D&D 5E Counterspell check ?

[Spykes]

There is nothing special about a spell being cast that makes it different than swinging a sword multiple times or running through a line of enemies.

Holy freaking cow.. that is what you are proposing? That a caster can use his reaction to cast counterspell in the middle of casting Scorching Ray and it will not break his cast of the original spell? The problems with that proposal are self evident in my mind.

Fist of all, why bother to have Casting TIME? The reason they explain Casting Time in the Spell casting section is to point out the amount of time it takes to cast each one. Why? Because that is a limiting factor. "A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift". The only reason this is pointed out is because they are telling you why it can be done in the same round as another action. Because it doesn't take long to do.. the obvious implication being that you can't do it at the same time as something that requires an action. An action is a length of time, supported by the text: "Most spells require an action to cast, but some spells require a bonus action, a reaction, or much more TIME to cast." (emphasis mine) That sentence says that an action is a length of time requirement. We all know it to be about 6 seconds. That defines casting time as a constraint and implies you can't do both at once.

There no way that the intent of the developers is for you to be able to cast two spells at the same time. In fact Chris Perkins already said that is against the rules. I think I'm going to go with his ruling on this one?

If you recall, it also doesn't say in the rules that you can't short rest over and over again, but Mearls said they aren't going to writes rules to prevent people from doing stupid things. I think this falls squarely in that category. My opinion.

 

[Eirikrautha]

There are actually two cases here. One, wizard A casts Scorching Ray. Wizard B counterspells the ray. Wizard A counterspells the counterspell.

Two, wizard A casts Scorching Ray. Wizard B counterspells the ray. Wizard C counterspells the counterspell.

It seems to me that there is more support for scenario two than scenario one. But, that being said, there are a number of reasons why this still might not work.

First, nowhere does it say that counterspell is an actual spell effect. It takes a spell slot to cast, but the text says that "You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell." What is the spell effect you are "countering" when trying to counterspell a counterspell? How can you cast counterspell when you are in the PROCESS of casting another spell?

Secondly, you can read the bonus action prohibition of one leveled spell per turn as just for bonus spells, or you can read it as an absolute prohibition. Shield would still work, as long as it isn't your turn anymore (so AoOs are even more of an issue). But a spell and then counterspell on your turn would be out.

Thirdly, the scorching ray requires you to "hurl" those rays (though I visualize it more as pointing). You would need both hands free to counterspell and cast the rays at the least, as you are in the process of casting scorching ray when you counterspell, both of which require somatic components.

So I don't think it's nearly as clear-cut as suggested. And, via "rulings over rules", I would have a hard time ruling you could counterspell counterspell.

 

[Paraxis]

Holy freaking cow.. that is what you are proposing? That a caster can use his reaction to cast counterspell in the middle of casting Scorching Ray and it will not break his cast of the original spell?

Exactly what I am proposing, there is nothing saying it can't be done.

A caster could be in the middle of a 1 minute casting time spell like a conjure or a dispel evil and good, the requirements are he use his action every round for 1 minute to cast the spell. During that time he can move up to his speed each round, take all the normal reactions you would expect like making attacks of opportunity or casting a reaction spell like shield or counterspell, as long as he maintains "concentration" and uses his action each round all is good.

So move, spend action casting dispel evil on possessed party member being caried by another party member, use reaction to cast shield to keep from getting hit from an attack because you don't want to have to make a concentration check on the dispel evil spell. Next round move some more, spend action continuing to cast dispel evil, interact with an object like open a door, guy on other side of door now next to you on his turn moves away you can make an attack of opportunity on him. Next round keep casting dispel evil, a wizard in this room casts scorching ray at you, you use your reaction to cast counterspell against it. Move some more....and so on and so on.

Nothing says you can't take reactions (including casting reaction spells) while spending actions casting another spell. It doesn't matter if the casting time on the first spell is 1 action or 1 hour or anywhere in between.

 

[DaveDash]

Counterspelling is a spell. It's subject to all the same constraints as other spells, and it can be counterspelled by RAW.

If the developers intended it not to be a spell and subject to different rules, they would have made it a class feature instead. That's basically how it used to work.

Just because something doesn't make sense to you doesn't mean it's not RAW. Heck, hitpoints don't even make sense.

 

[aramis erak]

I can not cast a spell of action and another reaction in the same turn?

No, but you can cast them in the same round.

You don't get actions in other people's turns in the round, only your own.
You can't react during your turn, only other people's turns.

On your turn you can...
1: cast a single spell as an action†
2: cast a single spell as a bonus action‡
3: cast a single leveled spell as a bonus action‡ and cast a cantrip†
4: use an action surge to cast two leveled spells† as two actions.

† presumes a casting time of 1 action
‡ presumes a casting time of 1 bonus action

 

[Thyrwyn]

You can't react during your turn, only other people's turns.

This is not what the PHB says on page 190:

"A Reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or someone else's."

 

[Paraxis]

No, but you can cast them in the same round.

You don't get actions in other people's turns in the round, only your own.
You can't react during your turn, only other people's turns.

On your turn you can...
1: cast a single spell as an action†
2: cast a single spell as a bonus action‡
3: cast a single leveled spell as a bonus action‡ and cast a cantrip†
4: use an action surge to cast two leveled spells† as two actions.

† presumes a casting time of 1 action
‡ presumes a casting time of 1 bonus action

You can in fact react during your turn.
So
5. use action to cast a spell, use reaction to cast a reaction spell

The only time there is an issue is with bonus action spells, they limit you to only being able to cast a cantrip on your turn.
So if you decide to cast a bonus action spell, you would then not be able to cast a reaction spell in the same turn.