Casting defensively while prone [Archive] - Wizards Community

Casting defensively while prone [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Phantom Lord
11-26-04, 09:24 PM Had this come up in a game the other night...Couldn't see much to do besides increase the concentration DC by 4, since dodging while on the ground would be somewhat harder than dodging while standing (and he gets a -4 to 'dodge' blows while prone, so it kinda makes sense.)

So, does anybody have any ideas or comments on this approach?
Another Gnome
11-28-04, 08:06 AM Being prone doesn't hinder the caster's ability to finish the spell, it only makes it easier for an attacker to hit. A readied action ignores defensive casting, so I see no reason to penalize a caster for it - in case the readied (and in this case easier) attack hits, it would be double penalty for the caster to make Concentration checks harder when prone.

I'd let the check be made normally. If the caster has spent skill points, let those points count.
ILL34GL3
11-28-04, 08:55 AM Being prone doesn't hinder the caster's ability to finish the spell, it only makes it easier for an attacker to hit. A readied action ignores defensive casting, so I see no reason to penalize a caster for it - in case the readied (and in this case easier) attack hits, it would be double penalty for the caster to make Concentration checks harder when prone.

I'd let the check be made normally. If the caster has spent skill points, let those points count.

The problem here though is that the caster isn't attempting to merely finish the spell but finish the spell while dodging attacks to avoid triggering an attack of oppurtunity. Seems like a pretty logical penalty you came up with, especially on the fly.
Another Gnome
11-28-04, 12:34 PM The problem here though is that the caster isn't attempting to merely finish the spell but finish the spell while dodging attacks to avoid triggering an attack of oppurtunity.

Which is exactly what the caster is doing when casting defensively while standing. Casting defensively in the combat section says "...you are no more vulnerable to attack than you would be if you were just standing there" so why should the caster become more vulnerable to attacks than if he was just lying there? I mean, there are no additional penalties to defensive casting while standing even if the caster is in fact doing more than just standing there. On the other hand, there is an existing penalty - to AC - against all melee attacks that are targeted at a prone caster regardless of defensive casting, so why the need to penalize even further?
Shadowfax7
11-28-04, 01:02 PM Phantom Lord I believe you made a good on-the-spot ruling, however I agree with Another Gnome that no add'l penalty needs to be incurred on the concentration check.

Whether the caster is prone, sitting, standing makes no difference to him casting defensively. The mechanic for that is already in the concentration check required for casting defensively.
Phantom Lord
11-28-04, 07:58 PM Thanks guys...The only reason this is really a problem for me is that it resulted in said PC's death - the bebbilith standing over him tore him to shreds shortly after he failed his concentration check by 2. Oh well, live and learn...and fix what you can afterwards. In this case I'll just take the resurrection bit easier on him (since he DID want to be resurrected.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Phantom Lord 11-26-04, 09:24 PM	Had this come up in a game the other night...Couldn't see much to do besides increase the concentration DC by 4, since dodging while on the ground would be somewhat harder than dodging while standing (and he gets a -4 to 'dodge' blows while prone, so it kinda makes sense.) So, does anybody have any ideas or comments on this approach?
Another Gnome 11-28-04, 08:06 AM	Being prone doesn't hinder the caster's ability to finish the spell, it only makes it easier for an attacker to hit. A readied action ignores defensive casting, so I see no reason to penalize a caster for it - in case the readied (and in this case easier) attack hits, it would be double penalty for the caster to make Concentration checks harder when prone. I'd let the check be made normally. If the caster has spent skill points, let those points count.
ILL34GL3 11-28-04, 08:55 AM	Being prone doesn't hinder the caster's ability to finish the spell, it only makes it easier for an attacker to hit. A readied action ignores defensive casting, so I see no reason to penalize a caster for it - in case the readied (and in this case easier) attack hits, it would be double penalty for the caster to make Concentration checks harder when prone. I'd let the check be made normally. If the caster has spent skill points, let those points count. The problem here though is that the caster isn't attempting to merely finish the spell but finish the spell while dodging attacks to avoid triggering an attack of oppurtunity. Seems like a pretty logical penalty you came up with, especially on the fly.
Another Gnome 11-28-04, 12:34 PM	The problem here though is that the caster isn't attempting to merely finish the spell but finish the spell while dodging attacks to avoid triggering an attack of oppurtunity. Which is exactly what the caster is doing when casting defensively while standing. Casting defensively in the combat section says "...you are no more vulnerable to attack than you would be if you were just standing there" so why should the caster become more vulnerable to attacks than if he was just lying there? I mean, there are no additional penalties to defensive casting while standing even if the caster is in fact doing more than just standing there. On the other hand, there is an existing penalty - to AC - against all melee attacks that are targeted at a prone caster regardless of defensive casting, so why the need to penalize even further?
Shadowfax7 11-28-04, 01:02 PM	Phantom Lord I believe you made a good on-the-spot ruling, however I agree with Another Gnome that no add'l penalty needs to be incurred on the concentration check. Whether the caster is prone, sitting, standing makes no difference to him casting defensively. The mechanic for that is already in the concentration check required for casting defensively.
Phantom Lord 11-28-04, 07:58 PM	Thanks guys...The only reason this is really a problem for me is that it resulted in said PC's death - the bebbilith standing over him tore him to shreds shortly after he failed his concentration check by 2. Oh well, live and learn...and fix what you can afterwards. In this case I'll just take the resurrection bit easier on him (since he DID want to be resurrected.)