<p>That hand is used up for the combat round.  Next round you may equip other items/spells with that hand.</p>

<p>This is covered in the <a href="https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/Arkham_Horror/FAQs/Complete_Arkham_FAQ.pdf" rel="nofollow">FAQ</a>.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Q:</strong> During combat, how long does a failed attempt to cast
  a spell use up an investigator’s available hand(s)?</p>
  
  <p><strong>A:</strong> A failed attempt to cast a spell uses the specified number
  of hands for an entire round of combat (i.e., for one
  iteration of combat steps 2 and 3.). In subsequent rounds
  of combat, the investigator may switch to a new weapon
  or try to cast a different spell.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-30T07:48:43.707Z
2015-08-30T07:48:43.707Z
Pat Ludwig
<p>From page 16 of the rules,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Note that a spell requires the number of hands printed on the card, even if the investigator fails to cast it</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Sounds like a pretty definitive case for the hand(s) being used up and not equippable with any other item. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-30T05:40:38.737Z
2015-08-30T05:40:38.737Z
Joey
<p>When I use my hand slot to attempt to cast a spell, and it fails, am I unable to equip a different item or spell in that hand?</p>

<arkham-horror>
If I fail a spell check to gain a combat check bonus, am I unable to equip another item?
Joey
# If I fail a spell check to gain a combat check bonus, am I unable to equip another item?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-30)

When I use my hand slot to attempt to cast a spell, and it fails, am I unable to equip a different item or spell in that hand?

**Tags:** arkham-horror


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-08-30. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

That hand is used up for the combat round. Next round you may equip other items/spells with that hand.

This is covered in the [FAQ](https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/Arkham_Horror/FAQs/Complete_Arkham_FAQ.pdf).

> **Q:** During combat, how long does a failed attempt to cast
> a spell use up an investigator’s available hand(s)?
>
> **A:** A failed attempt to cast a spell uses the specified number
> of hands for an entire round of combat (i.e., for one
> iteration of combat steps 2 and 3.). In subsequent rounds
> of combat, the investigator may switch to a new weapon
> or try to cast a different spell.


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### Answer by username_0 on 2015-08-30. Score: 0

From page 16 of the rules,

> Note that a spell requires the number of hands printed on the card, even if the investigator fails to cast it

Sounds like a pretty definitive case for the hand(s) being used up and not equippable with any other item.


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