Casting underwater

[AxeMental]

I think this came up before, not having luck finding the thread. When can a caster cast underwater (is a potion of water breathing enough for instance)? My impression is that Gygax expected players to cast underwater given the DMG description of how spells are effected by this. Also, shaman underwater creatures can cast underwater.

[EOTB]

I don't think being underwater places any special restrictions, other than, if you don't have some way to breathe, each spell puts you 1 round closer to drowning. You can speak underwater; you can reach into pockets underwater; you can wiggle your fingers around underwater.

[darnizhaan]

DMG p 57 gives a list of spells which cannnot be cast under water, along with those which will work on airy water

[AxeMental]

DMG p 57 gives a list of spells which cannnot be cast under water, along with those which will work on airy water

Right, but what about simply holding your breath, going under say 12 feet and casting that one segment spell? Also what about water breathing potions? I wonder how Gygax envisioned this (I'm sure it was something that was supposed to be somewhat rare).

[T. Foster]

I'd say that without the ability to breathe underwater (or some similar effect) spellcasting isn't possible underwater -- if you're trying to hold your breath you can't properly vocalize the verbal components (and if you're already drowning you can't maintain the necessary concentration).

[deathsdj]

I'd say that without the ability to breathe underwater (or some similar effect) spellcasting isn't possible underwater -- if you're trying to hold your breath you can't properly vocalize the verbal components (and if you're already drowning you can't maintain the necessary concentration).

This is how I see it as well.

Cheers!

MJW