Does shocking grasp require a free hand to cast as an artificer?
“Lightning springs from your hand to deliver a shock to a creature you try to touch.”
Could be interpreted either way, and with Artificers requiring a focus to cast anything could make this spell a little less useful. Additionally, this does work with the enhanced focus infusion and arcane firearm, which funnily implies that holding a firearm makes you punch better.
Shocking Grasp doesn't actually require you to touch an opponent with a free hand, that's just fluff. You're free to cast it through an Arcane Firearm and/or Enhanced Focus item, in which case it's basically a +1 Cattle Prod.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Actually, looking back at it, I realize that while it requires an attempt to touch, there is no need for that hand not to be empty to touch. You can touch while holding something, you just can’t make Somatic components unless that hand is holding a focus.
The attempt to touch definitely isn’t just fluff, but the empty part isn’t ever stated. Thanks for the help!
Actually, looking back at it, I realize that while it requires an attempt to touch, there is no need for that hand not to be empty to touch. You can touch while holding something, you just can’t make Somatic components unless that hand is holding a focus.
The attempt to touch definitely isn’t just fluff, but the empty part isn’t ever stated. Thanks for the help!
Provided one of your hands is free, that hand can perform the Somatic component and touch your focus. While this contradicts the PHB, the Sage Advice Compendium, which is also RAW, states that you can perform a Somatic component with a hand holding a focus, so that's also legal. You could have the lightning spring from either hand once the spell is cast, and most DMs will let it spring from any part of your body you like, if you want a shocking kick or a shocking headbutt or a shocking butt bump.
My current L4 artificer possesses a prosthetic arm (hand) and a Ersatz Eye. Because the arm is an Infusion, I can use it as my artificer's focus. Thus I tend to cast my Shocking Grasp as a feature of the hand (mostly just flavor text). I definitely want to take 2 levels as a wizard eventually, to that end I have been studying with the group's wizard, but that won't be until 9th level at the earliest.
Does shocking grasp require a free hand to cast as an artificer?
“Lightning springs from your hand to deliver a shock to a creature you try to touch.”
Could be interpreted either way, and with Artificers requiring a focus to cast anything could make this spell a little less useful. Additionally, this does work with the enhanced focus infusion and arcane firearm, which funnily implies that holding a firearm makes you punch better.
Shocking Grasp doesn't actually require you to touch an opponent with a free hand, that's just fluff. You're free to cast it through an Arcane Firearm and/or Enhanced Focus item, in which case it's basically a +1 Cattle Prod.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Actually, looking back at it, I realize that while it requires an attempt to touch, there is no need for that hand not to be empty to touch. You can touch while holding something, you just can’t make Somatic components unless that hand is holding a focus.
The attempt to touch definitely isn’t just fluff, but the empty part isn’t ever stated. Thanks for the help!
Provided one of your hands is free, that hand can perform the Somatic component and touch your focus. While this contradicts the PHB, the Sage Advice Compendium, which is also RAW, states that you can perform a Somatic component with a hand holding a focus, so that's also legal. You could have the lightning spring from either hand once the spell is cast, and most DMs will let it spring from any part of your body you like, if you want a shocking kick or a shocking headbutt or a shocking butt bump.
My current L4 artificer possesses a prosthetic arm (hand) and a Ersatz Eye. Because the arm is an Infusion, I can use it as my artificer's focus. Thus I tend to cast my Shocking Grasp as a feature of the hand (mostly just flavor text). I definitely want to take 2 levels as a wizard eventually, to that end I have been studying with the group's wizard, but that won't be until 9th level at the earliest.
Watch your back, conserve your ammo,
and NEVER cut a deal with a dragon!