Can I cast a spell while readied with a longbow? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can I cast a spell while readied with a longbow? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kriskey
09-27-07, 11:42 AM Assuming somatic required and no metamagic or feats applicable?

I'm guessing I can simply continue holding the bow in one hand only (I only need two for firing) and be using the other for casting a spell.
DrMorganes
09-27-07, 11:53 AM No.

To have a longbow considered "readied", as in "I ready an action to shoot the wizard if he begins casting a spell", one must have the an arrow nocked and the string drawn. This takes both hands.

Casting a spell with a somatic component requires a free hand.

Furthermore, casting a spell - regardless of what components are required - is normally a standard action performed on your turn. You can't declare a readied action, cast a spell, and still get your readied action in the same round. The exception of this, of course, would be casting a swift or immediate spell that only required a verbal component (such as the 4th level Ranger spell Arrow Storm).
Some_call_me_Tim
09-27-07, 11:55 AM Assuming somatic required and no metamagic or feats applicable?

I'm guessing I can simply continue holding the bow in one hand only (I only need two for firing) and be using the other for casting a spell.If you are talking about spellcasting while you are using the readied action with the longbow, then the answer is no. You can't do anything other than your readied action when the trigger occurs. It is simply not your turn. If it were featherfall for example you could because that is an immediate action that you can use on another's turn and only requires a verbal component.

Now, if you are talking about carrying your bow "at the ready" then yes you only need one hand to hold the bow and you have another free to make somatic gestures.
kriskey
09-27-07, 11:59 AM How about while simply holding the longbow? (I made the mistake of saying "readied" when I really meant just having in my hands available for use).

[edit]

Nevermind. See it was answered. Thanks. I assumed that, but I wanted to make very sure.
mvincent
09-27-07, 12:45 PM To have a longbow considered "readied", as in "I ready an action to shoot the wizard if he begins casting a spell", one must have the an arrow nocked and the string drawn.This appears to be a house-rule rather than a RAW stipulation.

However, by RAW you would at least need an arrow drawn* (and in hand) to ready an action to attack with a bow. Regardless, the point is moot because the OP was actually asking a different question.

* The reason is that drawing ammunition is a free action, but you cannot combine a free action with your readied action.
DrMorganes
09-27-07, 01:52 PM Semantics, mvincent.

I would choose to describe the OP's readied action as I described. You, on the other hand, envision it as you described. In either case, both hands are required and the character would be unable to cast a spell requiring a somatic component.
mvincent
09-27-07, 02:29 PM Semantics, mvincent.

I would choose to describe the OP's readied action as I described. You, on the other hand, envision it as you described.I don't envision it in either direction, I was simply clarifying the actual RAW. Your statement of "one must have the an arrow nocked and the string drawn" could lead one to believe that this was stated in the rules (which would not be accurate).
Empiro
09-27-07, 04:47 PM Removed

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kriskey 09-27-07, 11:42 AM	Assuming somatic required and no metamagic or feats applicable? I'm guessing I can simply continue holding the bow in one hand only (I only need two for firing) and be using the other for casting a spell.
DrMorganes 09-27-07, 11:53 AM	No. To have a longbow considered "readied", as in "I ready an action to shoot the wizard if he begins casting a spell", one must have the an arrow nocked and the string drawn. This takes both hands. Casting a spell with a somatic component requires a free hand. Furthermore, casting a spell - regardless of what components are required - is normally a standard action performed on your turn. You can't declare a readied action, cast a spell, and still get your readied action in the same round. The exception of this, of course, would be casting a swift or immediate spell that only required a verbal component (such as the 4th level Ranger spell Arrow Storm).
Some_call_me_Tim 09-27-07, 11:55 AM	Assuming somatic required and no metamagic or feats applicable? I'm guessing I can simply continue holding the bow in one hand only (I only need two for firing) and be using the other for casting a spell.If you are talking about spellcasting while you are using the readied action with the longbow, then the answer is no. You can't do anything other than your readied action when the trigger occurs. It is simply not your turn. If it were featherfall for example you could because that is an immediate action that you can use on another's turn and only requires a verbal component. Now, if you are talking about carrying your bow "at the ready" then yes you only need one hand to hold the bow and you have another free to make somatic gestures.
kriskey 09-27-07, 11:59 AM	How about while simply holding the longbow? (I made the mistake of saying "readied" when I really meant just having in my hands available for use). [edit] Nevermind. See it was answered. Thanks. I assumed that, but I wanted to make very sure.
mvincent 09-27-07, 12:45 PM	To have a longbow considered "readied", as in "I ready an action to shoot the wizard if he begins casting a spell", one must have the an arrow nocked and the string drawn.This appears to be a house-rule rather than a RAW stipulation. However, by RAW you would at least need an arrow drawn* (and in hand) to ready an action to attack with a bow. Regardless, the point is moot because the OP was actually asking a different question. * The reason is that drawing ammunition is a free action, but you cannot combine a free action with your readied action.
DrMorganes 09-27-07, 01:52 PM	Semantics, mvincent. I would choose to describe the OP's readied action as I described. You, on the other hand, envision it as you described. In either case, both hands are required and the character would be unable to cast a spell requiring a somatic component.
mvincent 09-27-07, 02:29 PM	Semantics, mvincent. I would choose to describe the OP's readied action as I described. You, on the other hand, envision it as you described.I don't envision it in either direction, I was simply clarifying the actual RAW. Your statement of "one must have the an arrow nocked and the string drawn" could lead one to believe that this was stated in the rules (which would not be accurate).
Empiro 09-27-07, 04:47 PM	Removed