D&D 5E Softening Concentration

[mellored]

There are interesting spells no one ever takes because they aren't worth the concentration cost.

This part doesn't have much to do with concentration directly. People always take the Shield spell or use their 3rd level slot on fireball.

So... maybe have a penalty for casting the same spell over and over again?

Like...
Wizards can prepare more spells, but it becomes unprepared after casting.

Or wild magic sorcerer gets a random prepared spell each time they cast.

 

[Horwath]

This part doesn't have much to do with concentration directly. People always take the Shield spell or use their 3rd level slot on fireball.

So... maybe have a penalty for casting the same spell over and over again?

Like...
Wizards can prepare more spells, but it becomes unprepared after casting.

Or wild magic sorcerer gets a random prepared spell each time they cast.

you can only attack prof bonus per day with the same weapon, then you need to change it.
why would martials only use their favored weapons?

 

[Voadam]

you can only attack prof bonus per day with the same weapon, then you need to change it.
why would martials only use their favored weapons?

I would think more like you can only attack with higher level special maneuvers proficiency times per day. Cantrips would still be at will like normal attacking with your weapon.

 

[TiQuinn]

I like concentration but I do admit I miss some of the stacking interactions, and I remember when the days when we’d buff the fighter into a figurative superhero and then send them in to wipe the floor with whatever monsters needed killing.

Could it be as simple as allowing wizards, sorcerers and clerics of a certain level to get another concentration “slot”, the same way a fighter gets an extra attack eventually? That way you need to level up to obtain the ability, it’s unlikely to be used in dip builds, and it’s contained to just two spells at a time.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

I think familiars should be able to maintain concentration on a spell if they are within 5 feet of the caster. I've always seen them as a caster's helper, not just a spy and, in 5e, an advantage mechanism.

 

[mellored]

you can only attack prof bonus per day with the same weapon, then you need to change it.
why would martials only use their favored weapons?

If martials had maneuvers, then sure. Doing the same trick over and over would make the DC lower.

Otherwise, martials do have a "concentration" limit of 2 hands. They can't stack a shield, polearm, two weapons, reach, all a the same time.

 

[Stalker0]

Who assumes that?

My only issue with concentration is remembering concentration checks when people take damage, both for the PCs and their foes. I recently got condition counters for our minis in hopes of fixing that.

The game does. The rules for CR assume a 3 round combat in the math.

i can say that anecdotally my experience matches that, 3 round combats are pretty consistently the norm, not always of course but definitely the majority.

 

[jayoungr]

I love concentration and the way it prevents buff-stacking. I think the choice that it forces is an interesting one.

So, rather than changing the rules for concentration, I'd just house rule which spells require it. If there are some spells that are interesting but aren't taken dut to concentration restrictions, just remove concentration from those specific spells.

And on the flip side, frankly, I think hypnotic pattern should have been a concentration spell.

 

[el-remmen]

The game does. The rules for CR assume a 3 round combat in the math.

Interesting. Is that in the DMG? Got a page number?

 

[James Gasik]

I love concentration and the way it prevents buff-stacking. I think the choice that it forces is an interesting one.

So, rather than changing the rules for concentration, I'd just house rule which spells require it. If there are some spells that are interesting but aren't taken dut to concentration restrictions, just remove concentration from those specific spells.

And on the flip side, frankly, I think hypnotic pattern should have been a concentration spell.

Eh? Hypnotic Pattern is a concentration spell. Was someone saying it shouldn't be?