The rules in 5E state that you need one hand free to cast these spells. If you’re wielding a two-handed weapon then you can hold the weapon in one hand as your other hand casts the spell. If you sheathe a weapon, it then takes you an action to draw a wand.
Can a caster use a shield?
War Caster only allows you to perform somatic components while your hands are full of weapons and shields, it doesn’t remove the requirement to have shield proficiency to cast a spell while holding a shield.
Do you need a free hand to cast spells?
Yes. Spellcasting only requires the use of one hand. Somatic (S) Spellcasting gestures might include a forceful gesticulation or an intricate set of gestures. If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures.
Can a sorcerer carry a shield?
Anyone can use shields. However, if you’re not proficient with them, then you have disadvantage on all STR and DEX saving throws, ability checks and attack rolls while you’re using it, nor can you cast any spells. They do not count as armour, as is clear from reading the PHB.
Can a paladin use a shield as a focus?
A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield.
Can you cast Cantrips as opportunity attacks?
You can’t if the spell attack is created by casting a spell. When a creature triggers an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to make a melee attack against it. The opportunity attack doesn’t suddenly give you the ability to cast a spell, such as shocking grasp.
Can you cast a spell with your sword and shield?
You can’t cast spells while holding your two-handed sword or your sword and shield without the War Caster feat. This is spelled out on page 203 of the PHB: If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures.
Do you have to know the roll to cast shield?
There were some that argued that the caster should not know the roll and should cast Shield before seeing if the spell would block the attack or not, because it was metagaming too much to know the roll.
Do you need a feat to cast a spell?
If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures. However, you don’t necessarily need to take the feat in order to use a two-handed sword or a sword and shield and cast spells.
Do you know the roll for a shield spell?
According to Sage Advice, the caster should know the roll made for the attack before casting Shield. There were some that argued that the caster should not know the roll and should cast Shield before seeing if the spell would block the attack or not, because it was metagaming too much to know the roll.
