Do your players use counterspell?

[Jack Simth]

....In fact, I calculate the probability of a Babau Dispelling (that is to say, using Dispel Magic to counter spell) a level appropriate challenge for a Wiz 13 at 26.3%.

So such a tactic works 1 time out of 4, roughly.

Yes, any one Babau attempting to counterspell with dispel any one spell from a Wiz-13 will have roughly that chance of successfully dispelling, yes; of course, if you are facing mook wizards, the probabilty goes up - and it only takes you the one action; if multiple summoners bring up Babaus, then the probability is proportionally increased (two independant 26.3% chances of success make approximately a 45.6831% chance of at least one success; three, 59.9684447%) and as they last a minimum of 13 rounds (assuming they aren't killed or something, of course) two or three spells, over the course of a protracted battle (perhaps your target has Spell Turning, an appropriet Protection from Energy or two, a Wind Wall, and lots of mooks) those two or three Babaus will put a serious dent in what the opposing caster can actually do ... perhaps long enough for some Greater Dispel Magic's with a bit more punch to take down the target's defenses.

Granted, it's not your everyday use.... takes a lot of recourses (two or three Babous is either 2-3 spells or a higher-level spell) but in the right situation, quite effective.

 

[Brother MacLaren]

I haven't seen it used. I imagine one good way to use it is to have a cohort or Ring of Counterspelling counter the most popular spells such as Hold Person, Magic Missile, Silence, or Enervation. That is, the spells that keep being used after they are no longer the highest-level spells available.

And here's an option -- Dispel Magic should counter Dispel Magic 100% of the time, right? Could be useful for maintaining your buffs, summons, or other spells.

I do think that the huge proliferation of offensive spells in supplements makes counterspelling much less useful. The odds of you having the same spell as the opposition are now much lower than they were before. So maybe a good house rule would be to give every caster Improved Counterspelling and create a new feat Superior Counterspelling that allows an equal-level match.

 

[Sigg]

There's a feat out there with your name on it.

Look at Improved Counterspell.....that would be in the PH. You've got one of those, right?

That's on the right track IMO, but I'd like to see wizards given the class ability to spontaneously counterspell by sacrificing a spell slot no matter what the school of the spell filling it. Otherwise I just couldn't see myself making much use of the counterspell mechanic. Course then it wouldn't be quite the same counterspell mechanic....

 

[Nail]

That's on the right track IMO, but I'd like to see wizards given the class ability to spontaneously counterspell by sacrificing a spell slot no matter what the school of the spell filling it...

That might be an interesting House Rule......then again, it might make wizard fights spectacularly ......BORING.

Wiz A: "I ready to counterspell."

Wiz B: " I cast a spell."

Wiz A: "I counterspell it."

Wiz B: "I ready to counterspell."

Wiz A: "I cast a spell.

Wiz B: "I counterspell it."

Wiz A: "I ready a spell......."

DM: .......yawn..........

 

[Legildur]

Why counterspell when you can more easily ready a fireball at the caster in question and do damage ON TOP OF forcing a DC: 45 Concentration check?

Spell Resistance, Spell Immunity, Energy Resistance/Protection, concealment, etc. A readied Fireball won't always be a good option. Many times it is, but not always.

 

[Nail]

....if multiple summoners bring up Babaus, then the probability is proportionally increased .....

As a player, the main issue for me is opportunity cost. Even with the "Babau Option", you are blowing a 7th level spell on a 25% chance (admittedly: 'per round') of counterspelling the opposition. Even against most casters, I'd rather spend the action on something with a higher probability of success.

<shrug> YMMV.

 

[KarinsDad]

I've seen CounterSpell used in one circumstance.

I was using Dispel Magic on multiple rounds with a Sorcerer to prevent the BBEG from Dimension Dooring or Teleporting away while the rest of the group attacked him.

I have never ever seen it at any other time in any of our games that I can recall.


I suspect that it is semi-ok as a tactic when there is only one spell caster in the group of enemies and you want to prevent him from doing anything real. But, my players will never do it (nor will any of the players that I have ever played 3E or 3.5 with as far as I can tell).

They will attempt readied ranged attacks to attempt the same result.

 

[Sigg]

That might be an interesting House Rule......then again, it might make wizard fights spectacularly ......BORING.

Wiz A: "I ready to counterspell."

Wiz B: " I cast a spell."

Wiz A: "I counterspell it."

Wiz B: "I ready to counterspell."

Wiz A: "I cast a spell.

Wiz B: "I counterspell it."

Wiz A: "I ready a spell......."

DM: .......yawn..........

Good point, and perhaps true...it also might create in interesting tactic where one wizard attempts to use up higher level spell slots of his enemy. It would also make initiative important in a wizard duel. The counterspeller could also miss a roll as well. I'd have to hammer out details and try it out to be sure. I kinda like the idea already expressed here of only making the spontaneous counterspelling available to higher level wizards....perhaps a feat could be created for it. Hmm...

 

[Crothian]

I had a bard that was really good at it, but other then that I've seen few attempts

 

[Crothian]

DM: .......yawn..........

Usually why the Wizard is bust counterspelling, his friends are moving in for the kill