D&D 5E [Rules Question] Two-handed Weapons and Somatic Components

[jadrax]

Asked what exactly?

Gyor ‏@Gyor1 9h
@mikemearls can you cast a spell that uses somatic components if you weild a 2 handed weapon or a vertile weapon in 2 hands?
Mike Mearls ‏@mikemearls
@Gyor1 nope

Which arguably wasn't actually the right question.

 

[Joe Liker]

My guess is, the EK rules will explicitly spell out any additional rules we need to know, but I think what we already know is good enough.

• You can draw/sheath a weapon as part of an action.
• Attack and casting are two separate actions.
• Therefore you have plenty of opportunity to free a hand before casting, pretty much regardless of how that hand was occupied.

The primary reason for having somatic components in this edition is not to complicate combat by forcing you to juggle your gear. (In fact, anytime you find yourself thinking a 5e rule exists for the purpose of making things more complicated, you probably need to rethink.)

Somatic components exist mainly for those unfortunate moments when your hands are literally tied. There needs to be some way short of knocking him comatose to keep a wizard from doing what he does, and this is one of the ways. Gagging him is another.

 

[Prism]

An Eldrich Knight should be taking War Caster anyway by the time they get War Magic feature.

I'm not actually sure War Caster will be that good for an Eldritch Knight. They will already have a decent Con save typically due to proficiency and a general focus on Con. When they want to cast spells they need an arcane focus or component pouch will need one hand anyway. What we don't know is if EK will allow a weapon to be used as a focus for arcane spells, just EK spells or not at all (alpha doesn't allow it). And using a spell as an opportunity is probably not as useful since the EK already has a decent melee attack and no real access to something like hold person which would be good in that situation

With them needing Str or Dex plus Con and Int I think stat gains will be more desirable than most feats

 

[Steely Dan]

• You can draw/sheath a weapon as part of an action.

Can you also draw or sheath a weapon as part of a move?

 

[Plaguescarred]

Can you also draw or sheath a weapon as part of a move?

Yes You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. (Basic rules pg. 70)

 

[TheBDU]

I just wanted to bring this thread back now that we have the PH available. Here are my concerns (I would like to make a great sword wielding warlock).

1) The Battle Caster feat mentions having ANY of your hands occupied
2) We are allowed one free action to do something small such as grab a component, but do we then have to put it back? I guess this could be avoided by having a crystal around my neck on a chain and i can just drop it after, but what about valuable components which do not get consumed on use? Remember, it's one free action during movement OR action.

I guess I'm just wondering if i absolutely need to take Battle Caster.

 

[Stalker0]

I go with:

If you are attacking that round with the 2 hander, no somatic spells.

If you are casting a somatic spell that round, then your 2 handed sword is leaning on the ground and your casting with your free hand.

YMMV.

How I plan to play it myself.