D&D 5E (2024) War Priest bonus action without War Caster Feat

[Zardnaar]

I think the intent was that Clerics and Paladins could cast their spells while wielding a weapon and shield.

The game balance of some spells having somatic components but not material is to prevent stacking a shield with other defenses such as the Shield spell.

In practice, the distinction is very clunky, and the rules very complicated and hard to remember if you follow the details. Most folks don't play by the rules as written + Sage Advice, either allowing somatic only component spells to be cast providing you have a focus in hand (seems reasonable to me), or requiring the War Caster feat; and a few rules lawyer it and do the sheathe/draw tactic which is the "correct" but clunky way.

I think that was the intent. No one seems to pay attention though eg EKs always picking shield spell.

If we have a hard ass DM I dont bother using weapons as a cleric or take warcaster.