Claws of the Ice Bear Practicality

[Sing Sing]

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/c-d/claws -of-the-ice-bear

Claws of the Ice Bear:

Strapped to the hands, these spiked climbing claws grant a +2 competence bonus on Climb checks and Acrobatics checks made when using both hands to aid in movement, and allow the wearer to ignore the normal penalties on those skills for slippery or icy surfaces. In addition, up to 3 times per day, the wearer can activate the claws as a swift action to gain the benefits of spider climb for 1 round. The wearer cannot hold anything else in her hands while using claws of the ice bear. If used as a weapon, claws of the ice bear function as spiked gauntlets.

A few questions. First, are these considered weapons as well? Second, what would be considered "using" in the "cannot hold anything else in her hands while using"? As in, can I cast a spell if I am wearing them and not "using" them? Third, if wearing=using, can I rotate the strap so that the spikes are not in my palm, but more like where a spiked gauntlet spikes would be, and use that hand as a "cestus" to cast spells. And if not, how quickly can I remove a claw of the ice bear and put it back on? Thanks

[Dasrak]

1) No, they don't say they can be used as weapons so they can't.

2) No, you need a free hand to cast spells with a somatic component so no spellcasting while wearing these claws.

3) No; the item doesn't say you can do this, so you can't "flip" them around and pretent you're not wearing them even when you are.

4) The rules only call out weapons, shields, and armor for the time it takes to equip them. Shields are 1 move action to equip and un-equip, so that's as good a benchmark as any.

[MrSin]

Dasrak wrote:

1) No, they don't say they can be used as weapons so they can't.

Err... yeah they do. They say they act as a spiked gauntlet. So I'd imagine they count as a spiked gauntlet.

Dasrak wrote:

2) No, you need a free hand to cast spells with a somatic component so no spellcasting while wearing these claws.

They're gauntlets/gloves, they don't actually take up your ability to hold items are use somatic components.

[Dasrak]

Quote:

Err... yeah they do. They say they act as a spiked gauntlet. So I'd imagine they count as a spiked gauntlet.

Of course I miss a pertinent line right at the end <_<

Quote:

They're gauntlets/gloves, they don't actually take up your ability to hold items are use somatic components.

On second reading, I agree with you. The line in question says "The wearer cannot hold anything else in her hands while [i]using[/b] claws of the ice bear". If you're simply wearing them, but not actively using them, then your hands are free and you can cast spells. If you're using them to climb, though, then your hands are not free so no spells.

[Sing Sing]

Cool, I was thinking that.
I was also thinking that I can put one on as a free action as part of a move action with a BAB of 1 or more.

[Orodhen]

Sorry for the thread necro, but I figured I might as well ask here since my question is very much related.

Is it possible to enchant the Claws as a weapon since they act as Spiked Gauntlets?

[Starbuck_II]

Orodhen wrote:

Sorry for the thread necro, but I figured I might as well ask here since my question is very much related.

Is it possible to enchant the Claws as a weapon since they act as Spiked Gauntlets?

Should be able to. But you'd pay extra since making them a weapon would secondary effect (Ice Claws is primary) so 50% more expensive.

So 3K to make them +1 (already masterwork since they are a magic item).