Casting defensively

[Alpha Polaris]

One question my gaming group has been discussing lately is the action called "casting defensively". The SRD states:

If the Concentration check succeeds, you may attempt the action normally without provoking any attacks of opportunity. [snip]. If the Concentration check fails, the related action also automatically fails (with any appropriate ramifications), and the action is wasted, just as if your concentration had been disrupted by a distraction.

We all agree (in our group, anyway) that on a succesfull concentration check, the spell is cast without provoking an AoO. Our question is about the case when the concentration check fails. Do the "appropriate ramifications" of a failed spell include an attack of opportunity from threatening vilains ?

 

[irdeggman]

But from the SRD specifically on casting defensively

Casting Defensively: If you want to cast a spell without provoking any attacks of opportunity, you must make a Concentration check (DC 15 + the level of the spell you’re casting) to succeed. You lose the spell if you fail.

Basically by choosing to cast defensively you avoid the AoO but in exchange you must make a Concentration check in order to get the spell off.

Otherwise you can cast normally without a check but your foe gets an AoO. You only make a concentration check if he hits, while you always need to make the check while casting defensively.

 

[Alpha Polaris]

Crystal clear. Thank you.