On the importance of Counterspelling

[gfunk]

Also, as mentioned recently on this board, one of the most useful (and least expensive!) item in the DMG is the Ring of Counterspells. You can put one 1st-6th level spell in it, and it will automatically counterspell the next time the stored spell is cast on you. This works for both Dispel Magic and Greater Dispelling. This is invaluable for Clerics and Sor/Wiz who have a lot of buffing spells up.

 

[Gilrion]

I see your point for going wizard. Still, with dispel magic, you could dispel any spell (unless I'm mistaken). That would include enemy clerics. Countering healing spells is nasty, and no one likes to be Harmed. Still, you can go with a wizard and still accomplish this. Oh, one important thing: never leave home without at least one stilled/silent dispel magic. It can and will save your life.

 

[Artifakt]

Number47 mentioned using the partial action provided by Haste to ready an action to dispel. I believe readying any action is a "standard action". Thus the partial action haste privides would not suffice for the purposes of dispelling =(

 

[Hypersmurf]

Number47 mentioned using the partial action provided by Haste to ready an action to dispel. I believe readying any action is a "standard action". Thus the partial action haste privides would not suffice for the purposes of dispelling =(

Well, except that "As a general rule, you can do as much with a partial action as you could with a standard action minus a move".

Or the footnote on Table 8-3 defining Miscellaneous Partial Actions as "Those actions on Table 8-4: Miscellaneous Actions defined as standard or move-equivalent actions." You know, like "Ready".

If it weren't for that, you'd probably be right.

Maybe.

-Hyp.

 

[Artifakt]

Good call Hypersmurf. I missed that footnote.

 

[KarinsDad]

Actually, good Clerics are generally better at "counterspelling" than Wizards or Sorcerers.

Cleric studies several Silence spells as a second level spell. Cleric studies several Dispel Magics as a third level spell.

If going against normal types, the Cleric can swap these spells out for cures.

If going against low level magic types, the Cleric can ready Dispel Magic (saving the more potent, in most cases, Silence).

If going against high level magic types, the Cleric readies a Silence spell. Yes, it will not stop Silent Spell metamagic spells, but it will stop virtually everything else, even extremely high level spells.


If the Cleric runs into a Sorcerer with the Silent Spell feat, s/he switches over to the Dispel Magic (or Greater Dispel Magic at higher level) spells.


This is about the best counterspelling combination available since no actual counterspelling is done.

Real counterspelling tends to not be used in the game at all, at least in my experience.

 

[Tar-Edhel]

I see your point for going wizard. Still, with dispel magic, you could dispel any spell (unless I'm mistaken). That would include enemy clerics. Countering healing spells is nasty, and no one likes to be Harmed.

Well, Harm is a Necromancy spell. With Improved Counterspell, I can use any necromantic spell, one level higher (7th-level necromantic spell). So no need to roll Dispel checks.

Improved counterspell gives me all the flexibilty I need. What I need is a character who has the most spells possible, chosen from as much different schools as possible and I am ready for everything.

My only concern is about the efficiency of counterspelling, its actual value in play. I don't want to spend feats and choose spells to improve my counterspelling if it is not going to help me that much...

 

[StealthyMark]

To summarize: the actual value of counterspelling depends on your enemy.

If your party can harm the spellcaster in some way, you are better off with readied actions to attack him and disrupt his spells. If his protections are quite strong, counterspelling is sometimes better.