#You need a single hand free for both Material and Somatic Components to be met The Rules on Spellcasting specify how Material and Somatic components work:

##Somatic Components

##Material Components

##Specific Questions Using these guidelines, let's look at the questions presented:

###Question 1

###Question 2

##Reviewing other objects in hands Let's take a look at the various options provided in the question and how they work in determining if and when you have a free hand.

###Quarterstaff only The wizard can release one hand from the weapon to be free for Somatic/Material components without any issues. See this question.

###Dagger and Component Pouch This is easier than you think it is! You don't need to 'hold' your component pouch/focus - but you do need to be able to touch it. In this case, you can wield your dagger in one hand and then have your free hand access your Material/Somatic Components during the casting.

###Shield and Dagger If you've somehow got a way as a wizard to cast spells with a shield in one hand and you've got a weapon in another you're going to come up against some obstacles.

###Both hands occupied Some classes resolve the Material component of Sword and Board (Cleric and Paladin), but if you don't then you need to free up a hand in order to cast a spell with either a Somatic component or both Somatic/Material components.

You need a single hand free for both Material and Somatic Components to be met

The Rules on Spellcasting specify how Material and Somatic components work:

Somatic Components

Material Components

Specific Questions

Using these guidelines, let's look at the questions presented:

Question 1

Question 2

Reviewing other objects in hands

Let's take a look at the various options provided in the question and how they work in determining if and when you have a free hand.

Quarterstaff only

The wizard can release one hand from the weapon to be free for Somatic/Material components without any issues. See this question.

Dagger and Component Pouch

This is easier than you think it is! You don't need to 'hold' your component pouch/focus - but you do need to be able to touch it. In this case, you can wield your dagger in one hand and then have your free hand access your Material/Somatic Components during the casting.

Shield and Dagger

If you've somehow got a way as a wizard to cast spells with a shield in one hand and you've got a weapon in another you're going to come up against some obstacles.

Both hands occupied

Some classes resolve the Material component of Sword and Board (Cleric and Paladin), but if you don't then you need to free up a hand in order to cast a spell with either a Somatic component or both Somatic/Material components.

Question 1

Question 2

Quarterstaff only - The wizard can release one hand from the weapon to be free for Somatic/Material components without any issues. See this question.

Dagger and Component Pouch - This is easier than you think it is! You don't need to 'hold' your component pouch/focus - but you do need to be able to touch it. In this case, you can wield your dagger in one hand and then have your free hand access your Material/Somatic Components during the casting.

Shield and Dagger - If you've somehow got a way as a wizard to cast spells with a shield in one hand and you've got a weapon in another you're going to come up against some obstacles.

Some classes resolve the Material component of Sword and Board (Cleric and Paladin), but if you don't then you need to free up a hand in order to cast a spell with either a Somatic component or both Somatic/Material components.

The Warcaster Feat(PHB, Chapter 5) will allow you perform Somatic components even if you have no free hands. A Cleric or Paladin with Warcaster can use their Holy Symbol on a shield for both Somatic and Material Components.

If you are an Arcane caster without Warcaster, then you will need to do the following in order to free a hand:

###Question 1

###Question 2

###Quarterstaff only The wizard can release one hand from the weapon to be free for Somatic/Material components without any issues. See this question.

###Dagger and Component Pouch This is easier than you think it is! You don't need to 'hold' your component pouch/focus - but you do need to be able to touch it. In this case, you can wield your dagger in one hand and then have your free hand access your Material/Somatic Components during the casting.

###Shield and Dagger If you've somehow got a way as a wizard to cast spells with a shield in one hand and you've got a weapon in another you're going to come up against some obstacles.

###Both hands occupied Some classes resolve the Material component of Sword and Board (Cleric and Paladin), but if you don't then you need to free up a hand in order to cast a spell with either a Somatic component or both Somatic/Material components.

The Warcaster Feat(PHB, Chapter 5) will allow you perform Somatic components even if you have no free hands. A Cleric or Paladin with Warcaster can use their Holy Symbol on a shield for both Somatic and Material Components.

If you are an Arcane caster without Warcaster, then you will need to do the following in order to free a hand:

##Reviewing other objects in hands Let's take a look at the various options provided in the question and how they work in determining if and when you have a free hand.

Quarterstaff only - The wizard can release one hand from the weapon to be free for Somatic/Material components without any issues. See this question.

Dagger and Component Pouch - This is easier than you think it is! You don't need to 'hold' your component pouch/focus - but you do need to be able to touch it. In this case, you can wield your dagger in one hand and then have your free hand access your Material/Somatic Components during the casting.

Shield and Dagger - If you've somehow got a way as a wizard to cast spells with a shield in one hand and you've got a weapon in another you're going to come up against some obstacles.

Some classes resolve the Material component of Sword and Board (Cleric and Paladin), but if you don't then you need to free up a hand in order to cast a spell with either a Somatic component or both Somatic/Material components.

The Warcaster Feat(PHB, Chapter 5) will allow you perform Somatic components even if you have no free hands. A Cleric or Paladin with Warcaster can use their Holy Symbol on a shield for both Somatic and Material Components.

If you are an Arcane caster without Warcaster, then you will need to do the following in order to free a hand:

1. Drop your weapon
2. Use free hand for Material/Somatic components and cast spell
3. Free Object interaction to pick weapon back up