ASF for TWF? [Archive] - Wizards Community

ASF for TWF? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DanChops
01-14-04, 10:56 AM Does a two-weapon fighting wizard (or sorcerer or bard for that matter) recieve any sort of arcane spell failure? I can't find anything that would indicate it would in the rulebooks, but it would seem that the same rationale that applies to giving ASF for wearing armor (i.e. armor restricts movement too much to allow for the intricate motions necessary to cast a spell with a somatic component) would apply to TWF (i.e. having a weapon in both hands, while not (necessarially) limiting arm movement would certainly limit hand motions.) Any thoughts?
Agent_Malucci
01-14-04, 11:15 AM If the spell has a Somatic(and/or material) component, you need to have at least one hand empty to cast the spell. I think it actually says this in the PHB somewhere.
AM
Inigo Carmine
01-14-04, 11:55 AM The poster above me is correct. There's no ASF chance for dual wielding, you just can't cast a spell with somatic components at all. This i also a problem for the weapon/large shield combo (well, for clerics mostly).

Note that one of the many advantages of a double weapon is that you can hold (though not attack with) it in just one hand while you cast the spell.
DanChops
01-14-04, 01:43 PM Thanks for the prompt replies. Is the Still Spell feat the only way around this?
Shadowfax7
01-14-04, 02:22 PM The Still Spell feat is one way around it, but there are others . . .

Dropping one of the weapons as a free action prior to casting a spell.

Putting one of the weapons away in it's scabbard as a ME action prior to casting a spell.

Using a small shield or buckler in one hand as a weapon rather than a defensive item (this still allows you to choose not to attack with the shield, but rather use the hand to cast)
KShaver
01-14-04, 02:29 PM Originally posted by DanChops
Thanks for the prompt replies. Is the Still Spell feat the only way around this?

Use spells which require no somatic components to begin with. There are a good number of them available, some of them quite good for a fighter/mage (i.e. truestrike).

Sheath one weapon or pass both weapons to one hand while casting. Quickdraw might be a usefull feat to help with this, or, better yet, a glove of storing allows you to equip/unequip one hand with free actions.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DanChops 01-14-04, 10:56 AM	Does a two-weapon fighting wizard (or sorcerer or bard for that matter) recieve any sort of arcane spell failure? I can't find anything that would indicate it would in the rulebooks, but it would seem that the same rationale that applies to giving ASF for wearing armor (i.e. armor restricts movement too much to allow for the intricate motions necessary to cast a spell with a somatic component) would apply to TWF (i.e. having a weapon in both hands, while not (necessarially) limiting arm movement would certainly limit hand motions.) Any thoughts?
Agent_Malucci 01-14-04, 11:15 AM	If the spell has a Somatic(and/or material) component, you need to have at least one hand empty to cast the spell. I think it actually says this in the PHB somewhere. AM
Inigo Carmine 01-14-04, 11:55 AM	The poster above me is correct. There's no ASF chance for dual wielding, you just can't cast a spell with somatic components at all. This i also a problem for the weapon/large shield combo (well, for clerics mostly). Note that one of the many advantages of a double weapon is that you can hold (though not attack with) it in just one hand while you cast the spell.
DanChops 01-14-04, 01:43 PM	Thanks for the prompt replies. Is the Still Spell feat the only way around this?
Shadowfax7 01-14-04, 02:22 PM	The Still Spell feat is one way around it, but there are others . . . Dropping one of the weapons as a free action prior to casting a spell. Putting one of the weapons away in it's scabbard as a ME action prior to casting a spell. Using a small shield or buckler in one hand as a weapon rather than a defensive item (this still allows you to choose not to attack with the shield, but rather use the hand to cast)
KShaver 01-14-04, 02:29 PM	Originally posted by DanChops Thanks for the prompt replies. Is the Still Spell feat the only way around this? Use spells which require no somatic components to begin with. There are a good number of them available, some of them quite good for a fighter/mage (i.e. truestrike). Sheath one weapon or pass both weapons to one hand while casting. Quickdraw might be a usefull feat to help with this, or, better yet, a glove of storing allows you to equip/unequip one hand with free actions.