casting while wielding two-handed weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

casting while wielding two-handed weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
fatal error
08-18-04, 07:10 PM Now, lets say I have a fighter/wizard wielding a greatsword. If I want to cast a spell with a somatic component, what must I do? A) I can't because i'm wielding a two-handed sword. B) I can by simply holding my sword in one hand, unredied but using only one hand, takes a move action. C) see B except it is a free action to change to wielding one handed. D) something else.

Also, if B or C what kind of action is it to change back to wielding two-handed?
Heron_Marked_Blade
08-18-04, 07:17 PM You can cast a spell when using a two-handed weapon, but you can't cast a spell AND attack in the same round. Casting a spell is a standard action, and making an attack takes a standard action.

Example:

Round 1: Attack with weapon (can't cast spell this round)
Round 2: Cast spell with standard action (weapon is unready: can't attack, can't make Attacks of Opportunity)
Round 3: Can attack again, but if you attack you can't cast a spell.
TheMightyMcClaw
08-18-04, 08:45 PM I imagine you can cast a spell while holding a two-handed weapon.... otherwise all those wizards with quarterstaves are in a heap of trouble.
Sancus
08-18-04, 08:57 PM yep, you only need one hand free to perform somatic components, so you simply hold it in one hand while casting with the other.
Bloodtide_the_Red
08-18-04, 09:36 PM B

To ready a weapon would be a move action(the Ph does not say this, but does say to draw a weapon or ready a sheild is a move action).

However, you can ready(draw) a weapon as part of a regular move, if your Bab is +1 or higher.

So if you have your two handed weapon, it's a move action to unready the weapon and hold it with one hand, but the reverse, grabbing the weapon and making a strike can be done as 'part' of your attack.

BT
Edymnion
08-18-04, 09:53 PM Or you can use Still Spell.
Nom
08-18-04, 09:55 PM The usual way I rule it is that it is a free action to change your grip to a 1 handed grip (ie you're now "carrying" the quarterstaff / spear / ...) and then you can cast the spell. However, if you don't have a move action left during which you can return to a fighting grip you don't threaten until your next turn.

Edit: I consider returning to a fighting grip a free action, but don't allow characters to tack it on to the end of their turn.
Count Arioch the 28th
08-19-04, 11:50 AM I just let them cast the spell and not worry about it, because you cn hold a 2 hand weapon in one hand, and I think it's a bit nit-picky to say that you actually have to spend an action to do so.
Sacrusha
08-19-04, 12:07 PM Same here. Can't think of any way how quickdraw can be faster than putting a hand on a weapon you're already holding in your other hand.
Shadowfax7
08-19-04, 12:52 PM I say C, as sheating a weapon (requiring a Move action) is not the same as taking a hand off the 2h sword's handle.

That should be a free action.
tarkin
08-19-04, 01:00 PM You are allowed to hold a two-handed weapon in one hand, you just can't attack like that.

It is a free action to switch your grip from one handed to two-handed and vice-versa.
Phrennzy
08-19-04, 03:58 PM If you are using only one hand to hold the weapon, does that mean you cannot make attacks of opportunity on the rounds you wish to cast?
spike81101
08-19-04, 04:39 PM Originally posted by Phrennzy
If you are using only one hand to hold the weapon, does that mean you cannot make attacks of opportunity on the rounds you wish to cast? Can grab your weapon again as a free action as soon as you are done casting your spell.
Phrennzy
08-19-04, 09:04 PM What about AoO before your turn?
Hypersmurf
08-19-04, 10:22 PM Originally posted by Phrennzy
What about AoO before your turn?

Before your turn, you're holding it with two hands.

On your turn, you let go with one hand (free action), cast your spell (standard action), then grab the sword with both hands again (free action).

Both before your turn and after your turn, you threaten. It's only while casting the spell that you don't.

If you're casting a spell with a one-round casting time, you don't threaten for the rest of the round... but you wouldn't even if you were holding a dagger, because the rules for casting a spell state that you don't threaten while casting.

-Hyp.
Nom
08-19-04, 10:50 PM Originally posted by spike81101
Can grab your weapon again as a free action as soon as you are done casting your spell.This one is up to the DM, as the DM is adjudicator of what is "reasonable" with respect to free actions.

In my case, I do not allow a free action taken at the end of the turn to count for the purposes of threatening. Explicit examples:

Cast spell, then use move action to move and put sword back in hand while doing so. - OK
Cast spell, then use move action (no AoO) to put sword back in hand - OK
Cast spell, then use free action to put sword back in hand - not OK
With 2 attacks, use full attack action to quickdraw and throw 2 spears and then wield a third spear - not OK
With 2 attacks, use full attack action to throw 1 spear and then wield (and possibly melee attack) with second spear - OK
In short, the way I rule it is that if the weapon wasn't there during your "real" actions, then you don't threaten with it. If it was, then you do.

Other DMs may rule differently.
Hypersmurf
08-19-04, 11:07 PM Originally posted by Nom
This one is up to the DM, as the DM is adjudicator of what is "reasonable" with respect to free actions.

Well, yes, but that's as to whether the free action can be taken at all.

The DM might decide that it's unreasonable to allow someone to quickdraw the third spear... but if they allow the action to be taken, then the character is wielding a melee weapon and therefore threatens.

(In the absence of a house rule, which you've already said you do employ.)

-Hyp.
Nom
08-20-04, 01:27 AM Originally posted by Hypersmurf
The DM might decide that it's unreasonable to allow someone to quickdraw the third spear... but if they allow the action to be taken, then the character is wielding a melee weapon and therefore threatens.I tend to play a little loose with holding vs wielding. This is one situation where if a player pushed me I'd let them hold the item, but wouldn't let them wield it (and thus can't make melee attacks and thus don't threaten). They can wield it as a free action on the start of their next turn.

Of course, it's never actually come up in play, but it's how I'd justify the ruling.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fatal error 08-18-04, 07:10 PM	Now, lets say I have a fighter/wizard wielding a greatsword. If I want to cast a spell with a somatic component, what must I do? A) I can't because i'm wielding a two-handed sword. B) I can by simply holding my sword in one hand, unredied but using only one hand, takes a move action. C) see B except it is a free action to change to wielding one handed. D) something else. Also, if B or C what kind of action is it to change back to wielding two-handed?
Heron_Marked_Blade 08-18-04, 07:17 PM	You can cast a spell when using a two-handed weapon, but you can't cast a spell AND attack in the same round. Casting a spell is a standard action, and making an attack takes a standard action. Example: Round 1: Attack with weapon (can't cast spell this round) Round 2: Cast spell with standard action (weapon is unready: can't attack, can't make Attacks of Opportunity) Round 3: Can attack again, but if you attack you can't cast a spell.
TheMightyMcClaw 08-18-04, 08:45 PM	I imagine you can cast a spell while holding a two-handed weapon.... otherwise all those wizards with quarterstaves are in a heap of trouble.
Sancus 08-18-04, 08:57 PM	yep, you only need one hand free to perform somatic components, so you simply hold it in one hand while casting with the other.
Bloodtide_the_Red 08-18-04, 09:36 PM	B To ready a weapon would be a move action(the Ph does not say this, but does say to draw a weapon or ready a sheild is a move action). However, you can ready(draw) a weapon as part of a regular move, if your Bab is +1 or higher. So if you have your two handed weapon, it's a move action to unready the weapon and hold it with one hand, but the reverse, grabbing the weapon and making a strike can be done as 'part' of your attack. BT
Edymnion 08-18-04, 09:53 PM	Or you can use Still Spell.
Nom 08-18-04, 09:55 PM	The usual way I rule it is that it is a free action to change your grip to a 1 handed grip (ie you're now "carrying" the quarterstaff / spear / ...) and then you can cast the spell. However, if you don't have a move action left during which you can return to a fighting grip you don't threaten until your next turn. Edit: I consider returning to a fighting grip a free action, but don't allow characters to tack it on to the end of their turn.
Count Arioch the 28th 08-19-04, 11:50 AM	I just let them cast the spell and not worry about it, because you cn hold a 2 hand weapon in one hand, and I think it's a bit nit-picky to say that you actually have to spend an action to do so.
Sacrusha 08-19-04, 12:07 PM	Same here. Can't think of any way how quickdraw can be faster than putting a hand on a weapon you're already holding in your other hand.
Shadowfax7 08-19-04, 12:52 PM	I say C, as sheating a weapon (requiring a Move action) is not the same as taking a hand off the 2h sword's handle. That should be a free action.
tarkin 08-19-04, 01:00 PM	You are allowed to hold a two-handed weapon in one hand, you just can't attack like that. It is a free action to switch your grip from one handed to two-handed and vice-versa.
Phrennzy 08-19-04, 03:58 PM	If you are using only one hand to hold the weapon, does that mean you cannot make attacks of opportunity on the rounds you wish to cast?
spike81101 08-19-04, 04:39 PM	Originally posted by Phrennzy If you are using only one hand to hold the weapon, does that mean you cannot make attacks of opportunity on the rounds you wish to cast? Can grab your weapon again as a free action as soon as you are done casting your spell.
Phrennzy 08-19-04, 09:04 PM	What about AoO before your turn?
Hypersmurf 08-19-04, 10:22 PM	Originally posted by Phrennzy What about AoO before your turn? Before your turn, you're holding it with two hands. On your turn, you let go with one hand (free action), cast your spell (standard action), then grab the sword with both hands again (free action). Both before your turn and after your turn, you threaten. It's only while casting the spell that you don't. If you're casting a spell with a one-round casting time, you don't threaten for the rest of the round... but you wouldn't even if you were holding a dagger, because the rules for casting a spell state that you don't threaten while casting. -Hyp.
Nom 08-19-04, 10:50 PM	Originally posted by spike81101 Can grab your weapon again as a free action as soon as you are done casting your spell.This one is up to the DM, as the DM is adjudicator of what is "reasonable" with respect to free actions. In my case, I do not allow a free action taken at the end of the turn to count for the purposes of threatening. Explicit examples: Cast spell, then use move action to move and put sword back in hand while doing so. - OK Cast spell, then use move action (no AoO) to put sword back in hand - OK Cast spell, then use free action to put sword back in hand - not OK With 2 attacks, use full attack action to quickdraw and throw 2 spears and then wield a third spear - not OK With 2 attacks, use full attack action to throw 1 spear and then wield (and possibly melee attack) with second spear - OK In short, the way I rule it is that if the weapon wasn't there during your "real" actions, then you don't threaten with it. If it was, then you do. Other DMs may rule differently.
Hypersmurf 08-19-04, 11:07 PM	Originally posted by Nom This one is up to the DM, as the DM is adjudicator of what is "reasonable" with respect to free actions. Well, yes, but that's as to whether the free action can be taken at all. The DM might decide that it's unreasonable to allow someone to quickdraw the third spear... but if they allow the action to be taken, then the character is wielding a melee weapon and therefore threatens. (In the absence of a house rule, which you've already said you do employ.) -Hyp.
Nom 08-20-04, 01:27 AM	Originally posted by Hypersmurf The DM might decide that it's unreasonable to allow someone to quickdraw the third spear... but if they allow the action to be taken, then the character is wielding a melee weapon and therefore threatens.I tend to play a little loose with holding vs wielding. This is one situation where if a player pushed me I'd let them hold the item, but wouldn't let them wield it (and thus can't make melee attacks and thus don't threaten). They can wield it as a free action on the start of their next turn. Of course, it's never actually come up in play, but it's how I'd justify the ruling.