Concentration and Continuous damage

[Shin Okada]

PHB p.65 says a caster mast make a concentration check of DC 10 + half of continuous damage last dealt + spell level. So even if he have struck by multiple Melf's Acid Arrows, only the damage from the last one will be counted, right? Or shall I adds up all the continuous damage dealt after the caster's last turn?

For example, if a caster is shot by 2 hasted mages and struck by 4 Acid Arrow's. And they have inflict 5 pts. each of damages. Now what should be the number of DC? 10 + 5 + spell level? Or 10 +20 + spell level?

 

[kreynolds]

Now what should be the number of DC? 10 + 5 + spell level? Or 10 +20 + spell level?

It wouldn't be 10 + 20 + spell level, I can tell you that. 5 / 2 in D&D equals 2 (2.5 rounded down), so at the most, it would be 10 + 8 + spell level, if they stacked. As to whether or not they stack, I don't know that they should, but it kinda makes sense that they would.

 

[Li Shenron]

I would add all continuous damage together and half the total for the purpose of the Concentration check, so +10. It is quite reasonable, but not necessarily exactly what the rules say.

For the direct damage, I would instead require a separate check for each damage, when each occurs.

 

[Shin Okada]

Ah yeah thanks! I meant to halve the damage.

So you guys think I should add up all the continuous damage. Right?

Hmmm... in the next session, I am planning to put up several low-level wizards with Wands of Melf's Acid Arrow to support main villains. They will certainly problematic to PC spell-casters.

 

[kreynolds]

So you guys think I should add up all the continuous damage. Right?

As much as I hate to say it, yeah. Like I said, I don't know that you're supposed to, but it kinda makes sense to.

 

[kigmatzomat]

I don't have books handy, but don't "continuous damage" effects occur at either the start or end of the round? If so, all the damages would be lumped together as one event.

 

[kreynolds]

I don't have books handy, but don't "continuous damage" effects occur at either the start or end of the round?

AFAIK, its at the beginning of the round.

If so, all the damages would be lumped together as one event.

Not necessarily. You can get smacked by three different AoOs for casting a spell, and those don't stack. You make three concentration checks, one for each hit, even though they all hit pretty much at the same time.

 

[Shin Okada]

I don't have books handy, but don't "continuous damage" effects occur at either the start or end of the round? If so, all the damages would be lumped together as one event.

I cannot find any official clarification for it. I have been thinking that an additional damage is dealt in the next round at the initiative count when the original damage is dealt.

 

[kreynolds]

I have been thinking that an additional damage is dealt in the next round at the initiative count when the original damage is dealt.

That's my thinking as well.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

I would take it that the continuous damage "last dealt" refers to the last (i.e. most recent) round.