Remind me about Concentration

[Wycen]

I've recently joined a Pathfinder campaign run by a DM I used to play with a few years ago.

I'm playing a cleric and I chose feats to enhance my ability to cast of the defensive.

Problem is, I don't think any of us really have bothered to read and understand the new Concentration rules.

So, I know that Concentration is no longer a skill, though it is still a skill type roll, like Perception.

But what is the use of casting on the defensive? Example, I want to cast a cure spell on my grievously wounded party member, but I'm next to the monster and a 5 foot step will not remove me from the monster's range.

So, if I cast of the defensive, if the roll is successful, doesn't that negate the monster's chance of an Attack of Opportunity?

Or, do I cast the spell, hope it doesn't hit me, and then when it does hit me, make the Concentration roll?

I think the 1st circumstance is what we used to do in 3.5, but honestly I've been buried studying and writing papers for over 2 years so I had to make room in my brain for academic stuff.

Thanks

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I've recently joined a Pathfinder campaign run by a DM I used to play with a few years ago.

I'm playing a cleric and I chose feats to enhance my ability to cast of the defensive.

Problem is, I don't think any of us really have bothered to read and understand the new Concentration rules.

So, I know that Concentration is no longer a skill, though it is still a skill type roll, like Perception.

But what is the use of casting on the defensive? Example, I want to cast a cure spell on my grievously wounded party member, but I'm next to the monster and a 5 foot step will not remove me from the monster's range.

So, if I cast of the defensive, if the roll is successful, doesn't that negate the monster's chance of an Attack of Opportunity?

Or, do I cast the spell, hope it doesn't hit me, and then when it does hit me, make the Concentration roll?

I think the 1st circumstance is what we used to do in 3.5, but honestly I've been buried studying and writing papers for over 2 years so I had to make room in my brain for academic stuff.

Thanks

Casting Defensively

If you want to cast a spell without provoking any attacks of opportunity, you must make a concentration check (DC 15 + double the level of the spell you're casting) to succeed. You lose the spell if you fail.

So, yeah, it gives you a chance to avoid getting thumped.

It is easier to just accept being thumped - the Concentration DC is lower for taking damage, but some spellcasters are really, really fragile.... (I'll take the higher DC of casting defensively, thanks. I'm not like other people, pain hurts me. )

The Auld Grump

 

[Wycen]

In the back of my mind I figured I was right about something.

DC 15 + 4 = 19 which is doable thanks to Combat Casting, etc.

DC 10 + approx 20 + 2 = requires a natural 20+, if I let the critter hit me.

Yeah, I'm going with the first option.

Oh wait from the SRD: roll a d20 and add your caster level and the ability score modifier used to determine bonus spells of the same type. That would have added 4 + 4 = 8. That makes the second option possible, but means the first option is almost gauranteed. I'll take the sure thing.

The first 2 smacks the monster got on the party did 19 and 21 points of damage, so maybe versus a goblin commoner, I'd take the second option.