Casting while moving?

garydee · Post by **garydee** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:16 pm

Do casters have to stand still in order to cast spells as in 1st & 2nd edition D&D? I don't see any rule that says you have to or did I overlook it?

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:30 pm

Castle Keeper's discretion. There are rules for "concentration" checks on page 48-49, PHB.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:40 pm

According to page 115 (3rd printing PHB), no - except for one small stipulation:

Player's Handbook, 3rd Printing wrote:
A character may not move any distance and cast a spell in the same round unless the spell description states otherwise.

I think this is a decent rule. Makes those powerful spellcasters plant themselves if they want to cast their magic.
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garydee · Post by **garydee** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:13 am

Lord Dynel wrote:
According to page 115 (3rd printing PHB), no - except for one small stipulation:

I think this is a decent rule. Makes those powerful spellcasters plant themselves if they want to cast their magic.

Thanks! Yeah, it is a good rule. I wish that 3rd edition D&D had this rule as well.

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:04 am

You're welcome!

EDIT: I wish that 3.x would have had it, too, after thinking about it. I think it would have had balanced things a little bit more, had they did it that way. All spells that took a standard action now become a full round action (maybe still allow a 5' step). No other changes would be necessary. That actually mihgt be something I consider.
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CharlieRock · Post by **CharlieRock** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:41 am

Didnt casters lose initiative as well?

I seem to remember having to resolve attacks in order from missle to melee to magic. Or was that for one side then the other in the same order. Didnt each side just have one initiative??? Ack! I cant remember ...
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:20 pm

I think you're correct, Charlie. At one time there was group initative, i just can't remember when and where. I can't remember what went in the order of what, but your suggestion (missle, melee, and magic) sounds like it makes sense.
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anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:28 pm

I think you should be allowed to move (slowly - you can't concentrate sufficiently if you're running about) if the spell has no somatic component, but otherwise if might require standing still, perhaps in a particular posture.

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:02 pm

Tenser's Floating Disk wrote:
I think you should be allowed to move (slowly - you can't concentrate sufficiently if you're running about) if the spell has no somatic component, but otherwise if might require standing still, perhaps in a particular posture.

Not a bad houserule, Tenser. I like the rulke as is, for reasons mentioned above, but I don't think there's anything game breaking by allowing them to move, at least a little, during a round in which they cast.
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Jonathan of White Haven · Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:39 pm

Lord Dynel wrote:
Not a bad houserule, Tenser. I like the rulke as is, for reasons mentioned above, but I don't think there's anything game breaking by allowing them to move, at least a little, during a round in which they cast.

I allow 1/2 the *normal* movement allowance, either before or after the spell is cast. Charging is Right Out.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:47 pm

The rules make no mention of casting while being moved, except under specific conditions such as while affected by a blink spell. For example, if the caster were laying on a wagon as it were careening down a hillside, he could cast, despite the technical movement he would be experiencing, even if he, himself, were not actually moving.... and, then there is swimming or aerial combat / casting where the caster would likely have to do 'something' just to remain in that position....

Therefore, I still say it is subject to Castle Keeper discretion. Some conditions might allow "movement" and others not -- I would not implement a general catch-all rule for it.

Though allowing movement only before, or after, makes some sense, it can still get a little weird in some situations.
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Go0gleplex · Post by **Go0gleplex** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:32 pm

I'll let the caster have a 5-feet movement before casting, but nothing more since the casting is a full action typically, IMO.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:52 pm

serleran wrote:
The rules make no mention of casting while being moved, except under specific conditions such as while affected by a blink spell. For example, if the caster were laying on a wagon as it were careening down a hillside, he could cast, despite the technical movement he would be experiencing, even if he, himself, were not actually moving.... and, then there is swimming or aerial combat / casting where the caster would likely have to do 'something' just to remain in that position....

Therefore, I still say it is subject to Castle Keeper discretion. Some conditions might allow "movement" and others not -- I would not implement a general catch-all rule for it.

Though allowing movement only before, or after, makes some sense, it can still get a little weird in some situations.

Hey, man, it's all good! Ultimately, all rules are subject to the interpretation of the CK.
I'm not trying to be an ass, serl, and I don't want to sound like I'm singling you out (or picking on your post), but I think the rule is pretty cut-and-dry - if a caster casts a spell, then he cannot move in that round (and I think the basic assumption of movement "under his own power" applies) unless the spell he is casting says that he can. Of course, all rules are subjective.
I agree there are some extraneous circumstances - the movement in the wagon, and so on. My initial response was simply the direct reiteration of the rule, which doesn't allow movement if a spell is being cast. Spells like Dimension Door allow for movement, and thus fall under the "unless the spell description states otherwise" part of the wording of the rule. And of course there's always the "CK's discretion."

But there's no wrong way to do it, IMHO.

I think Traveller is rubbing off on me a little.
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CharlieRock · Post by **CharlieRock** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:01 am

Basically you have two rules (or assumptions reflected by rules made). One rule says you can move x in y amount of time (just basic moving). The next rule says a caster needs to concentrate to cast. As long as you move while concentrating you should be okay. Meaning (imho) if you go stumbling over rough terrain, navigating a doorway in the dark, jumping, too many stairs, etc., you get the idea. You should be able to move your full basic rate. Basic rate. Sprinting takes concentration away from casting.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:09 am

Quote:
Ultimately, all rules are subject to the interpretation of the CK.

Yes, that is their point. They are not to tell you "only" what can be done, but how to use them -- guidelines, not confines.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:13 am

Well, if it means anything to anyone, I like it as written. To me, it makes sense that casters should have to concentrate and even moving may mess them up. And it checks their ability to lay waste in big chunks by having to be still to do so.

But that's me.
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