Counterspelling from scrolls/wands

[Dakkareth]

The idea would be to create a wand of dispel magic (for example), that could be used for counterspells (still subject to the usual rules, taking a readied action, etc) or a special scroll case, that allows the user to retrieve any scroll from it as free action and use it as counterspell.

Yes, I realize that by the current rules it is not possible to counterspell from scrolls, wands or staves. However, if I was to create an item to allow just that, how powerful would that be and how would I go about prizing it?

 

[JimAde]

Actually, I don't know why you couldn't use a wand of Dispel Magic to counterspell. Seems reasonable to me.

I probably wouldn't allow a wand of, say, Fireball to be used for counterspelling, since the description of counterspelling specifically says you have to alter the spell while casting it. But for Dispel Magic, I think it's fine.

You'd use the wand's Caster Level, of course, not the wielder's.

 

[Dakkareth]

Well, the idea behind it would be for a wizard to store scrolls in an item akin to a Heward's Handy Haversack or similar and be able to use them for counterspells. Since he'd still have to pay money and XP to create the scrolls and counterspelling is limited in its own right, I don't think, it would be too unbalancing. It would highlight the wizard class' ability for preparation nicely

(I'm planning to create an item similar to the spikard from Roger Zelazny's Amber Chronickles, though obviously less powerful)

 

[JimAde]

Sounds cool. So do the scrolls have to be special dispel scrolls? That is: Is the change in casting mentioned in the description of counterspelling part of the scroll?

Also, if I have the Improved Counterspell feat can I use it to substitute a spell of the same school?

I really like this idea.

 

[Dakkareth]

No and Yes.

The way I imagine it at the moment, you'd use the same old scrolls you'd use for casting spells normally as well. That's, why I need to set some prize to offset this increase in power. And you'd be able to use all your counterspell-related feats with it.

 

[Dakkareth]

double post