I would not allow a warlock (or any class or subclass that uses magician type spells) to cast with weapons or shield in hand. All must be sheathed or slung on the back, dropped, etc. Only clerics and druids (and those using their spells) can cast with weapon in hand, as mentioned in the rules. Spell casting in melee is supposed to be a fraught affair.

If you're running a game you can of course allow warlocks to cast while armed if you want.

I don't really use two separate phases (and neither will the new edition, apparently), but I personally would allow stowing weapons and casting spells in the same round if the caster didn't also try to move.
 

Chainsaw wrote:

Blackadder23 wrote:

I personally would allow stowing weapons and casting spells in the same round if the caster didn't also try to move.

Exactly how I'd do it.
 

I'll Second/Third that...
Casting requires the caster's hands, not hand. Having something in hand would cause them to be hindered.

Vetus Miles wrote:

Here’s a warlock question. If a warlock gets up in level to have 2 attacks. Can one be the casting of a spell and the other a melee attack?

I’m going to guess no one would allow the casting of 2 spells. I wouldn’t.

Multiple melee attacks, yes. Two spells No. Spells require time and it takes a full round to cast a single one (some even take more than one), multiple melee attacks in a round are representative of Physical prowess, and thus the extra attacks in a round as you level and gain skill and speed...

BlackKnight wrote:

Vetus Miles wrote:

Here’s a warlock question. If a warlock gets up in level to have 2 attacks. Can one be the casting of a spell and the other a melee attack?

I’m going to guess no one would allow the casting of 2 spells. I wouldn’t.

Multiple melee attacks, yes. Two spells No. Spells require time and it takes a full round to cast a single one (some even take more than one), multiple melee attacks in a round are representative of Physical prowess, and thus the extra attacks in a round as you level and gain skill and speed...

I totally understand what you are saying rules and mechanics wise.

You  could use that argument with any skill. As people get more experience and time doing a skill they become more efficient with the skill they are far above someone just starting out in that skill.


Why wouldn’t magic be any different?

Of course we know why. It’s a game bound by rules and mechanics. If we don’t have some rules then chaos will rule!

Thanks for your opinions though. I like to see what others are doing in order to get ideas and best practices.