Can a targetted Dispel Magic end a spell with a duration of concentration?

Question

There are only a handful of spells with a duration of concentration.

While these spells are active, can the caster be subject to a Targeted version of Dispel Magic that does not aim at a spell, but rather the creature (presumably with the intention of ending all spells on that creature). Ostensibly, is the Concentration spell considered to be 'on' the caster?

For example, the Implosion spell has a duration of Concentration, which suggests that the caster is actively maintaining a magical effect (which they're using to smush others into goo). Given that others may be averse to being smushed into goo, could another character target the caster of Implosion with Dispel Magic to end that spell along with any other beneficial spells that the caster may've set up?

Answer 1

No. But also maybe.

Dispel magic, when targeting a creature, potentially affects each spell currently in effect on that creature. A spell like implosion, however, doesn't affect the caster- it affects the target of the spell. Although the caster does keep the spell going through concentration, I could find nothing describing concentration in and of itself as a magical effect- and thus you can't dispel your target's concentration. This makes sense; concentration is a skill, not a spell or spell-like ability, and you shouldn't be able to dispel it anymore than you could use dispel magic on someone's Listen check. What's more, implosion in particular mentions the effect it has on its target is instantaneous and not dispellable.

That said, casting a spell that distracts the caster in a non-damaging way does have the potential to force a concentration check. It's entirely possible that casting dispel magic, while not dispelling the spell the target is concentrating on, will still cause them to lose concentration and drop the spell anyway. And of course, any concentration spell affecting the target is fair game.