Can a Warlock's Eldritch Blast be countered?

[Storyteller01]

Assuming a class doesn't need to make a Spellcraft roll or ID the spell (just knows that a magical effect is being cast) could they counter the Warlock's Eldritch Blast or other abilities?

I ask because MPG's Chaos Mage can counter without actually IDing a spell, and a player is considering using it. I also have a player whose using the Warlock (using his book, so I don't have details). I detect some tension to soon follow.

 

[Shawn_Kehoe]

Assuming a class doesn't need to make a Spellcraft roll or ID the spell (just knows that a magical effect is being cast) could they counter the Warlock's Eldritch Blast or other abilities?

I ask because MPG's Chaos Mage can counter without actually IDing a spell, and a player is considering using it. I also have a player whose using the Warlock (using his book, so I don't have details). I detect some tension to soon follow.

I think the dispel magic option would work. Since counterspelling typically requires the casting of an identical spell, only other warlocks could counter the ability inherently. If the character had the improved counterspell feat, I might allow them to sacrifice an evocation spell to counter the blast, but figuring out the effective spell level of the EB could be tricky.

Shawn

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.

All the warlock's abilities, including EB, are spell-like. So, no.

 

[Storyteller01]

All the warlock's abilities, including EB, are spell-like. So, no.

Thanks. Wasn't sure what E. Blasts counted as...

 

[Drowbane]

Yo Smurf!!

On a related note..

Can a Warlock 6th with the Dispell Magic invocation (can't remember the name atm) use a readied (or is it delayed? argh!) action to counter a spell as per a Wiz/Sor/Cle/Etc with Dispell Magic?

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Somebody remind me what balances the Warlock class again?

:\

--fje

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

On a related note..

Can a Warlock 6th with the Dispell Magic invocation (can't remember the name atm) use a readied (or is it delayed? argh!) action to counter a spell as per a Wiz/Sor/Cle/Etc with Dispell Magic?

Depends on how the invocation reads.

 

[Angel of Adventure]

I'm pretty sure that a Warlock's Dispel invocation is ranged touch so, at the very least, they would need to be right next to the caster.

-AoA

 

[Kelleris]

Somebody remind me what balances the Warlock class again?

:\

A pathetically short range of powers.

Seriously, though, does anyone actually use the counterspelling rules frequently enough that they count as a major balancing factor for anything?

 

[Storyteller01]

Somebody remind me what balances the Warlock class again?

:\

--fje

In my campaign? Big plasma cannons...