Still Spell — Magic Without Gestures
A spellcaster with both hands occupied can still shape magic if the need for gestures is removed. Still Spell is particularly useful to legacy arcane casters who struggle to work spells while armoured, grappled or restrained, but the effect does not erase every limitation on casting.
At a Glance
| D&D 2024 | Subtle Spell: 1 Sorcery Point; removes Verbal, Somatic and eligible Material components |
|---|---|
| D&D 2014 | Subtle Spell: 1 Sorcery Point; removes Verbal and Somatic components |
| Pathfinder 1e | Still Spell metamagic feat; no Somatic component; +1 spell-slot level |
| D&D 3.5e | Still Spell metamagic feat; no Somatic component; +1 spell-slot level |
Still Spell Rules by Edition
Subtle Spell — D&D 2024
Type: Sorcerer Metamagic, not a standalone Still Spell feat. Cost: 1 Sorcery Point. Casting without Verbal, Somatic and qualifying Material components means no free hand is needed for the removed Somatic gestures. Material components that are consumed or have a specified cost must still be supplied.
Example: A Sorcerer uses Subtle Spell when casting a spell with Verbal and Somatic components, avoiding both the spoken words and hand gestures. The spell must still have a legal target, and the caster must still satisfy other rules such as those imposed by an armour-training restriction.
Subtle Spell — D&D 2014
Type: Sorcerer Metamagic. Cost: 1 Sorcery Point. Remove the Verbal and Somatic components from a spell cast using this option. The spell still needs any Material components printed in its description.
Example: A Sorcerer can cast a Verbal-and-Somatic-only spell without words or gestures. If the spell requires a focus or component pouch, Subtle Spell in this edition does not dispense with that requirement. It also does not remove the normal rules on casting in armour without proficiency.
Still Spell — Pathfinder 1e
Type: Metamagic feat. Prerequisites: None. A spell with Somatic components can be cast without them when modified by Still Spell. A stilled spell uses a spell slot one level higher than normal. A spell that already has no Somatic component gains no benefit.
Armour: In the core rules, arcane spell failure from armour applies to spells requiring Somatic components. Removing the component with Still Spell avoids that specific failure chance; it does not remove the armour’s movement, proficiency or skill restrictions. Concentration and other spellcasting rules still apply.
Example: A 1st-level spell with gestures is prepared as a stilled spell using a 2nd-level slot. A wizard wearing armour can cast that spell without the arcane spell failure roll that would apply to its Somatic component.
Still Spell — D&D 3.5e
Type: Metamagic feat. Prerequisites: None. A stilled spell requires no Somatic components and occupies a slot one level higher than the spell’s ordinary level. Spells that lack Somatic components are unaffected.
Armour: A spell without a Somatic component avoids the core rules’ arcane spell failure chance caused by wearing armour. However, the caster must still satisfy Verbal and Material components as applicable and meet any other restrictions or Concentration requirements.
Example: A wizard prepares a 2nd-level spell as a stilled spell using a 3rd-level slot and casts it without needing to gesture.
When to Use Stilled Magic
Choose this technique when gestures would reveal a spellcaster, hands are occupied or armour makes arcane casting hazardous. It does not change a spell’s damage, target, range, duration, saving-throw DC or Material components unless a different feature does so explicitly.
Related: Silent Spell · Spell Components · Armour and Shields · Wizard.
Sources and Licensing
Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e feat rules are derived from their respective core rules under applicable Open Game Content licenses. D&D 2024 and 2014 Sorcerer options are described separately, not presented as the legacy feat.
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