Concentration and Magic Items

[Emmit Svenson]

If someone takes damage when attempting to activate a spell from one of the following magic items, must they make a concentration check to avoid losing the spell?

A spell completion item (like a scroll of cure light wounds--can the action fail, and if so is the scroll used up?)

A spell trigger item (like a wand of cure light wounds--can the action fail, and if so is a charge used up?)

A command word item (like a holy mask of the living god, which can cast cure light wounds 1/day--can the action fail, and if so is the daily use gone?)

A use activated item (like a potion of cure light wounds--can the action fail, and if so is the potion ruined?)

[Brf]

Using Scrolls and Potions both provoke AoOs.
According to the CRB:

Quote:

Activating a scroll spell is subject to disruption just as casting a normally prepared spell would be.

so you would need a concentration check if you are hit.

For potions:

Quote:

Using a potion or oil provokes attacks of opportunity. An enemy may direct an attack of opportunity against the potion or oil container rather than against the character. A successful attack of this sort can destroy the container, preventing the character from drinking the potion or applying the oil.

There is no mention of damage to the user interrupting the drinking or spoiling the spell.

[Emmit Svenson]

Does everyone agree that a spell from a scroll or other spell completion item doesn’t require a concentration check to complete if the caster takes damage while using it?

[DM_Blake]

No, nobody agrees with that.

Specifically because scrolls EXPLICITLY state that they can be interrupted like normal spellcasting - hit a guy activating a scroll and he can be interrupted just like could have been if he were casting the spell: concentration check against DC 10 + SL + damage done.

There is nothing like that in the other magic items though, so damaging a person activating any other kind of magic item, including potions, won't interrupt him (unless the specific magic item text says so).

Of course, as with potions and any other magic item, if you have a readied action or if using the item provokes (they usually don't but there are exceptions like drinking potions or specific item texts), then an enemy could Sunder the item which will interrupt your ability to use it (if the Sunder is successful. Also, combat maneuvers like Steal or maybe even Disarm could prevent item activation. None of which has any bearing on concentration and damage.

[LazarX]

Emmit Svenson wrote:

Does everyone agree that a spell from a scroll or other spell completion item doesn’t require a concentration check to complete if the caster takes damage while using it?

No.