Disallowing "Casting Defensively"
- Thread starter entr0py
- Start date
The problem with basing it on the opponents BAB, is the action, as written, isn't about trying maintain a defensive posture while casting a spell, but rather trying to cast a spell while maintaining a defensive posture. If the check fails, the spell is lost but the opponent still doesn't get an AoO, which means regardless of what the caster does, he maintains a defensive posture.
If you want to change it to something based on BAB, then the mechanic should be changed to where a failed check doesn't disrupt the spell but instead allows an opponent to make an AOO. If the AOO succeeds, then the caster will need to make a second Concentration check to not lose a spell after taking damage. If the AOO misses or he succeeds in the second check, the caster still gets the spell off.
If you want to change it to something based on BAB, then the mechanic should be changed to where a failed check doesn't disrupt the spell but instead allows an opponent to make an AOO. If the AOO succeeds, then the caster will need to make a second Concentration check to not lose a spell after taking damage. If the AOO misses or he succeeds in the second check, the caster still gets the spell off.
Griffith Dragonlake
First Post
I really dislike casting defensively and won't allow it in my next campaign. Instead, I think that spellcasters should use scrolls, wands, staves, and rods. Or quickened spells for that matter.
In my 2nd Ed. campaign I used the Historical Campaign rules. This meant that all spellcasting had to be done out of an open book and that the casting time was 1 order of maginitude greater, e.g. 1 segment = 1 round, 1 round = 1 turn etc. Of course durations also increased by the same amount.
The impact was that spellcasters cast most of their spells before combat and carried wands & staves for combat itself. Don't see why it won't work for 3.x as well.
In my 2nd Ed. campaign I used the Historical Campaign rules. This meant that all spellcasting had to be done out of an open book and that the casting time was 1 order of maginitude greater, e.g. 1 segment = 1 round, 1 round = 1 turn etc. Of course durations also increased by the same amount.
The impact was that spellcasters cast most of their spells before combat and carried wands & staves for combat itself. Don't see why it won't work for 3.x as well.
