Spider climb and spellcasting [Archive] - Wizards Community

Spider climb and spellcasting [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Callum
02-05-08, 07:27 AM Can a creature climbing under the effect of a spider climb spell cast a spell with a somatic (or material) component? I assume not, since the former requires both hands to be free, and the latter requires one hand to be free. But is this true even if the creature is stationary (i.e. it needs both hands to hang on to the wall or ceiling at all times)?

Does this also extend to a warlock wanting to use an invocation while spiderwalking? The only difference here is that "the somatic components required for warlock invocations are relatively simple," and it seems that perhaps the warlock's limited number of invocations should work together.
Merestil Haye
02-05-08, 07:48 AM Can a creature climbing under the effect of a spider climb spell cast a spell with a somatic (or material) component? I assume not, since the former requires both hands to be free, and the latter requires one hand to be free. But is this true even if the creature is stationary (i.e. it needs both hands to hang on to the wall or ceiling at all times)?Yes, you can cast a spell with a somatic component while Spider Climbing. Somatic components require only one free hand, not two.

Depending on the material component, it should also be possible to cast the spell if it has a material component.

Does this also extend to a warlock wanting to use an invocation while spiderwalking? The only difference here is that "the somatic components required for warlock invocations are relatively simple," and it seems that perhaps the warlock's limited number of invocations should work together.Yes, it does.
darokinblade
02-05-08, 09:16 AM I do not agree.

From the SRD:
The subject can climb and travel on vertical surfaces or even traverse ceilings as well as a spider does. The affected creature must have its hands free to climb in this manner.

If both hands are needed to be free to use the climbing ability, how can they have a free hand to use semantic components?

Clearly this is rule knit-picking, and to be honest I think that this was put into place to keep it from being used by melee fighters, but the wording is pretty clear that you need both hands to be able to climb the walls (ala spiderman).
mvincent
02-05-08, 01:14 PM If both hands are needed to be free to use the climbing ability, how can they have a free hand to use semantic components?Don't cast a spell while moving (usually not a problem, aside from 5' steps).
Ferol, Debtor of Torm
02-05-08, 03:51 PM From the SRD on the use of the climb skill, "You need both hands free to climb, but you may cling to a wall with one hand while you cast a spell or take some other action that requires only one hand. While climbing, you can’t move to avoid a blow, so you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any). You also can’t use a shield while climbing".
mvincent
02-05-08, 04:00 PM From the SRD on the use of the climb skill, "You need both hands free to climb, but you may cling to a wall with one hand while you cast a spell or take some other action that requires only one hand. While climbing, you can’t move to avoid a blow, so you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any). You also can’t use a shield while climbing".Note that the middle sentence would not apply.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Callum 02-05-08, 07:27 AM	Can a creature climbing under the effect of a spider climb spell cast a spell with a somatic (or material) component? I assume not, since the former requires both hands to be free, and the latter requires one hand to be free. But is this true even if the creature is stationary (i.e. it needs both hands to hang on to the wall or ceiling at all times)? Does this also extend to a warlock wanting to use an invocation while spiderwalking? The only difference here is that "the somatic components required for warlock invocations are relatively simple," and it seems that perhaps the warlock's limited number of invocations should work together.
Merestil Haye 02-05-08, 07:48 AM	Can a creature climbing under the effect of a spider climb spell cast a spell with a somatic (or material) component? I assume not, since the former requires both hands to be free, and the latter requires one hand to be free. But is this true even if the creature is stationary (i.e. it needs both hands to hang on to the wall or ceiling at all times)?Yes, you can cast a spell with a somatic component while Spider Climbing. Somatic components require only one free hand, not two. Depending on the material component, it should also be possible to cast the spell if it has a material component. Does this also extend to a warlock wanting to use an invocation while spiderwalking? The only difference here is that "the somatic components required for warlock invocations are relatively simple," and it seems that perhaps the warlock's limited number of invocations should work together.Yes, it does.
darokinblade 02-05-08, 09:16 AM	I do not agree. From the SRD: The subject can climb and travel on vertical surfaces or even traverse ceilings as well as a spider does. The affected creature must have its hands free to climb in this manner. If both hands are needed to be free to use the climbing ability, how can they have a free hand to use semantic components? Clearly this is rule knit-picking, and to be honest I think that this was put into place to keep it from being used by melee fighters, but the wording is pretty clear that you need both hands to be able to climb the walls (ala spiderman).
mvincent 02-05-08, 01:14 PM	If both hands are needed to be free to use the climbing ability, how can they have a free hand to use semantic components?Don't cast a spell while moving (usually not a problem, aside from 5' steps).
Ferol, Debtor of Torm 02-05-08, 03:51 PM	From the SRD on the use of the climb skill, "You need both hands free to climb, but you may cling to a wall with one hand while you cast a spell or take some other action that requires only one hand. While climbing, you can’t move to avoid a blow, so you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any). You also can’t use a shield while climbing".
mvincent 02-05-08, 04:00 PM	From the SRD on the use of the climb skill, "You need both hands free to climb, but you may cling to a wall with one hand while you cast a spell or take some other action that requires only one hand. While climbing, you can’t move to avoid a blow, so you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any). You also can’t use a shield while climbing".Note that the middle sentence would not apply.