Concentration is one of D&D 5e's most critical mechanics, determining whether your most powerful spells succeed or fail. Here is straight to the point guide how to use it properly:
What is Concentration in D&D 5e?
Concentration is a condition that applies to many spells, requiring the caster to maintain focus to keep the spell active. You can only concentrate on one spell at a time, and breaking concentration immediately ends the spell's effects.
The concentration mechanic prevents spellcasters from stacking multiple powerful ongoing effects simultaneously, creating strategic decisions about which spells to maintain and when to risk changing tactics.
How Does Concentration Work?
When you cast a concentration spell, you must maintain focus on it throughout its duration.
You lose concentration when:
- You cast another concentration spell
- You take damage and fail a Constitution saving throw
- You become incapacitated or die
- You voluntarily end concentration (free action)
The Constitution saving throw DC equals 10 or half the damage taken, whichever is higher.
Best Concentration Spells by Level
1st-3rd Level
Bless provides reliable d4 bonuses to attack rolls and saves. Hold Person completely incapacitates humanoid enemies. Hypnotic Pattern can end encounters by affecting multiple enemies in a 30-foot area.
4th+ Level
Polymorph transforms combat dynamics entirely. Greater Invisibility provides sustained advantage. Wall of Force creates impenetrable battlefield control.
How to Maintain Concentration Successfully
Positioning Strategy
Stay behind cover, maintain distance from enemies, and use allies as shields. Smart positioning prevents damage better than any saving throw bonus.
Character Building
Prioritize Constitution as a secondary ability score. Take the War Caster feat for advantage on concentration saves, or Resilient (Constitution) for proficiency.
Class Features
Aberrant Mind Sorcerers excel at maintaining concentration through Psionic Spells. Eldritch Knights gain Constitution save bonuses. Paladin auras support nearby allies.
Breaking Enemy Concentration
Focus fire on enemy spellcasters maintaining dangerous effects. Magic Missile forces multiple concentration saves since each missile triggers a separate save. Even minor damage can disrupt powerful enemy spells.
Common Concentration Mistakes
Never stack concentration spells - casting a new concentration spell ends the previous one immediately. Always track which character concentrates on which spell using tokens or notes. Remember that environmental damage also triggers concentration saves.
Advanced Concentration Tactics
Pair concentration spells with non-concentration effects like Spiritual Weapon. Use Counterspell to protect crucial concentration effects. Position strategically to avoid enemy counterspells.
Comprehensive FAQ: Concentration in D&D 5e
Q: Can you concentrate on two spells at once? A: No, you can only concentrate on one spell at a time. Casting a new concentration spell ends the previous one immediately.
Q: What breaks concentration in D&D? A: Taking damage (failed Constitution save), casting another concentration spell, becoming incapacitated, dying, or choosing to end it voluntarily.
Q: How do you calculate concentration saves? A: DC equals 10 or half the damage taken, whichever is higher. Roll a Constitution saving throw against this DC.
Q: Does being charmed break concentration? A: No, being charmed does not break concentration. Charmed is not the same as incapacitated.
Q: Does being stunned break concentration? A: Yes, the stunned condition makes you incapacitated, which immediately breaks concentration.
Q: What about paralyzed or unconscious? A: Yes, both conditions include incapacitation, breaking concentration immediately.
Q: Can you cast non-concentration spells while concentrating? A: Yes, you can cast any spell that doesn't require concentration, such as Healing Word, Shield, Counterspell, and Fireball.
Q: Can you cast cantrips while concentrating? A: Yes, most cantrips don't require concentration. You can use Eldritch Blast, Fire Bolt, and Sacred Flame while maintaining concentration.
Q: Does Magic Missile break concentration? A: Yes, each missile forces a separate Constitution saving throw, making it excellent for breaking enemy concentration.
Q: What happens if you're grappled or restrained? A: These conditions do not break concentration by themselves, as they don't cause incapacitation.
Q: What feat is best for concentration? A: War Caster provides advantage on concentration saves. Resilient (Constitution) gives proficiency in Constitution saves.
Q: Can you end concentration as a reaction? A: No, ending concentration voluntarily requires no action but cannot be done as a reaction to taking damage.
Q: Does teleporting break concentration? A: No, spells like Misty Step don't break concentration unless the spell specifically states otherwise.
Q: What about being frightened or blinded? A: These conditions do not break concentration, as they don't cause incapacitation.
Q: Can you concentrate on a spell from a magic item? A: Yes, if a magic item spell requires concentration, it follows normal concentration rules.
Q: Does Wild Shape break concentration? A: No, druids can maintain concentration while in Wild Shape, though they cannot cast new spells with somatic/verbal components.
Q: What happens with twin spell metamagic? A: You're still only concentrating once, but losing concentration ends both instances of the twinned spell.
Q: Can you concentrate while polymorphed? A: Yes, concentration persists through polymorph, though your changed mental ability scores might affect saves.
Q: Does being petrified break concentration? A: Yes, petrified includes incapacitation, immediately breaking concentration.
Q: Does concentration break if the spell's target dies? A: It depends on the spell. Hold Person ends when the target dies, while Bless continues affecting remaining targets.
Q: Can multiple people concentrate on the same spell? A: Yes, different casters can each concentrate on their own instance of the same spell simultaneously.
Building Concentration-Focused Characters
Start with Variant Human or Custom Lineage for early feat access. Consider one level of Artificer for Constitution save proficiency and shield access. Prioritize items that boost Constitution or provide saving throw bonuses.
Concentration Spell Strategy
Short encounters favor burst damage over sustained effects. Long encounters reward spells like Bless or Shield of Faith that provide consistent benefits. Always consider whether switching spells mid-combat provides better value than maintaining current effects.
Mastering concentration transforms spellcasters from one-trick ponies into tactical powerhouses. The key lies in understanding when to maintain spells and when strategic switching creates better outcomes.
Remember: concentration isn't just about maintaining spells — it's about making smart decisions that maximize your impact throughout the entire encounter. Master these principles, and your spellcasting will reach new levels of effectiveness.
