What can help against Dispel Magic Greater?

[HeapThaumaturgist]

That doesn't work: "Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled."

Hrm. I forgot that one.

Double-hrm, can you not ready the Dispel Magic SLA to function as the counterspell action of Dispel Magic as normal, however? I.E. not a "counterspell" but a "use dispel magic as a counterspel".

Though I guess that means that, no matter what, all of those creatures with DM and GDM as SLAs pretty much get to run rampant over PCs because there's literally no way to keep them from doing it ... the usually-useless counterspell action (and thus Ring of Counterspells) has no effect.

EDIT: Additionally SLAs have no components and thus can't be stopped through Silence or grappling/pinning.

I've been seeing alot of DM SLAs ... there's really nothing to do if they jump you and get init. Really all you can do is try to hit them fast enough they can't get a DM off before they die.

--fje

 

[The Forsaken One]

Offc you can Counterspell with a Dispel Magic SLA, but not use SLAs to counter their equivalent. The Dispel Magic spell which you reproduce with an SLA even specifically states that option as being part of the spell.

Would be weird not to allow it, and a good way to spend a summon in utility use (as they as best used most of the time imho).

I personally never had any problems with this.

 

[Plane Sailing]

At your level Rod of Absorbtion is a brilliant defence against targetted GDM and it powers up the rod for you to launch more of your best spells back.

(assuming this doesn't fall foul of the SLA issue too, of course)

 

[Artoomis]

At your level Rod of Absorbtion is a brilliant defence against targetted GDM and it powers up the rod for you to launch more of your best spells back.

(assuming this doesn't fall foul of the SLA issue too, of course)

A couple of Rod of Absortion notes:

It's a great solution, with caveats:

"This rod acts as a magnet, drawing spells or spell-like abilities into itself. The magic absorbed must be a single-target spell or a ray directed at either the character possessing the rod or her gear. The rod then nullifies the spell’s effect and stores its potential until the wielder releases this energy in the form of spells of her own."

and

"Absorption requires no action on the part of the user if the rod is in hand at the time."

BUT (caveat 1)

"A rod of absorption absorbs a maximum of fifty spell levels and can thereafter only discharge any remaining potential it might have. The rod cannot be recharged."

And it is 50,000 gp. That's 1,000 gp per spell level absorbed.

Unfortunately (caveat 2), you cannot choose which spells get absorbed. Either you keep in hand and absorb them all or you don't - even helpful spells will be absorbed, if individually targetted.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Yes, but one of the effects of dispel magic is to counterspell... that line applies only to using Fireball (Sp) to counter Fireball (the spell). It wouldn't be automatic, but it could potentially work even against GDM. (Although in reality the dispel check would probably fail.)

You can either use the Counterspelling rules or not. If not, then you're correct, you can reference the dispel magic description. But then, how do you counterspell? Mustn't you look up the Counterspell rules to (for example) find out that you need to ready an action? Once you go to the Counterspell rules, you're hit with the exception on SLA's.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

RoAbsorb works well for dedicated casters, who usually have hands free, but doesn't really do the trick for melee types who have to have weapons and shields in hand.

We've also been discussing that Mirror Image is a pretty good tactic. It's only really countered by True Seeing (sees through all illusions, apparently) and has a pretty good chance of sucking up at least the first few targeted effects. 8 Mirror Images equates to about 89% Miss Chance on anything that targets you.

--fje

 

[moritheil]

Keep in mind that nearly all defenses against dispel magic, GDM, slashing dispel, reaving dispel, wall of dispel magic, and the like are very specific. There is a real point of diminishing returns when trying to protect against such spells. If your DM persists in finding ways to dispel your buffs (which is very easy), you ought to call a conference and talk the matter over rather than engaging in an expensive arms race.

 

[starwed]

Once you go to the Counterspell rules, you're hit with the exception on SLA's.

This could well be true according to the RAW. But I think a lot of DM's wouldn't feel bound by that, since it seems unlikely that preventing a Dispel Magic SLA from counterspelling was the intent of that rule.

So, it's definately worth the OP from at least asking about it!

 

[Vanye]

The Spell Girding feat from Magic of Faerun. I think it does something like a Heighten spell - you gain 2x slot difference to resist dispel magic spells when you prepare a spell in a higher slot. Thus, a 3rd level spell prepared in a 5th level slot gains a +4 to resist dispel checks.

 

[Artoomis]

It seems to me that a Rod of Absortion is the best option, despite its limitations.