Still Spell Feat And Arcane Check Penalty?

[Diamond Cross]

The only reason for an Arcane Check penalty on armor is because it restricts the movement needed for casting spells.

Still Spell removes the need for movement to cast spells.

So my question is this, since Still Spell eliminates the need for movement in casting spells would it remove the Arcane Check penalty?

 

[shilsen]

Yes, it would remove the penalty. As the description of Arcane Spell Failure in the PHB (pg.122) says, "If the spell lacks a somatic component, however, it can be cast with no chance of spell failure." Since Still Spell removes the somatic component, there is no ASF chance.

 

[frankthedm]

Casting an Arcane Spell in Armor
A character who casts an arcane spell while wearing armor must usually make an arcane spell failure roll. The number in the Arcane Spell Failure Chance column on Table: Armor and Shields is the chance that the spell fails and is ruined. If the spell lacks a somatic component, however, it can be cast with no chance of arcane spell failure.

 

[moritheil]

Yup. There were a few classic "armored mage" threads near the start of 3E where people sought out all the spells without somatic components to make it easier to play a mage in full plate. It's surprisingly viable, more so when you use Still Spell for the occasional spell you just have to have.