Does using a swift action require concentration?
If you're subject to motion (vigorous, violent, or extreme) and you cast a quickened spell do you have to make a concentration check?
How about in a grapple?
Using a swift action is not directly tied to concentration. So I will assume you are talking about casting a spell with a swift action and not using a swift action for a non-spell related activity. And if that is the case the answer is yes.
Any time you cast a spell you need to have concentration. If that spell is a swift, immediate, standard, or full round action you still need to maintain your concentration to work the magic. In some cases something will cause distraction requiring you to make a concentration CHECK.
To your point about grapple. You can never cast a spell while grappled with a somatic component. Only spells with verbal only... or with a verbal and your material components are in your hand already. You still then need to make a concentration check or fail. The advantage to using quicken is that you do not also have to suffer an attack of opportunity.
Think of it this way. When ridding on the back of a horse think about trying to clearly say the words Superbowl Sunday without any distortion. Saying those words in combat would be a free action. A swift action takes more effort then that... and if you say it wrong the magic does not work.
Using a swift action is not directly tied to concentration. So I will assume you are talking about casting a spell with a swift action and not using a swift action for a non-spell related activity. And if that is the case the answer is yes.
Any time you cast a spell you need to have concentration. If that spell is a swift, immediate, standard, or full round action you still need to maintain your concentration to work the magic. In some cases something will cause distraction requiring you to make a concentration CHECK.
To your point about grapple. You can never cast a spell while grappled with a somatic component. Only spells with verbal only... or with a verbal and your material components are in your hand already. You still then need to make a concentration check or fail. The advantage to using quicken is that you do not also have to suffer an attack of opportunity.
Think of it this way. When ridding on the back of a horse think about trying to clearly say the words Superbowl Sunday without any distortion. Saying those words in combat would be a free action. A swift action takes more effort then that... and if you say it wrong the magic does not work.
Quicken spell also removes the need for somatic and material components of a spell.
You still sure about grapple? I agree with your statement, but since this is the rules forum, I was looking for where I could find proof of it in RAW. I can't find anything that says one way or another. (It's 'not addressed' as my player says).
Help is appreceated.
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Look at it like this:
Quicken is a metamagic feat that applies to a spell. Except for the benefits listed in the feat section, it otherwise functions just like a normal spell.
Quicken Spell allows you to:
1: Cast as a swift action.
2: Casting a quickened spell doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity.
So otherwise, it functions just like a normal spell.
On page 207 it talks about casting spells while grappled or pinned.
"The only spells you can cast while grappling or pinned are those without somatic components and whose material components (if any) you have in hand. Even so, you must make a concentration check or lose the spell."
Note that quicken spell says nothing about removing the need for somatic and material components. It's on page 132.
So either cast a spell without components, or:
pg 201
"Instead of attempting to break or reverse the grapple, you can take any action that requires only one hand to perform, such as cast a spell or make an attack with a light or one-handed weapon..."
Pg 567 tells you what exactly you're limited to when you're grappled. So take a move action with one hand to grab your spell component pouch. Then use your swift action to cast your spell, rolling for the concentration check. You probably won't make it, but hey, at least you can try.