D&D 3E/3.5 Casting Defensivly - 3.5 rules

[Quasqueton]

I ultimately HATE this rule as there is no way any caster would fail such a save as the highest DC would be 24 and what caster does not stick their full ranks in Concentration (besides for flavor reasons).

In our last game session, the gnome wizard 8, with +14 on his Concentration checks (10 ranks, 18 con) failed a cast defensively roll (by 2 points) for a dimension door spell. The very next round he tried casting defensively again with a mirror image spell and got exactly what he needed.

So the idea that no one fails Concentration checks is absurd.

Quasqueton

 

[DarkMaster]

Modifying the concentration check (or the tumble check) with reflex, bab or whatever from the opponent would also lead to add a DC to the 5 foot step.
Why can anybody take a 5 foot step in combat without provoking an AoO. The answer to this question explain why the other two don't scale. They require a Skill check because for the common folk casting spell or tumbling is not as natural as walking but once somebody develop a good skill in it, it should be as easy as taking a 5 foot step (No check required)

Sorry After thinking a bit ... it only applies to tumble. Casting defensively allow you to cast a spell while defending yourself.

I don't see any reason why the DC should be modified by the opponent, the skill check is not based on whether or not you provide your opponent a free opportunity but on your capability of casting your spell while doing so.

 

[Lamoni]

That is an interesting idea to raise the DC for casting defensively. That would mean that a large enemy with reach could pummel the wizard to death without the wizard ever getting to fight back. All the guy would have to do is charge the wizard. The wizard has a few choices. Either they let the enemt get an Attack of Opportunity and try casting normally, or they try casting defensively with an 80% chance of losing the spell and wasting their turn. Or they could just run away and dray an AoO and let the large enemy just close again next round.

As the rules are now, if the BBEG tried doing that, the wizard could at least do some harm in return before they died. Few wizards can withstand many rounds of full attack actions against them... Or they could cast a spell on themselves to allow them to escape before they died.

It makes no sense to make it about impossible for wizards to cast spells while threatened. It already is more difficult. If you make it much harder it just makes one of their weaknesses even weaker. A CR 8 creature shouldn't be able to kill a 15th level wizard while preventing the wizard from doing anything in return just because it is large and happens to have a high AC or high saves. If you make the change, that does become possible.

 

[RigaMortus]

I concur

 

[Jhulae]

Respectfully... the last time I checked, this was a 3.5 rules question. And the partial charge action isn't in 3.5.

::rolling my eyes:: Yeah... good way to ignore all the other tactics in my post. Note that all my other readied action tactics still work...

Here's another tactic. Get a fighter of your favorite flavor (or a Monk cause they're usually wicked fast) with exotic weapon proficiency Duom. Have him ready an action.

Mage is next to the dwom wielder and casts without moving, *wham* duom attack. Mage takes a 5' step and then casts, *wham* duom attack. Mage moves away, *wham* duom attack.

The duom may take an EWP to use, but it's an *extremely* versitile weapon.

 

[Darklone]

Duom. Sword & Fist. IIRC.

 

[mikebr99]

::rolling my eyes:: Yeah... good way to ignore all the other tactics in my post. Note that all my other readied action tactics still work...

Here's another tactic. Get a fighter of your favorite flavor (or a Monk cause they're usually wicked fast) with exotic weapon proficiency Dwom (I believe that's how it's spelled). Have him ready an action.

Mage is next to the dwom wielder and casts without moving, *wham* dwom attack. Mage takes a 5' step and then casts, *wham* dwom attack. Mage moves away, *wham* dwom attack.

The dwom may take an EWP to use, but it's an *extremely* versitile weapon.

All you other tactics were ready action to <blah>

You had two tactics there... I simply pointed out that in 3.5, one of them wasn't valid.

And... I'm not the originator of this thread... I haven't been suggesting a change to concentration is needed.

Mike