I know there are tons of threads on this similar thing over the years, but I want to be sure this is allowed as it's for a PFS character.
The character is a Skald with the Flagbearer and Catch off Guard feats. He has a buckler in one hand and a flag in the other and he beats people with the flag as an improvised weapon.
So, let's say buckler left hand, flag right hand. Is it a free action to switch hands? So can I put the flag in the buckler hand (left hand), cast a spell with somatic components using my (now empty) right hand, then switch the flag back to my right hand all in one turn?
I need to hold the flag to grant the flagbearer bonus, and if I use the buckler hand to cast I lose the AC bonus for a round.
So, is this PFS legal?
Thanks!
Couldn't you just hold the flag in the buckler hand the entire time?
You can. You have unlimited free actions to change hands during your turn. And the flag only need to be held, not wielded, so you don't encounter any shield/buckler conflicts.
Couldn't you just hold the flag in the buckler hand the entire time?
I could, but not if I want to beat people with it :-)
Thanks for all of your responses!
Yes, you can swap hands for like you are suggesting. There is no difference doing this than any other weapon.
However, you don't have a free hand when you are attacking with the flag using a buckler. Hence, you wouldn't meet the Flagbearer feat requirements to get or give the bonus.
Instead, you can just hold the flag in the buckler hand (as Chess Pwn mentioned). This gives you the free hand required. Put a Spiked Gauntlet on that free hand (or use armor spikes, boot blade, improved unarmed striked, natural attack etc.) And then attack someone with that. Not only do you get the Flagbearer bonus, but your allies will get it too.
I think you are mistaken. Flagbearer says: "You must hold the flag in one hand in order to grant this bonus."
If I am holding the flag in one hand and beating you with it as an improvised weapon, I'm still holding it in one hand.
Then I transfer it to my buckler hand to cast a spell and I'm still holding it. Then I transfer it back to use it as a weapon again.
I'm always holding it in a hand, whether casting or fighting. That's the benefit to using it as a weapon (that, and the Surprise Weapon trait gives me a +2 to my attack rolls).
I think I'm right about this, I was just unsure about the action required to switch hands.
But this is also good for if I want to use a ranged weapon. Put the flag in my buckler hand. Draw a chakram and throw it. Put the flag back.
I'm pretty sure the free hand clause is referring to the hand you need to carry the flag. Keeps people from storing it on their back and using the feat hands-free.
Rory, I think you are misreading the text. Using a flag doesn't require holding it in one hand *and* having a free hand - only one hand is required. It's a reminder as someone else pointed out) that you can't fly it from your backpack and gain the benefit.
"You must hold the flag in one hand in order to grant this bonus...
Carrying a flag in combat requires a free hand."
I'm pretty sure the free hand clause is referring to the hand you need to carry the flag. Keeps people from storing it on their back and using the feat hands-free.
Rory, I think you are misreading the text. Using a flag doesn't require holding it in one hand *and* having a free hand - only one hand is required. It's a reminder as someone else pointed out) that you can't fly it from your backpack and gain the benefit.
Yeah, this is how I read it as well. Not that it requires an extra free hand. Hold it in one hand during combat and it works.
"You must hold the flag in one hand in order to grant this bonus...
Carrying a flag in combat requires a free hand."
I'm pretty sure the free hand clause is referring to the hand you need to carry the flag. Keeps people from storing it on their back and using the feat hands-free.Yeah, this is how I read it as well. Not that it requires an extra free hand. Hold it in one hand during combat and it works.Rory, I think you are misreading the text. Using a flag doesn't require holding it in one hand *and* having a free hand - only one hand is required. It's a reminder as someone else pointed out) that you can't fly it from your backpack and gain the benefit.
Whereas I happen to actually agree with that interpretation, others in the PFS world may not. Do be aware that "free hand" has certain meaning and just be prepared for table variations.
I've likewise seen people say if you attach a flag to a quarterstaff or longspear, they no longer act as weapons. You have to attack as if they were impromptu weapons and so lose the magical bonuses with them. That is equally crazy to me, but I digress.
The feat needs better wording to clear up these issues. There has been lots and lots of threads going over Flagbearer.
I see your point. I think, though, that a point in my favor is that the flagbearer feat does not use the term "free hand". The feat just says "you must hold the flag in one hand to grant the bonus".
The whole "carrying the flag in combat requires a free hand" actually appears in the description of the flag item on a separate page. Not sure how much that would matter to a PFS GM, but who knows?
I think most GM's who think about it for a little bit would agree with our interpretation. After all, if Flagbearer requires you to dedicate one hand to the flag and leave the other completely open, that means anyone using this feat is reduced to body checking with armor spikes if they want to make an attack roll. That can't possibly be right.