Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Clearly_Toughpick 09-25-07, 12:30 PM	Many adventurers, especially spellcasters, could do with four to six hands (bear in mind that I'm using core rules only). Consider Jozan, a fifth level cleric. He begins an encounter holding a torch in his right hand (he's human so he needs it to light his way round the dungeon) and a heavy steel shield +1 on his left arm (like the sample NPC cleric in the DMG). He sees a foe up ahead and wants to cast Bless on the party; there is no surprise round. The spell has verbal, somatic and divine focus components, so he needs one hand free to hold his holy symbol (divine focus), and the other hand free to make the movements of the somatic component. But he's got his hands full (if you are using a heavy shield, you cannot do anything else with your hand). So he drops his torch in an adjacent square (a free action) and moves towards the foe with the rest of the party. While doing so, he looses and drops his shield as free action; he can do this because his BAB is at least +1, which allows him to loose a shield as a free action, so long as it is done as part of a move action. He drops his shield rather than stowing it, because the latter would be a move action that he can't afford to take. His hands are now free to cast the spell (a standard action). But once he'd finished, he is without shield or weapon. He can arm himself easily enough with another free action as part of a move action (again, because his BAB is at least +1), but the loss of the shield could be a problem. Likewise, a bard might need to empty her hands to cast a spell with a material component and a somatic component. All of this depends on: 1. you need to hold a focus or material component in your hand to use it 2. you need to make the movements of a somatic component with a different hand How often have you come across this issue, or do you just skate over it? It certainly adds value to the eschew material components feat!
heffroncm 09-25-07, 12:43 PM	It's assumed that you can us a material component / focus and a somatic component in the same hand. You don't need to hold the guano in your left hand while make motions with your right, you can do both with your left. You can also free up "hand space" as a Cleric quite easily. For 50gp, you can make your Shield or your Armor into a fully functional holy symbol, so manipulating your Divine Focus becomes a matter of using your shield or wearing your armor. This option is from Dungeonscape. As a 5th level anything, it would be smart to have a Continual Flamed handless torch. This is best done with a Dull Gray Ioun Stone that you have cast or payed to have cast Continual Flame upon. So, we've eliminated the Divine Focus and the Torch from the equation. We're left with needing to draw and stow the weapon when we want to cast spells with Somatic components. My groups have never found it difficult to have enough hands free for proper casting.
McPoyo 09-25-07, 01:09 PM	You can hold something in the same hand with a light shield, but not wield another weapon in it. See the "Shield, Light, Wooden or Steel" entry in the PHB, page 125. Heavy shields, however, due to their weight, do not allow your hand to do anything else, other than wield the shield (Same page, entry for "Shield, Heavy, Wooden or Steel"). You cannot drop a worn shield as a free action, unless you first spend a move equivalent action to release it first (PHB, page 142, bottom right. It carries over into page 143). However, you can drop a carried, but not worn shield, as a free action. (Note the difference in terms used in the PHB. Worn means it is strapped to your arm, and you gain it's AC benefit. Carried means it is in hand, but you do not gain it's AC benefits.) You can combine strapping or unstrapping a shield with any other move equivalent action if you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, just like a weapon. Whether you allow Quick Draw to function identically in regards to this usage is your prerogative, afaik, since there is no rules listing for this application of Quick Draw. Solution (If light shield): Transfer torch to shield hand as a free action, take hold of Holy Symbol, trace the somatic component of the spell with same hand. After you are finished, release the holy symbol so it drops back to his chest due to the chain he's wearing it on. Draw weapon with now free hand as you rush the enemy with your party members, while both wielding your shield, and holding the torch at the same time with your +1 Mace of Smitey Goodness. End result: one round spent, bless has been cast, cleric has moved forwards one movement closer. If it's a heavy shield, then yes, it functions about the same as your initial example. Then again, you could also spend the 500gp to have your heavy shield anointed as your holy symbol, in which case you negate everything but having to find someplace for the torch while you gesture with your other hand.
Some_call_me_Tim 09-25-07, 01:13 PM	Consider Jozan, a fifth level cleric. He begins an encounter holding a torch in his right hand (he's human so he needs it to light his way round the dungeon) and a heavy steel shield +1 on his left arm (like the sample NPC cleric in the DMG). He sees a foe up ahead and wants to cast Bless on the party; there is no surprise round. The spell has verbal, somatic and divine focus components, so he needs one hand free to hold his holy symbol (divine focus), and one hand free to make the movements of the somatic component. The rules do not say that you need to have a free hand to use your holy symbol. You merely need to "possess" one. So he drops his torch in an adjacent square (free action) and with the rest of the party moves towards the foe. While doing so, he drops his shield as free action, because stowing it would be a move action (you cannot do anything else with your hand if you are using a heavy shield, but it is a free action to drop it if this is part of a move action when your BAB is at least +1).One distinct advantage of using a light shield is that your hand is free to hold something. His hands are now free to cast the spell (a standard action). But once he'd finished, he is without shield or weapon. He can arm himself easily enough with another free action as part of a move action, but the loss of the shield could be a problem.There is no reason to drop the shield as he only needs one hand free. Technically, this doesn't leave him weaponless either as 'shield bash' is a weapon. Likewise, a bard might need to empty her hands to cast a spell with a material component and a somatic component.Again the rules state that you must "possess" the material components, there is no stipulation that they must be held in a separate hand during casting. All of this depends on: 1. you need to hold a focus or material component in your hand to use it 2. you need to make the movements of a somatic component with a different handNeither of those requirements are in the rules. They are often assumed to be. How often have you come across this issue, or do you just skate over it? It certainly adds value to the eschew material components feat!I just allow the the proper somatic gestures to be made while holding the material components or make the gesture with the material components or allowing a holy symbol being worn prominently to qualify as possessing the proper components. The rules are pretty lax on the components even giving the advice: "Usually you don’t worry about components, but when you can’t use a component for some reason or when a material or focus component is expensive, then the components are important." When my cleric casts he transfers his weapon to his shield hand, wears his divine focus, and gestures with his other hand. No problem. I purposefully use a spiked light shield, so he still threatens.
McPoyo 09-25-07, 01:18 PM	Could also take the "Somatic Weaponry" feat, Complete Mage, page 47. Allows you to utilize a hand holding a weapon or comparably sized object to trace the somatic component of a spell using that item instead of requiring the free hand.
heffroncm 09-25-07, 01:20 PM	Sanctifying a shield costs you 50gp, allowing it to be a holy symbol. I'd also like to point out that, while Material Components and arcane Focus components need to be manipulated, nowhere does it say that a Divine Focus needs to be in hand to cast a spell. In the description of Sanctified armor or shield in Dungeonscape, it is specifically ponted out that you don't need to hold or manipulate your holy symbol. **edit** Tim said it first.
Clearly_Toughpick 09-26-07, 10:09 AM	It's assumed that you can us a material component / focus and a somatic component in the same hand. You don't need to hold the guano in your left hand while make motions with your right, you can do both with your left. You can also free up "hand space" as a Cleric quite easily. For 50gp, you can make your Shield or your Armor into a fully functional holy symbol, so manipulating your Divine Focus becomes a matter of using your shield or wearing your armor. This option is from Dungeonscape. As a 5th level anything, it would be smart to have a Continual Flamed handless torch. This is best done with a Dull Gray Ioun Stone that you have cast or payed to have cast Continual Flame upon. So, we've eliminated the Divine Focus and the Torch from the equation. We're left with needing to draw and stow the weapon when we want to cast spells with Somatic components. My groups have never found it difficult to have enough hands free for proper casting. I pretty much agree with everything you say. However, I'm still not happy with the same hand being used to supply both the somatic and material/ focus components. It just doesn't sit well with me in terms of flavour. And forcing spellcasters to use two hands to cast many spells will certainly help defend them against accusations of being overpowered. Can anyone tell me what the designers' intent was here? I should have said that my post was seeking interpretation using core rules only - I'll amend my OP - so Sanctified Armour/ Shield and Somatic Weaponry don't count. Also, where is the dull grey Ioun stone from?
Clearly_Toughpick 09-26-07, 10:38 AM	The rules do not say that you need to have a free hand to use your holy symbol. You merely need to "possess" one. It hardly jumps out at you, but there are two passages in the rules that support my interpretation... If You’re Grappling Cast a Spell You can attempt to cast a spell while grappling or even while pinned [...], provided its casting time is no more than 1 standard action, it has no somatic component, and you have in hand any material components or focuses you might need. [my emphasis] Cast a Spell Spell Components To cast a spell with a material (M), focus (F), or divine focus (DF) component, you have to have the proper materials, as described by the spell. Unless these materials are elaborate preparing these materials is a free action. [my emphasis] That the rules say you can prepare these materials as a free action suggests that you have to manipulate them in same way. One distinct advantage of using a light shield is that your hand is free to hold something. Agreed. I think this argues against any spellcaster ever taking a heavy shield (at least if you stick to core rules). There is no reason to drop the shield as he only needs one hand free. Technically, this doesn't leave him weaponless either as 'shield bash' is a weapon. Technically it's true that he's not weaponless, but I'm not sure that it's very practical in-game: for a start, a cleric/ other spellcaster would need to be proficient in martial weapons to be able to use a shield bash effectively (a shield bash is a martial weapon).
heffroncm 09-26-07, 10:40 AM	I pretty much agree with everything you say. However, I'm still not happy with the same hand being used to supply both the somatic and material/ focus components. It just doesn't sit well with me in terms of flavour. And forcing spellcasters to use two hands to cast many spells will certainly help defend them against accusations of being overpowered. Can anyone tell me what the designers' intent was here? I should have said that my post was seeking interpretation using core rules only - I'll amend my OP - so Sanctified Armour/ Shield and Somatic Weaponry don't count. Also, where is the dull grey Ioun stone from? Dull grey Ioun stone is from the DMG. It's 25gp, and the only effect it has is to orbit the character's head. Throw Continual Flame on there and you have a great hands-free Torch. Or just put it on your Holy Symbol. According to the RAW, you don't need to touch your Divine Focus to cast a spell, so that frees that up for you. The section on material components only talks about Material Components and Focus Components. The portion you pointed out says you need to prepare the components. You prepare each component differently. Material components are used in a way that consume them. Focus components are used in a way to channel the spell. Divine Focus components are used in a way to channel the god's power. You need a free hand for a Focus component, not for a Divine Focus component. With the interpretation you are using, how do you use Metamagic Rods? To use a Metamagic Rod of, say, Empower, you have to hold it while casting the spell. So, to Empower a Fireball with a Metamagic Rod, something that seems obviously intended by the Rods, would recquire one hand to rub bat guano between your fingers, one hand to make some arcane gestures in the air, and one hand to hold the Rod and channel it's power. You can rule that you don't need to actually hold the rod to use it, which opens up the idea of using an Empower, Maximize, and Quicken rod on the same spell. You can rule that you can make the Somatic gestures with the Rod, which opens up the question of why you can't do the same with the material component. Honestly, it seems like the flavor is pretty much the same using the material and somatic component in one hand. Let's take Fireball for example. You take a tiny ball of bat guano and sulfur into one hand, trace some quick runes in the are with the same hand, then point to your target with that hand. The ball of guano and sulfur glows fiery red and streaks off to your target. Alternatively, you hold the ball of guano and sulfur in one hand while doing the tracery and pointing with the other. Comes out looking about the same. Maybe it helps your envisioning of it if we remember that this entire process, the grabbing of the material component, the somatic gestures, the chant, and the spell effect, all happen in the course of a couple seconds. A round is only 6 seconds long, so a single standard action (a bit more than half a turn) can't take up more than 3 or 4 seconds.
Clearly_Toughpick 09-26-07, 10:58 AM	I'd like to concentrate on the options for how you use your hands in casting spells with somatic and focus (or material) components: Option 1 - you need two hands free to cast a spell: one hand to provide the somatic component and a different hand to wield the focus. Option 2 - you can use just one hand to provide both types of component, leaving your other hand free. I prefer the former, which is more onerous for spellcasters. I think it's true to say that other posters prefer the latter (or maybe even think it a non-issue). Any other views? And any views on whether the option 1 helps to balance spellcasting classes against the others, which are often seen as underpowered? And any views/ insights on the original intentions of the designers? PS this is not me trying to bump. Honest!
Clearly_Toughpick 09-26-07, 11:16 AM	Thanks for your full and considered reply heffron (can I call you that?). Dull grey Ioun stone is from the DMG. Yes, my mistake. You've brought it all back to me now. According to the RAW, you don't need to touch your Divine Focus to cast a spell, so that frees that up for you. The section on material components only talks about Material Components and Focus Components. The portion you pointed out says you need to prepare the components. You prepare each component differently. Material components are used in a way that consume them. Focus components are used in a way to channel the spell. Divine Focus components are used in a way to channel the god's power. You need a free hand for a Focus component, not for a Divine Focus component. I can see where you're coming from, but I think we might have to agree to differ on this one. I still read the rules (and I'll admit I have to read 'em hard) to say that you have to have your divine focus in hand. I know we should never trust to art, but there's even a picture of a cleric - quite likely Jozan - holding up his holy symbol in one of the core rule books, just as I imagine divine spell casting to be. And according to the RAW, you do have to prepare your divine focus. If that doesn't mean holding it in your hand, what does it mean? With the interpretation you are using, how do you use Metamagic Rods? To use a Metamagic Rod of, say, Empower, you have to hold it while casting the spell. So, to Empower a Fireball with a Metamagic Rod, something that seems obviously intended by the Rods, would recquire one hand to rub bat guano between your fingers, one hand to make some arcane gestures in the air, and one hand to hold the Rod and channel it's power. You can rule that you don't need to actually hold the rod to use it, which opens up the idea of using an Empower, Maximize, and Quicken rod on the same spell. You can rule that you can make the Somatic gestures with the Rod, which opens up the question of why you can't do the same with the material component. I hadn't thought of the rods angle. I would rule per your last suggestion: that you use the rod to make the somatic gestures. This at least has a precedent in the Somatic Weaponry feat.
heffroncm 09-26-07, 11:42 AM	I'd like to point out that you're two-handed spell casting also makes some spells impossible to cast. For example, Melf's Acid Arrow recquires a Focus, Material Component, and Somatic Component. Bigby's Crushing Hand, Protection from Spells, and Rainbow Pattern have the same problem.
Some_call_me_Tim 09-26-07, 11:56 AM	I know we should never trust to art, but there's even a picture of a cleric - quite likely Jozan - holding up his holy symbol in one of the core rule books, just as I imagine divine spell casting to be.I'm not familiar with that particular piece, but when a cleric turns there is the requirement to "present your holy symbol to turn undead." And according to the RAW, you do have to prepare your divine focus. If that doesn't mean holding it in your hand, what does it mean?Anoint it with oil, touch it, adjust it just so, making sure it is visible or any of a hundred-thousand other things, that may or may not require a free hand.
Clearly_Toughpick 09-27-07, 06:34 AM	I'd like to point out that you're two-handed spell casting also makes some spells impossible to cast. For example, Melf's Acid Arrow recquires a Focus, Material Component, and Somatic Component. Bigby's Crushing Hand, Protection from Spells, and Rainbow Pattern have the same problem. Some of these spells do indeed make life a little more complicated for my suggestion! But not impossible, I'd say... Melf's Acid Arrow: hold the material component (powdered rhubarb leaf and an adder’s stomach) in one hand; use the other hand to hold the focus (a dart), gesticulating with it to provide the somatic component, and pointing at the target with it once the spell is complete. Bigby's Crushing Hand: for clerics, this has only verbal, somatic and divine focus components; for arcane casters, replace the divine focus with a material component (the shell of an egg) and an arcane focus (a glove of snakeskin). Solution: wear the glove on the hand providing the somatic component. Protection from Spells: not too difficult as the targets must each carry a focus (1,000 gp diamond), leaving the caster to use one hand to sprinkle the material component (crushed 500 gp diamond) over the targets, and the other hand to make the gestures of the somatic component. Rainbow Pattern: this one's a little unclear to me, as it is treated differently depending on whether it is used as a bard spell or as a sorcerer/ wizard spell. My reading is that the bard needs only to provide the verbal component through his performance (which can be singing, playing music or reciting a rhyme), as he couldn't provide a somatic component, or hold a focus or material component, if he plays his instrument two-handed. That leaves the sorcerer/ wizard version; again, I would allow the caster to gesture with the prism and on completion of the spell, the rainbow pattern instantaneously springs from the prism to land at the area of effect.
Clearly_Toughpick 09-27-07, 06:41 AM	I'm not familiar with that particular piece, but when a cleric turns there is the requirement to "present your holy symbol to turn undead." Yes, I thought it might depict turning too. But that didn't suit my argument! I hold my hands up to being disingenuous there. Anoint it with oil, touch it, adjust it just so, making sure it is visible or any of a hundred-thousand other things, that may or may not require a free hand. But all those things need you to use your hands don't they. Or can you do them before you cast the spell (you'd have a job to persuade me of this)?
Some_call_me_Tim 09-27-07, 11:48 AM	But all those things need you to use your hands don't they. Or can you do them before you cast the spell (you'd have a job to persuade me of this)?While I don't want to continue too far down this line of reasoning, as I don't think you have to do anything other than possess a divine focus to cast (PHB 174); however, a simple rebuttal is the dictionary definition of prepare: 1 a : to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity "prepare." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2007. http://www.merriam-webster.com (27 Sept. 2007). [empahsis added] or if you are gonna give a hard time about using an American English dictionary, how about the OED: a. To bring into a suitable condition for some future action or purpose; to make ready in advance; to fit out, equip. "prepare, v." The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. 1989. OED Online. Oxford University Press. 4 Apr. 2000 <http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50187522>. [empahsis added]
heffroncm 09-27-07, 06:38 PM	The point I was bringing up, Clearly_Toughpick, is one of consistency. You can either rule that you normally have to have a completely empty hand for a Somatic Component, except if you are using a Metamagic Rod, Runestaff, any of the other focus-type spell items, casting Bigby's Crushing Hand, Melf's Acid Arrow, Raindbow Pattern, and the myriad longer casting time or non-core spells that have both Material and Focus components. Alternatively, you can rule that you can use a Material or Focus component in the same hand as a Somatic component normally, and all of these exceptions and individual situations disappear. It's smart design to set up the rules with the least exceptions needed.
Sildatorak 09-27-07, 09:01 PM	Dull grey Ioun stone is from the DMG. It's 25gp, and the only effect it has is to orbit the character's head. Did this make the cut to 3.5? The only reference I'm seeing on the charts to the dull gray ioun stones is where it says that the spell absorbing ones eventually burn out.
heffroncm 09-28-07, 12:04 AM	Did this make the cut to 3.5? The only reference I'm seeing on the charts to the dull gray ioun stones is where it says that the spell absorbing ones eventually burn out. Guess they didn't. It was flavor anyway. Hit your guantlet, or your armor, or your shield, or your cloak, or your holy symbol with continual flame. All look cool, and give you an effectively hands-free perma-torch for very low cost.
hovnarr 09-28-07, 06:03 AM	Interesting topic. This is why I advocate two-handed weapons for clerics, since they always have a hand free to cast spells with if they go that route. At higher levels, an animated shield is well worth the investment. Also a reason I like psions all the more. Slap darkwood shields and light armor - hell, even a weapon on them, even if it's just for show. They can still manifest just fine, and they'll look like rogues.
Jhulae 09-28-07, 09:00 PM	I pretty much agree with everything you say. However, I'm still not happy with the same hand being used to supply both the somatic and material/ focus components. It just doesn't sit well with me in terms of flavour. And forcing spellcasters to use two hands to cast many spells will certainly help defend them against accusations of being overpowered. Can anyone tell me what the designers' intent was here? The designer's intent was that spellcasters need to have only one hand free as has been shown in the rules, and via the FAQ.
heffroncm 09-28-07, 11:36 PM	Interesting topic. This is why I advocate two-handed weapons for clerics, since they always have a hand free to cast spells with if they go that route. At higher levels, an animated shield is well worth the investment. Also a reason I like psions all the more. Slap darkwood shields and light armor - hell, even a weapon on them, even if it's just for show. They can still manifest just fine, and they'll look like rogues. Another wonderful thing about being a cleric past level 10: Magic Weapon and Magic Vestement. Why buy anything higher than a +1 ever? The designer's intent was that spellcasters need to have only one hand free as has been shown in the rules, and via the FAQ. Yeah, RAW is definitely 1 hand does everything. We're debating house rules now.
psipup 09-29-07, 12:11 AM	Spellcasting and free hands makes for some interesting questions in a number of individual issues as well, I find. I also am of the opinion that it seems clear only one hand is needed to cast, and so it baffles me that the Duskblade gets an ability which permits the use of heavy shields without arcane spell failure. A heavy shield prevents the use of that limb's hand for anything else, and presumably a duskblade would want to wield a weapon in their other hand. So... where does that leave them for casting spells to power their channeling ability, quick cast, etc? Obviously, they don't HAVE to make use of a heavy shield just because they get the ability, but still.. And to take things further, into the realm of the unclear: What of two-handed weapons? Last I had heard, there was still some debate on if one was allowed to take a single hand off long enogh to cast a spell, or if just having the particular two-handed weapon ready meant both hands were occupied...
hovnarr 09-29-07, 09:47 AM	And to take things further, into the realm of the unclear: What of two-handed weapons? Last I had heard, there was still some debate on if one was allowed to take a single hand off long enogh to cast a spell, or if just having the particular two-handed weapon ready meant both hands were occupied... You're essentially "dropping" the weapon (a free action) with only one hand before you begin casting the spell. At that point however, you're not "effectively wielding" the weapon, so you don't threaten any squares with it. The shady part is how long time it takes to get the spell casting hand back on the weapon to make it ready for use again. Since you can draw a sheathed weapon as part of a move (i.e. it is in itself less than a move action), and placing your hand on an already drawn weapon must be quicker, it's most likely either a swift action or a free action.
Khadmus 09-30-07, 05:41 PM	Some of these spells do indeed make life a little more complicated for my suggestion! But not impossible, I'd say... Melf's Acid Arrow: hold the material component (powdered rhubarb leaf and an adder’s stomach) in one hand; use the other hand to hold the focus (a dart), gesticulating with it to provide the somatic component, and pointing at the target with it once the spell is complete. Bigby's Crushing Hand: for clerics, this has only verbal, somatic and divine focus components; for arcane casters, replace the divine focus with a material component (the shell of an egg) and an arcane focus (a glove of snakeskin). Solution: wear the glove on the hand providing the somatic component. Protection from Spells: not too difficult as the targets must each carry a focus (1,000 gp diamond), leaving the caster to use one hand to sprinkle the material component (crushed 500 gp diamond) over the targets, and the other hand to make the gestures of the somatic component. Rainbow Pattern: this one's a little unclear to me, as it is treated differently depending on whether it is used as a bard spell or as a sorcerer/ wizard spell. My reading is that the bard needs only to provide the verbal component through his performance (which can be singing, playing music or reciting a rhyme), as he couldn't provide a somatic component, or hold a focus or material component, if he plays his instrument two-handed. That leaves the sorcerer/ wizard version; again, I would allow the caster to gesture with the prism and on completion of the spell, the rainbow pattern instantaneously springs from the prism to land at the area of effect. How are you making a somatic gesture with a hand that's holding a focus component? It was my impression that you opposed somatic & focus in the same hand,
Clearly_Toughpick 10-01-07, 04:16 AM	How are you making a somatic gesture with a hand that's holding a focus component? It was my impression that you opposed somatic & focus in the same hand, OK everyone. I concede: according to RAW, you can use a single hand to provide more than one component. As I've said in previous posts, for flavour I still like the idea of getting spellcasters to use two hands to cast spells that have at least a (a) somatic component, and (b) material or (divine) focus component. And it marginally reduces the power of these classes compared to the others, which I think is a good thing. But that is a matter for house rules and a different forum.
heffroncm 10-01-07, 08:09 PM	OK everyone. I concede: according to RAW, you can use a single hand to provide more than one component. As I've said in previous posts, for flavour I still like the idea of getting spellcasters to use two hands to cast spells that have at least a (a) somatic component, and (b) material or (divine) focus component. And it marginally reduces the power of these classes compared to the others, which I think is a good thing. But that is a matter for house rules and a different forum. It's a fun flavor idea, but the actual game effect is minimal. Every optimizer at these levels uses an Animated shield, either to have a hand free for spellcasting or to have both hands free for weaponry (either Two Weapon or Two Handed). At the absolute worst, they end up investing 20,000gp into two Gloves of Storing.
angelus_obscura 10-08-07, 11:26 PM	The designer's intent was that spellcasters need to have only one hand free as has been shown in the rules, and via the FAQ. So, a one-armed spellcaster still be able to cast spells, right? My cleric (level 8) recently lost his left arm to a chuul. He has 3 holy symbols on him, one of which was forged into his bastard sword. If I am to wield my sword AND cast spells, I would need to take Somatic Weaponry, yes? (Of course, a regenerate spell could take care of my problem, but in the off chance that I will be without an arm for awhile.)
Jhulae 10-09-07, 02:59 AM	So, a one-armed spellcaster still be able to cast spells, right? My cleric (level 8) recently lost his left arm to a chuul. He has 3 holy symbols on him, one of which was forged into his bastard sword. If I am to wield my sword AND cast spells, I would need to take Somatic Weaponry, yes? (Of course, a regenerate spell could take care of my problem, but in the off chance that I will be without an arm for awhile.) Yes, that'd be it. You can cast a spell (even if you only have one hand) while holding your component/focus and not holding your weapon (even though your weapon has the 'built in holy symbol'), or you can cast a spell while holding your holy symbol weapon with Somatic Weaponry.