Can you cast spells while helpless?

[starchildren3317]

If you have the helpless condition can you cast a spell? What if it was a silent spell that was only verbal?

[FrodoOf9Fingers]

It depends on what kind of helpless. Are you unconsciousness?

If you can take purely mental functions still, then yes. See paralyzed and pinned.

[R_Chance]

Frodo pretty much said it. I think helpless pretty much precludes anything that takes Somatic or Material components. Verbal... varies.

Helpless (PFRPG Core Rulebook, pg. 567):
"Helpless: A helpless character is paralyzed, held, bound,sleeping, unconscious, or otherwise completely at an opponent’s mercy."

Depends on the spell requirements and which of those you are...

Paralyzed: Nothing that requires Verbal, Somatic or Material components (assuming your vocal chords are included).

Held: Nothing requiring Somatic or Material components, nothing Verbal if they've gagged you.

Bound: Nothing Somatic or Material, nothing Verbal if gagged.

Sleeping or Unconscious: Nothing allowed.

Otherwise: Who knows?

Metamagic (silent spell) would allow Verbal only spells if you memorized the spell with that in mind. And you weren't Sleeping or Unconscious :)

My take of course, others may agree / disagree.