Post/Author/DateTime	Post
n1ph3 06-21-04, 01:35 AM	I was wondering if concentration DC's stack, for example if some one wanted to cast defensively and had taken damage (say 7) during the round. I thought mb that the DC could stack in this manner, DC conc check due to damage = 10+7+(spell level i think), DC conc check due to defensive casting= 15+spell level Total conc DC= 7(damage)+spell level (x2)+5(defensive)+10(the base) Basically subtract 10 from each DC add them together and add 10. This is because a char could easily make 2 concentration checks but the actual effect on their concentration would be harder to over come.
Vanigo 06-21-04, 02:31 AM	No, you make a separate concentration check for each distraction. That even applies to being hit multiple times, so a high level wizard can easily cast through a dozen kobolds poking him with spears. The only possible exception to this I can think of is if the caster is taking continual damage from multiple sources, like if he was standing in an incindeary cloud while also affected by Melf's acid arrow or something. The DM could reasonably rule that the caster would have to make one concentration check with the DC determined by the total damage. He could also reasonably rule that it would be two separate concentration checks of lower DC. It's his call. (Of course, the DM could also just house rule that all concentration DCs stack, but that's neither here nor there.) In the sort-of-an-exception-but-not-really category, it's entirely possible for the DM to have some distracting circumstances (like maybe standing next to a roaring waterfall or something) apply penalties to concentration checks rather than (or even in addition to) requiring a concentration check of their own. However, the standard distracting circumstances don't have any impact on each other's DCs. Also, I'd like to state that if you were to house rule that concentration DCs stacked, I'd strongly reccomend that you not count the spell level multiple times. That just strikes me as crazy for reasons I can't quite put into words. One other thing: You seem to be a bit confused about damage requiring concentration checks. Damage taken during the round doesn't require concentration checks. Only damage taken during casting requires a concentration check. Normally, this only happens if the caster provokes an AoO or an attacker has readied an action to attack him when he starts casting. It can also happen if the caster casts a spell with a 1-round casting time or longer. (Continuing sources of damage (like Melf's acid arrow) are a special case, presumably on the theory that since you're taking damage all the time, you're going to take some of that damage while you cast.)
n1ph3 06-21-04, 04:38 AM	Cheers, I had wondered about my interpretation of the rules, I will clarify these with my players and DMs. It seems alot easier to concentrate than I had thought. I do like your suggestion of having abnormal distractions modifying the DC. thx again
Zelphi 06-21-04, 08:48 AM	Personally I'd say no, it's a dumb rule. You're riding on a horse - provoking AOO's from a large array of monsters who keep stabbing at you and you're casting at on the defensive - one hits. So you're on a horse - you're hit and casting on the defensive, but for some reason it's just as easy to make concentration. None of those things challenge you at all or make it any harder to perform any of the actions... yet some of those have a set and you're trying to do them DC - whilst others exist through circumstance. They should stack or culminatate into one higher DC.
Someone 06-21-04, 02:32 PM	Originally posted by Zelphi They should stack or culminatate into one higher DC.I agree. Basicly, the conc check DC to cast a spell would be: 10 + damage taken before casting spell + 1/2 continous damage taken + spell level + 5 if casting defensively + whatever distractions/ disruptions you're putting up with. Note that if none of the modifiers apply, there is no check. Non-continuous damage taken has an important caveat: the damage you took last round (after your turn) doesn't count. Only the damage you took in the round you are to cast the spell. Therefore, if you can cast a spell before you take damage that round, you don't have to make a check. An easy way to avoid taking damage before casting your spell is to have a high initiative- something refocus is useful for.
Krelios 06-21-04, 02:58 PM	No, you make a separate concentration check for each distraction. That even applies to being hit multiple times, so a high level wizard can easily cast through a dozen kobolds poking him with spears.I don't know about easily, but you're on the right track. While a caster would make a separate check for each type of distraction (i.e. one for casting defensively and one for taking damage), the Concentration checks for damage also count separately and are not made as one check. This is especially important, since only attacks made during the actual casting of the spell count. If the wizard acts on a 16 and he is attacked on 19 and 18 and 17, he makes NO check since he hasn't started casting. Also, as long as the casting time is "1 action," attacks on 15, 14, etc. Don't affect him either. In fact, you can only damage a caster during the casting by readying an attack to do so, or by attacking him during a spell that takes longer than one action, since even other people on 16 initiative don't go simultaneously. From the SRD... Injury: If while trying to cast a spell you take damage, you must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + points of damage taken + the level of the spell you’re casting). If you fail the check, you lose the spell without effect. The interrupting event strikes during spellcasting if it comes between when you start and when you complete a spell (for a spell with a casting time of 1 full round or more) or if it comes in response to your casting the spell (such as an attack of opportunity provoked by the spell or a contingent attack, such as a readied action). If you are taking continuous damage half the damage is considered to take place while you are casting a spell. You must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + 1/2 the damage that the continuous source last dealt + the level of the spell you’re casting). If the last damage dealt was the last damage that the effect could deal then the damage is over, and it does not distract you. Repeated damage does not count as continuous damage.
Nom 06-21-04, 09:31 PM	From the SRD quote (thanks Krelios), you could legitimately argue either that either one check is made for each source of damage or that a single check is made based on the total applicable damage. I favour the latter.
Shadowfax7 06-22-04, 11:30 AM	I figured that I would ask a question related to this thread to avoid a new thread . . . Regarding continuous damage and Concentration checks, it states: "If the last damage dealt was the last damage that the effect could deal then the damage is over, and it does not distract you." Doesn't this mean that the LAST round of damage from an effect causing continuous damage would not require a concentration check ever ??
Krelios 06-22-04, 01:19 PM	Originally posted by Shadowfax7 I figured that I would ask a question related to this thread to avoid a new thread . . . Regarding continuous damage and Concentration checks, it states: "If the last damage dealt was the last damage that the effect could deal then the damage is over, and it does not distract you." Doesn't this mean that the LAST round of damage from an effect causing continuous damage would not require a concentration check ever ?? Yes, since it doesn't not happen during the actual action of your casting.
ealla 10-22-04, 08:08 AM	ok now help me with this.... you have a wizard trying to cast a spell inside these effects acid fog cloudkill web let as say that both clouds are maximized (12hp damage from acid and 4 points of ability damage from cKILL) what would it take for the wizard to cast a spell?
Nom 10-22-04, 09:12 AM	By PH pg 70 and pg 170, you must make one check for half the "continuous" damage taken in the preceeding round. So an acid fog that dealt 12 points damage would cause a check at DC 16. Cloudkill is a bit trickier, since it deals ability rather than hp damage. I'll consider that later. Finally, the web causes an entanglement effect with DC 15. Ability damage isn't really covered. Treating as equivalent hp damage is rather weak. The most appropriate category is "distracted by (non-damaging) spell", which uses the DC of the incoming spell (whether it normally has a DC or not). However, as the spell is persistent, the precedent from normal damage is to halve the effect, so I'd house rule that the DC of persistent distraction is half the normal DC above 10. In the case of cloudkill doing 4 points Con damage with a normal DC 19 (level 5, caster +4), this would result in a DC of 14 ((19-10) / 2 + 10). In all cases, if casting a spell add the spell level to the DC. Thus, to cast magic missile you would need 3 Concentration checks per round, at DC 17 (acid fog), 15 (cloudkill) and 16 (entangled). If you had also taken 6 points from an acid arrow your first check would be at 20 (12 + 6 = 18 -> 9 -> 19, +1 = 20), since the continuous damage factor is half of all continuous damage taken. Comment: By my reading of the rules, if you somehow were able to use your Move action to get out of the area of effect of all three spells, then you would not need to make any concentration checks, as you are no longer being dealt damage by the spells.
Ludliffes 10-22-04, 09:57 AM	No, you make a separate concentration check for each distraction. That even applies to being hit multiple times, so a high level wizard can easily cast through a dozen kobolds poking him with spears. Where did you read that? The SRD says: "If more than one type of distraction is present, make a check for each one; any failed Concentration check indicates that the task is not completed" If the type is the same, the rules say nothing, but the most likely outcome is that concentration DC stacks. Example, let's say you wizard try to cast a spell. Three opponents have readied actions and they all hit. The rule say: Concentration DC = 10 + damage dealt (+spell level). Now, "damage dealt" is the sum of all damage, I believe. Also, in situations where you must make more than one concentration check, it is not clear to me if you must roll for every check or just make one roll and compare the results with all the DCs (this imply that only the higher DC is relevant). I always thought the former, but a 3.0 FAQ (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/MainFAQv06272003.zip) seem to show that it could be the letter (page 46, casting spells while grappling). When you cast the spell ... you provoke an attack of opportunity, but not from the foe who is grappling you... Any foes who threaten you while you’re being grappled (such as an enemy standing apart from the grapple) make attacks of opportunity normally against you. In this situation, you need to make a Concentration check with a DC of 20 + the spell level to cast a spell while grappled, and possibly a second check with a DC of 10 + spell level + the damage dealt if your grappler’s ally hits you with an attack of opportunity. Make one check and apply the roll to both DCs. If you aren’t successful with both checks, you lose the spell. You can attempt to cast defensively in this situation; if you do, you also make one check and compare the result to the defensive casting (DC 15 + spell level) and the DC for casting while grappling (DC 20 + spell level). Please note that the ruling make little sense to me. 20 + spell level > 15 + spell level at all times, so the concentration check for casting defensively is worthless in this situation, which translates to be free of charge: if you are graplling, assume you are always casting defensively.