D&D (2024) Is Counterspell less frustrating now?

[Digdude]

I really wish Counter spell had various versions of it my levels. So maybe a 3rd level version that counters 1-2nd level spells and so forth. Maybe even tack on a little ribbon effect if you make a roll (gain a spell slot of the spell countered). At least this would follow the flavor of MTG and red vs blue themes and make it more specific so that a 1st level wizard cannot cancel the spells of a 5th level.

 

[tetrasodium]

I really wish Counter spell had various versions of it my levels. So maybe a 3rd level version that counters 1-2nd level spells and so forth. Maybe even tack on a little ribbon effect if you make a roll (gain a spell slot of the spell countered). At least this would follow the flavor of MTG and red vs blue themes and make it more specific so that a 1st level wizard cannot cancel the spells of a 5th level.

That's a different spell. You are getting into globe of invulnerability territory

 

[kigmatzomat]

Let also keep in mind that counterspell is arcane only. So that archdruid you want to use.....no counterspell for them. The chosen of bane 20th level cleric, nope Dopey the wizard shuts him down.

The 20th level druid doesn't need verbal or somatic components and can cast while wild shaped. Will anyone even know what is casting spells or when the casting even happens? (Can't use Reactions if you can't identify what to react to)

That 20th level cleric has a 100% chance of getting Divine Intervention. Channel Divinity should be a non-trivial factor. Bane's portfolio is War, where the Channel divinity is an ally buff. The cleric has allies to buff, right? Some of which are plausibly clerics and paladins?

Same goes for an archdruid who you would expect to have some number of Awakened trees/animals and/or acolytes.

And these npcs are loaded with treasure, right? Stuff the heroes get to loot? Do they not use that in your games? Because the GMs in my groups will happily consume potions and burn item charges to smite players.

 

[M_Natas]

Subtle spell means your spells without components are un-counterable. Innnnteresting for sorcerers (and GOO Enchantment and Illusion spells due to their "Psychic Spells" ability.

This is the way.

 

[Clint_L]

Well, given the tenor of the responses in this thread, it's obvious that this counterspell nerf is pretty controversial, so I'm not going to lose a ton of sleep over it - I very much doubt it'll happen.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

if your redesigning entire monsters because of 1 spell.....the spell just miiiiiight be too good

No, that’s a poor monster design regardless, and all spells don’t need to be equal. Counterspell is a key spell. Great. It should be.

 

[Bacon Bits]

So the changes are now that it requires a saving throw from the target and that the spell slot is now longer lost now if countered.

Eh.

It's better. We played with the spell without the "At Higher Levels" clause for a few campaigns, and it still wasn't fun. Now it just shifts the slot attrition to whomever has the counterspell and the action attrition to whomever was casting. Like, that's still not great. You still have spellcasters burning through slots to aggressively cause nothing to happen. Eh.

I'd rather force the players to rely on Dispel Magic.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Let also keep in mind that counterspell is arcane only. So that archdruid you want to use.....no counterspell for them. The chosen of bane 20th level cleric, nope Dopey the wizard shuts him down.

You know characters have 1 reaction, right?

Also, spell lists don’t apply to NPCs. You can give them whatever spells you want.

 

[Scribe]

No, that’s a poor monster design regardless, and all spells don’t need to be equal. Counterspell is a key spell. Great. It should be.

 

[Remathilis]

Well, given the tenor of the responses in this thread, it's obvious that this counterspell nerf is pretty controversial, so I'm not going to lose a ton of sleep over it - I very much doubt it'll happen.

I'm giving the proposed change to counterspell and bear totem a snow-golems chance in Baator of making it out of this playtest alive.