D&D 5E concentration in 5th edition, whats my fix?

[Cap'n Kobold]

So:
Can anyone start to list some examples of spells that currently require concentration, but don't believe that they're powerful enough to warrant it?

 

[CapnZapp]

So:
Can anyone start to list some examples of spells that currently require concentration, but don't believe that they're powerful enough to warrant it?

Oh, where to begin....

One idea to start you off:

Pick a caster class guide. Any guide. Your favorite guide.

Now list every red or pink spell in that guide that requires Concentration.

Chances are, that spell will at least be blue or green if that requirement is waivered.

(Of course, there's also a sizeable chance it will remain black or brown, and thus perhaps not worth the effort... and there's a - smaller - chance it becomes gold or sky blue, and thus perhaps too good... but at least it's a start)

I might do that myself using TAMs God Wizard guide...

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[Arilyn]

The concentration mechanics are a clumsy fix to perceived problem, which could have been handled more elegantly. WOTC already reduced slots for high level casters. If there is a problem with too much stacking, just state that a target can only have one or two on going spells on her. Skip the concentration or 10 minutes spells, and just say "one encounter." If it's a non combat spell pick a reasonable amount of time. If a spell seems too tough to last a whole encounter then there's a problem with the spell.

Personally, I find the whole spell section feels rushed and in need of another editing pass.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

So:
Can anyone start to list some examples of spells that currently require concentration, but don't believe that they're powerful enough to warrant it?

Ok, let's take this exercise one step further since the OP punted to the internets and their color coding system of character optimization.

Here's a list of 1st level Wizard Spells that require concentration:

Cause Fear
Detect Magic (Ritual)
Expeditious Retreat
Fog Cloud
Protection from Evil and Good
Silent Image
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
Witch Bolt

I think one can reasonably argue why concentration is required for any of these. I suppose that's what WoTC did when coming up with the spells in the first place. I also can see someone arguing the other way for, say, Expeditious Retreat. The character is going to be out of range for many other concentration spells anyway (one might argue), so what does it matter if we stripped concentration from ER?

All that said, I'm going to guess that most players who are playing a spellcaster pick spells based on damage, flavor, utility, and/or just a feeling that a particular spell would be cool. I'm kinda skeptical that concentration plays any role, let alone a big one, in spell selection at most tables. Of course, if you are inclined to tinker with rules and feel this one is worth your time and will raise the fun a notch or two - go for it.

 

[Fanaelialae]

Here's what I use. It makes multiple concentration feasible in desperate circumstances, but not a go-to move.

Experienced casters can potentially concentrate on multiple spells at the same time, though doing so is difficult and never certain. If you cast a concentration spell while already concentrating on a spell, you immediately suffer a – 5 penalty (cumulative, if concentrating on three or more spells) to your Concentration saving throws. Additionally, you must immediately make a concentration save for each spell except the one you are casting (with the penalty) or lose concentration on that spell.

For example, Bob is concentrating on a Bless spell, but wants to cast Spiritual Guardians. Upon casting Spiritual Guardians, he must make a DC 10 Concentration save for Bless at a – 5 penalty. If he succeeds, he manages to concentrate on both Bless and Spiritual Guardians. If he fails, he loses concentration on Bless but maintains it on Spiritual Guardians.

 

[houser2112]

All that said, I'm going to guess that most players who are playing a spellcaster pick spells based on damage, flavor, utility, and/or just a feeling that a particular spell would be cool. I'm kinda skeptical that concentration plays any role, let alone a big one, in spell selection at most tables. Of course, if you are inclined to tinker with rules and feel this one is worth your time and will raise the fun a notch or two - go for it.

The other thread in particular was absolutely gushing about how important the mechanic is to balancing spellcasters, how can it NOT be a factor?

I guess I'm not most players. A spell requiring Concentration is definitely a factor in how I evaluate a spell.

This is similar to how I view bonus actions. There is a player in my group who wanted to play a dual-wielding fighter/rogue/wizard. Questionable wisdom of spreading yourself too thin aside, he found the combination untenable because there were too many things competing for his bonus actions.

Too many spells competing for my Concentration slot will affect my decision on spells; if not when I'm choosing spells to have, it will definitely be a factor in how I choose spells to prepare.

 

[cbwjm]

The other thread in particular was absolutely gushing about how important the mechanic is to balancing spellcasters, how can it NOT be a factor?

I guess I'm not most players. A spell requiring Concentration is definitely a factor in how I evaluate a spell.

This is similar to how I view bonus actions. There is a player in my group who wanted to play a dual-wielding fighter/rogue/wizard. Questionable wisdom of spreading yourself too thin aside, he found the combination untenable because there were too many things competing for his bonus actions.

Too many spells competing for my Concentration slot will affect my decision on spells; if not when I'm choosing spells to have, it will definitely be a factor in how I choose spells to prepare.

I'm the same, I normally try not to prepare more than a couple of concentration spells unless they are for wildly different situations so that the chances of overlap is reduced.

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[Satyrn]

Or, the various wands as well. You can get Wands of Web and Wands of Entangle, so, would it kill the game to make those non-concentration spells? Probably not.

Now I gotta go look up if a spell cast from a wand doesn't require concentration.

I hate homework

 

[Swarmkeeper]

I'm the same, I normally try not to prepare more than a couple of concentration spells unless they are for wildly different situations so that the chances of overlap is reduced.

Couldn't the same be said of any two spells in your spellbook (assuming wizard here for the sake of discussion)? For instance, would you ever prepare (or even pick in the first place) both fireball and lightning bolt?

I guess my point is, the utility of the spell seems far more important in choosing whether to pick or prepare it than whether or not it requires concentration. Concentration is absolutely an important mechanic in balancing the game, but I'm still of the mindset that it is not all that integral in determining which spells are ultimately brought to most tables during any given adventuring day.

 

[houser2112]

Couldn't the same be said of any two spells in your spellbook (assuming wizard here for the sake of discussion)? For instance, would you ever prepare (or even pick in the first place) both fireball and lightning bolt?

I guess my point is, the utility of the spell seems far more important in choosing whether to pick or prepare it than whether or not it requires concentration. Concentration is absolutely an important mechanic in balancing the game, but I'm still of the mindset that it is not all that integral in determining which spells are ultimately brought to most tables during any given adventuring day.

I realize this may be a "reductio ad absurdum" argument, but would you ever prepare only Concentration spells? You must really like cantrips.

And yes, I'd consider scribing/preparing both fireball and lightning bolt. Different energy types, different AoE shapes. That AoE thing is especially true if you're an evoker that doesn't have to worry about frying their friends with their area spells. That archetype is easy mode when it comes to blasting.