[5E] campaign and I am playing a dual class high elf wizard/fighter 3/3. My question is regarding concentration spells ... why do some spells require concentration and others don't. Like Blur and Mirror Image. Both are 2nd level illusion spells that have a duration of 1 minute with a range of self that are designed to make it more difficult to hit the character. What makes one spell a concentration spell and a similar spell not? What determines which spells require concentration and which don't? The reason for concentration is obvious, you don't want characters casting multiple versions of the same spell to stack bonuses or penalties. Blink is another spell that would seem to me to require concentration, but doesn't and I think that is what is throwing me. Some seem like they should and don't while others seem like they shouldn't and do. I feel like I'm missing some simple thing and just can't see it.
The spells that say they have concentration have concentration because the book says they have concentration. The spells that don't say they have concentration don't have concentration because the book doesn't say they have concentration.
The developers are inscrutable. Don't try to scrute them.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
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You would have to ask WotC what their thought process was to get a true answer. However, I would imagine it is primarily a gameplay balance concern.
Blur is a much more powerful spell than Mirror Image, especially for a martial/caster hybrids. Beyond that I don't know if there is a satisfying answer to be found here.
Like Blur and Mirror Image. Both are 2nd level illusion spells that have a duration of 1 minute with a range of self that are designed to make it more difficult to hit the character.
But they are not equal. Mirror Image is less powerful of an option. When a creature attacks, you can roll to make it attack one of the illusionary figures but if the creature hits that figure (AC 10+ Dex Mod) then the figure is destroyed. It does not improve your AC at all and it is possible that all figures are destroyed in the first round of affect; leaving you the target for future attacks. Meanwhile Blur applies disadvantage to all attacks against you which increases the probability that you won't be hit. And if you are hit then you can make a CON save to keep the spell active. So you are more difficult to hit and you can potentially keep the spell alive on three successful attacks (unlike Mirror Image which ends after a third successful attack).
The game designers weigh in these factors. We can challenge the ruling and determine if it is fair, but the benefits of Blur would be too powerful at this level (in my opinion) if it didn't require concentration. And without the guarantee of an illusionary figure getting hit when you are targeted by an attack, and no other additional benefits added to you economy by the figures, then having to hold concentration makes this spell far less appealing especially if you have Blur as an option.
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[5E] campaign and I am playing a dual class high elf wizard/fighter 3/3. My question is regarding concentration spells ... why do some spells require concentration and others don't. Like Blur and Mirror Image. Both are 2nd level illusion spells that have a duration of 1 minute with a range of self that are designed to make it more difficult to hit the character. What makes one spell a concentration spell and a similar spell not? What determines which spells require concentration and which don't? The reason for concentration is obvious, you don't want characters casting multiple versions of the same spell to stack bonuses or penalties. Blink is another spell that would seem to me to require concentration, but doesn't and I think that is what is throwing me. Some seem like they should and don't while others seem like they shouldn't and do. I feel like I'm missing some simple thing and just can't see it.
The spells that say they have concentration have concentration because the book says they have concentration. The spells that don't say they have concentration don't have concentration because the book doesn't say they have concentration.
The developers are inscrutable. Don't try to scrute them.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
You would have to ask WotC what their thought process was to get a true answer. However, I would imagine it is primarily a gameplay balance concern.
Blur is a much more powerful spell than Mirror Image, especially for a martial/caster hybrids. Beyond that I don't know if there is a satisfying answer to be found here.
But they are not equal. Mirror Image is less powerful of an option. When a creature attacks, you can roll to make it attack one of the illusionary figures but if the creature hits that figure (AC 10+ Dex Mod) then the figure is destroyed. It does not improve your AC at all and it is possible that all figures are destroyed in the first round of affect; leaving you the target for future attacks. Meanwhile Blur applies disadvantage to all attacks against you which increases the probability that you won't be hit. And if you are hit then you can make a CON save to keep the spell active. So you are more difficult to hit and you can potentially keep the spell alive on three successful attacks (unlike Mirror Image which ends after a third successful attack).
The game designers weigh in these factors. We can challenge the ruling and determine if it is fair, but the benefits of Blur would be too powerful at this level (in my opinion) if it didn't require concentration. And without the guarantee of an illusionary figure getting hit when you are targeted by an attack, and no other additional benefits added to you economy by the figures, then having to hold concentration makes this spell far less appealing especially if you have Blur as an option.