Hands free spell casting

[brehobit]

To cast a spell with a somatic component you need to have a hand free for casting. (PHB 3.5 page 140).
Basically can a cleric with a weapon and heavy shield cast without dropping or putting away the weapon? How about with a light shield?

I've never seen a cleric drop their weapon to cast a spell. I've never even seen a MEA taken to cast a spell. But I'm guessing you really are supposed to if you are in weapon and shield mode (at least if you have a heavy shield...)

Anyone know how this is supposed to work? How many of you actually worry about it?

Edit for spelling etc.

 

[Saeviomagy]

To cast a spell with a somatic component you need to have a had free for casting. (PHB 3.5 page 140). Is a light
Basically can a cleric with a weapon and heavy shield cast without dropping or putting away the weapon? How about with a light shield?

I've never seen a cleric drop their weapon to cast a spell. I've never even seen a MEA taken to cast a spell. But I'm guessing you really are supposed to if you are in weapon and shield mode (at least if you have a heavy shield...)

Anyone know how this is suppsed to work? How many of you actually worry about it?

Get one of those nice little wrist straps for your mace. Drop it as a free action. Grab it again as move, or part of a move.

 

[brehobit]

Re: Re: Hands free spell casting

Get one of those nice little wrist straps for your mace. Drop it as a free action. Grab it again as move, or part of a move.

The book says "Guesture freely with at least one hand." I'm not sure a cleric could do that with a 5 pound weight strapped to his hand. I'm guessing you are right, and all that is required is that the hand be empty.

Hummm.....

 

[Li Shenron]

Re: Re: Hands free spell casting

Get one of those nice little wrist straps for your mace. Drop it as a free action. Grab it again as move, or part of a move.

You don't need a strap to do this: drop the mace on the floor and use a MEA to pick it back, and face the AoO.

If you have a Light shield or a buckler, move the weapon in the other hand before casting and take it back after casting: eventually ask your DM if he agrees to make these 2 free actions (there is no clear rule about it).

Brehobit, I wonder how you have always seen a Cleric with Heavy Shield + weapon cast spells with no hands free... I think the rules don't allow to cast through the weapon.

 

[nsruf]

Re: Re: Re: Hands free spell casting

Brehobit, I wonder how you have always seen a Cleric with Heavy Shield + weapon cast spells with no hands free... I think the rules don't allow to cast through the weapon.

Yes, but it tends to be "conveniently forgotten" in the heat of combat...

 

[CrimsonTemplar]

Re:^5 Hands free spell casting

Yes, but it tends to be "conveniently forgotten" in the heat of combat...

Then the DM needs to give the players a gentle reminder when they do. If they keep failing to do so then smack them with an "oh, sorry apparently you forgot to invoke the Sign of Kesh while trying to call down that flame strike," Depending on how mean you're feeling you can either have them simply fail to cast the spell but not lose it or they can lose it outright. Hopefully that'll get the message across.

 

[HeavyG]

In my group, we do worry about it. That is why all the clerics have small shields (or light shields now I guess).

In fact, it's been a really long time since I've seen large shields, now that I think about it. Even fighters tend to use bucklers so they can switch to a bow now and then.

 

[Belbarrus]

This is what I ruled in my game (Cleric with shield and weapon scenario):

-Pass the weapon to shield hand as a free action.
-Can still use the shield with no problem, just cannot use the weapon and therefore does not threaten an area.
-Passing items between hands is a free action to a maximum of once per round.
-So, you can move the mace to your shield hand, then cast the spell. But it takes a move action if you want to pass the weapon back to your original hand.

This has been working out okay so far.

Belbarrus

 

[CrimsonTemplar]

This is what I ruled in my game (Cleric with shield and weapon scenario):

-Pass the weapon to shield hand as a free action.
-Can still use the shield with no problem, just cannot use the weapon and therefore does not threaten an area.
-Passing items between hands is a free action to a maximum of once per round.
-So, you can move the mace to your shield hand, then cast the spell. But it takes a move action if you want to pass the weapon back to your original hand.

That sounds reasonable. I haven't seen it as a problem in the games I play. My suggestions were more of a way to handle the situation if it does become a prolem.