Counterspell Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Counterspell Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kith_Adorin
06-14-06, 08:23 PM OK, if I am a specialist wizard in evocation with necromancy and illusion as the schools I give up. Even though I cannot cast those spells, can I still learn them to the extent to recognize some in a spellcraft check to counterspell them? *improved counterspell and dampen magic feats*

Also, what are you opinions on dampen magic? I am looking at my future feats to make sure I have everything planed ahead. Thanks for any info or opinions.
Thomas_Covenant
06-14-06, 08:44 PM From the Spellcraft skill description:
Special: If you are a specialist wizard, you get a +2 bonus on Spellcraft checks when dealing with a spell or effect from your specialty school. You take a –5 penalty when dealing with a spell or effect from a prohibited school (and some tasks, such as learning a prohibited spell, are just impossible).
If you have the Magical Aptitude feat, you get a +2 bonus on Spellcraft checks.
"When dealing with..." sounds nice and general, which should apply to the check to identify a spell being cast. So your check should be at -5 for prohibited schools.

Improved Counterspell is not as useful for a specialist, as there are two schools you will never have memorized. Counterspelling is highly conditional, you can go campaign arcs without meeting an opponent who CAN be counterspelled at all, very iffy. Ask your DM before taking it, and even then it's questionable.

I can't recall what Dampen Magic is....what book is it from?
Kith_Adorin
06-14-06, 10:01 PM PHB 2, dampen magic. It requires improved counterspell. I cannot exactly remember the text, but basically, as an immediate action, if i make my spellcraft check to recognize the spell. I can spend a spell slot, and whatever spell slot that is, is reduced from the save of their spell.

So someone fireballs me, I use 4th lvl spellslot to counter it as an immediate action, so now their fireball has a -4 dc to whatever the dc was for me to save against.
Thomas_Covenant
06-14-06, 11:45 PM Handy trick, I'd go so far as to say it's a good feat...but there are lots of good feats.

Again, a specialist suffers in counterspelling, and that's a narrow, highly campaign dependent trick to focus on....and it's usually better at high level, when nasty spells are being tossed around.

Depends on your focus, I guess.....why evocation?
Kith_Adorin
06-14-06, 11:51 PM Well, I dropped evocation. I found something that fit better. Domain wizard: storms from the unearthed arcana book. My DM said I could switch to that since It just fits my character and the elemental savant thing so much better. Good thing about that is, I don't lose any schools.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kith_Adorin 06-14-06, 08:23 PM	OK, if I am a specialist wizard in evocation with necromancy and illusion as the schools I give up. Even though I cannot cast those spells, can I still learn them to the extent to recognize some in a spellcraft check to counterspell them? improved counterspell and dampen magic feats Also, what are you opinions on dampen magic? I am looking at my future feats to make sure I have everything planed ahead. Thanks for any info or opinions.
Thomas_Covenant 06-14-06, 08:44 PM	From the Spellcraft skill description: Special: If you are a specialist wizard, you get a +2 bonus on Spellcraft checks when dealing with a spell or effect from your specialty school. You take a –5 penalty when dealing with a spell or effect from a prohibited school (and some tasks, such as learning a prohibited spell, are just impossible). If you have the Magical Aptitude feat, you get a +2 bonus on Spellcraft checks. "When dealing with..." sounds nice and general, which should apply to the check to identify a spell being cast. So your check should be at -5 for prohibited schools. Improved Counterspell is not as useful for a specialist, as there are two schools you will never have memorized. Counterspelling is highly conditional, you can go campaign arcs without meeting an opponent who CAN be counterspelled at all, very iffy. Ask your DM before taking it, and even then it's questionable. I can't recall what Dampen Magic is....what book is it from?
Kith_Adorin 06-14-06, 10:01 PM	PHB 2, dampen magic. It requires improved counterspell. I cannot exactly remember the text, but basically, as an immediate action, if i make my spellcraft check to recognize the spell. I can spend a spell slot, and whatever spell slot that is, is reduced from the save of their spell. So someone fireballs me, I use 4th lvl spellslot to counter it as an immediate action, so now their fireball has a -4 dc to whatever the dc was for me to save against.
Thomas_Covenant 06-14-06, 11:45 PM	Handy trick, I'd go so far as to say it's a good feat...but there are lots of good feats. Again, a specialist suffers in counterspelling, and that's a narrow, highly campaign dependent trick to focus on....and it's usually better at high level, when nasty spells are being tossed around. Depends on your focus, I guess.....why evocation?
Kith_Adorin 06-14-06, 11:51 PM	Well, I dropped evocation. I found something that fit better. Domain wizard: storms from the unearthed arcana book. My DM said I could switch to that since It just fits my character and the elemental savant thing so much better. Good thing about that is, I don't lose any schools.