@JeremyECrawford @mikemearls Help resolve a debate. By RAI should a caster be able to prop a 2h weap against his shoulder in order to cast?
— calebrus44 (@calebrus44) September 28, 2014
@calebrus44 @JeremyECrawfordOr is the fact that this was not intended the reason that q-staves are now versatile instead of two-handed? it’s fine – swapping around like that is part of the action IMO
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 30, 2014
@mikemearls @calebrus44 Yeah, I would allow it too. A two-handed weapon needs two hands to be used, but not necessarily two to be carried.
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) September 30, 2014
@SimonsOrion @mikemearls @calebrus44Would this also cover Reaction Spells Yes.
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 24, 2017
@ETallitnics @SimonsOrion @mikemearls @calebrus44So off turn you get a Reaction, and a free object interaction? Without breaking 5e? This isn't an open-ended object interaction. It's about using a 2-handed weapon.
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 27, 2017
@calebrus44 @ETallitnics @SimonsOrion @mikemearlsHe’s basically saying that switching between 1 or 2 hands is a non-action. That's correct.
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 27, 2017
What about casting a spell and attacking in the same turn. Such as the eldritch knight ability to cast a cantrip and make a bonus weapon attack. Assuming I’m using a two handed weapon.
Easy, let’s imagine that you start your turn with the weapon wielded right. You first let free of one hand (a not-even-a-free-action), cast your spell (an action), then regain hold of your weapon (your one free interaction) and SMASH! (a bonus action).
Can you use an Attack action (using two hands) then also be able to cast a spell as either a bonus or reaction using a free hand after the fact?
Conversely, can you cast a spell with a free hand and then also get your reaction attack of opportunity using your two hands for that?
Yes to using an Attack action and then cast a bonus action or reaction spell using your free hand (the one that was just holding the weapon but is now casting the spell).
Yes to the second, provided that you still have your Reaction available. You cast a spell on your turn, then it’s enemy’s turn, enemy moves away from your reach, you get an opportunity attack if you want to use your Reaction for that.
According to this ruling, you can take a hand off your greataxe to cast a spell as a Bonus Action, grip it again and swing it as a Normal Action, take a hand off again to open a door, hold it again before you end your turn because you expect to do an Opportunity Attack later, and then during somebody else’s turn take a hand off again to cast Shield as a Reaction.
Yes.