Archmage's Mastery of Counterspelling [Archive] - Wizards Community

Archmage's Mastery of Counterspelling [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AkiAki007
08-01-06, 09:16 AM I wan't able to locate any information on the boards about this, so I'll ask here.

I'm curious about one thing regarding the Mastery of Counterspelling ability of the Archmage PrC.

Is it possible to not apply it when countering a spell? I wouldn't want to turn a spell with a negative energy effect back on a Lich.

All of the other High Arcana clearly say "can" so that the caster has the choice to apply the ability if they should desire, but the Mastery of Counterspelling simply states that when a spell is countered, it is turned as per spell turning.
Arindor
08-01-06, 09:22 AM I would say if you "Master" something you can control it so you should be able to "turn it off" per say.
AkiAki007
08-01-06, 09:28 AM I would say if you "Master" something you can control it so you should be able to "turn it off" per say.I would agree with you here, for that reason and because all of the other controllable High Arcana's can be controlled (or not used), but I just wanted to confer and make sure I wasn't the only one that thought that :)
dokesa
08-01-06, 10:17 AM When the archmage counterspells a spell, it is turned back upon the caster as if it were fully affected by a spell turning spell.
It seems pretty clear to me that you don't have a choice. If you would otherwise be able to counterspell without this ability, do that.
AkiAki007
08-01-06, 03:27 PM It seems pretty clear to me that you don't have a choice. If you would otherwise be able to counterspell without this ability, do that.Then why have one of the 5 High Arcana be this ability, since it could clearly be something that in the end gets the Archmage killed. Imagine turning an Energy Drain back to the Lich caster. Obviously the Archmage doesn't want to get hit with it, but turning it could be pretty bad as well.

I find it odd that it would be so restrictive when the entire PrC adds flexibility and versatility to the Wizard/Sorcerer class.

I think Mastery of Counterspelling coupled with Foresight could be lots of fun.
dokesa
08-01-06, 04:59 PM Then why have one of the 5 High Arcana be this ability, since it could clearly be something that in the end gets the Archmage killed.
Because not every ability of every class has to be useful in every situation.

Imagine turning an Energy Drain back to the Lich caster. Obviously the Archmage doesn't want to get hit with it, but turning it could be pretty bad as well.
I think an appropriate question would be, how often are you facing 17th+ level liches when you can't deal with an extra 25 hp/9th level spell?

I think Mastery of Counterspelling coupled with Foresight could be lots of fun.
It does look like fun.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AkiAki007 08-01-06, 09:16 AM	I wan't able to locate any information on the boards about this, so I'll ask here. I'm curious about one thing regarding the Mastery of Counterspelling ability of the Archmage PrC. Is it possible to not apply it when countering a spell? I wouldn't want to turn a spell with a negative energy effect back on a Lich. All of the other High Arcana clearly say "can" so that the caster has the choice to apply the ability if they should desire, but the Mastery of Counterspelling simply states that when a spell is countered, it is turned as per spell turning.
Arindor 08-01-06, 09:22 AM	I would say if you "Master" something you can control it so you should be able to "turn it off" per say.
AkiAki007 08-01-06, 09:28 AM	I would say if you "Master" something you can control it so you should be able to "turn it off" per say.I would agree with you here, for that reason and because all of the other controllable High Arcana's can be controlled (or not used), but I just wanted to confer and make sure I wasn't the only one that thought that :)
dokesa 08-01-06, 10:17 AM	When the archmage counterspells a spell, it is turned back upon the caster as if it were fully affected by a spell turning spell. It seems pretty clear to me that you don't have a choice. If you would otherwise be able to counterspell without this ability, do that.
AkiAki007 08-01-06, 03:27 PM	It seems pretty clear to me that you don't have a choice. If you would otherwise be able to counterspell without this ability, do that.Then why have one of the 5 High Arcana be this ability, since it could clearly be something that in the end gets the Archmage killed. Imagine turning an Energy Drain back to the Lich caster. Obviously the Archmage doesn't want to get hit with it, but turning it could be pretty bad as well. I find it odd that it would be so restrictive when the entire PrC adds flexibility and versatility to the Wizard/Sorcerer class. I think Mastery of Counterspelling coupled with Foresight could be lots of fun.
dokesa 08-01-06, 04:59 PM	Then why have one of the 5 High Arcana be this ability, since it could clearly be something that in the end gets the Archmage killed. Because not every ability of every class has to be useful in every situation. Imagine turning an Energy Drain back to the Lich caster. Obviously the Archmage doesn't want to get hit with it, but turning it could be pretty bad as well. I think an appropriate question would be, how often are you facing 17th+ level liches when you can't deal with an extra 25 hp/9th level spell? I think Mastery of Counterspelling coupled with Foresight could be lots of fun. It does look like fun.