Ganymede81
First Post
You play a game in which the participants create entire worlds with the power of imagination, and you can't imagine this? You need to open your third eye or something.
-
NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
D&D 5E Spell -> Counterspell -> Counterspell (from same character that casts 1st spell) - possible?
- Thread starter lkwpeter
- Start date
You play a game in which the participants create entire worlds with the power of imagination, and you can't imagine this? You need to open your third eye or something.
Croesus
Adventurer
Maybe, but consider: If the first counterspell-er is hidden, say by greater invisibility, I would not allow the original caster to counterspell. It makes perfect sense to me that you can't counterspell a casting you cannot see. There's also the subtle spell metamagic, which I would treat the same way.
Some might rule differently.
jaelis
Oh this is where the title goes?
Well, considering that you just argued that counterspelling was fairly useless, why would it be terrible to omit it?
Also, it's not on the spell lists for bards, clerics, druids, paladins, or rangers.
No, that's the way it works, the target for Counterspell is a creature you can see casting a spell.
It's also why the Subtle spell metamagic is more powerful than it appears at first - you can't Counterspell a Subtle spell, because you can't see them casting it (no verbal or somatic components).
Ancalagon
Dusty Dragon
Oh, excellent point! Well said.
I have a more basic question: can a reaction spell even be cast as an action?
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using EN World mobile app
No. There is no "trading up" or "trading down" in the 5e action economy. Reaction spells can only be cast as a reaction (usually in reaction to a trigger specified in the spell).
Bonus action spells can only be cast a bonus action (which means you can't use them with the Ready action).
If you want to cast Counterspell as an action (instead of in reaction to a spell being cast), the closest you can come to that would be the Dispel Magic spell.
jgsugden
Legend
Well, you can use a Wish spell to cast Counterspell as an action if you have a valid target for it, such as someone casting a ritual. Technically.
As for always preparing Counterspell - I find it to be as conditional of a spell as a spell that grants Elemental Resistance. I only prepare it with wizards and clerics when I feel it is likely that we'll face an enemy that casts spells. It is often not prepared when dungeon delving - although it is often in my default spell list I prepare (when a cleric or wizard) for day to day living in a city environment (which typically has more utility spells ready and fewer combat spells). Honestly, the small number of spells I can prepare is one of the biggest limitations I see in 5E.
As for always preparing Counterspell - I find it to be as conditional of a spell as a spell that grants Elemental Resistance. I only prepare it with wizards and clerics when I feel it is likely that we'll face an enemy that casts spells. It is often not prepared when dungeon delving - although it is often in my default spell list I prepare (when a cleric or wizard) for day to day living in a city environment (which typically has more utility spells ready and fewer combat spells). Honestly, the small number of spells I can prepare is one of the biggest limitations I see in 5E.
Bitbrain
Lost in Dark Sun
Counterspell is also REALLY good at putting a non-arcane spellcaster in their place.
In one session, my group was fighting this organization of "Death-Storm cultists", and my Sorcerer and the guy playing the Fiendlock spent most of the fight making fun of the evil priests by counterspelling their spirit guardians and call lightning spells.
CONTEXT
basically, this cult of sea-storm worshippers were based on this island that contained a natural gateway to the Shadowfell, and they were pulling negative energy from the other side to create a hurricane of necrotic energy that they intended to unleash on the city of Waterdeep.
The Crimson Binome
Hero
If you don't have it, then it's incredibly useful for your opponent, because then they can counter your spell. It's a spell that's absolutely mandatory in you want your own spells to go through (barring some other gimmick, like subtlety or invisibility). If everyone has it, then it simply operates as a tax on spell slots. If any side doesn't have it, then they're at a massive disadvantage against any side that does.
It's also worth noting that, if the PCs are the ones storming the dungeon, then they're much more likely to be pressed for resources than the defenders who won't be facing any other encounters that day. The spell slot tax is much harsher to the PCs than to the NPCs, in practice.
Croesus
Adventurer
Thanks for the clarification. The "caster you can see" is in the casting time section of the spell, so I missed it when I checked the spell description.
Counterspell
3rd-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
Range: 60 feet
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and as no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the creature’s spell fails and has no effect.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the interrupted spell has no effect if its level is less than or equal to the level of the spell slot you used.
