Counterspelling magical traps [Archive] - Wizards Community

Counterspelling magical traps [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Docrailgun
02-21-07, 12:09 AM On 2/20/2007, the Sage wrote: "Can a spellcaster counterspell a magical trap?
--Warren

A: Yes, but only if 1) the magical trap duplicates a spell and 2) he has readied the counterspell action to do so.

While I could see this happening as a house rule, or for a DM to rule this way for the sake of quicker play; non-Dispel Magic counterspelling requires a Spellcraft check to determine which spell is being cast. This determination comes from the verbal, somatic, and material components of the spell in question; it seems unlikely that a trap does any of these things.
Though the rules are not precise on the mechanism of correctly identifying the spell to be counterspelled, new feats from _Complete Scoundrel_ allow one to disguise or replace a spell's verbal and somatic components with those of another spell... making one's spells uncounterable with a Spellcraft check.
So, I have to disagree with the Sage here. A magical trap's spell might be counterable with Dispel Magic, anything else seems like it's DM fiat.
runestar
02-21-07, 12:29 AM Won't a successful search check by a rogue detect and identify the trap in question? If you know that it is going to be a fireball trap, I don't need spellcraft to tell me to ready a fireball to counterspell...:P
Kursk
02-21-07, 02:32 PM Won't a successful search check by a rogue detect and identify the trap in question? If you know that it is going to be a fireball trap, I don't need spellcraft to tell me to ready a fireball to counterspell...:P

According to the RAW you have to. But other than that no, you can do whatever you want.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Docrailgun 02-21-07, 12:09 AM	On 2/20/2007, the Sage wrote: "Can a spellcaster counterspell a magical trap? --Warren A: Yes, but only if 1) the magical trap duplicates a spell and 2) he has readied the counterspell action to do so. While I could see this happening as a house rule, or for a DM to rule this way for the sake of quicker play; non-Dispel Magic counterspelling requires a Spellcraft check to determine which spell is being cast. This determination comes from the verbal, somatic, and material components of the spell in question; it seems unlikely that a trap does any of these things. Though the rules are not precise on the mechanism of correctly identifying the spell to be counterspelled, new feats from _Complete Scoundrel_ allow one to disguise or replace a spell's verbal and somatic components with those of another spell... making one's spells uncounterable with a Spellcraft check. So, I have to disagree with the Sage here. A magical trap's spell might be counterable with Dispel Magic, anything else seems like it's DM fiat.
runestar 02-21-07, 12:29 AM	Won't a successful search check by a rogue detect and identify the trap in question? If you know that it is going to be a fireball trap, I don't need spellcraft to tell me to ready a fireball to counterspell...:P
Kursk 02-21-07, 02:32 PM	Won't a successful search check by a rogue detect and identify the trap in question? If you know that it is going to be a fireball trap, I don't need spellcraft to tell me to ready a fireball to counterspell...:P According to the RAW you have to. But other than that no, you can do whatever you want.