D&D 5E Counterspell Idea

[Gorgoroth]

Then a simple d20 mechanic would filter in - perhaps opposed rolls.
Modifiers could be spell level and ability modifier and perhaps 1 for every 2 levels of caster (whatever takes your fancy).
- A higher result by the original caster would mean his spell goes through.
- A higher result by the counterspeller would mean the spell was negated, and/or perhaps his spell went through instead.
A pass by 10 or more by either result could lead to fantastical events (DM adlib)

I got it!

Would you all agree that a 9th level spell is harder to cast than a 1st level spell? If you concede that, whatever counterspelling rules need to make the DCs decrease by 1 for each spell level.

So how about this

Counterspell DC = 10 + Level of enemy wizard - Spell level - your int mod

With the caveat that you need to consume a spell of an equal level. I.e. you need to waste one of YOUR 9th level spells' magic in the process. We could even add a feat allowing you to spend a lower level spell instead, increasing the DC by 1 or 2 per spell level. I.e. if you are both 20th level, the DC is 21, less, say, 5 for your int mod, so 16. If you want to spend an 8th level spell to counter his/her Time Stop or Wish, you need to beat 18. Disintegrate? 20.

Another feat could improve that further, to reduce the DC cost to 1:1.

This would have the nice side effect to coach wizards in duels to "waste" lower level spells first since they would be harder to counterspell. Or if you are dueling a higher level enemy, and he's casting a 9th level spell, you simply CANNOT counterspell it unless you can also cast 9th level spells as well, or have taken those feats to counter higher spell levels than you can currently cast.

Either that or make higher level spells harder to counterspell, and take both your levels into account in the DCs

DC = 15 - your wizard level + theirs + spell level

So a level 9 wizard vs a level 1 wizard casting a 1st level spell, would have a DC of 8 to counterspell it. If you're equal level, the DC is just 15 + spell level (plus consuming a spell of an equal spell level of your own)

I HATE memorizing Dispel Magic. It's almost always needed more than once when it is, and forget about readying an action. Those 3.5 rules SUCK. Immediate reaction is goooood. I need to re-read the playtest rules.

 

[Paraxis]

Detecting, dispelling, and counter spelling should all just be things a spellcaster can do on the fly. No memorization or preparation should be needed to do these things.

I think dispelling and counter spelling are almost the same thing, should probably expend some resource so that it is not at-will so a spell of equal or higher level might do the trick.

A roll is needed and using a reaction when not your turn should be harder than dispelling an ongoing effect when it is your turn.

What those numbers are not sure yet, but it should take into account the level of both casters, and the level of both spells used.

 

[GameDoc]

Detecting, dispelling, and counter spelling should all just be things a spellcaster can do on the fly. No memorization or preparation should be needed to do these things.

I think dispelling and counter spelling are almost the same thing, should probably expend some resource so that it is not at-will so a spell of equal or higher level might do the trick.

A roll is needed and using a reaction when not your turn should be harder than dispelling an ongoing effect when it is your turn.

What those numbers are not sure yet, but it should take into account the level of both casters, and the level of both spells used.

I like that they've made detect magic an at-will cantrip. Otherwise, I agree. In the current paradigm, I wonder if dispel magic should be able to be used without being prepared/memorized both as a ritual for situations where you encounter a standing magical effect (such as a ward or other zone effect) that you can undo at your leisure, and as a reaction by expending a spell slot. The latter could be used for both counterspelling and the more traditional uses of dispel magic.

Several previous posts have mentioned bringing in the levels of the opposing casters to model the advantage a higher level caster has over a novice. I think in the current paradigm, to preserve the bounded accuracy principle, you'd use the caster's magical attack bonus instead.

I think dispel magic/counterspell should also be a class feature, or if they keep it a spell, make it akin to the current turn undead - its a spell you always have ready and doesn't count against your allotment of prepared spells for the day.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I'd like to see more counterspelling -- the traditional "wizard's duel" is something D&D doesn't pull off too well.

The Dispel Magic suggestions in this thread are pretty good, to start.

I do like the idea of allowing an essentially automatic reaction counter-spell by sacrificing an action and a prepared spell slot, but I'd require the use of one spell slot *higher* than the spell being counter-spelled (e.g. more power to overwhelm the spell), which should make casters think hard about counter-spelling. Then you might also allow countering the counter-spell with another spell at yet another slot higher ... the back-and-forth might cause wizards to effectively blow multiple spells in a round with the higher level wizard prevailing. It also might mean that the top spell level is effectively not-counter-spellable (if that's a word).