Counterspelling questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Counterspelling questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Asciiman
05-25-07, 12:52 PM Can a spell be countered, if the two casters are separated by a wall of force?

Can you counterspell a spell cast on a scroll?
Kouk
05-25-07, 01:35 PM Wall of Force would block line of effect. Can't cast through it.

SRD
Line of Effect

A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is canceled by a solid barrier. It’s like line of sight for ranged weapons, except that it’s not blocked by fog, darkness, and other factors that limit normal sight.

You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on or to any space in which you wish to create an effect. You must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of any spell you cast.

A burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation spell affects only an area, creatures, or objects to which it has line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst’s center point, a cone-shaped burst’s starting point, a cylinder’s circle, or an emanation’s point of origin).

An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect.
Asciiman
05-25-07, 01:42 PM That was my first thought, but when counterspelling you aren't targeting the caster. I couldn't find anything that says counterspell required line of effect.
Malek2991
05-25-07, 06:46 PM You would need line of effect to counterspell, but in
most cases the other caster would need line of effect to
cast spells on you.

I believe you can counter a spell cast from a scroll,
but the section in the PHB doesn't say.
Vegepygmy
05-25-07, 07:58 PM That was my first thought, but when counterspelling you aren't targeting the caster.As a matter of fact, you are.

PHB, page 170
How Counterspells Work: To use a counterspell, you must select an opponent as the target of the counterspell.
Pentar
05-26-07, 12:09 PM If you aren't targeting the caster when you counterspell, then technically you could counterspell a caster you can't see, or who is in full concealment... Or who is 802 miles away, under a rock, casting Summon Household Pets for his own dark and nefarious purposes.

You have to be targeting the caster to counterspell. Counterspell isn't some general, AOE effect that automatically strikes anyone who happens to be casting a spell at that time.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Asciiman 05-25-07, 12:52 PM	Can a spell be countered, if the two casters are separated by a wall of force? Can you counterspell a spell cast on a scroll?
Kouk 05-25-07, 01:35 PM	Wall of Force would block line of effect. Can't cast through it. SRD Line of Effect A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is canceled by a solid barrier. It’s like line of sight for ranged weapons, except that it’s not blocked by fog, darkness, and other factors that limit normal sight. You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on or to any space in which you wish to create an effect. You must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of any spell you cast. A burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation spell affects only an area, creatures, or objects to which it has line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst’s center point, a cone-shaped burst’s starting point, a cylinder’s circle, or an emanation’s point of origin). An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect.
Asciiman 05-25-07, 01:42 PM	That was my first thought, but when counterspelling you aren't targeting the caster. I couldn't find anything that says counterspell required line of effect.
Malek2991 05-25-07, 06:46 PM	You would need line of effect to counterspell, but in most cases the other caster would need line of effect to cast spells on you. I believe you can counter a spell cast from a scroll, but the section in the PHB doesn't say.
Vegepygmy 05-25-07, 07:58 PM	That was my first thought, but when counterspelling you aren't targeting the caster.As a matter of fact, you are. PHB, page 170 How Counterspells Work: To use a counterspell, you must select an opponent as the target of the counterspell.
Pentar 05-26-07, 12:09 PM	If you aren't targeting the caster when you counterspell, then technically you could counterspell a caster you can't see, or who is in full concealment... Or who is 802 miles away, under a rock, casting Summon Household Pets for his own dark and nefarious purposes. You have to be targeting the caster to counterspell. Counterspell isn't some general, AOE effect that automatically strikes anyone who happens to be casting a spell at that time.