Normally, a character can maintain concentration on one spell at a time in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. However, with the aid of a specific feat, it is possible to maintain concentration on two spells simultaneously.
Understanding Concentration in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
Concentration is a crucial mechanic that governs many powerful spells. When a spell requires concentration, it means that the caster must actively maintain their focus on it for its effects to persist. This focus can be broken by various factors, making spell management a key strategic element.
The general rule for concentration is straightforward:
- One Spell Limit: You can only concentrate on one spell at a time. If you cast another spell that requires concentration while already concentrating on an existing spell, the first concentration spell immediately ends.
- Example: If a wizard casts Haste (a concentration spell) on a fighter, and then in a later round decides to cast Hypnotic Pattern (another concentration spell), the Haste spell on the fighter would instantly end as Hypnotic Pattern takes effect.
Breaking Concentration
Concentration can be broken in a few ways:
- Casting Another Concentration Spell: As mentioned above, casting a new concentration spell ends any previous one.
- Taking Damage: When you take damage, you must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain your concentration. The DC (Difficulty Class) for this save is 10 or half the damage you take, whichever number is higher. On a failed save, your concentration breaks.
- Being Incapacitated or Dying: If you are incapacitated (e.g., stunned, paralyzed, unconscious) or die, your concentration automatically breaks.
- Environmental Factors: Some Dungeon Master rulings might also cause concentration to break due to extremely violent environmental effects.
Expanding Your Concentration: The Dual-focused Feat
While the standard rule limits you to one concentration spell, a specialized ability allows certain characters to defy this limit. With the Dual-focused feat, a character gains the extraordinary ability to concentrate on two spells simultaneously.
Here's how this unique ability functions:
- Dual Concentration: If you attempt to cast a spell that requires concentration while already concentrating on an existing spell, you can maintain concentration on both spells simultaneously.
- Maintaining Dual Concentration: To keep both spells active in subsequent rounds, you must dedicate a standard action each round to maintaining this dual concentration. If you fail to spend this action, you lose concentration on both spells. This trade-off requires careful management of your action economy.
This feat introduces a powerful strategic option, allowing for potent spell combinations that would otherwise be impossible.
Practical Implications and Examples
The ability to concentrate on two spells opens up a world of strategic possibilities, but it comes at a significant cost to your action economy.
| Scenario | Number of Concentration Spells | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Character | 1 | Normal D&D 5th Edition rules apply. |
| Character with Dual-focused Feat | 2 | Requires spending a standard action each subsequent round to maintain both spells. |
Example Uses with Dual-focused:
- A sorcerer could cast Haste on the party's barbarian and simultaneously maintain Web to control the battlefield, provided they spend a standard action each round to keep both going.
- A wizard might concentrate on Spirit Guardians for ongoing damage and simultaneously Bless the party, demanding a high cost in action economy but providing significant combat advantage.
This feat dramatically alters a spellcaster's tactical options, allowing for unprecedented combinations of sustained magical effects, though at the significant cost of their action each turn.
