D&D 5E Dispel Magic, Ready action and Fireball

[JackOfAllTirades]

The fact that there's an entirely different spell (Counterspell) which serves this exact purpose is reason enough to rule out the use of Dispel Magic.

IMHO.

 

[devincutler]

Not against an instantaneous spell. You won't know is a fireball until the fireball explodes at which time is to late.

Dispel Magic works against a spell that is currently in effect. So you could ready your action to dispel a spell that has a duration of more than 1 round. If it's a damage causing spell, the target would take the first round of damage.

Ilbranteloth

I'd think you could dispel a spell with a duration of 1 round even. I note you say more than 1 round. Not sure why you think you wouldn't be able to dispel a spell with 1 round duration.

 

[Noctem]

I'd think you could dispel a spell with a duration of 1 round even. I note you say more than 1 round. Not sure why you think you wouldn't be able to dispel a spell with 1 round duration.

I think he's just confusing the part where someone said that instantaneous can't be dispelled because it doesn't last more than one round. The truth is that it doesn't last longer than the action used to cast the spell and further that it's because the duration itself states it can't be dispelled.

If a spell does not have the duration of instantaneous it can be dispelled, supposing that there are effects post casting which can be targeted.

 

[Ilbranteloth]

Yep. I misspoke, although off the top of my head I can't think of any spell that would end within a round that I would use a 3rd level spell to dispel instead of just waiting. But I'm surethane there is something.

Ilbranteloth.

 

[jrowland]

I'd allow it, but I would require an Intelligence (Arcana/Religion) check (depending on the source of magic) to recognize the spell being cast if the PC wanted to know what it was before dispelling, probably DC = 8 + Spell Level + Prof Bonus of caster. Whether or not they chose to identify the spell, it would be a contested check: Dispel Magic (DM) vs. Casted Spell (CS):

DM: Roll + Spell Level (could be cast in a higher slot) + Prof Bonus + Dex Mod (because you have to be quick)
CS: Roll + Spell Level + Prof Bonus + Spellcasting Ability Mod (you're not being quick, you're being competent)

CS is at advantage if its a bonus action or reaction, and at disadvantage if its a full round cast or longer.

Winners spell "works" and losers spell doesn't.

Yeah, that's a lot of rolls, might not work. You are better with Counterspell, hands down. But in a pinch you might pull it off.

I say this as I believe in the DM trying to always say "Yes, but..." That is, allow things, especially creative ones, but throw in a wrinkle, challenge, obstacle, etc. It propels the story as the protagonist (PC casting DM) overcomes an obstacle (the antogonists casting)

 

[Herobizkit]

RaI, it seems that Counterspell is intended to cancel instant/direct damage spells and Dispel Magic is intended to dismantle ongoing/persistent effects (buffs, wards, gaping maws into darkness, etc.)

I think (?) Dispel Magic can be cast as a ritual... (checks... no? REALLY?) Well, it should have the ritual tag, because that would make all the difference in perception.

 

[CapnZapp]

Quick question:
My wizard knows his enemy may cast a Fireball but he does not have Counterspell. Can my wizard take a Ready action to cast Dispel Magic instead (ie, enable him to take a reaction and cast a Dispel Magic to null the Fireball the moment the enemy casts it?)

No.

 

[Waterbizkit]

I'm going to pike on with the group firmly in the "no" category. Both as written and as intended, in my opinion, Dispell is not there to stop a spell from being cast, it's there to dispell and ongoing effect. It's the entire reason there's a Counterspell in the first place. One serves a particular purpose and the other server an entirely different purpose. I also believe maintaining this distinction between the two is important, at my table anyway. It create a point of choice that has to be made by the characters. Do they learn and/or prepare Dispell or Counterspell? Do they take both to be able to effectively take care of any situation an enemy caster may present them with? It's a potentially important choice and I'll not water it down at my table.

Additionally, no one is bringing up or attempting to make an argument for Counterspell standing in for Dispell. And why not? Because it's not what the spell is intended for and it's very clear that's the case. So why would I let the Wizard who took Dispell use it to cancel out the Fireball and some ongoing magical effect when the Wizard with Counterspell doesn't get to use it to say, get rid of the enemy cater Mage Armor? Seems like too much of a one way street in favor of Dispell at that point.

All of that rambling aside, that's simply my ruling at my table. Anyone is free to deviate from the rules in any way they see fit, usually as long as it's promoting fun at the table.

 

[Bera]

A somewhat related question I've been pondering: "Can I ready create water to counter fireball, burning hands, or flaming sphere?"

 

[ryan92084]

A somewhat related question I've been pondering: "Can I ready create water to counter fireball, burning hands, or flaming sphere?"

None of those spells have listed interactions with water in any way so by Raw the answer is no. However, it's obviously up to your DM.
Do note that create water puts the water on the ground or in containers so you'd need a second house rule for create water targeting as well as a very lenient ready action trigger ruling.