You can, you just need the other hand free, or the War Caster feat, which allows you to cast spells with somatic component while wielding shield and weapon.
You can, you just need the other hand free, or the War Caster feat, which allows you to cast spells with somatic component while wielding shield and weapon.
Meaning I can't have both weapon and shield, right?
Thanks guys. I never knew about this rule, and I also never knew about all the cool bonus action spells that Paladins get. This is gonna be a fun build, even if I only have a +2 to Cha.
Basically as others said, if you want to cast a spell with a somatic component, you'll need a hand free. The good news on that though is that the Paladin does have a good selection of spells to choose from that are vocal only, so you're not totally without a spellcasting ability until you get the feat.
Couldn’t you just sheath your sword and draw it next round?
Sheathing a sword is an action tho.
No sheathing drawing or sheathing a sword counts as interacting with an object. You can interact with one object "in tandem with your movement and action" Players Handbook page 190.
I still don't see a reason that a Pally can't sheathe his/her sword and cast a spell with a somatic component in the same round. This does not require th war caster feat. Am I off base?
No sheathing drawing or sheathing a sword counts as interacting with an object. You can interact with one object "in tandem with your movement and action" Players Handbook page 190.
I still don't see a reason that a Pally can't sheathe his/her sword and cast a spell with a somatic component in the same round. This does not require th war caster feat. Am I off base?
I always took that to mean that "You can move and use your action at the same time to do these things." But now I'm not sure.
Bring minor leatherwork engineering into your game, ask a kind leatherworker to make a wrist thong (no not the undercacker type) attached to your pommel, drop the weapon as a free action, it does not hit the ground but dangles from your wrist, gesture until the desired prayer is complete, drop hand to regrip weapon and away you go. (Check with the GM their ok with this, and dont try it with a two handed weapon)
Bring minor leatherwork engineering into your game, ask a kind leatherworker to make a wrist thong (no not the undercacker type) attached to your pommel, drop the weapon as a free action, it does not hit the ground but dangles from your wrist, gesture until the desired prayer is complete, drop hand to regrip weapon and away you go. (Check with the GM their ok with this, and dont try it with a two handed weapon)
Enjoy yourselves.
I'd sooner ask for a shield that I attach on my arm.
You can interact with an item and cast a spell in the same turn....Just put the sword away and draw it on your next turn.
Spells like Shield that use your reaction present a problem however as you cannot put your sword away. You would need Warcaster or just drop your sword if you DM allows this.
Oh yeah, I forgot. Paladins can use a shield as a holy symbol and thus can also use the shield arm for somatic components. No need no to sheath the sword after all!
For arcane casters (like Sorcandins) you may also consider fashioning your shield or sword with your arcane focus:
OK - so Paladins will a Holy Symbol on a shield do not need a free hand for V,S,M spells but do need a free hand for V and S spells:
In the description of material components it says that the same hand that is used for material components can be used for somatic. In the same section, it also says a focus can be used in place for material components (that aren't consumed or have a listed value). In the description for holy symbol (equipment section of the book) it says that the shield emblazoned with a holy symbol acts as a focus for Clerics and Paladins.
Therefore, if a Cleric or Paladin has a shield emblazoned with their holy symbol and the spell has material components, then they can cast that spell with impunity without a free hand. If that spell also has Somatic components along with those material, it also can be cast with impunity (same hand rule from material components).
The only spells they have problems casting in such a case are ones with Somatic, but no material. A focus is of no use for those spells. These spells require a free hand.
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So as I understand it, I can't cast spells with a Somatic component with a shield equipped?
You can, you just need the other hand free, or the War Caster feat, which allows you to cast spells with somatic component while wielding shield and weapon.
Meaning I can't have both weapon and shield, right?
Not without the feat.
You've got to put down the ducky if you want to play the saxophone.
Thanks guys. I never knew about this rule, and I also never knew about all the cool bonus action spells that Paladins get. This is gonna be a fun build, even if I only have a +2 to Cha.
Couldn’t you just sheath your sword and draw it next round?
Sheathing a sword is an action tho.
Basically as others said, if you want to cast a spell with a somatic component, you'll need a hand free. The good news on that though is that the Paladin does have a good selection of spells to choose from that are vocal only, so you're not totally without a spellcasting ability until you get the feat.
No sheathing drawing or sheathing a sword counts as interacting with an object. You can interact with one object "in tandem with your movement and action" Players Handbook page 190.
I still don't see a reason that a Pally can't sheathe his/her sword and cast a spell with a somatic component in the same round. This does not require th war caster feat. Am I off base?
I always took that to mean that "You can move and use your action at the same time to do these things." But now I'm not sure.
Bring minor leatherwork engineering into your game, ask a kind leatherworker to make a wrist thong (no not the undercacker type) attached to your pommel, drop the weapon as a free action, it does not hit the ground but dangles from your wrist, gesture until the desired prayer is complete, drop hand to regrip weapon and away you go. (Check with the GM their ok with this, and dont try it with a two handed weapon)
Enjoy yourselves.
I'd sooner ask for a shield that I attach on my arm.
You can interact with an item and cast a spell in the same turn....Just put the sword away and draw it on your next turn.
Spells like Shield that use your reaction present a problem however as you cannot put your sword away. You would need Warcaster or just drop your sword if you DM allows this.
Well crap, you're right. I reread my DM shield.
Oh yeah, I forgot. Paladins can use a shield as a holy symbol and thus can also use the shield arm for somatic components. No need no to sheath the sword after all!
For arcane casters (like Sorcandins) you may also consider fashioning your shield or sword with your arcane focus:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/rules-game-mechanics/1320-can-a-melee-weapon-ever-double-as-an-arcane-focus
Warcaster is a great feat BUT it is not the only way to cast spells with both hands full. That is a common misconception.
If a spell requires somatic component, while not needing material component, the caster needs a free hand for the casting.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/phb/spellcasting#CastingaSpell
Interacting with an object can be done at the same time. Can you put away your sword and make a spell attack?
Sure.
OK - so Paladins will a Holy Symbol on a shield do not need a free hand for V,S,M spells but do need a free hand for V and S spells:
In the description of material components it says that the same hand that is used for material components can be used for somatic. In the same section, it also says a focus can be used in place for material components (that aren't consumed or have a listed value). In the description for holy symbol (equipment section of the book) it says that the shield emblazoned with a holy symbol acts as a focus for Clerics and Paladins.
Therefore, if a Cleric or Paladin has a shield emblazoned with their holy symbol and the spell has material components, then they can cast that spell with impunity without a free hand. If that spell also has Somatic components along with those material, it also can be cast with impunity (same hand rule from material components).
The only spells they have problems casting in such a case are ones with Somatic, but no material. A focus is of no use for those spells. These spells require a free hand.