Unearthed Arcana Subclass features - Is "(as if concentrating on spell)" the same as concentrating on a spell?

[Volund]

I have noticed that some of the recent UA subclasses have features that last "until your concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell)." Wizard Order of Scribes' Manifest Mind and Undead Warlock's Spirit Projection are two examples. While this phrase appears in the MM, I haven't found it anywhere in the PHB. I'm curious if anyone has thought about whether a PC/NPC using one of these features can also concentrate on a spell.

Two plausible readings of "(as if concentrating on a spell)" occur to me:
1) Although this feature is not technically a spell it is the functional equivalent of a spell requiring concentration, and your concentration can be broken just like with a spell. If you are concentrating on using this feature you cannot also concentrate on a spell.
2) Although this feature isn't a spell, the same rules for ending concentration on a spell are used to end concentration on this feature. Class features are not spells, so the rule against concentrating on more than one spell does not apply.

Follow up question: If you are a DM in camp 2, would you have a single concentration check apply to both the spell and the feature, or ask for one check for the spell and another for the feature?

 

[NaturalZero]

Think camp 1 seems easily like the most reasonable interpretation. They didn't create a new spell block for this feature, but it uses the exact same concentration system as spells.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think it's meant to be the same concentration as spells and therefore it automatically ends when casting a spell that requires concentration.

 

[Charlaquin]

Pretty sure 1 is correct.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

Setting aside the question of how to parse the words literally, I can't think of a good gameplay reason for reading 2. The whole point of the concentration mechanic is to cut down on the number of simultaneous effects you need to track.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Clearly the intent is 1). However, it might be worth asking for clarification in the survey feedback, given how many people who seem to make a hobby of misinterpreting rules there are about.

 

[ccs]

It's likely intended to be #1.
But at my table (if it ever comes up) we'd probably play it as as #2.

 

[Azzy]

I agree with the others that believe that the intention is interpretation 1.

 

[Shiroiken]

The notion of thought 2 never crossed my mind, nor do I feel it's the intent. If you did go with thought 2, I'd probably have separate saves for each, since you consider them two separate effects.

 

[Krachek]

Concentration on two spells is the Graal of 5ed!