D&D 5E Using a Familiar for Second Concentration Spell?

[DND_Reborn]

What do you think about the idea that a caster could use a Familiar to deliver a touch spell which requires concentration, such as Invisibility, and because the familiar delivered the spell, house-ruling that the familiar is the creature who has to concentrate on it?

The familiar can't be dismissed (this would break its concentration), but it could otherwise free up the caster to cast another concentration spell. Obviously, most familiars would lose concentration on a hit, assuming the hit didn't destroy it anyway.

Thoughts?

EDIT: One balance possibility is if either you or your familiar are forced to make a concentration check, the other must also make one. So, you are potentially losing both spells for one damage source.

 

[Laurefindel]

What do you think about the idea that a caster could use a Familiar to deliver a touch spell which requires concentration, such as Invisibility, and because the familiar delivered the spell, house-ruling that the familiar is the creature who has to concentrate on it?

The familiar can't be dismissed (this would break its concentration), but it could otherwise free up the caster to cast another concentration spell. Obviously, most familiars would lose concentration on a hit, assuming the hit didn't destroy it anyway.

Thoughts?

I like it. It does increase the value of find familiar quite a bit however. Perhaps disproportionally so.

 

[NotAYakk]

I've played with this kind of thing. One thing to add is that the proxy has to stay within 30' of the main caster, or they just get the proxy "be gone".

(I played with this as part of ranger rework. Gave every ranger a companion, and one ability was the ability for the companion to hold concentration on ranger spells)

 

[Nebulous]

Interesting idea. Quite powerful though, I would probably want to see some feat bundled with it to make it more balanced. Some sort of Enhanced Familiar or whatever.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I don't see it as being too powerful since most familiars will die from a single hit, so your spell will nearly automatically be disrupted if it happens. It would increase wizard utility even more, which as their "thing" is nice as well.

I could add a caveat that if you are concentrating on a second spell and either you or your familiar are forced to make a concentration check, the other also has to make a check due to the link between you and your familiar?

Example:

My familiar touches our rogue, and I cast Invisibility through the familiar, so the familiar is "linked" via concentration to the spell.
Later, I cast Dancing Lights and am concentrating on that spell.
At the start of a battle, I get hit by an arrow and must make a concentration check for Dancing Lights AND my familiar must make a check for Invisibility.

 

[Guest 6801328]

I like it. It does increase the value of find familiar quite a bit however. Perhaps disproportionally so.

Yes. Makes FF a spell tax, maybe.

EDIT: But I do REALLY like it thematically.

 

[Stormonu]

I really like this idea - having close-by companions maintain a concentration spell for a spellcaster is a very interesting idea. It also creates some interesting choices - keeping it around, protecting it, do you instead send it to scout or combat, etc.

As I wrote the above I wonder if it should take the familiar's action to maintain concentration - preventing you from using it for attacks/scouting while it "holds" your spell?

 

[DND_Reborn]

As I wrote the above I wonder if it should take the familiar's action to maintain concentration - preventing you from using it for attacks/scouting while it "holds" your spell?

Sure, I think that would be a viable "cost" associated with it.

 

[jmartkdr2]

I'd put a feat or invocation tax on it, but it's one of the better double-concentration ideas I've seen.

 

[NotAYakk]

Note that this is an extremely, extremely powerful feature. I considered giving it to Rangers as a significant power upgrade, and restricted it to ranger spells.

Doing it in general, you better be ready for hasted (potion) swift quivered (self cast) holy weapon (familiar cast) wielding sword bards. Or similar shenanigans.