Hag Covens and conctration checks

[martryn]

A hog coven uses a variety of SLA's. Are they subjected to concentration checks if a member of the coven is attacked while the coven is attempting to use a SLA? If so, how do you calculate the concentration check for the coven?

Also, if a creature has an energy drain ability associated with hitting with an attack, such as a wight, is the target allowed a saving throw before taking the negative level, or is the level just a sure thing upon a hit? And despite it's CR 3, wouldn't a single wight be a dangerous opponent for a party of 2rd level characters, particularly if it attacks from surprise with it's massive +16 Stealth check? I mean, two hits from a wight and someone is dead, with no save, regardless of HPs. Brutal.

[LazarX]

The hag member attacked need to make a concentration check as if she was casting a spell of the appropriate level. If she fails, the entire spell fails.

It should be noted that coven spells are typically not cast in the heat of battle.

[Aioran]

Energy Drain Rules.
Nope, no save.

[Mikaze]

Anywhere near a hag coven is no place I'd want to have to make a contraction check. :O

[Weirdo]

martryn wrote:

If so, how do you calculate the concentration check for the coven?

I believe it would have a DC appropriate to the distraction (for example, 10+damage+SLA level if damaged), with a modifer appropriate to the hag being attacked. You can find the hag's caster level for SLAs in the hag description and reverse-engineer the key ability modifier based on the SLA save DCs (for example, +3 for a night hag).

martryn wrote:

Also, if a creature has an energy drain ability associated with hitting with an attack, such as a wight, is the target allowed a saving throw before taking the negative level, or is the level just a sure thing upon a hit? And despite it's CR 3, wouldn't a single wight be a dangerous opponent for a party of 2rd level characters, particularly if it attacks from surprise with it's massive +16 Stealth check? I mean, two hits from a wight and someone is dead, with no save, regardless of HPs. Brutal.

Wights are scary because of the energy drain and I'd consider carefully before using them against a level 2 party, especially in conditions where the wight is likely to get surprise. However, they have few defensive abilities. A 2nd level party could probably kill one in a round or two of focused attacks.

EDIT: Remember that CR is a guideline only. I suspect that it's particularly dicey at low levels - there's more of a difference between a 2nd level character and a 3rd level character than a 12th and 13th level character.

[martryn]

Thanks, everyone. That's how I played it, and I'm glad I played it right.

And I thought trying to use coven abilities in combat was a bit weird, but that's what the tactics called for, and I try to play the Adventure Paths by the book whenever possible.