Olaf the Stout
Hero
Ok, I remember seeing posts on this board stating that casters needed to have a free hand when casting spells that required a Somatic, Material or Focus component. Looking in the PHB though I couldn't find anything to back this up. The only thing that says you need a free hand is the Somatic component. The rules don't even state that you need to be holding the Material or Focus component!
Now from a common sense point of view you think that you would have to be holding the Material or Focus component when you cast the spell but D&D does have some strange rules. Does anyone know where I might find the rules about spell components in the PHB or DMG?
This was what I was able to find in the SRD:
This is mainly of interest to me because I have a Cleric PC in the party that uses a heavy shield and longsword. This means that he can't cast any spells with a somatic component whilst holding both the longsword and the shield. What about spells that have a material component though? I don't know if there are any spells that actually have a material component and no somatic component but it would be interesting to know for future reference.
Olaf the Stout
Now from a common sense point of view you think that you would have to be holding the Material or Focus component when you cast the spell but D&D does have some strange rules. Does anyone know where I might find the rules about spell components in the PHB or DMG?
This was what I was able to find in the SRD:
SRD said:Verbal (V)
A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a 20% chance to spoil any spell with a verbal component that he or she tries to cast.
Somatic (S)
A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component.
Material (M)
A material component is one or more physical substances or objects that are annihilated by the spell energies in the casting process. Unless a cost is given for a material component, the cost is negligible. Don’t bother to keep track of material components with negligible cost. Assume you have all you need as long as you have your spell component pouch.
Focus (F)
A focus component is a prop of some sort. Unlike a material component, a focus is not consumed when the spell is cast and can be reused. As with material components, the cost for a focus is negligible unless a price is given. Assume that focus components of negligible cost are in your spell component pouch.
Divine Focus (DF)
A divine focus component is an item of spiritual significance. The divine focus for a cleric or a paladin is a holy symbol appropriate to the character’s faith.
If the Components line includes F/DF or M/DF, the arcane version of the spell has a focus component or a material component (the abbreviation before the slash) and the divine version has a divine focus component (the abbreviation after the slash).
This is mainly of interest to me because I have a Cleric PC in the party that uses a heavy shield and longsword. This means that he can't cast any spells with a somatic component whilst holding both the longsword and the shield. What about spells that have a material component though? I don't know if there are any spells that actually have a material component and no somatic component but it would be interesting to know for future reference.
Olaf the Stout