Question about Casting Defensively

[zomgpeterson]

This may be a silly question but I'm trying to settle a long standing argument in my group. The question is about what spells you can cast defensively. One of our players insists that you can only cast defensively using a defensive spell - however we've done research and resources such as this:

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/magic.html

Seems to imply that it is only a concentration check that can be made with any spell. Can anyone help clarify this for me? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as this is now becoming a sore subject in our game :(

[ShadowcatX]

Casting defensively has nothing to do with what spell you're casting. Its all about not letting your guard down while concentrating on your spell.

[Jiggy]

What ShadowcatX said.

[zomgpeterson]

Thanks so much, I don't really understand this guys logic - he's really just taking the name of it at face value but, if casting a defensive spell was inherently casting defensively then why would they have a ruleset for it. Thanks for helping me settle this argument.

[Jiggy]

I wonder if he thinks Gunslingers actually use firearms as sling bullets. ;)

[Nickademus42]

Jiggy wrote:

I wonder if he thinks Gunslingers actually use firearms as sling bullets. ;)

Awesome idea!!

*goes to make new character*

[Windquake]

zomgpeterson wrote:

Thanks so much, I don't really understand this guys logic - he's really just taking the name of it at face value but, if casting a defensive spell was inherently casting defensively then why would they have a ruleset for it. Thanks for helping me settle this argument.

Another reason the issue doesn't make sense...tell me where in the book there is a "defensive" classification for a spells.

Defensive is subjective, so who decides what spell is defensive and what isn't? you could easily make arguments for "offensive" spells as defensive. "Rage"-it increases hit points, which helps you survive. "Cat's Grace"-increase, defensive, higher AC. "Web"-it traps enemies. etc, etc, etc.

ShadowcatX is completely on. It is not Defensive Casting, it is Casting Defensively.