Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lochlan 02-13-08, 10:31 PM	Hello everyone, This is my first post here. I'm a relatively new DM for 3.5. I've been a player for a few years but using the old 2nd edition ruleset. So still a bit hazy on the newer stuff. My question is this: I have a player wanting to be a Hexblade. He would like to use a Greatsword instead of a 1-handed weapon and still be able to cast. From what a Hexblade description says, they only need one hand to cast their spells. If they're wielding the Greatsword, can they put it in one hand, and then cast their spell? Can someone point me to a book/page this information can be found in? With Respect, Loch.
Eightbitmage 02-13-08, 11:33 PM	I don't think it is in any books, but look at it this way: You can only swing a greatsword effectively with two hands. You can hold a greatsword with only 1 if you wish, just like any other heavy object. Also there is something of a precedent with wizards carrying around staves, which also require 2 hands. You simply hold it in one while casting with the other, and then put it back. I would call it a free action. edit: I would also reccomend reading the FAQ as it often will have answers to questions like these. You can find it on the wizards website.
Lochlan 02-13-08, 11:47 PM	Awesome, thanks for the quick response. I was thinking that it would be a free action or something, however something inside was also just saying that isn't right. Thanks for your help.
Magrus 02-13-08, 11:58 PM	A little help for being a DM in this system. Not everything makes sense, but a lot of the things, if you think about how the basics, the stuff found in the players hand book works... a lot of it is common sense. Not all of the way through, modifications have to be made to allow for smooth play. Still, most of the combat rules and such you can look at and say "oh, well thats what I would have thought". Once you deviate from the Players Handbook and DMG though, your at risk for crack-brained nonsense at times. Be careful what you allow into your games though if you are running your first game with the system. Don't feel bad about saying you aren't comfortable with the system yet and want to take it easy until you get used to the basics. There is a lot to wade through, and get adjusted to switching between the systems especially if you are incorporating all of the books that have come out. You may end up finding yourself staring at some of the material in the books thinking "Who wrote this?!" and thinking to yourself you would never let it into your game too. ;)
JaronK 02-19-08, 02:00 AM	It's a free action to let go of a weapon, and it's a free action to grab hold of a weapon that you're already holding. As such, he can let go of the sword as a free action, cast his spell, and grab it again. He can't do this on other people's turns though, for example to cast an immediate action spell. JaronK