So I've seen a lot of discussion about dropping a weapon and picking it up on the same turn.
No one seems to discuss that the rules actually say you are allowed to interact with one object for free, not that you are allowed one free interaction. If you interact with a second object you need to use your action.
Does anybody else read that as being able to sheath and draw your weapon on the same turn, since it is just one object? Why or why not? How could this interpretation lead to abuse?
The abuse is: sheath your weapon, cast a spell, draw your weapon. There might be other fringe cases as well (perhaps a reach weapon and martial arts?)
I don't know if I would consider that abuse. Being able to sheath and draw allows you to cast spells, but Mearls indicated that you should be able to. This just gives you justification to do so within the rules.
I don't even believe it steps on Warcaster's toes. Warcaster preserves your free interaction for the round, and it lets you use somatic spells as your reaction (e.g. shield and hellish rebuke)
Moribund wrote:
7he_professor wrote:
Moribund wrote:
Plaguescarred wrote:
Here's a potential abuse case:
- Open door (for free).
- Cast a spell / Make ranged attacks.
- Close door (for free)
In the case of a spyglass, if it requires so many different "moving parts" to operate the spyglass, maybe it should take a full action to use it (like a hunting trap or flask of acid), instead of a "free interaction."
2Chlorobutanal wrote:
One way to limit the "interact with a single object" abuse, mentioned above, would be to stipulate that, once you've interrupted the interaction with the object (casting the spell or attacking between opening and closing the door, attacking between stowing and equiping the shield, etc.), it counts as interacting with a different object to interact with it again.
Moribund wrote:
The Interacting with Objects Around You sidebar/blurb box makes things pretty clear on intent. It states that it's a list of examples of what you can do as your interaction on your Move or Action... Draw or Sheath a Sword. Open or Close a door etc, presenting in this way defiantly suggests that your interaction is to do one or the other and (from the Other Activity section) doing anything more should be taking an action depending on the DM ruling with a degree of Logic applying to the six second window.
True, and I've been ruling it that way (draw OR sheath, etc). However, Mr. Mearls stated on twitter that it was perfectly valid to stow a weapon and draw a new one and attack all as part of the same action.
Not entirely sure I agree with his ruling on that 
Quote:
what would the action sequence be like for sheathing one weapon,drawing another,and attacking?Is that all 1 action? yeah - the intent is to avoid punishing players for that stuff by charging an action. -M
Read more: http://www.enworld.org/forum/content.php?1900-D-D-5th-Edition-Sage-Advice-from-Designers-Mearls-Crawford#.VA2tV_mwLYg#ixzz3CjKQmkLK
Moirdryd2 wrote: