D&D 5E Do you allow a spell to be identified before counterspelling?

[Mort]

So, counterspell is coming up more and more in my group. I've been letting the spellcasters know the spell cast before counterspelling.

But I'm thinking of stopping that. Basically they know a spell is cast, and they have to decide whether to counterspell before knowing it (This is per Xanathar's).

Thoughts on either way?

 

[jmartkdr2]

In theory, I run it RAW: you only know that a spell is being cast and need to decide form that alone (and the broader context) whether to counterspell.

In practice, I will sometimes say "The lich casts fireball..." and allow the players to interrupt with a counterspell even though they have more knowledge than they "should." This has never felt like a big deal to me.

 

[TheAlkaizer]

In theory, I run it RAW: you only know that a spell is being cast and need to decide form that alone (and the broader context) whether to counterspell.

In practice, I will sometimes say "The lich casts fireball..." and allow the players to interrupt with a counterspell even though they have more knowledge than they "should." This has never felt like a big deal to me.

That's how I ran it. Never realized how it is RAW. Interesting!

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

My dm usually describes the spell so I don’t need a check. But I said “something else”

I allow an arcana check to see if you can recognize it. The dc depends on the tells. (Lack of V, M, S makes it harder).

I just don’t get why it would be one or the other. If you recognize it, you’ll counterspell it. Maybe it’s lack of time? Idk.

 

[Baron Opal II]

If they have detect magic active they gain the rune of the spell and a rough level (1st-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th+). The rune of the spell is based vaguely on the RuneQuest runes: haste is tied to Movement, shield to Stasis, magic missile to Death, &c. If not, their passive Arcana may give them this information depending on the level of the spell. Under no (current) circumstances do they know the exact spell and level as counterspell is a reaction. They don't have time to analyze what is happening.

(Currently I am transitioning from an AD&D game to 5e. Therefore this a untested translation of how I do things.)

 

[Oofta]

The person counterspelling doesn't know the spell or the level it's being cast at is how I've always run it.

That was supported by XGtE

Identifying a Spell​

Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.​

​

However, it's not really spelled out that I know of in the PHB.

 

[Seramus]

I tell my players if the enemy is casting a familiar spell. But not a strange spell (including custom spells).
They recognize a dimension door on sight. They don't recognize Zariel's Unlimited Blade Works.

 

[Mort]

My dm usually describes the spell so I don’t need a check. But I said “something else”

I allow an arcana check to see if you can recognize it. The dc depends on the tells. (Lack of V, M, S makes it harder).

I just don’t get why it would be one or the other. If you recognize it, you’ll counterspell it. Maybe it’s lack of time? Idk.

The theory is:

recognizing the spell is a reaction (per Xanathar's)
Countering the spell is a reaction

You don't get both (You can tag team - have one player recognize and another counter).

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

The person counterspelling doesn't know the spell or the level it's being cast at is how I've always run it.

That was supported by XGtE

​

Identifying a Spell​

Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.​

​

However, it's not really spelled out that I know of in the PHB.

No arcana check? Just automatic?

if that’s the case I still like giving them an opportunity to figure it out with an ability check. If they fail, they can still try to counterspell. If they want to be 100% sure, they can use the (re)action.

-> that’s my house rule.

(see, I’m learning from other threads)

 

[Arial Black]

I use the 3e rules here, because the 5e PHB has no guidance and the Xanathar's rules here are totally stupid.

As long as the counterspeller can see (somatic component) and/or hear (verbal component) the baddy casting the spell, the counterspeller can make an Arcana check (DC 15+spell level) to identify the spell, no action required.