Bards and Shields -- Arcane Spell Failure?

Bards are also proficient with light

armor and shields (except tower shields). A bard can cast bard
spells while wearing light armor and using a shield without
incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any
other arcane spellcaster though, a bard wearing medium or
heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell
failure if the spell in question has a somatic component.

So can bards cast spells with no arcane spell failure while using a shield, or not?

Hello? Bueller?

Pathfinder, Alpha 3 wrote:

Bards are also proficient with light

armor and shields (except tower shields). A bard can cast bard
spells while wearing light armor and using a shield without
incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any
other arcane spellcaster though, a bard wearing medium or
heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell
failure if the spell in question has a somatic component.

So can bards cast spells with no arcane spell failure while using a shield, or not?

Correct, they do NOT incur ASF.

Wait.. I think I'm blowing chunks there... reading comprehension for the win. :oP

You know... I don't know. But... if you go by the 3.5 version, which it is based off of, then I'm inclined to say no.

Sorry about that, it took a moment for the confusion to register with me. :o(

Wait.. I think I'm blowing chunks there... reading comprehension for the win. :oP

You know... I don't know. But... if you go by the 3.5 version, which it is based off of, then I'm inclined to say no.

Sorry about that, it took a moment for the confusion to register with me. :o(

I'm willing to bet that they meant to add in that bards can now use shield with no arcane spell failure....but failed to delete the follow-up sentence that contradicted their edit.

But my opinion and $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee. I in no way speak officially.

Robert

I'm willing to bet that they meant to add in that bards can now use shield with no arcane spell failure....but failed to delete the follow-up sentence that contradicted their edit.

But my opinion and $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee. I in no way speak officially.

Robert

Make it a shot and a bottle of beer, and you're on. :oP

I'm willing to bet that they meant to add in that bards can now use shield with no arcane spell failure....but failed to delete the follow-up sentence that contradicted their edit.

This interpretation seems likely to me as well, but I'd be interested in hearing if there is any official comment on this? Jason Bulmahn? Bulmahn? Anybody? 8^)

I'd hope not, their supposed to need a free hand to cast, unless they are running around with no weapon and a shield.

I personally wouldn't mind allowing a buckler, but not a shield shield.

I'd hope not, their supposed to need a free hand to cast, unless they are running around with no weapon and a shield.

I personally wouldn't mind allowing a buckler, but not a shield shield.

Only need a free hand to cast if you're casting spells with somatic components. There's actually quite a number of bard spells with purely verbal components.

lastknightleft wrote:

I'd hope not, their supposed to need a free hand to cast, unless they are running around with no weapon and a shield.

I personally wouldn't mind allowing a buckler, but not a shield shield.

Only need a free hand to cast if you're casting spells with somatic components. There's actually quite a number of bard spells with purely verbal components.

Yes, but ASF only applies to spells with somatics anyway. A sorcerer in full plate can cast power word: kill with no trouble at all.

With a light shield, the bard could hold a one-handed weapon in his shield hand and still cast.

Anybody know if this has been definitively answered ... maybe in another thread?

I had a player try a new bard with these rules and we assumed that a bard could cast all his spells without arcane spell failure as long as he had a free hand, stuck to light armor and could use a shield. The particular bard then chose a light steel shield, for which the description read "A light shield's weight lets you carry other items in that hand, although you cannot use weapons with it." We decided in the spirit of allowing bards to use shields, he could manage his material and somatic components with his shield hand.

Once this confusion is clarified, I'll probably continue to allow such in my game either way.

I had a player try a new bard with these rules and we assumed that a bard could cast all his spells without arcane spell failure as long as he had a free hand, stuck to light armor and could use a shield. The particular bard then chose a light steel shield, for which the description read "A light shield's weight lets you carry other items in that hand, although you cannot use weapons with it." We decided in the spirit of allowing bards to use shields, he could manage his material and somatic components with his shield hand.

Once this confusion is clarified, I'll probably continue to allow such in my game either way.

For the record, I believe you're using the lt shield correctly. We've always played and understood that clerics can wield a light shiel and use that hand for the material/somatic components - while still keeping his morningstar readied.

Robert