Readied attack vs quickened spell

[random user]

Let's say an archer says, "I ready an attack to fire as soon as the wizard casts a spell."

The wizard then on his turn casts a quickened spell, which is a free action.

What happens? I can see maybe a couple things, and I don't know which, if any, is right (which is why I'm asking).

The quickened spell is a free action and not really "casting a spell", so the readied action does not trigger. If the wizard then casts a regular spell, the archer can then attack.

The archer gets to attack as normal, and the damage, if any, is added to the DC of a concentration check which the wizard needs to make.

The archer gets to attack, but the quickened spell is immediate. The spell resolves and then the archer can attack.

The quickened spell is immediate, and the archer gets to attack. However, damage is resolved before the spell starts to cast, so the wizard, if still standing, can then cast the spell without making a concentration check.

Thanks in advance for any help with this rules question.

 

[dbm]

A quickened spell is so fast that it doesn't normally cause an AoO, but it still has the verbal and somatic components so it would be visible.

I would rule that the spell is too fast to disrupt, but the archers still sees it and fires, potentially hurting the mage but not stopping the spell.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[Majere]

RAW
The readied action interrupts and goes before ANY action, be it standard, move, full round or free. You can "ready to attack the first person to speak" if you so wish.
Thus, the spell meets the conditions of the readied action.
The archer gets his attack
The damage (if there is any) forces a concentration check.

The no AoO for a quickend spell is irrelevant, this is a readied action not an AoO.

Majere

 

[shilsen]

What Majere said. A quickened action apparently occurs too quickly for someone to react reflexively and get an AoO, but if someone has specifically readied an action, the person is prepared for the eventuality of a spell getting cast.

 

[Li Shenron]

This one:

The archer gets to attack as normal, and the damage, if any, is added to the DC of a concentration check which the wizard needs to make.