Casting a (V, F) spell while wielding a 2H weapon


Rules Questions


Hey again,

So... I've got a fighter/wizard, whose bonded item is his greatsword. Now, due to the fact that I'm obligated to cast every spell with my bonded item either worn or wielded lest I lose my spells by failing concentration checks, my GM has ruled that I'll be casting all my spells with my 2H weapon in my hands, or at the very least wielded in one hand. Whether this is kosher or by the numbers, I don't know, but this is how we're playing it.

The question I have though has to do with True Strike. When I'm casting True Strike, which has a focus component (but no somatic or material, it's V F), do I put away my sword or can I hold it one-handed still (20STR so it shouldn't be a problem) and is it considered wielded if I do so? Would it also be possible for the focus to be crafted into, for example the pommel of my greatsword (I'm a weaponcrafter, a pretty useless ability thus far), and if so, would I still have to let go of my 2H grip to fondle the pommel of my sword?

Also, if I were to get a metamagic rod to allow me to cast spells as quickened, is there any possible way I could use a move action to move, then use the metamagic rod as a swift action (as quickened rods are meant to be used), and with it cast True Strike (I'm going to assume that using a quickened rod and casting the spell quickened by it are both using the same single swift action, since you only have a single swift action per round to use, and otherwise it wouldn't make any sense whatsoever), and then use my standard action to attack as per usual? I'm guessing the requirement to drop my 2H grip in order to manipulate the focus kind of makes this impossible, no?

Anyways, I hope someone understood what I'm saying. I don't think I managed to produce very coherent output. Ask away if something was unclear, and if any pros have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.


You can cast a spell as long it has no somatic, but when it comes to the rod I would say you would need quick draw to use it but that is just me.

Dark Archive

Generally, as long as you have a free hand, you can produce any material components or focus as part of casting a spell, and in the case of a focus I assume it means you can put it away again as part of casting. Since you only need to be holding your sword, you should be able to hold your sword in one hand while casting. Whether or not you can re-grip your sword in both hands after casting or need to wait until your next turn is up to your GM (and subject to much debate).

A rod is not a material component or focus, so you'd need to use the normal draw/manipulate object action to get it into hand or put it away. One tactic is to use a Glove of Storing to hold, produce and put away the rod using free actions. Otherwise you'd need to drop the rod in order to get both hands back on your sword to attack.

I'd rule that as long as you had a hand free after casting, you could immediately (as a not-an-action action) get both hands back on your sword to attack immediately. Others would disagree so whether you can or not is ultimately up to your GM.


Sydänyö wrote:
So... I've got a fighter/wizard, whose bonded item is his greatsword. Now, due to the fact that I'm obligated to cast every spell with my bonded item either worn or wielded

The intent is for the arcane bond to need to be held in hand, not necessarily wielded. See here for details. The Arcane Bond text was changed to say "If a wizard attempts to cast a spell without his bonded object worn or in hand..." however they missed the text one line earlier which says "weapons must be wielded." Since the intent was to be able to cast while holding a two-handed weapon, we can assume that held in hand is OK.

Sydänyö wrote:
When I'm casting True Strike, which has a focus component (but no somatic or material, it's V F), do I put away my sword or can I hold it one-handed still (20STR so it shouldn't be a problem) and is it considered wielded if I do so?

You can hold your sword in one hand, leaving your other hand free to manipulate your focus. (or material components, or somatic, etc.)

If you're holding a two-handed weapon in one hand, you're not wielding it, you can't attack with it, and you don't threaten with it.

Sydänyö wrote:
Would it also be possible for the focus to be crafted into, for example the pommel of my greatsword (I'm a weaponcrafter, a pretty useless ability thus far), and if so, would I still have to let go of my 2H grip to fondle the pommel of my sword?

That's a question for your GM.

Sydänyö wrote:
Also, if I were to get a metamagic rod to allow me to cast spells as quickened, is there any possible way I could use a move action to move, then use the metamagic rod as a swift action (as quickened rods are meant to be used), and with it cast True Strike (I'm going to assume that using a quickened rod and casting the spell quickened by it are both using the same single swift action, since you only have a single swift action per round to use, and otherwise it wouldn't make any sense whatsoever), and then use my standard action to attack as per usual?

If your metamagic rod is in hand, you can use it. The core metamagic rods are use-activated. It's the same action as casting the spell, so one single swift action to cast a spell modified by a rod of Metamagic Quicken.

If you've only used a move action and a swift action, you still have a standard action with which you could attack.

Sydänyö wrote:
I'm guessing the requirement to drop my 2H grip in order to manipulate the focus kind of makes this impossible, no?

No. It's generally agreed on that dropping one hand from a two-handed weapon (so that you're now holding it, not wielding it) is a free action.

It's also generally agreed on that putting that hand back is also a free action, though some folks prefer for it to be not an action at all (though this leads still others to erroneously believe you can threaten with a weapon that is not wielded). Either way, you can put your hand back on the weapon after your swift action and before your standard, if you drop or otherwise sheathe your metamagic rod.

There's another set of folks who feel it should be a move action to put your hand back on the weapon. Some of them make it work like the draw a weapon action, so it can be done as part of a move. Some also make more rules about how it can be done as part of whatever action it is to reload the weapon.

if you're wielding a 2H weapon, you can let go of the weapon with one of your hands (free action). You're now only carrying the 2H weapon, not wielding it, but your free hand is now free to attack or help cast spells or whatever. And at the end of your turn if your free hand remains free you'd be able to return it to grip your 2H weapon so you can still threaten foes and take attacks of opportunity if you want.


One other item you need to watch out for is the casting time of the spell. As some spells can take a full round action. During this full round, you're not threatening with the 2H weapon and can't use it.

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