Two weapon fighting and spell casting

[Rocky Williams 530]

I have a player who, due to background reasons is a two weapon wielder ranger. How does he cast spells during combat while wielding the two weapons? He's asking me if there's any feat, trait, or rule that will let him cast without having to use a move action to sheath his weapon. He's not trying to cast and attack or anything. I'm inclined to say that he can hold both weapons in one hand while he casts as a free action. But I'm not sure if that's too useful or something for reasons I can't think of right now. Any advice/help as far as what the rules say about this?

[chaoseffect]

Personally I would just let him do it as it's not that big of a deal. That aside, if you are truly inclined to look for a RAW way of doing it, I would suggest weapon cords. When he wants to cast he can free action drop a weapon, standard action cast, and then move action pick up again.

That of course still screws him if he wants to go with the awesome Ranger spell Instant Enemy, which is cast as a swift and great because you can use it in the same round as a full attack.

[Chess Pwn]

use spells that don't have somatic components? have quickdraw use a spell before going into combat and pulling your weapons out.

[Morgen]

Instant Enemy should be fine given the minute/level duration. A lot of Ranger spells should be good to cast at the start of a fight or out of combat entirely and so forth. Assuming the ranger isn't roaming about with two weapons constantly drawn of course...

By the rules she'd really need to have an open hand to cast and spells with somatic components for the gesturing really. It is one of the reasons Still Spell exists.

[BigDTBone]

Morgen wrote:

Instant Enemy should be fine given the minute/level duration. A lot of Ranger spells should be good to cast at the start of a fight or out of combat entirely and so forth. Assuming the ranger isn't roaming about with two weapons constantly drawn of course...

By the rules she'd really need to have an open hand to cast and spells with somatic components for the gesturing really. It is one of the reasons Still Spell exists.

That's actually an interesting idea. Add a "rod of still spell" enchant to one of his melee weapons. +3000gp

I like it!

[wraithstrike]

Later on he can get gloves of storing. He might also want to try getting a double weapon.

[PSY850]

Taking an exotic weapon prof for a double weapon is very effective, and double weapons themselves open up some slight improvements over twf with normal separate weapons as well. Primarily being able to have it 2 handed for str and a half when you can't full attack, and keeping the same damage dice on both hands without it having to be 2 light weapons or the like.(small concerns but it does matter to some people)

PSY