Confused on Spells and Concentration [Archive] - Wizards Community

Confused on Spells and Concentration [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
PATB
05-15-06, 12:57 PM I am relatively new to DND, but have been diligently reading the PHB and playing in RPGA games as a non-spell caster.

Reading the PHB, it seems a spellcaster must maintain concentration to maintain a spell and cannot cast another spell while maintaining concentration on another.

If true, how can a sorcerer cast a mage armor and then cast another spell while mage armor is in effect (doesn't the sorcerer have to concentrate on the mage armor)? Does the sorcerer have to perform a concentration check for the mage armor if he takes damage (same with cleric and the bless spell)?

Can a wizard cast flaming sphere on one turn, then cast another flaming sphere (or another spell) on his next turn while keeping (and perhaps moving) the other flaming sphere? If the wizard takes damage, does the wizard have to do a concentration check for the two flaiming spheres?

Can a cleric summon one monster in one turn, fight with that monster next turn, then heal someone while keeping the monster?

Any insight as to how to reason out the above questions will be greatly appreciated.
tarkin
05-15-06, 01:43 PM Most spells do NOT need concentration after casting.

All spells need to concentrate while you cast them, and the few spells that need concentration after casting say something like this:

Duration: 1 round/level (Concentration)
Merestil Haye
05-15-06, 01:44 PM A caster only has to concentrate on maintaining a spell if the spell states that it requires the caster's concentration. If it does, then generally it requires a standard action to concentrate on the spell, meaning it will not be possible to cast another spell.

Most of the spells you cite (Produce Flame being the exception) are "cast-and-forget". The caster need take no action to maintain his Mage Armour or Summon Monster spell (although he does need to tell the summoned monster what to do, that can be a free action).

With Produce Flame, the caster needs to take a move action to direct the flaming ball to move, which does not preclude casting another spell, or indeed moving two Flaming Spheres around the battlefield.

One spell which does require concentration to maintain is Wall of Fire. Read that for a better understanding of a spell that lasts only a little while if not concentrated on.
PATB
05-15-06, 01:49 PM Thanks much for the replies!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PATB 05-15-06, 12:57 PM	I am relatively new to DND, but have been diligently reading the PHB and playing in RPGA games as a non-spell caster. Reading the PHB, it seems a spellcaster must maintain concentration to maintain a spell and cannot cast another spell while maintaining concentration on another. If true, how can a sorcerer cast a mage armor and then cast another spell while mage armor is in effect (doesn't the sorcerer have to concentrate on the mage armor)? Does the sorcerer have to perform a concentration check for the mage armor if he takes damage (same with cleric and the bless spell)? Can a wizard cast flaming sphere on one turn, then cast another flaming sphere (or another spell) on his next turn while keeping (and perhaps moving) the other flaming sphere? If the wizard takes damage, does the wizard have to do a concentration check for the two flaiming spheres? Can a cleric summon one monster in one turn, fight with that monster next turn, then heal someone while keeping the monster? Any insight as to how to reason out the above questions will be greatly appreciated.
tarkin 05-15-06, 01:43 PM	Most spells do NOT need concentration after casting. All spells need to concentrate while you cast them, and the few spells that need concentration after casting say something like this: Duration: 1 round/level (Concentration)
Merestil Haye 05-15-06, 01:44 PM	A caster only has to concentrate on maintaining a spell if the spell states that it requires the caster's concentration. If it does, then generally it requires a standard action to concentrate on the spell, meaning it will not be possible to cast another spell. Most of the spells you cite (Produce Flame being the exception) are "cast-and-forget". The caster need take no action to maintain his Mage Armour or Summon Monster spell (although he does need to tell the summoned monster what to do, that can be a free action). With Produce Flame, the caster needs to take a move action to direct the flaming ball to move, which does not preclude casting another spell, or indeed moving two Flaming Spheres around the battlefield. One spell which does require concentration to maintain is Wall of Fire. Read that for a better understanding of a spell that lasts only a little while if not concentrated on.
PATB 05-15-06, 01:49 PM	Thanks much for the replies!