Cleric with a shield? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cleric with a shield? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bionisam
10-09-06, 12:03 PM I'm making a Cleric, I was wondering if clerics can use shields and still cast spells without taking still spell or anything. I looked on the SRD and I couldn't find anything about this.
Cthulhu3125
10-09-06, 12:26 PM This is in the FAQ.

If you want to cast spells with a somatic component, you need a free hand. Many clerics opt for a melee weapon in one hand and a buckler.
Licínio Miranda
10-09-06, 12:30 PM You need at least on free hand. So, you have the following options:

1) To equip a shield with one hand and the other cast a spell.

2) To equip a weapon on one hand and with the other cast a spell.

You can NOT:

1) cast a spell that has somatic component holding a weapon on one hand and in the other hand a shield.

You need at least ONE FREE HAND.

Good luck!
archerpwr
10-09-06, 12:33 PM but cant you take a free action to hold the one handed weapon in the shield arm then cast the spell then take another free action to put the melee weapon back in the weapon hand? there was a very similar question as to wizards casting while having a staff a while back.
sizbut
10-09-06, 01:03 PM Or just use a mace attached to your wrist by a leather strap. Bless you.
Board_Rider
10-09-06, 01:07 PM As a DM I actually play this one outside of the rules. Other DMs that I know do the same. Essentially we assume that the Cleric PC puts the mace (or whatever weapon) beneath his arm, dangling from a leather strap or even between his legs for that standard action.
Mr. Master
10-09-06, 03:02 PM As a DM,I've decided that clerics (as well as druids),can cast spells even if holding a shield and a weapon in the other hand,but only if he leaves his weapon.Since a cleric can easily buy the armour glove with safety catch (your weapon can't fall down and you can grab it,if you leave it,with a free action),the problem is solved.

By the way,what should be the %penalty to cast spells with this glove?I was thinking about a 5%,but I'm not sure (it's just a glove,not an armour).
CzarGarrett
10-10-06, 10:05 AM In some of my games, I've house rules that certain types of clerics can get past the 1 free hand issue, depending on what they are holding.

Example: Warrior Clerics who are using the favored weapon of their deity can consider their weapon the divine focus for their spells and do not need a free hand.
Board_Rider
10-10-06, 10:38 AM Example: Warrior Clerics who are using the favored weapon of their deity can consider their weapon the divine focus for their spells and do not need a free hand.
*Yoinked*
Magus Gar Kan
10-10-06, 11:22 AM If you are using any sheild out of the PHB you can cast a spell even if you have a weapon in your other hand. Provided that you are not holding anything in your shield hand. Confused?

All of the shields in the PHB are mounted to your arm by way of a strap and you do not need to grip the shield with your hand. The proof of this lies in the extreme shields that appear in Races of Stone, where the sheilds specifically state that you need to hold onto it with your hand and cannot cast if anything is in your primary hand.

The assumption is that you qickly pass the weapon off to your shield hand, cast your spell, and pass it back.
My Lego
10-10-06, 11:32 AM Well have a look a the different kinds of shields.

From the SRD:

Shield, Heavy, Wooden or Steel: You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A heavy shield is so heavy that you can’t use your shield hand for anything else.

Shield, Light, Wooden or Steel: You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A light shield’s weight lets you carry other items in that hand, although you cannot use weapons with it.

Buckler: This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

So use a buckler and everything is ok. :cool:
Magus Gar Kan
10-10-06, 11:34 AM Ack, should have read the SRD about the grip, but nonetheless you can still pass the weapon off and cast, then pass it back.
imperialparadox
10-10-06, 02:47 PM I always read it to mean that you can swap your weapon to your shield hand with a light shield, but you can't *use* that hand to attack with. Of course you can do this with a buckler and attack (at normal penalties).

However since the heavy shield requires you to grasp it with your hand, and says you cannot hold anything else in that hand, I dont think you can swap the weapon to that hand.

Since you need a free hand to make the somatic gestures of a spell, I would feel that the strap it to your wrist approach would not work. In my view the weapon would be cumbersome and foil your gestures.

Having it strapped to another part of your body sounds cumbersome as well, the strap would keep getting in your way as you attack with the weapon. At the best, if you allowed it to be strapped to your waist or somesuch, I would still rule that it took a move action that provokes an AoO to retrieve it, as this would still be more awkward then retirieving a weapon from a ready sling/sheath.
Magus Gar Kan
10-10-06, 02:55 PM Ah... after reading the FAQ I repeal most of my previous statements. A character can cast a spell with his shield hand if he is using a light shield or buckler.

Also there is a shield add-on in Races of stone that lets you use the hand that is holding the shield for other things. Its a gauntlet of some kind
Ashok_Lal
10-10-06, 11:14 PM QUOTE: Imperialparadox
Having it strapped to another part of your body sounds cumbersome as well, the strap would keep getting in your way as you attack with the weapon. At the best, if you allowed it to be strapped to your waist or somesuch, I would still rule that it took a move action that provokes an AoO to retrieve it, as this would still be more awkward then retirieving a weapon from a ready sling/sheath.

I would agree but if the charicter had quickdraw i would let it go.

it comes down to your interpritation of somatic components. are they subtle hand gestures or flailing hand & arm movements?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bionisam 10-09-06, 12:03 PM	I'm making a Cleric, I was wondering if clerics can use shields and still cast spells without taking still spell or anything. I looked on the SRD and I couldn't find anything about this.
Cthulhu3125 10-09-06, 12:26 PM	This is in the FAQ. If you want to cast spells with a somatic component, you need a free hand. Many clerics opt for a melee weapon in one hand and a buckler.
Licínio Miranda 10-09-06, 12:30 PM	You need at least on free hand. So, you have the following options: 1) To equip a shield with one hand and the other cast a spell. 2) To equip a weapon on one hand and with the other cast a spell. You can NOT: 1) cast a spell that has somatic component holding a weapon on one hand and in the other hand a shield. You need at least ONE FREE HAND. Good luck!
archerpwr 10-09-06, 12:33 PM	but cant you take a free action to hold the one handed weapon in the shield arm then cast the spell then take another free action to put the melee weapon back in the weapon hand? there was a very similar question as to wizards casting while having a staff a while back.
sizbut 10-09-06, 01:03 PM	Or just use a mace attached to your wrist by a leather strap. Bless you.
Board_Rider 10-09-06, 01:07 PM	As a DM I actually play this one outside of the rules. Other DMs that I know do the same. Essentially we assume that the Cleric PC puts the mace (or whatever weapon) beneath his arm, dangling from a leather strap or even between his legs for that standard action.
Mr. Master 10-09-06, 03:02 PM	As a DM,I've decided that clerics (as well as druids),can cast spells even if holding a shield and a weapon in the other hand,but only if he leaves his weapon.Since a cleric can easily buy the armour glove with safety catch (your weapon can't fall down and you can grab it,if you leave it,with a free action),the problem is solved. By the way,what should be the %penalty to cast spells with this glove?I was thinking about a 5%,but I'm not sure (it's just a glove,not an armour).
CzarGarrett 10-10-06, 10:05 AM	In some of my games, I've house rules that certain types of clerics can get past the 1 free hand issue, depending on what they are holding. Example: Warrior Clerics who are using the favored weapon of their deity can consider their weapon the divine focus for their spells and do not need a free hand.
Board_Rider 10-10-06, 10:38 AM	Example: Warrior Clerics who are using the favored weapon of their deity can consider their weapon the divine focus for their spells and do not need a free hand. Yoinked
Magus Gar Kan 10-10-06, 11:22 AM	If you are using any sheild out of the PHB you can cast a spell even if you have a weapon in your other hand. Provided that you are not holding anything in your shield hand. Confused? All of the shields in the PHB are mounted to your arm by way of a strap and you do not need to grip the shield with your hand. The proof of this lies in the extreme shields that appear in Races of Stone, where the sheilds specifically state that you need to hold onto it with your hand and cannot cast if anything is in your primary hand. The assumption is that you qickly pass the weapon off to your shield hand, cast your spell, and pass it back.
My Lego 10-10-06, 11:32 AM	Well have a look a the different kinds of shields. From the SRD: Shield, Heavy, Wooden or Steel: You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A heavy shield is so heavy that you can’t use your shield hand for anything else. Shield, Light, Wooden or Steel: You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A light shield’s weight lets you carry other items in that hand, although you cannot use weapons with it. Buckler: This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round. So use a buckler and everything is ok. :cool:
Magus Gar Kan 10-10-06, 11:34 AM	Ack, should have read the SRD about the grip, but nonetheless you can still pass the weapon off and cast, then pass it back.
imperialparadox 10-10-06, 02:47 PM	I always read it to mean that you can swap your weapon to your shield hand with a light shield, but you can't use that hand to attack with. Of course you can do this with a buckler and attack (at normal penalties). However since the heavy shield requires you to grasp it with your hand, and says you cannot hold anything else in that hand, I dont think you can swap the weapon to that hand. Since you need a free hand to make the somatic gestures of a spell, I would feel that the strap it to your wrist approach would not work. In my view the weapon would be cumbersome and foil your gestures. Having it strapped to another part of your body sounds cumbersome as well, the strap would keep getting in your way as you attack with the weapon. At the best, if you allowed it to be strapped to your waist or somesuch, I would still rule that it took a move action that provokes an AoO to retrieve it, as this would still be more awkward then retirieving a weapon from a ready sling/sheath.
Magus Gar Kan 10-10-06, 02:55 PM	Ah... after reading the FAQ I repeal most of my previous statements. A character can cast a spell with his shield hand if he is using a light shield or buckler. Also there is a shield add-on in Races of stone that lets you use the hand that is holding the shield for other things. Its a gauntlet of some kind
Ashok_Lal 10-10-06, 11:14 PM	QUOTE: Imperialparadox Having it strapped to another part of your body sounds cumbersome as well, the strap would keep getting in your way as you attack with the weapon. At the best, if you allowed it to be strapped to your waist or somesuch, I would still rule that it took a move action that provokes an AoO to retrieve it, as this would still be more awkward then retirieving a weapon from a ready sling/sheath. I would agree but if the charicter had quickdraw i would let it go. it comes down to your interpritation of somatic components. are they subtle hand gestures or flailing hand & arm movements?