Somatic spells have to have a free hand unless you have the War Caster feat (or similar ability if there is one). Typically you’ll want to drop your shield because it allows you to keep your focus but that requires an action to doff.
Do you need a free hand for somatic spells?
The somatic rules DO say that a free hand is required. A hand with a focus is not a free hand. Applying rules not appropriate to a situation is logically invalid. The rule on material components only says that the hand used to handle the material component can be the same hand used for the somatic component.
Can you cast somatic spells with a shield?
You can, you just need the other hand free, or the War Caster feat, which allows you to cast spells with somatic component while wielding shield and weapon. You can, you just need the other hand free, or the War Caster feat, which allows you to cast spells with somatic component while wielding shield and weapon.
Do you need a free hand to cast booming blade?
You need a hand free to perform a somatic component.
Can a spell focus without a somatic component?
There is no good way to roleplay that a spell without material components needs a hand free, while spells with a material component don’t. I really wish they would have made it so, that a spell focus in a hand can also do the somatic components all the time.
What do you need to cast a somatic component?
If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures. Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a spell.
What’s the difference between verbal and somatic cast?
I choose to simplify/interpret them as follows: Verbal: Must be able to speak. Cannot cast if silenced or gagged. Somatic: Must be able to move one hand freely, which is holding either nothing or a valid focus. Cannot cast if hands are tied or both holding non-focus objects.
Can you cast a spell with a material component?
Yes, you can cast spells with a Material (M) component without issue. Your Holy Symbol takes care of it. This is one of the more difficult things to look up in the current 5e rules.
