Do magic items that cast a magic effect such as a ring of invisibility require the user to maintain concentration as if they had cast the spell? Is this also the case if the item casting the spell is an artifact? If the item is intelligent can it concentrate on the spell?
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asked May 2, 2017 at 20:50
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3\$\begingroup\$ Possible duplicate of Does a weapon with concentration spell enchantment require concentration from the user? \$\endgroup\$– Purple MonkeyCommented May 2, 2017 at 22:36
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That depends on if it is casting a spell, or granting a spell-like-effect.
To cast an actual spell from an item, it requires your concentration. This is specified on page 141 of the DMG
[...] The spell uses its normal casting time, range, and duration, and the user of the item must concentrate if the spell requires concentration.
This rule would be used in the case of an item such as a Staff of Fire, which allows you to use it to cast the spell Wall of Fire (which requires concentration).
However, to cite the specific example you gave of a Ring of Invisibility. No.
Again, per the DMG, page 141...
Many items, such as potions, bypass the casting of a spell and confer the spell's effects.
The rule for concentration applies if the magic item allows you to cast a spell. It does not apply if the magic item grants you a spell-like effect. The stats on a Ring of Invisibility say
While wearing this ring, you can turn invisible as an action.
It does not say you can cast the spell Invisibility...just that you may turn Invisible as an action. This is an important distinction.
Thus, a Ring of Invisibility does NOT consume your concentration as it grants a spell-like effect, rather than allowing you to cast a spell. A Ring of Water Walking is another example of this, in that it allows you to walk on water at-will, rather than allowing you to cast the spell Water Walking.
answered May 2, 2017 at 20:59
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3\$\begingroup\$ +1 Would be good to clarify a case where the language is trickier: Elemental Gem says "When you use an action to break the gem, an elemental is summoned as if you had cast the conjure elemental spell". The "as if you had cast" part is debatable both ways. On the one hand, one could argue that because if one had cast the spell, one would need to maintain it w/concentration, thus when them gem acts "as if" one had cast, it likewise leaves one needing concentration. On the other hand, one could assert that "as if" implies immediately that you simply didn't cast, hence, no concentration. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jan 19, 2020 at 5:35
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\$\begingroup\$ It might be helpful to address items like the Elemental Gem which contain the language "as if you had cast". \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jan 22, 2021 at 18:53
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\$\begingroup\$ DMG p.141 quote continues to say: '... confer the spell's effects, with their usual duration'. Duration includes concentration, so this quote doesn't directly/explicitly back up your argument by itself \$\endgroup\$– LovellCommented Jun 21, 2021 at 22:07
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\$\begingroup\$ The ring also can't be Counterspelled... \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 20 at 19:42