Casting with shield & weapon ready ... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Casting with shield & weapon ready ... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Alamanda
04-18-06, 01:04 PM One of my players, the dwarven cleric took Shielded Casting from Races of Stone as his 3rd level feat.

Shielded Casting [general]
You are skilled at covering yourself with your shield when casting spells in combat.
Prerequisites: Concentration 5 ranks, Combat Casting, Shield Proficiency
Benefit: As long as you have a light shield, heavy shield or tower shield ready, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity for casting spells in combat

Now he is wondering if this means that he can cast spells with a shield and weapon ready, what are your thoughts?
Illion the Red
04-18-06, 01:11 PM I don't see anything in there that eliminates somatic components. In order to cast a spell with somatic components, you need one hand free. The other hand could be holding a weapon, a shield, a holy symbol, a kitten, or a can of spinach.

In other words, unless the spell is still or has no somatic component, he can't cast it while holding a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other.
kelvinaw273
04-18-06, 01:41 PM You need a hand free to cast a spell with somatic componants, unless you take Still Spell as a feat. If he has a shield, he can't have a ready weapon and cast a spell, period. I suggest he invest in Quickdraw if that is his plan.
savant_warlord13
04-18-06, 01:46 PM I don't see anything in there that eliminates somatic components. In order to cast a spell with somatic components, you need one hand free. The other hand could be holding a weapon, a shield, a holy symbol, a kitten, or a can of spinach.

In other words, unless the spell is still or has no somatic component, he can't cast it while holding a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other.

What about a light shiield and a weapon? I thought you could cast spells with your shield hand as long as it is a light shield or buckler
kelvinaw273
04-18-06, 02:04 PM What about a light shiield and a weapon? I thought you could cast spells with your shield hand as long as it is a light shield or buckler

No. A light shield or buckler is not usually strapped to your arm but has a handle you grip, it actually gives you less freedom than a normal shield. There are some that can be strapped to your arm (bucklers, that is), but they still hinder movement. I mean, if just wearing leather armour can hinder your gestures in spell-casting, what is 5-10 pounds of wood and metal hanging on your arm going to do for it? To cast spells your arm must be FREE.

Otherwise you are effectively granting the character the feat Still Spell at no increased caster level.
Illion the Red
04-18-06, 02:05 PM What about a light shiield and a weapon? I thought you could cast spells with your shield hand as long as it is a light shield or buckler

I can't recall seeing this anywhere, but it might be true.

The SRD doesn't seem to leave it open to such interpretation, but I don't have my books in front of me at the moment...

Somatic (S): A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component.

There might be some clarification of what it means to "have at lease one hand free" elsewhere.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Alamanda 04-18-06, 01:04 PM	One of my players, the dwarven cleric took Shielded Casting from Races of Stone as his 3rd level feat. Shielded Casting [general] You are skilled at covering yourself with your shield when casting spells in combat. Prerequisites: Concentration 5 ranks, Combat Casting, Shield Proficiency Benefit: As long as you have a light shield, heavy shield or tower shield ready, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity for casting spells in combat Now he is wondering if this means that he can cast spells with a shield and weapon ready, what are your thoughts?
Illion the Red 04-18-06, 01:11 PM	I don't see anything in there that eliminates somatic components. In order to cast a spell with somatic components, you need one hand free. The other hand could be holding a weapon, a shield, a holy symbol, a kitten, or a can of spinach. In other words, unless the spell is still or has no somatic component, he can't cast it while holding a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other.
kelvinaw273 04-18-06, 01:41 PM	You need a hand free to cast a spell with somatic componants, unless you take Still Spell as a feat. If he has a shield, he can't have a ready weapon and cast a spell, period. I suggest he invest in Quickdraw if that is his plan.
savant_warlord13 04-18-06, 01:46 PM	I don't see anything in there that eliminates somatic components. In order to cast a spell with somatic components, you need one hand free. The other hand could be holding a weapon, a shield, a holy symbol, a kitten, or a can of spinach. In other words, unless the spell is still or has no somatic component, he can't cast it while holding a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other. What about a light shiield and a weapon? I thought you could cast spells with your shield hand as long as it is a light shield or buckler
kelvinaw273 04-18-06, 02:04 PM	What about a light shiield and a weapon? I thought you could cast spells with your shield hand as long as it is a light shield or buckler No. A light shield or buckler is not usually strapped to your arm but has a handle you grip, it actually gives you less freedom than a normal shield. There are some that can be strapped to your arm (bucklers, that is), but they still hinder movement. I mean, if just wearing leather armour can hinder your gestures in spell-casting, what is 5-10 pounds of wood and metal hanging on your arm going to do for it? To cast spells your arm must be FREE. Otherwise you are effectively granting the character the feat Still Spell at no increased caster level.
Illion the Red 04-18-06, 02:05 PM	What about a light shiield and a weapon? I thought you could cast spells with your shield hand as long as it is a light shield or buckler I can't recall seeing this anywhere, but it might be true. The SRD doesn't seem to leave it open to such interpretation, but I don't have my books in front of me at the moment... Somatic (S): A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component. There might be some clarification of what it means to "have at lease one hand free" elsewhere.