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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GlassJaw" data-source="post: 8061542" data-attributes="member: 22103">After concentration popped up again in a recent thread, I dug out my own notes and revisited the topic. Here's my quick take on the concentration mechanic:<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The concentration mechanic has been a great addition to 5E.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Some spells are hurt more than others by requiring concentration and therefore, rarely - if ever - get used.</li> </ol>I'd really like to see #2 addressed. I'm also willing to allow casters to concentrate on two spells at a time, depending on the spell combination. This won't significantly affect balance. If anything, it will make for more interesting gameplay if a wider range of spells are used.Here's my basic criteria for evaluating concentration spells:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Does it require an attack roll (Ray of Enfeeblement, Searing Smite, Witch Bolt)?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Does it require an action every round to continue to use (Witch Bolt)?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Does it allow a save every round (Ray of Enfeeblement)?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Does it require the caster to be in melee (Vampiric Touch, smite spells)?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is it rarely used?</li> </ul>However, you can't simply remove concentration from a group of spells to solve the problem. It's a start but it has far-reaching consequences if concentration is removed from too many spells, mainly buff-stacking, which I would argue was the primary design goal of the developers when implementing the concentration mechanic. However, after 6 years of "playtesting", it's clear some spells are hurt significantly by it.My redesign is twofold:<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Remove concentration from a small group of spells, and</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Put concentration spells into 2 categories. A caster can maintain concentration on two spells at a time, one from each category.</li> </ol>Concentration CategoriesAlly (A): The spell affects yourself or one or more alliesEnemy/Environment (E): The spell affects the environment or one or more enemiesIf you take damage while you are concentrating on two spells, the DC equals 15 or half the damage you take, whichever number is higher. If you fail, you lose both spells.Remove Concentration<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Spell</td><td>Level</td></tr><tr><td>Dancing Lights</td><td>Cantrip</td></tr><tr><td>True Strike</td><td>Cantrip</td></tr><tr><td>Hail of Thorns</td><td>1st</td></tr><tr><td>Searing Smite</td><td>1st</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderous Smite</td><td>1st</td></tr><tr><td>Witch Bolt</td><td>1st</td></tr><tr><td>Wrathful Smite</td><td>1st</td></tr><tr><td>Barkskin</td><td>2nd</td></tr><tr><td>Branding Smite</td><td>2nd</td></tr><tr><td>Ray of Enfeeblement</td><td>2nd</td></tr><tr><td>Blinding Smite</td><td>3rd</td></tr><tr><td>Call Lightning</td><td>3rd</td></tr><tr><td>Elemental Weapon</td><td>3rd</td></tr><tr><td>Lightning Arrow</td><td>3rd</td></tr><tr><td>Staggering Smite</td><td>4th</td></tr><tr><td>Banishing Smite</td><td>5th</td></tr></table></td><td></td></tr></table></blockquote>

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