Counterspelling

[Grogg of the North]

Take the following scenario. Two PC spellcasters are facing off against an Evil Spellcaster (ESC). PC 1 readies an action to counterspell. ESC readies an action to counterspell as well. PC 2 starts to cast a spell; triggering ESC's readied action which also triggers PC 1's readied action.

How would you resolve this? PC 1 then ESC then PC 2? Initiative checks? Declare that the world explodes?

 

[MarkB]

I'd keep things simple and rule that you can't Counterspell a Counterspell.

But if you think they can, then (assuming that all Spellcraft checks succeed and the Counterspellers both have the right spell or Dispel Magic), PC2's action is interrupted by ESC's action which in turn is interrupted by PC1's action, and PC1's Counterspell counters ESC's Counterspell, allowing PC2's spell to succeed.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

MarkB for President of this thread.

AR

 

[delericho]

I'd keep things simple and rule that you can't Counterspell a Counterspell.

This.

But if you think they can, then (assuming that all Spellcraft checks succeed and the Counterspellers both have the right spell or Dispel Magic), PC2's action is interrupted by ESC's action which in turn is interrupted by PC1's action, and PC1's Counterspell counters ESC's Counterspell, allowing PC2's spell to succeed.

But, yes, this as well.