D&D 5E Concentration while Short Resting

[Cyrinishad]

I could see a DM asking of a caster to make a flat DC 10 Con check during the short rest, to represent something distracting them. When the check would be made, I don't know. Probably at the start, then roll a D6 to see determine how far into the rest 'something' happened to disrupt the concentration, assuming the check failed of course.

I think this is a good suggestion for folks that have voiced concerns about the fact that concentration spells can be maintained during rests...

 

[rollingForInit]

I could see a DM asking of a caster to make a flat DC 10 Con check during the short rest, to represent something distracting them. When the check would be made, I don't know. Probably at the start, then roll a D6 to see determine how far into the rest 'something' happened to disrupt the concentration, assuming the check failed of course.

The only issue I'd have with that is that if you can fight for several minutes without ever risking to break the concentration (assuming you take no damage), then I can't see what you'd do during a short rest that would offer up a much greater distraction.

Honestly, it mostly seems like they just ought to have named it something else. From all the rules written and all the tweets from them, it feels less like "concentration" and more like "active spell limit". The name just confuses people.

 

[jaelis]

The only issue I'd have with that is that if you can fight for several minutes without ever risking to break the concentration (assuming you take no damage), then I can't see what you'd do during a short rest that would offer up a much greater distraction.

True but it's not crazy to imagine that an unexpected distraction while you're relaxing might have more impact than the greater distraction of combat that you know about. But if you went that route you might want to make casters roll to keep concentrating any time they are surprised (in the combat sense or otherwise). Which isn't unreasonable, if you tilt that way.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

Honestly, it mostly seems like they just ought to have named it something else. From all the rules written and all the tweets from them, it feels less like "concentration" and more like "active spell limit". The name just confuses people.

Aye, I think this is the crux of the matter - concentration, to my mind at least, is hardly something I associate with relaxation/resting. And so folks react accordingly. Oh the power of words!

 

[MNblockhead]

We are talking about wizards, sorcerers, clerics, and warlocks, who have either (1) spent years strengthening their minds to focus on and control magic powers until it becomes second natures, (2) were born with a natural talent for magic, or (3) have abilities bestowed upon them by a higher power (and probably some training/discipline involved as well).

I liken it to learning to sleep on a bed without rails. You need to be careful just sticking a young child on a high bed without rails. They are likely to roll right off of it. That's how I broke my collar bone when I was a kid. Once you are older that if very unlikely to occur. As an older kid, I took naps in trees, bunk beds with our railings, hammocks, etc.

Another example would be how it can be dangerous to have a non-parent adult share a bed with an infant but how incredibly rare it is for parents to roll over on their own infant.

A zero-level Wizard's apprentice would probably need to take great care and work with some aids to keep concentration on certain spells. But once they have the background that justifies them becoming 1st level adventurers, the spells they know are ingrained. I would take a real jolt, like a smack to the head or truly surprising/shocking/dangerous/emotionally charged environmental conditions to break their concentration.

Another way to look at it is casting a spell that requires concentration is like engaging in self-hypnosis as part of the casting.

Scientists who study hypnosis are not exactly sure how it works, but they know that it helps change our expectations. Suggestions made during hypnosis help the mind take control over the body. "You subconscious has grabbed hold of that message, replaying it again and again." (from WebMD, not exactly a peer-reviewed journal, but sufficient for making a simile).

So, I agree with other posters. You can maintain concentration for the spells duration, including during normal, self-guided sleep (as opposed to being physically or magically knocked unconscious or magically put to sleep).

 

[The Crimson Binome]

The only issue I'd have with that is that if you can fight for several minutes without ever risking to break the concentration (assuming you take no damage), then I can't see what you'd do during a short rest that would offer up a much greater distraction.

The question isn't whether a short rest breaks your concentration, but whether concentration prevents you from resting. Concentrating on a spell requires less effort than swinging a sword, but does it require more effort than applying bandages or eating a sandwich? It doesn't necessarily follow.

I mean, I think it's pretty clear by the rules that the intent is for concentration to persist through a rest, but I could imagine a reality where magical concentration did require a focused effort that made resting impossible. If that's the kind of game that the DM wants to run, then the important thing is that they let the players know before the game starts, because otherwise they would have no idea.

 

[Ganymede81]

Nothing in the rulebooks indicate whether or not one can benefit from a short rest while concentrating on a spell.

The only relevant rule is on page 185 of the PHB and says that a character only benefits from a short rest if he does nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking, reading, or tending to wounds. There is no actual guidance in the rules as to whether concentrating on a spell is more strenuous than that. In the absence of any rules on point, it is up to each individual DM to make a ruling on the issue.

Mike Mearls has chimed in on the issue by tweeting that he allows one to benefit from a short rest while concentrating on a spell, but it is important to point out that his tweets are not official rules clarifications and are instead advice on how he would run things in his games.


TL : DR - Can you benefit from a short rest while concentrating on a spell? Ask your DM.

 

[cbwjm]

Nothing in the rulebooks indicate whether or not one can benefit from a short rest while concentrating on a spell.

The only relevant rule is on page 185 of the PHB and says that a character only benefits from a short rest if he does nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking, reading, or tending to wounds. There is no actual guidance in the rules as to whether concentrating on a spell is more strenuous than that. In the absence of any rules on point, it is up to each individual DM to make a ruling on the issue.

Mike Mearls has chimed in on the issue by tweeting that he allows one to benefit from a short rest while concentrating on a spell, but it is important to point out that his tweets are not official rules clarifications and are instead advice on how he would run things in his games.


TL : DR - Can you benefit from a short rest while concentrating on a spell? Ask your DM.

While it's true that it will be up to the DM to decide a ruling, there is nothing wrong with looking to the rules to inform that decision, it's what I've done. After reading up on short rests and the rules on concentration I've come to the conclusion that you can maintain concentration on a spell during a short rest.

 

[Ganymede81]

While it's true that it will be up to the DM to decide a ruling, there is nothing wrong with looking to the rules to inform that decision, it's what I've done. After reading up on short rests and the rules on concentration I've come to the conclusion that you can maintain concentration on a spell during a short rest.

Well yeah, DMs will use all sorts of info when they make a ruling. I certainly do. None of that is particularly relevant though, as it is not an answer to the OP's rule question.

 

[Mouseferatu]

The game may not specifically say "You can rest while concentrating."

It does, however, give a specific list of what breaks concentration, and a short rest is not on there. (Technically neither is a long rest, as someone pointed out above, unless you're also sleeping.)

Yes, it's up to the DM, but the DM who says you can't concentrate during a short rest is adding something to the list that isn't there, and thus further removed from RAW than one who says you can.