Casting spells & close combat

Hello everyone. It's my first post in here, but not he first meeting with Mordheim. I remeber old specialist-games forum. But to the point.
Situation: Warrior Priest with active Hammer of Sigmar spell  is in hth and it is his turn.
Question: Can Warrior Priest do all actions stated below?

1. Test if he can use Hammer of Sigmar (according the descriptions of a spell, that this spell must be tested each shooting phase he wants to use it)
   
2. Cast a Soulfire Spell (according to rules he can cast spells being in close combat)
   
3. Fight in hth combat - deliver attacks etc. (he is in close combat after all :-))
   

Yes, I read the topic:
https://boringmordheimforum.forumieren.com/rules-and-gameplay-f1/magic-in-close-comat-t3453.htm
;-)

No.

He can do either 1 and 3 or 2 and 3. When it says he "must test each shooting phase he wants to use the Hammer" it means he has to recast it each and every turn. A spell or prayer user can only cast one spell per turn.

Casting spells in Hand to Hand is kosher, though, so long as the spell doesn't forbid it (like Silver Arrows of Ahra).

Hmmmm...
It is called "test", so I believe it is different with "casting" or "recasting" a spell.
What is the point of recasting a spell? It's the same as casting it once again. So what's the point of casting it before any fight If I, as you say, have to cast it once again when I want to go in hth?
In my opinion the spell "Hammer of Sigmar" is still active in the subsequent rounds, because ending time isn't specified like in other spells. E.g. Armour of Righteousness has a specified time when the spell ends, Shield of Faith also. And according to FAQ "The spell lasts until the model that casted it is taken Out Of Action". So I think I have to only check (test) if I can use it this turn. Failed test doesn't end my spell but only "deactivate" it the turn when test was failed, and I can make another test in next rounds, but not casting a new "Hammer of Sigmar". So according to my words there should be possibility to test a "Hamer of Sigmar" and cast a spell. Is my way of thinking is correct? I just take some rules and combined them together. :-)

I can see your point crazygandalf, however i agree with CygnusMaximus that testing for Hammer of Sigmar counts as casting a prayer. That's how we play it in my gaming group allso.
The point for casting it before any fight, is if the priest is in "danger" of being charged. Then it's nice to hame the hammers activated allready.

It's a good subjekt for opinions I think. Looking forward to see what other people say.

In this case it is pretty clear

First lets take a look at the rules given for casting spells

Quote :

casting spells
Spells are cast in the shooting phase, and can be used
even if the caster is in hand-to-hand combat. To use a
spell, the wizard must roll equal to or greater than the
spell’s Difficulty score on 2D6. If he fails, he may not
cast a spell that turn. If the test is passed the spell may
be used as described overleaf. A wizard may cast one
spell per turn and may not use missile weapons if he
wants to cast a spell. He can however run!

Now we know if u want to cast you have to do a test if you succeed.

Now we read the rules for Hammer of Sigmar prayer.

Quote :

The wielder gains +2 Strength in hand-to-hand combat and all hits he inflicts cause double
damage (eg, 2 wounds instead of 1). The Priest must test each shooting phase he wants to use
the Hammer.

so its obvious the intension is u have to test each round and to test is to cast. If u realy want u coult interpret in another way, but the wording seems clear to me.

We have always counted it is casting because of the language Keylan quoted.

OK, you convinced me. :-)