Counterspells in Combat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Counterspells in Combat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Althius
05-25-05, 02:06 PM Please forgive me, I did try and find the answer, but with no search I gave up after awhile.

I am confused about how Counterspells work in combat. I understand it needs to be 'readied'. But do you 'Ready a Counterspell'. Then wait for a spell to be cast, at which time you cast the appropriate counterspell (if possible). Or do you 'Ready to Counterspell Fireball' and once Fireball is cast you then counter, but if Haste is cast you are SOL.

Sorry if this is obvious, but this week's "More magical oddities" left me confused.

Althius
tarkin
05-25-05, 02:25 PM You Ready to Counterspell and wait for ANY spell to be cast.

You do not have to predict what spell they will cast before they start, anymore than when you ready against a charge do you have to predict if they are going to charge you with their mellee weapon or try a Bull Rush.
Odin_666
05-25-05, 02:25 PM My DM says you have to ready to counterspell against an opponent (and tell against which).

(I thought you only have to ready a counterspell)
Elandar
05-25-05, 02:25 PM You ready to counterspell, and after the enemy starts casting, you can try to find out what spell he casts, and choose whether you counterspell with that specific spell, or with a dispell magic.
Merestil Haye
05-25-05, 02:25 PM When you want to conter another caster's spell, you "Ready a counterspell action". You do not have to specify ahead of time what spell you wish to counterspell.

When the enemy starts casting, you make a Spellcraft check to identify the spell.

If you succeed, and if you have the same spell prepared / known, spend your own prepared / known spell to counter the enemy's.

If you fail the Spellcraft roll, or if you succeed but do not have that spell prepared, you may spend a Dispel Magic you have prepared / know in order to attempt to counter the spell. This requires a caster level check.

So, if you think your enemy is about to cast a Fireball at you and you have Fireball available, ready a Counterspell action. if he turns out to cast Haste, you can :-Spend Haste, if you have one prepared, to counter the spell.
Spend Dispel Magic to attempt to counter the spell.
Wait your next turn and cast Slow in the Hasted creatures, automatically dispelling the Haste.
Odin_666
05-25-05, 02:27 PM if he turns out to cast Haste, you can :-Spend Haste, if you have one prepared, to counter the spell.
Spend Dispel Magic to attempt to counter the spell.
Wait your next turn and cast Slow in the Hasted creatures, automatically dispelling the Haste.

I think you can cast slow also as counterspell in this situation, not only as dispel in the following round
Kyuketsukiouji
05-25-05, 06:33 PM Correct. Slow is listed specifically as being a valid counterspell for Haste, so you don't need to wait for Haste to go off, you can use it as a direct counter.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Althius 05-25-05, 02:06 PM	Please forgive me, I did try and find the answer, but with no search I gave up after awhile. I am confused about how Counterspells work in combat. I understand it needs to be 'readied'. But do you 'Ready a Counterspell'. Then wait for a spell to be cast, at which time you cast the appropriate counterspell (if possible). Or do you 'Ready to Counterspell Fireball' and once Fireball is cast you then counter, but if Haste is cast you are SOL. Sorry if this is obvious, but this week's "More magical oddities" left me confused. Althius
tarkin 05-25-05, 02:25 PM	You Ready to Counterspell and wait for ANY spell to be cast. You do not have to predict what spell they will cast before they start, anymore than when you ready against a charge do you have to predict if they are going to charge you with their mellee weapon or try a Bull Rush.
Odin_666 05-25-05, 02:25 PM	My DM says you have to ready to counterspell against an opponent (and tell against which). (I thought you only have to ready a counterspell)
Elandar 05-25-05, 02:25 PM	You ready to counterspell, and after the enemy starts casting, you can try to find out what spell he casts, and choose whether you counterspell with that specific spell, or with a dispell magic.
Merestil Haye 05-25-05, 02:25 PM	When you want to conter another caster's spell, you "Ready a counterspell action". You do not have to specify ahead of time what spell you wish to counterspell. When the enemy starts casting, you make a Spellcraft check to identify the spell. If you succeed, and if you have the same spell prepared / known, spend your own prepared / known spell to counter the enemy's. If you fail the Spellcraft roll, or if you succeed but do not have that spell prepared, you may spend a Dispel Magic you have prepared / know in order to attempt to counter the spell. This requires a caster level check. So, if you think your enemy is about to cast a Fireball at you and you have Fireball available, ready a Counterspell action. if he turns out to cast Haste, you can :-Spend Haste, if you have one prepared, to counter the spell. Spend Dispel Magic to attempt to counter the spell. Wait your next turn and cast Slow in the Hasted creatures, automatically dispelling the Haste.
Odin_666 05-25-05, 02:27 PM	if he turns out to cast Haste, you can :-Spend Haste, if you have one prepared, to counter the spell. Spend Dispel Magic to attempt to counter the spell. Wait your next turn and cast Slow in the Hasted creatures, automatically dispelling the Haste. I think you can cast slow also as counterspell in this situation, not only as dispel in the following round
Kyuketsukiouji 05-25-05, 06:33 PM	Correct. Slow is listed specifically as being a valid counterspell for Haste, so you don't need to wait for Haste to go off, you can use it as a direct counter.