Tessarael
Adventurer
Agreed. If War Caster allowed you to cast spells when wielding two weapons, or weapon and shield, and you couldn't otherwise do so, it would make more sense. IMHO, the 2014 PHB War Caster was on the weak side; with the +1 ability score increase, the 2024 PHB War Caster feat is closer to something that I might want to take.
In general, D&D tries to make two-weapon fighting vs. weapon + shield vs. two-handed weapon a meaningful set of choices to trade-off. It is much less important for a spell caster, when your cantrips scale better in damage than a weapon. However, this is less the case now with the 2024 True Strike spell, or Booming Blade and Green-Flame Blade if you are willing to be in melee.
The Cleric and Paladin, with a holy symbol on their shield, are very much intended to be spellcasters that can use weapon + shield. But you're not breaking much mechanically if you allow a Fighter/Wizard, or Wizard with a feat to pick up shield, from doing the same. You should probably specify that the Shield spell doesn't stack with the AC bonus from wielding a shield, and a few minor issues like that to avoid power-gaming.
In general, D&D tries to make two-weapon fighting vs. weapon + shield vs. two-handed weapon a meaningful set of choices to trade-off. It is much less important for a spell caster, when your cantrips scale better in damage than a weapon. However, this is less the case now with the 2024 True Strike spell, or Booming Blade and Green-Flame Blade if you are willing to be in melee.
The Cleric and Paladin, with a holy symbol on their shield, are very much intended to be spellcasters that can use weapon + shield. But you're not breaking much mechanically if you allow a Fighter/Wizard, or Wizard with a feat to pick up shield, from doing the same. You should probably specify that the Shield spell doesn't stack with the AC bonus from wielding a shield, and a few minor issues like that to avoid power-gaming.
