Jan 01, 2017 by [ "James R. Miller" ]
Categories: rpgs Tags: dnd 5e rules concentration

Concentration in 5E

I’ve received several questions from my players about the concentration mechanic in 5E. It’s not so hard to understand. Read on for a quick explanation.

Where are the rules?

• Pages 203–204 in the Player’s Handbook (“PHB”)
• Pages 79–80 in the Basic Rules version 0.3.4 Printer Friendly PDF (“BR”) found here
• Various spells that require concentration will have a “Concentration” indication in the spell’s Duration, frequently with the length of time

The rules look identical to me between the PHB and the BR. You’re going to have fewer spells to pick from in the BR.

Summary:

Here’s my quick summary of the rules:

1. Only one spell with concentration can be active at a time;

2. You can cast another non-concentration spell or make an attack without losing concentration;

3. You can move normally without losing concentration;

4. If you cast another concentration spell, the first spell’s effect ends immediately;

5. If you take any damage you must succeed on a CON save or lose concentration;

6. The DC is the higher of 10 or one half the damage taken (if you take 30 damage, your DC is 15; if you take 1 damage, your DC is 10);

7. Mutliple saves required for multiple sources of damage;

8. Concentration ends at death or incapacity; and

9. Your GM may require you to make a DC 10 CON save for things other than damage that may make you lose concentration. The PHB’s example is a wave crashing over you while on a ship.

Questions

Most of the questions I received were super basic, along the lines of “what is concentration” or “when do I lose concentration”.

If you have any other questions, shoot me a tweet or email.