Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arlin 01-23-06, 03:46 PM	Hello everyone. I suppose the question clearly shows that I'm new to the game. The question is: if you are a spellcaster, let's say a cleric, wielding a weapon in one hand and carrying a shield in the other, how do you go about casting spells that require a somatic component, or a focus, while in the middle of a combat in an opponent-infested area? I'm curious to know what experienced players do.
TJMHPH 01-23-06, 03:54 PM	put your holy symbol on the front of your shield or on the front of your armour.
tsuyoshikentsu 01-23-06, 04:28 PM	Floating shield or whatever.
turtlemonkey 01-23-06, 06:03 PM	As an idea for a character im thinking about making... make your holy symbol your weapon... I accually got the idea off of one of the epic threads of you know your character is epic when... through the use of monkey grip and related feats he bashes his gods word into the heads of non-believers with a weapon sized holy symobl... or something to that effect...
Zorminster 01-23-06, 06:12 PM	The way I see it, most weapons have lanyards on the hilts that can be put on the wrist to leave enough finger and hand mobility to cast. If you aren't casting defensively (keeping concentration and actively trying to defend and everything) then i assume the lanyard slips over the hand and down to about the elbow, the shield is kept raised. You have the fore-arm and the wrist and finger to cast which is plenty sufficient. If you aren't casting defensively I sorta think of it more like you hold the shield and weapon in one hand and the other casts with the occupied hand hung by your side.
Secrets Untold 01-23-06, 06:20 PM	Using sheer power of will, convince yourself to grow more arms.
Steel91101 01-23-06, 06:24 PM	Rounds are approximately 6 seconds in length. Thats not a lot of time that's being simulated, so it will make sense for changing weapons, dropping weapons, grabbing a wand, etc. to take up some of that time. Here's what I do - say I am playing a Wizard PC. I go into an encounter with my staff in one hand, and react according to the situation. If I am in close contact immediately, I go in with the staff. If I can do something at range, I drop the staff at my feet (a free action) and either unsling my crossbow and load (a standard action), or cast a spell (with both hands now free to do the Somatic component)(also a standard action for most spells). Works out just fine. If I go to the crossbow and then find an opp to cast a spell I just let the crossbow go since it is hanging to my shoulder on a sling. Just dont forget to pick up your staff (or whatever other weapon you set down) afterwards! Steelie
Arlin 01-23-06, 06:43 PM	The lanyard sounds like a good idea. I had thought of something like that but I was wondering if it was at all possible. Thanks for the help!
ranger danger 01-23-06, 09:36 PM	the shield guantlet from races of stone i think lets you hold something in your shield hand. hope that helps.
Yodaman23 01-23-06, 10:05 PM	Try the Shield Bearer spell, its a Sorcerer/Wizard 1 spell though. That is makes the shield float around you, or even better, girallon's blessing- transmutation; cleric 3, druid 3, sorcerer/wizard 3. The spell gives you an extra pair of arms. I'll take it down for you. Componants- V, S, M Casting Time- 1 Standerd round Range:touch Duration: 10 minutes/ level Effect: target gets extra pair of arms saving throw: fortitude negates (harmless) spell resistance: yes (harmless) Grows claws origanal arms are primary, new are secondary, gains 4 claw attacks useing basse attack bonus + strength mod. Each hand is 1d4 + strength mod for unarmed damage Cannot use claw attacks an normal weapons in same round, extra hands can be used dfor all other actions Material componant: few strands of Girallon hair Spell taken from spell compendium
MarkB 01-24-06, 09:15 AM	With a light shield or buckler, you can still use your shield hand for somatic gestures, or to use material components or holy symbol. If you use a heavy shield, you'll need to find some other way to free a hand.