New DM needs help with a ruling (Spell and concentration stuff) [Archive] - Wizards Community

New DM needs help with a ruling (Spell and concentration stuff) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Razage
09-16-07, 06:12 AM My players (Both of them) believe that a concentration check must be made if a caster gets damaged *Before* he casts the spell in the same round. Is this correct? From what I understand this is not correct otherwise the 5ft step dilemma people are talking about would not be a problem at all, simply attack the caster on their own initiative.

As well, with regards to readied actions, if a player has a bow out, can he ready an attack on a caster if they cast a spell? If the attack misses does a concentration check still need to be made?

Oh and a scenario to clarify what I'm asking above:
Assume the following initiative order.
1st Init: Player 1
2nd Init: Caster.

So Player one goes first, gets a bow out and attacks Caster, he hits for 6 damage. Now on the Caster's turn, he's going to cast Magic Missile (Standard Action spell) Does he have to make a concentration check? Player 1 is not in threat range of Caster (Nor is anything else).

Thanks in advance.
buzzsawl
09-16-07, 06:29 AM Nope.

Concentration checks only need to be made if the caster is damaged during casting (dc10+damage) or is under the effect of some sort of damage over time (dc10+1/2 of the damage that rnd).

In either case, I'd give the caster separate checks against separate sources of damage (3aoo = 3 concentration checks, not 1 check of DC10+a-billion-stacked-damage).
Kouk
09-16-07, 08:19 AM My players (Both of them) believe that a concentration check must be made if a caster gets damaged *Before* he casts the spell in the same round. Is this correct? From what I understand this is not correct otherwise the 5ft step dilemma people are talking about would not be a problem at all, simply attack the caster on their own initiative.

As well, with regards to readied actions, if a player has a bow out, can he ready an attack on a caster if they cast a spell? If the attack misses does a concentration check still need to be made?

Oh and a scenario to clarify what I'm asking above:
Assume the following initiative order.
1st Init: Player 1
2nd Init: Caster.

So Player one goes first, gets a bow out and attacks Caster, he hits for 6 damage. Now on the Caster's turn, he's going to cast Magic Missile (Standard Action spell) Does he have to make a concentration check? Player 1 is not in threat range of Caster (Nor is anything else).

Thanks in advance.

The caster only makes a Concentration check if he is damaged during casting, typically from an attack of opportunity or when casting a spell with a casting time of longer than a standard action (such as Summon Monster).

What the archer could do though, is Ready an action to attack when the caster begins to cast spells. Even if the caster casts defensively, the archer can still see he is casting and can take a shot to attempt to disrupt.
Ace_of_time
09-16-07, 09:37 AM Don't forget during defensive casting from AoO.
Razage
09-16-07, 10:28 PM Thanks,

As a follow up question. If someone readies an action or gets an AoO on a caster that casts a spell, and that attack misses, does the caster still have to make a concentration check? (My guess from reading the rules is no, but I want to be sure)
Colmarr
09-16-07, 11:00 PM Nope. Misses don't cause concentration checks.
Nom
09-16-07, 11:03 PM If someone readies an action or gets an AoO on a caster that casts a spell, and that attack misses, does the caster still have to make a concentration check? (My guess from reading the rules is no, but I want to be sure)Only if the caster takes damage (or suffers other major inconvenience, such as being tripped or grappled).
Some_call_me_Tim
09-16-07, 11:53 PM My players (Both of them) believe that a concentration check must be made if a caster gets damaged *Before* he casts the spell in the same round. Is this correct?No.

This of course assumes a spell that takes one standard action to cast, which is most spells. If a spell takes one round (or more) to cast, such as summoning spells, then every time the caster is damaged after he begins to cast and before his next turn (when the spell is completed) causes him to make a concentration check.

As well, with regards to readied actions, if a player has a bow out, can he ready an attack on a caster if they cast a spell? Yes.

If the attack misses does a concentration check still need to be made?No.
Razage
09-16-07, 11:58 PM Alright, got it!

Thanks again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Razage 09-16-07, 06:12 AM	My players (Both of them) believe that a concentration check must be made if a caster gets damaged Before he casts the spell in the same round. Is this correct? From what I understand this is not correct otherwise the 5ft step dilemma people are talking about would not be a problem at all, simply attack the caster on their own initiative. As well, with regards to readied actions, if a player has a bow out, can he ready an attack on a caster if they cast a spell? If the attack misses does a concentration check still need to be made? Oh and a scenario to clarify what I'm asking above: Assume the following initiative order. 1st Init: Player 1 2nd Init: Caster. So Player one goes first, gets a bow out and attacks Caster, he hits for 6 damage. Now on the Caster's turn, he's going to cast Magic Missile (Standard Action spell) Does he have to make a concentration check? Player 1 is not in threat range of Caster (Nor is anything else). Thanks in advance.
buzzsawl 09-16-07, 06:29 AM	Nope. Concentration checks only need to be made if the caster is damaged during casting (dc10+damage) or is under the effect of some sort of damage over time (dc10+1/2 of the damage that rnd). In either case, I'd give the caster separate checks against separate sources of damage (3aoo = 3 concentration checks, not 1 check of DC10+a-billion-stacked-damage).
Kouk 09-16-07, 08:19 AM	My players (Both of them) believe that a concentration check must be made if a caster gets damaged Before he casts the spell in the same round. Is this correct? From what I understand this is not correct otherwise the 5ft step dilemma people are talking about would not be a problem at all, simply attack the caster on their own initiative. As well, with regards to readied actions, if a player has a bow out, can he ready an attack on a caster if they cast a spell? If the attack misses does a concentration check still need to be made? Oh and a scenario to clarify what I'm asking above: Assume the following initiative order. 1st Init: Player 1 2nd Init: Caster. So Player one goes first, gets a bow out and attacks Caster, he hits for 6 damage. Now on the Caster's turn, he's going to cast Magic Missile (Standard Action spell) Does he have to make a concentration check? Player 1 is not in threat range of Caster (Nor is anything else). Thanks in advance. The caster only makes a Concentration check if he is damaged during casting, typically from an attack of opportunity or when casting a spell with a casting time of longer than a standard action (such as Summon Monster). What the archer could do though, is Ready an action to attack when the caster begins to cast spells. Even if the caster casts defensively, the archer can still see he is casting and can take a shot to attempt to disrupt.
Ace_of_time 09-16-07, 09:37 AM	Don't forget during defensive casting from AoO.
Razage 09-16-07, 10:28 PM	Thanks, As a follow up question. If someone readies an action or gets an AoO on a caster that casts a spell, and that attack misses, does the caster still have to make a concentration check? (My guess from reading the rules is no, but I want to be sure)
Colmarr 09-16-07, 11:00 PM	Nope. Misses don't cause concentration checks.
Nom 09-16-07, 11:03 PM	If someone readies an action or gets an AoO on a caster that casts a spell, and that attack misses, does the caster still have to make a concentration check? (My guess from reading the rules is no, but I want to be sure)Only if the caster takes damage (or suffers other major inconvenience, such as being tripped or grappled).
Some_call_me_Tim 09-16-07, 11:53 PM	My players (Both of them) believe that a concentration check must be made if a caster gets damaged Before he casts the spell in the same round. Is this correct?No. This of course assumes a spell that takes one standard action to cast, which is most spells. If a spell takes one round (or more) to cast, such as summoning spells, then every time the caster is damaged after he begins to cast and before his next turn (when the spell is completed) causes him to make a concentration check. As well, with regards to readied actions, if a player has a bow out, can he ready an attack on a caster if they cast a spell? Yes. If the attack misses does a concentration check still need to be made?No.
Razage 09-16-07, 11:58 PM	Alright, got it! Thanks again.