I see dozens of posts on steam, on discord, and here that are confused about spellcasting. They think the game is broken or they are doing something wrong or have no idea what is happening.
I recommend that the devs turn off somatic components by default so that players are less confused. For the few that want somatic components they can just turn them on for themselves.
This has been the most asked question that is easily solved.
Alternatively, this could be addressed by adding an additional tutorial window that discusses spell components. Either in the the mage-tutorial level or the first time you attempt to cast a spell.
If there is not time to do ^ before release, then it'd make the most sense to make this setting difficulty dependent. "Off" by default for Story and Explorer modes and "on" for Authentic and more difficult modes. If I started a game on Authentic, the "as close to tabletop 5e as possible" mode, and somatic components wasn't turned on then I'd be confused.
I agree with this; I did not realize as well that my Paladin needs at least one hand free to cast his spells? I believe in other versions of similar games (Kingmaker, NWN, BG, etc) he can use both a shield and a melee weapon and still cast his spells. It is inconvenient to switch to his crossbow, or to being empty-handed, to use a spell . . .
one of the beauties of SOLASTA is its attempts to be true to 5e and I am very happy they are making attempts in that direction, that being said, there might be a bit of implementation that needs ironing out. i think one area that irritates some people is how it is ok to "ignore" somatic but then others situations you can't ignore them. there are spells that allow you not worry about somatic/material components in a special but very common way, that is holy symbol on the shield of a cleric/paladin. that i think is where the confusion and then becoming too lax with rules sets in.
i'm going on about a month of bad memory but i'm not sure if SOLASTA is catching all of the nuances of VSM components. for example here is nice summary for clerics [paladins]
reddit review of sage advice CluelessMonger says
"It's the same rule as always. Only somatic? Need a free hand to wave around. Only material? Need a free hand to grab the material. Somatic and material? Need a free hand, but the same hand can be used for grabbing and waving.
Since the shield-symbol replaces the material component, you use the same hand (shield hand) for grabbing and waving. If the shield-symbol isn't part of the spell component, a completely free hand is needed to perform the gestures."
so if SOLASTA is accurately capturing all of the subtleties with casting and holding items i think the default should be 5e RAW, especially since SOLASTA is overly generous with the switching of items during combat, although i don't remember if there is free drop option, even though there is not technically a drop item free action.
yellow flower of courage
although i would be extra work for TA and it would go against society's "everyone gets a trophy". it would be cool if there where extra little bits added in for the more hard-core adventures/players. maybe an extra dungeon for folks who kept the game settings locked in RAW mode
yellow flower of courage