If the spell has a material component, you can use the same hand that's holding the material component for the somatic component. If your shield is your holy symbol, then you can cast the spell.
If the spell doesn't have a material component, you need a free hand for the somatic component, unless you have the War Caster feat.
After discussions with my DM I have my shield attached to my lower arm via cuff like leather straps - this enables me to do 1 handed spell casting in almost any setting, this also allows me to hold my holy symbol (which is not my shield) where it is needed - though I cannot hold my holy symbol and hand gesture at the same time without putting my sword away/ stabbing it into the ground/ etc
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Can you cast spells that have a Somatic component while holding a weapon and shield?
If the spell has a material component, you can use the same hand that's holding the material component for the somatic component. If your shield is your holy symbol, then you can cast the spell.
If the spell doesn't have a material component, you need a free hand for the somatic component, unless you have the War Caster feat.
Cool thanks
After discussions with my DM I have my shield attached to my lower arm via cuff like leather straps - this enables me to do 1 handed spell casting in almost any setting, this also allows me to hold my holy symbol (which is not my shield) where it is needed - though I cannot hold my holy symbol and hand gesture at the same time without putting my sword away/ stabbing it into the ground/ etc