Concentration (Con)
Check: A character makes a Concentration check whenever he or she may potentially be distracted while engaged in some action that requires his or her full attention (such as making a Disable
Device or Treat Injury check). Situations such as taking damage, working in a bouncing vehicle, or dealing with severe weather can require a character to make a Concentration check.
If the Concentration check succeeds, the character may continue with the action. If the Concentration check fails, the action automatically fails (with the appropriate ramifications, if any), and the action is wasted.
A successful Concentration check still doesn’t allow a character to take
10 when in a stressful situation; he or she must roll the check as normal.
The check DC depends on the nature of the distraction.
Try Again?: Yes, though a success doesn’t cancel the effects of a previous failure, such as the disruption of an action that was being concentrated on.
Special: A character can use Concentration to avoid attacks
of opportunity when attempting a skill check that normally provokes attacks
of opportunity. The DC to do so is 15.
If the Concentration check succeeds, the character may attempt the action normally without incurring any attacks
of opportunity. If the Concentration check fails, the related check automatically fails just as if the character’s concentration had been disrupted by a distraction. The character does not provoke attacks
of opportunity, however.
This use of Concentration applies only to skill checks. It does not apply to other actions that normally provoke attacks
of opportunity, such as movement or making unarmed attacks.
A character with the Focused feat gets a +2 bonus on all Concentration checks.
The concentration skill has further uses for characters using magic or psionics.
Time: Making a Concentration check doesn’t require an action; it is either a
reaction (when attempted in response to a distraction) or part of another action
(when attempted actively).
| Distraction | DC |
|---|
|
Damaged during the action 1 |
10 + damage dealt
|
|
Taking continuous damage during the action 2 |
10 + half of continuous damage last dealt
|
|
Vigorous motion (bouncy vehicle ride, small boat in rough water, belowdecks in a storm-tossed ship, riding a horse) |
10
|
|
Violent motion (very rough vehicle ride, small boat in rapids, on deck of storm-tossed ship, galloping horse) |
15
|
|
Extraordinarily violent motion (earthquake) |
20
|
|
Entangled in net or snare |
15
|
|
Grappling or pinned |
20
|
|
Weather is a high wind carrying blinding rain or sleet |
5
|
|
Weather is wind-driven hail, dust, or debris |
10
|
1 Such as an activity that requires more than a single full-round
action. Also from an attack
of opportunity or readied attack made in response to the action being taken (for activities requiring no more than a full-round
action).
2 Such as from catching on fire.
|
Action
None. Making a Concentration check doesn’t take an action; it is either a free action (when attempted reactively) or part of another action (when attempted actively).
Try Again
Yes, though a success doesn’t cancel the effect of a previous failure, such as the loss of a spell you were casting or the disruption of a spell you were concentrating on.
Special
You can use Concentration to cast a spell, use a spell-like ability, or use a skill defensively, so as to avoid attacks of opportunity altogether. This doesn’t apply to other actions that might provoke attacks of opportunity.
The DC of the check is 15 (plus the spell’s level, if casting a spell or using a spell-like ability defensively). If the Concentration check succeeds, you may attempt the action normally without provoking any attacks of opportunity. A successful Concentration check still doesn’t allow you to take 10 on another check if you are in a stressful situation; you must make the check normally. If the Concentration check fails, the related action also automatically fails (with any appropriate ramifications), and the action is wasted, just as if your concentration had been disrupted by a distraction.
A character with the Combat Casting feat gets a +4 bonus on Concentration checks made to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability while on the defensive or while grappling or pinned.
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