Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post

Plane · 12-06-2019, 05:31 PM

I don't remember anything official about it, but it does seem like there should be some guidelines.

At bare minimum, I would go based on P159's "Long-Term Use" for powers and say it should use up at least 1 FP per hour, like say if a mage was constantly casting spells that his skill reduces to cost 0 energy.

Also because constant focus isn't restful you shouldn't be recovering FP during that period.

In that way, concentration would be limited to FP in hours before you have to begin making Will rolls to stay conscious as you continue to do it.

Of course, someone could concentrate 1 hour, then rest 10 minutes to get back 1 FP, and then maintain it indefinitely unless they start skipping sleep.

Normally you only roll at will-3 to maintain it if you defend, suffer knockdown, or suffer injury... there is a vague "otherwise distracted" in there though, which might give flexibility for GM to define "distracting conditions" which might also force that roll.

For example: say you're standing guard: your legs might get tired, or maybe your head starts to itch, or maybe there's a cool breeze and you shiver.

12-06-2019, 05:31 PM	#2
Plane Join Date: Aug 2018	Re: How long can someone concentrate for? I don't remember anything official about it, but it does seem like there should be some guidelines. At bare minimum, I would go based on P159's "Long-Term Use" for powers and say it should use up at least 1 FP per hour, like say if a mage was constantly casting spells that his skill reduces to cost 0 energy. Also because constant focus isn't restful you shouldn't be recovering FP during that period. In that way, concentration would be limited to FP in hours before you have to begin making Will rolls to stay conscious as you continue to do it. Of course, someone could concentrate 1 hour, then rest 10 minutes to get back 1 FP, and then maintain it indefinitely unless they start skipping sleep. Normally you only roll at will-3 to maintain it if you defend, suffer knockdown, or suffer injury... there is a vague "otherwise distracted" in there though, which might give flexibility for GM to define "distracting conditions" which might also force that roll. For example: say you're standing guard: your legs might get tired, or maybe your head starts to itch, or maybe there's a cool breeze and you shiver.