casting something like: In order to cast a spell with a somatic component, you need to have at least one free hand.  Therefore if you are currently wielding a shield and a weapon or otherwise have both hands occupied you will need to drop or stow an item, typically your weapon.  Remember that you have one free item interaction per turn (including sheathing or picking up a weapon) and that doffing (taking off) a shield requires an action.  A few other notes: <ul style="margin-left: 20px"> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The War Caster feat allows you to cast spells with somatic components even if when you have weapons or a shield in one or both hands.  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If you are using a two-handed weapon, it is assumed that you only need to be using both hands when attacking.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Being restrained does not stop you from moving your hands enough to cast a spell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Under certain circumstances (e.g. hands bound) you may be prevented from casting a spell with somatic components.</li> </ul> No "extra" rules, just a restatement of the rules and a clarification of my rulings.  I might even throw in some footnotes so people don't have to hunt down the exact reference.  But this list only scratches the surface.  What if my character is polymorphed?  Do I have to physically pull out material components?  Does this mean that if I use a wand I can't have anything in my other hand?   At a certain point, if I keep adding clarifications it's not going to be clear at all.And why stop at somatic components? What about material?  How loudly do I need to speak verbal components?  How do you calculate the range to a target if the target is at a different elevation?  All of these are legitimate questions, and I'm sure there are many, many more I'm not thinking of.  Personally I just address them when and if they come up during the game.Outside of that?  We're creating house rules.  I gave you mine and gave you justification but you seemed to dismiss it out of hand.</blockquote>

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