Countering Dispel magic with dispel magic.

[Shallown]

Okay can a Dispel Magic automatically counter a Dispel magic or is it a caster level check?

The rules state in B&W that its a caster level check but does that go againstthe spirit of the rules?


Relevant passages from the SRD -

Under counter spelling -
To complete the action, you must then cast the correct spell. As a general rule, a spell can only counter itself. If you are able to cast the same spell and you have it prepared (if you prepare spells), you cast it, altering it slightly to create a counterspell effect. If the target is within range, both spells automatically negate each other with no other results.

Dispel Magic as a Counterspell: You can use dispel magic to counterspell another spellcaster, and you don’t need to identify the spell he or she is casting. However, dispel magic doesn’t always work as a counterspell (see the spell description).

Under Dispel Magic
Counterspell: When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell targets a spellcaster and is cast as a counterspell. Unlike a true counterspell, however, dispel magic may not work; you must make a dispel check to counter the other spellcaster’s spell.

 

[drnuncheon]

You can always counter a spell by casting it as a counterspell (even if it is dispel magic). This uses the counterspelling rules.

You can also use dispel magic as a 'generic' counter. This uses the rules under dispel magic.

In the first case, you're not casting dispel magic normally, so you never choose one of the manifestations - you're simply counterspelling using it. So no caster level check. In the second, you're actually casting the spell, and the effect becomes a counterspell.

This could lead to some strange cases, though: if the enemy is casting dispel magic and you identify the spell, you can automatically counter it. But if you fail to realize and actually cast a dispel magic of your own, you'd do the caser level check (since you were casting the dispel and not counterspelling with it.)

J

 

[apsuman]

Okay can a Dispel Magic automatically counter a Dispel magic or is it a caster level check?

The rules state in B&W that its a caster level check but does that go againstthe spirit of the rules?


Relevant passages from the SRD -

Under counter spelling -
To complete the action, you must then cast the correct spell. As a general rule, a spell can only counter itself. If you are able to cast the same spell and you have it prepared (if you prepare spells), you cast it, altering it slightly to create a counterspell effect. If the target is within range, both spells automatically negate each other with no other results.

Dispel Magic as a Counterspell: You can use dispel magic to counterspell another spellcaster, and you don’t need to identify the spell he or she is casting. However, dispel magic doesn’t always work as a counterspell (see the spell description).

Under Dispel Magic
Counterspell: When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell targets a spellcaster and is cast as a counterspell. Unlike a true counterspell, however, dispel magic may not work; you must make a dispel check to counter the other spellcaster’s spell.

I would say that if you identified the spell being cast, then you could cast dispel magic with automatic success.

If however, you failed the spellcraft check and/or decided not to make it in the first place, and you wanted to use Dispel Magic to stop whatever he is casting then you would use the Dispel check.

 

[Shallown]

That's pretty much how I handled it but I wanted to put it out there to see how others would veiw it.

Thanks
Later