Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 BlueRaccoon Mar 04, 2015 7:01:20	Ok, so a bard can use an instrument as a spellcasting focus and doesn't need the material component of his spell. But what about the somatic component ? does he need his two hand to actually play his musical instrument ? and does he need at least one to do the somatic component of his spell ?   from a role play point of view it doesn't make any sense. he can't use the instrument if it prevent him to cast the spell...   i would to have others thought about that problem and how to solve it ?    my solution is to make the spellcasting focus replace both somatic and material compoent...what do you think ?
#2 mellored Mar 04, 2015 7:13:55	You can already use a somatic component in the same hand that you use a focus.
(Reply to #2) AaronOfBarbaria	mellored wrote:
#4 mellored Mar 04, 2015 7:41:41	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
#5 BlueRaccoon Mar 04, 2015 7:47:01	may be but it doesn't make sense from a roleplay experience : -> so my bard is casting a spell by holding..let's say a lute and then not playing the lute but moving the lute around to match the somatic requierement ?....i know he hold the lute in one and and do the somatic compo with the other hand, but using an musical instrument has a bard and not use it to cast your spell does ring very wrong to me. just sayin' .!...
#6 mellored Mar 04, 2015 7:56:03	BlueRaccoon wrote:
#7 lawrencehoy Mar 04, 2015 10:12:13	mellored wrote:
#8 Tempest_Stormwind Mar 04, 2015 11:47:21	lawrencehoy wrote:
#9 lawrencehoy Mar 04, 2015 12:17:06	Tempest_Stormwind wrote:
#10 Tempest_Stormwind Mar 04, 2015 12:56:32	Whoops, sorry, I misread the "while" (suggesting intricate movements and playing the instrument were separate but simultaneous); I see how I misread it now.
(Reply to #4) ScuroNotte	mellored wrote:
#12 lawrencehoy Mar 05, 2015 15:11:54	ScuroNotte wrote:
#13 BRJN Mar 10, 2015 17:57:25	Somatic components of a Bard spell can easily be the fingering of the instrument. Verbal component of a Bard spell can be the sound coming out of the instrument, rather than out of his mouth.   My visualization of Bardic spells has always been overshadowed by the concept of a Spellsinger (3e).  "I've got the magic power of the music in me!"
#14 Hibiki54 Mar 11, 2015 2:30:39	RAW, you need a free hand to cast a spell that requires a Somatic component. You need a free hand to cast a spell the requires a material component, which can also be the same hand used for somatic components. Material components can be substituted for a focus, unless the component has a cost (usually in gold value).   RAI, a spellcasting focus can be anything from prayer beads, a wand, an amulet, a holy symbol on a shield or weapon or a quarterstaff, but you cannot use a focus as a somatic component. Meaning certain spellcasting class builds using a shield or weapon emblazened with a spellcasting focus cannot use them to gesture for somatic requirements. They either need a free hand or take a related feat.
(Reply to #14) Be3Al2	Hibiki54 wrote: