Counterspell

[mikebr99]

Hi all,
I'm thinking adding the following: a bonus to the counter check when you use a higher spell slot then 3rd, but one that isn't high enough to automatically counter.. I.E. if you decide to counter with a 5th level slot, but the enemy is casting a 9th level spell... you would get +1 for every level above 3rd you chose to counter with... so +2 to the counter check in this example.

I think using a more power spell slot (then 3rd) should give you a better chance to counter the unknown spell being cast.

thought?

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Guest 6801328]

Mmm...Counterspell is already so powerful. I'd rather see it get harder to use, not easier.

5e is all about simplicity, so this probably wouldn't feel right, but I'd rather see Counterspell first require you to recognize the spell being cast, and how to counter it, using Arcana. You'd get Advantage if you know the spell or it's in your spellbook, or if you're a specialist wizard and it's in your school. Then maybe Disadvantage if it's a spell you can't cast, either because of class or level.

The DC for the Arcana check would be based on the level of the slot you use versus the level of the spell being cast. So against a high level spell that you can't cast, using a 3rd level slot, you'd have a high DC and Disadvantage. Against a low level spell that you know, using a high level slot, you'd have a low DC and Advantage. But it would never be automatic success.

Or something like that.

I guess you'd suddenly see all Bards taking Expertise in Arcana, and Wizards dipping a level or taking a feat to do the same. But that's ok, right?

 

[BacchusNL]

I don't think it would be a huge issue to add this to your game, I'm just not sure it's really needed. The spel is super good baseline and there are already classes who get bonusses to though counterspell checks. I could see a feat with something along the lines of "add you proffeciency modifier to counterspell and dispell magic checks" or something though, with some side-bonusses.

 

[FrogReaver]

Hi all,
I'm thinking adding the following: a bonus to the counter check when you use a higher spell slot then 3rd, but one that isn't high enough to automatically counter.. I.E. if you decide to counter with a 5th level slot, but the enemy is casting a 9th level spell... you would get +1 for every level above 3rd you chose to counter with... so +2 to the counter check in this example.

I think using a more power spell slot (then 3rd) should give you a better chance to counter the unknown spell being cast.

thought?

Thanks!

Mike

I don’t think it will hurt anything. Go for it. The current xounterspell rules don’t really bother most of us but if the minimal amount of effort needed to do this is a benefit for you then have at it.

I simpler mathematical solution that does you want is to not factor the difference in but add the spell level of the slot used to the counterspell check and add the spells level of the spell being counter spelled to the opponents dc or check (I forget if it’s opposed rolls or dc for counterspell). This should have the same affect as the difference but keeps the math simpler IMO

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Hi all,
I'm thinking adding the following: a bonus to the counter check when you use a higher spell slot then 3rd, but one that isn't high enough to automatically counter.. I.E. if you decide to counter with a 5th level slot, but the enemy is casting a 9th level spell... you would get +1 for every level above 3rd you chose to counter with... so +2 to the counter check in this example.

I think using a more power spell slot (then 3rd) should give you a better chance to counter the unknown spell being cast.

thought?

Thanks!

Mike

How about, that, plus even if you're using the same or higher level spell slot, there is always a chance to fail when Counterspell is used? So, if you cast it at 8th level, it's an ability check with a +5 bonus.

9th level Counterspell should always work, except maybe against other 9th level spells, in which case things should get weird.

 

[Stalker0]

I'll agree with the chorus. The rule is fine, though I personally think counterspell is already a hell of a powerful spell.

 

[MechaPilot]

From my experience, Counterspell is mostly a PC resource-burner. It has to be an attractive option to encourage the PCs to use their slots on it, so they have fewer of them when they get to your primary villain.

 

[Stalker0]

From my experience, Counterspell is mostly a PC resource-burner. It has to be an attractive option to encourage the PCs to use their slots on it, so they have fewer of them when they get to your primary villain.

Its also the "rain on the caster's parade" spell. Few things have put the big frown on my caster players than when they cast and I say "the enemy casts counterspell". There's nothing more a player hates than to do nothing in a round of combat, especially if there are a lot of players (I have 6).

 

[MechaPilot]

Its also the "rain on the caster's parade" spell. Few things have put the big frown on my caster players than when they cast and I say "the enemy casts counterspell". There's nothing more a player hates than to do nothing in a round of combat, especially if there are a lot of players (I have 6).

Also especially if they have to burn a resource to do nothing.