Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sergikins 07-19-06, 02:18 PM	can i ready an action to cast a spell (probably magic missle) if another creature begins casting a spell, therefore requiring a concentration check? this might make counterspells not effective at all, haha
Zherog 07-19-06, 02:20 PM	Yes, you can do that. You can ready any standard action.
Puca 07-19-06, 02:21 PM	Yes you can, and no they arent.
Osedox 07-19-06, 03:24 PM	Magic Missile does on average what? 3 damage per missile? for a total of 15? At ninth level a caster is already going to have a 12+Con Concentraion so lets say 14 Concentration. They are going to have to roll a 1 to lose their spell. I just dont see this as being very effective, however when you get disintegrate, go for it.
Puca 07-19-06, 03:50 PM	Im not sure what youre getting at? Yes, at high levels you have better options against an opposing caster than Magic Missile. But delivering damage, to hurt, kill, incapacitate, and at the very least require a Concentration check is, in my opinion, at all levels, a better strategy than counterspelling.
Osedox 07-19-06, 04:21 PM	I was just pointing out that he shouldnt expect to be able to make the opposed caster lose his spell with magic missile. Of course you are still dealing 15 points of damage which at that level is pretty decent. After having said that whats the point of readying an action? It cant be to force a skill check that he is never going to fail? So I have to say to you, what are YOU getting at?
Puca 07-19-06, 04:44 PM	So I have to say to you, what are YOU getting at? But delivering damage, to hurt, kill, incapacitate, and at the very least require a Concentration check is, in my opinion, at all levels, a better strategy than counterspelling.________________________ __
kjenks 07-19-06, 05:32 PM	Magic Missile does on average what? 3 damage per missile? for a total of 15? At ninth level a caster is already going to have a 12+Con Concentraion so lets say 14 Concentration. They are going to have to roll a 1 to lose their spell. I just dont see this as being very effective, however when you get disintegrate, go for it. Average damage at CL 9+ is 5x(1+2.5) = 17.5 HP. Call it 17. The DC for the Concentration check to cast a spell while taking damage is listed as "10 + damage dealt" but notice that there's a footnote on that table: "If you are trying to cast, concentrate on, or direct a spell when the distraction occurs, add the level of the spell to the indicated DC." So the DC is really 10 + damage dealt + level of the spell you're trying to cast. If your opponent is casting a level 1 spell, that's DC 28 (10 + 17 + 1), which would require a roll of 14 if he has +14 on Concentration. But don't ready a wimpy Magic Missile for this. Cast Guided Shot then ready Empower Spell + Orb of Fire, using a metamagic rod if need be, for (9d6)x1.5 or 47 damage on average, and we'll just see if your opponent can make a DC 58 Concentration check.
Osedox 07-19-06, 05:46 PM	So the DC is really 10 + damage dealt + level of the spell you're trying to cast.Ha im an idiot, I thought it was DC=damage delt :rolleyes: . Sorry to get all haughty Puca all of my assumptions were based on false pretexes. I do agree with you though that counterspelling while useful in some situations is almost never better than a more direct approach.
Necromas 07-19-06, 06:38 PM	I find it funny how when you see an opponent starting to cast a spell, you can somehow start to cast your spell after he started, and manage to cast your spell, and have the spell hit him, before he casts his. But meh, I guess that's how it works with RAW.