Ways to counter Harm

[Gromm]

No, a spell "in hand" is considered to be cast already, and can't be counterspelled.

Hm, you have a point. It looks like a ring of counterspells wouldn't work on touch spells, unless the touch occurs as part of the casting action (which is allowed).

This is correct.

The rod wouldn't work either since Harm isn't a single target spell (ala Hold Person), or a ray (like Disintegrate).

Theres no real defense other than SR or an antimagic field. Or being undead.

 

[Magus_Jerel]

scratch that idea - Negative energy protection doesn't work agains this thing. Hmmm... Can the Energy immunity spells from one of the splatbooks be set to negative energy?

Immunity to fire/acid/sonic ect...

maybe immunity to negative energy?

 

[RogueJK]

scratch that idea - Negative energy protection doesn't work agains this thing. Hmmm... Can the Energy immunity spells from one of the splatbooks be set to negative energy?

Immunity to fire/acid/sonic ect...

maybe immunity to negative energy?

The Sage has ruled that Negative Energy Protection does protect against Harm and the various Inflict spells. He made this ruling shortly after the Manual of the Planes came out. It contains the spell Positive Energy Protection, which specifically states that it protects against Heal and other healing spells. The Sage stated that N. E. P. should work similarly.

(Note: I do not agree with this ruling. I merely wished to point it out.)

 

[Thanee]

Kiss of the Vampire would also work, reverting Harm into Heal, but it's maybe a little obvious!

And, as said above, a Spellblade (that's the name of the weapon enchantment) versus Harm would make you completely immune to it.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Don`t get hit is my advise.

Bracers of Armor provide a Armor Bonus to AC, so they don`t stack with regular Armor, but: If I recall correctly, is is mentioned that they are some kind of force effect, so they will help (like Mage Armor) against touch attacks.
You could also by a wand of Mage Armor (or let a wizard/sorcerer/bard cast it upon you)

Ring of Protection protect against Touch Attacks.

Spell Resistance will protect you, won`t it?

Mustrum "Join the Adventure Group - travel interesting countries, meet interesting people, and kill them, before they kill you" Ridcully

(And don`t trust an old halfing, gnome, goblin or kobold cleric who says: "Put away your weapon, I mean you no harm" )

 

[Thanee]

Mage Armor and similar force effects do not protect against touch attacks.

The part you are referring to is only relevant with incorporeal touch attacks, where force armor does protect unlike regular armor.

Against a physical touch attack, no kind of armor (providing armor or natural armor bonus) offers protection.

Bye
Thanee

 

[milo]

I thought harm had been errated to have a will save?

 

[Thanee]

Nope, that's just a common house rule. It varies, tho, what the effect of a successful save it.

Bye
Thanee

 

[ruleslawyer]

The Sage has ruled that Negative Energy Protection does protect against Harm and the various Inflict spells. He made this ruling shortly after the Manual of the Planes came out. It contains the spell Positive Energy Protection, which specifically states that it protects against Heal and other healing spells. The Sage stated that N. E. P. should work similarly.

(Note: I do not agree with this ruling. I merely wished to point it out.)

Where did you see this ruling, RogueJK?

I've seen nothing of the sort from Skip; the only WotC word I've seen on NEP and harm was an e-mail from Wizards Customer Service being bandied about on the WotC boards. I trust those people as far as I can throw them. IMHO, NEP provides no protection against harm unless and until we get an official clarification from Skip or errata.

I'd allow the ring to work if the harm casting and touch took place concurrently. Harm most certainly does target the creature touched, as the spell description says: "Target: Creature touched." So it is a targeted spell, and as such can be absorbed or counterspelled. It just can't be turned.

 

[mikebr99]

Where did you see this ruling, RogueJK?

I second this... fess up RogueJK. What is the ruling? How does Negative Energy protection work against HP damage instead of level damage?