Can you provide a somatic component with an arm wearing a buckler? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can you provide a somatic component with an arm wearing a buckler? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gaia
03-25-06, 05:32 PM The SRD says that: "You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component". While wearing a buckler, the hand is free, as the shield is strapped to your forearm. So, could you provide a somatic component with an arm wearing a buckler? Also, if you cast a spell, would you benefit from the buckler's AC bonus in that round?
jaelis
03-25-06, 05:35 PM You can use the hand to cast a spell. A buckler doesn't restrict use of your hand at all, though it does impose a -1 penalty on attacks and a 5% arcane spell failure chance.

Nothing in the rules says you would loose your AC bonus when you use the hand for casting. Casting a spell is not an attack, so you should be fine.
The_Blob
03-25-06, 05:41 PM I would allow the buckler bonus if you were casting defensively, since you are concentrating on avoiding attacks.
Gaia
03-25-06, 08:24 PM A buckler doesn't restrict use of your hand at all, though it does impose a -1 penalty on attacks and a 5% arcane spell failure chance.
But, would this 5% arcane spell falure be ignored by a character whose class (like the warmage) allow the use of light armor/shields without incuring the penalty?
jaelis
03-25-06, 08:26 PM Yes.
smrtgmp
03-26-06, 03:24 AM It should also be noted that a mithral buckler has no ASF or armor check penalty.
Roxlimn
03-26-06, 10:19 AM I think that mithral bucklers would still have ASF and armor check penalties. That would be 0% and +0 respectively, though.
King-bargh
03-26-06, 11:14 AM So how larger shield can a cleric use while casting? I ruled small since you can hold a lantern with it. Like: Move your weapon to your shield-hand, cast spell, move it back. Any who know a real rule?
jaelis
03-26-06, 12:06 PM You could use the shield hand to hold your holy symbol or other material component, but not for the somatic component itself. I think this is addressed in the FAQ.
smrtgmp
03-26-06, 04:32 PM I think that mithral bucklers would still have ASF and armor check penalties. That would be 0% and +0 respectively, though. :bored:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gaia 03-25-06, 05:32 PM	The SRD says that: "You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component". While wearing a buckler, the hand is free, as the shield is strapped to your forearm. So, could you provide a somatic component with an arm wearing a buckler? Also, if you cast a spell, would you benefit from the buckler's AC bonus in that round?
jaelis 03-25-06, 05:35 PM	You can use the hand to cast a spell. A buckler doesn't restrict use of your hand at all, though it does impose a -1 penalty on attacks and a 5% arcane spell failure chance. Nothing in the rules says you would loose your AC bonus when you use the hand for casting. Casting a spell is not an attack, so you should be fine.
The_Blob 03-25-06, 05:41 PM	I would allow the buckler bonus if you were casting defensively, since you are concentrating on avoiding attacks.
Gaia 03-25-06, 08:24 PM	A buckler doesn't restrict use of your hand at all, though it does impose a -1 penalty on attacks and a 5% arcane spell failure chance. But, would this 5% arcane spell falure be ignored by a character whose class (like the warmage) allow the use of light armor/shields without incuring the penalty?
jaelis 03-25-06, 08:26 PM	Yes.
smrtgmp 03-26-06, 03:24 AM	It should also be noted that a mithral buckler has no ASF or armor check penalty.
Roxlimn 03-26-06, 10:19 AM	I think that mithral bucklers would still have ASF and armor check penalties. That would be 0% and +0 respectively, though.
King-bargh 03-26-06, 11:14 AM	So how larger shield can a cleric use while casting? I ruled small since you can hold a lantern with it. Like: Move your weapon to your shield-hand, cast spell, move it back. Any who know a real rule?
jaelis 03-26-06, 12:06 PM	You could use the shield hand to hold your holy symbol or other material component, but not for the somatic component itself. I think this is addressed in the FAQ.
smrtgmp 03-26-06, 04:32 PM	I think that mithral bucklers would still have ASF and armor check penalties. That would be 0% and +0 respectively, though. :bored: