Wizards & swords

[Davelozzi]

Okay, I've been reading 3e products ever since they came out but haven't had a chance to use them in play yet. I'm going to be starting a new campaign with them now and I'm trying to brush up on the rules.

Am I correct in my understanding that the only downside to a wizard using a sword (or other non-allowed weapon) is that he/she needs to spend a feat on the martial weapon proficiency?

 

[Hypersmurf]

That's right. They suffer problems with armour, but not weapons.

The only people who have outright penalties for using the wrong sorts of weapons are druids (who lose all their abilities for 24 hours, because long swords are so much more unnatural than scimitars), and monks - they only get to use their special rate of attacks with special monk weapons.

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

It's also worth noting that any elf knows how to use either a long sword or a rapier, so your elven wizards don't even need to spend that feat.

-Hyp.

 

[Crothian]

Also be aware of casting spells while holding soemthing. Spells with somatic componets usually need both hands free.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Yup.

And you can wear armor, too. But the arcane failure chance is prohibitive for what you get.

Note that some races have a weapon proficiency as a bonus. IIRC, Elves may choose a proficiency in either longbow, shortbow, longsword, or rapier or something like that. It is a nice bit of advantage to single class Elven wizards and Rogues.

 

[Starfox]

But, even if yur wizard/sorcerer learns to use a sword, he will never learn to use it well, because of that poor BAB.

And. if you are into spending a feat on a weapon, pick an exotic weapon. If you and your DM can stand the strangeness of the Spiked Chain, it is a great dodad for keeping people away from you so you can cast spells without interruption.

 

[Starfox]

Also be aware of casting spells while holding soemthing. Spells with somatic componets usually need both hands free.

No, somatic components only require one hand.

But, question is, can you have a two-handed weapon, and then hold it with only one hand while casting your spell, only to grip it with two hands afterwards for possible attacks of opportunity?

 

[Hypersmurf]

But, question is, can you have a two-handed weapon, and then hold it with only one hand while casting your spell, only to grip it with two hands afterwards for possible attacks of opportunity?

I believe switching something from one hand to the other is considered a free action - so someone without the Quickdraw feat can still throw four daggers in a round by having three of them in his left hand and feeding them across.

And dropping an item is a free action.

So as long as you stated that you released your greatsword with one hand, cast your spell, and then regripped it, you'd be fine. If you didn't mention regripping, then you might find you're not allowed to take a free action when the AoO is provoked, and so can't swing your sword.

But that's getting quibbly.

-Hyp.

 

[Davelozzi]

Wow, thanks for all the near instantaneous responses guys. This site is great.

 

[rhammer2]

You need but one hand free for casting.

Also be aware of casting spells while holding soemthing. Spells with somatic componets usually need both hands free.