Where in RAW can I read about needing a free hand or focus in hand to cast?

[LR, Lab Rat]

Where in RAW can I read about needing a free hand or focus in hand to cast?

The Technomancer lists that your spell cache can be a handheld computer or it can be a ring or tattoo. Can I hold a long arm rifle and cast spells?

[Claxon]

Ummm...I'm not sure where to find it but I think they removed most generic spell components from all spells. Some spells have exceptions and the specifically call out either focuses or material components.

So for the most part you no longer need a free hand is my understanding.

[Milo v3]

You can even cast spells without hands at all.

[Xenocrat]

I Have No Hands or Mouth and I Must Spellcast - failed early draft that lacked any real horror

[Randy L. Williams]

LR, Lab Rat wrote:

Where in RAW can I read about needing a free hand or focus in hand to cast?

The Technomancer lists that your spell cache can be a handheld computer or it can be a ring or tattoo. Can I hold a long arm rifle and cast spells?

I am not sure about the RAW for Starfinder, but in Pathfinder under the Magic/Spellcasting section for somatic spell components it says:

"Somatic (S): A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component."

[Tacticslion]

In Starfinder, though, that very specifically is no longer a thing.

In the Spellcasting chapter it explicitly notes that there are no components for spellcasting, but that it's really flashy and there's no way to do it on the sly.

[Devasura]

In Starfinder you don't need to wave your hands and shout magical words to cast spells.

[SirShua]

You don't need to wave about and chant like a madman, but spell casting has bright lights and stuff that make it real hard to be discreet. So simply binding and gagging doesn't do squat, you'll need a way to break their concentration to disrupt the spell. Like hitting them with the butt end of a rifle.

[Drejk]

SirShua wrote:

You don't need to wave about and chant like a madman, but spell casting has bright lights and stuff that make it real hard to be discreet. So simply binding and gagging doesn't do squat, you'll need a way to break their concentration to disrupt the spell. Like hitting them with the butt end of a rifle.

Note that in Starfinder there is no concentration check to maintain concentration.

Just break some bones, the pain should be stronger distraction than earthquake or hurricane.

[TheGoofyGE3K]

Or a shock collar rigged to zap when it detects the casting of a spell

[jcheung]

Drejk wrote:

Just break some bones, the pain should be stronger distraction than earthquake or hurricane.

Quote:

However, if you are taking ongoing damage (such as if you are bleeding or on fire), your spells are not disrupted in this way.

better off with the rifle butt