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Barbarian rage forbids activities that require "patience" or "concentration". Does this automatically exclude spellcasting?
The scenario I'm envisioning is a raged barbarian/sorcerer casting a true strike spell.
I'm assuming that it does exclude actions like directing a flaming sphere or something.
I would think spell casting while raging would fall into the "concentration" category ... one does need to make a concentration check to cast in combat.
That said, there would be nothing preventing the character you mention from casting True Strike and then the following round entering rage (it is a free action to do so) and attack with the benefits of the spell.
Barbarian rage forbids activities that require "patience" or "concentration". Does this automatically exclude spellcasting?
The scenario I'm envisioning is a raged barbarian/sorcerer casting a true strike spell.
I'm assuming that it does exclude actions like directing a flaming sphere or something.
Spellcasting requires Concentration to use.
Please forgive the following grammar rant:
RPGs have spawned a great deal of ugly words (out of necessity, I know). Can we please not add "raged"?
My party uses "raging", but perhaps now I will make the case for "enraged".
Thank you!
What about supernatural abilities, which don't require concentration checks? I have a vision for a barbarian/witch from the Realm of the Mammoth Lords and wondering if she would be able to give people the evil eye or cackle while raging.
What about supernatural abilities, which don't require concentration checks? I have a vision for a barbarian/witch from the Realm of the Mammoth Lords and wondering if she would be able to give people the evil eye or cackle while raging.
Supernatural abilities should be ok, spell-like abilities would not.
In 3.5 you had a PrC called 'rage mage' that specifically allowed to rage and cast spells.
What about other supernatural abilities, like certain domain powers or channel energy? Do they require patience or concentration? Does the term "concentration" mean the common sense idea that you have to think about what you're doing, or the game mechanic idea that you need to make a "concentration check" to perform the action if distracted, like in a grapple. Can you channel energy while being grappled if you have your holy symbol in hand?
Some official insights would be helpful, as nowhere that I can find, does it say that super-natural abilities require concentration.
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I've scanned the rules and, while they would seem to imply that a magical barbarian can't actively cast spells or SLAs while raging (excepting with moment of clarity), it's not stated explicitly. So, absent some kind of official ruling, my take is that a GM could legitimately run it either way, with "no casting" as the leading contender.
I have no idea how to adjudicate witch supernatural abilities in this case, but I would lean towards treating hexes like cackle as equivalent actions to casting spells or SLAs.
What about other supernatural abilities, like certain domain powers or channel energy? Do they require patience or concentration? Does the term "concentration" mean the common sense idea that you have to think about what you're doing, or the game mechanic idea that you need to make a "concentration check" to perform the action if distracted, like in a grapple. Can you channel energy while being grappled if you have your holy symbol in hand?
Some official insights would be helpful, as nowhere that I can find, does it say that super-natural abilities require concentration.
Supernatural Abilities do not provoke attacks of opportunity, and do not require concentration checks to use when grappled or taking damage.
Spell-like abilities do provoke attacks of opportunity due to the momentary lapse in focus on combat when you use the ability. SLAs also require a concentration check to use if you are grappled or take damage while using the ability.
Thus, the general conclusion is that supernatural abilities do not require concentration and spell-like abilities do.
As spells and spell-like abilities require concentration checks, I think it's quite save to say they require concentration in regards to rage.
I'm for just allowing all sorts of supernatural abilities to be usable during rage/ not needing concentration. Saves me debates.
It would fit most of them, too:
Breath weapons: I'm so furious I could spit! Wait, I CAN! Perfectly viable
Channel: I can see channel energy be an effort of willpower rather than concentration. It is based on charisma, after all. I could even see a feat/rage power where your rage grants you extra channel power!
Hexes: I'd let them work. Especially cackle. Might be more appropriate to call it roar of mirth, but it definitely works while you're in the rage (the cackle seems to be meant to be a frightening laugh that will make those hexes worse, and I think a guy/gal becoming stronger, nigh-impervious to pain, and foaming at the mouth is not a reassuring sight. Especially if he/she starts to laugh in my face, spittle trenching me.