Breathe Fire / Lightning Stare / etc. in 4e

[Kazander]

Originally Posted by Toadkiller_Dog

Turn 1: Concentrate.
Turn 2: Concentrate.
Turn 3: Attack.

I'm pretty sure this is the way it's supposed to be done. And it does suck.

This is one of the reasons I allow a couple of things.

I have a special Archmage advantage. Amongst other things, it allows a caster to cast and attack in the same round with melee and missile spells. However, both rolls are at -6, similar to a Rapid Strike. The penalty can also be reduced with further advantages.

I allow spellcasters to voluntarily reduce their casting skill (note this is instead of, not in conjunction with, the benefits of high casting skill--reduced time and energy costs): -2 for 1 point reduced cost to cast, and -3 for each halving of casting time.

Combined, you could get -9 to cast and -6 to attack, and cast and attack with Breathe Fire in 1 turn. Further advantages could reduce this to -6/-3. But these are House Rules.