Spiritual weapon questions.

[Palaloodle]

Hi all first time posting so excuse me if I have anything wrong. I made an error before posting in pf2e I apologize instead of pf1e.

I have two questions.

1. How spiritual weapon work in combat? From my understanding is that when the spell is cast it gets 1 attack on the directed target for the first round and then will automatically continue attacking the same target unless a move action is used to to change targets.

2. Am I allowed to have multiple spiritual weapons out at once? I did not see a concentration tag on the spell so I assumed I was allowed multiple as long as I spent the turns casting. And if the target needed to be changed I would need to spend a X amount of move actions equal to the number of weapons present to switch targets.

[Java Man]

Yes on all counts.

[Diego Rossi]

Palaloodle wrote:

1. How spiritual weapon work in combat? From my understanding is that when the spell is cast it gets 1 attack on the directed target for the first round and then will automatically continue attacking the same target unless a move action is used to to change targets.

From the second round onward it can benefit from iterative attacks if it isn't moved.

[vhok]

it will keep attacking until you use a move action to change it or LOS is lost at which time it comes back to you and waits for a new command.

[Azothath]

so when you have a question, read the spell. Then read the arcane school description. Those usually have the answer.
Spiritual Weapon:K2.
Spell School Descriptions.
If not - then search in this forum. It's been 13yrs and there's a lot of advice and rules discussion.

At a standard action a creature can cast 1 Spiritual Weapon a round and target a foe to attack within range. Realize that a target CAN easily move out of range so it's not so good on an open battlefield in chaotic mounted combat or where creatures can move out of Line of Sight. As a Force effect it is good for Incorporeals.

Attacks: using +(BAB+Wis) to hit once for the first round of attack and the succeeding rounds according to your BAB number of times at +(BAB+Wis). Damage is (1d8 +[CL/3, max 5])[Force] with threat and crit multiplier as per the weapon.

Redirect: Move action expended by caster. (you only get a move and a std actn normally, or two move actns).

so you could have 3 up at once (after 3 r of casting) and redirect one the 3rd round if you don't move(you could 5ft step). 4th round you could redirect up to two Spiritual Weapons and not move.

Practical use - Advice
As a spell at low levels it's not bad. Past 5th level it's not very effective Except for Incorporeal creatures out in the open (liquids & solids cut Line of Effect for the spell).
A pair of loaded heavy crossbows on the first two rounds or later with someone to refill and crank them can be more effective {especially with point-blank, Precise, and decent Dex}, so use a spell or hireling for extended combats.
Generally it's more effective with the Divine List to buff or protect your allies than it is to attack directly. Preventing damage means your party stays up and active and the damage does not need to be healed later.
Buffing your allies & foes with +1(+1)/-1(-1) via Prayer:E3 is more effective as you'll effect 3+4 hit points per round in a 4 on 4 combat BUT it is Third spell level. At APL 5 your in the range where foes get two attacks per round so the HP abatement gets Better.