While actually wielding a two-handed weapon, or a weapon and a shield, you normally won’t be able to cast spells with somatic components.
What does war Caster do?
The mind of a Warcaster has been forged into the ultimate weapon: by channeling Arcanessence, they are able to coordinate an entire battle force while simultaneously augmenting that force’s combat prowess by remotely channeling arcane energies into their weapons, armor, and even their formidable war machines.
Does Eldritch Knight need war caster?
You should not give War Caster to anyone for free, least of all the eldritch knight. It is one of the most powerful feats in the game imo. The eldritch knight isn’t lacking in power at all, it is weaker than other fighter subclasses early on but progresses in power substantially as you level up.
Do Eldritch Knights need a free hand?
You only need to have the second hand free so that you CAN hold it with two hands when you make the opportunity attack. In addition, the rules do NOT say that you need to hold the material component for the spell before or after the spell is cast.
Do you need war caster?
You don’t need War Caster to cast spells. You only need it to cast spells with your hands full (of weapons and/or shield).
Can you cast a somatic weapon with one hand?
You must have a hand free to access a material component, but it can be the same hand that is used for the somatic component. So unless you rule that they can’t hold a two-handed weapon with one hand while casting, then yes.
Can you cast spells if you are a war caster?
(The rest of the invocation doesn’t impact on this particular question.) From there, if you take War Caster you can cast all spells, or if you don’t you can cast any that don’t have a somatic component while lacking a material component. In Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, on page 138 is a common magic item called : Ruby of the War Mage.
Can a focus prevent somatic components in spellcasting?
A free hand to do somatic components for S (but not M spells) – an occupied hand, even when occupied by a focus, doesn’t meet this requirement (without feats). A free hand to handle components for M (but not S spells) – this hand my be occupied by your focus, which could be a shield, weapon, or instrument depending on class/subclass.
What do you need to know about somatic casting?
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. Material: Must have the source of power in your possession (focus/pouch and/or $Ingredients) and must have one hand empty or holding a focus to access/channel that power.
