Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Daydreamer80 Dec 06, 2014 10:30:12	Several different scenarios.   Just want to be sure.   If i counterspell a pitfiend using fireball, then it works right?  It stops his fireball, wasting his turn? Since it is 'innate spellcasting'.   Does it work on a monster who can create spell effects but they are not subtexted as innate spell casting. Such as a beholder using his eye rays.     My next question, similar vein.  If i use a staff of the magi to cast fireball (which it casts as 7th level ), does counterspell work to block a staff spell-thereby wasting my turn.  And i presume it would be making a Dc 17 (10+spell level) check to counter it. Presumably this goes for wands/scrolls etc.   Yet more, what about spell effects from rings, or swords-like how a luck blade can cast wish.  Can counterspell target a luck blades wish effect?  At dc 19 challenge presumably.   Please, RAw answers only, or if the raw is unclear then point that out and offer your interpretations. If the raw says one thing and you , for one reason or another do another, thats great, but im looking for the official answers.
#2 Kentus Dec 06, 2014 10:59:38	PHB p228 wrote:
#3 Daydreamer80 Dec 06, 2014 11:18:12	So basically, look for the word 'cast' and use that to adjudicate. That does seem to be a pretty good hueristic.  some items though use the word activate or expend.   So presumably counterspell , could block a luck blades wish spell, but not a ring of the rams Ram effect.   Since one uses the word cast, and the other doesnt.
#4 bonethug0108 Dec 06, 2014 12:27:53	Yeah it sounds like if you are activating an object you are using it's magic but not actually casting a spell. I would say by "RAW" that counterspell doesn't work against magic that is activated or spell like in nature. In short, yeah look for where it actually says cast a spell. If they aren't casting a spell, you can't counter spell. This is also without knowledge of how the DMG describes activating or using charges. So something specific in that text may change this.
#5 Daydreamer80 Dec 06, 2014 22:27:40	The dmg does use the word 'allows you to cast' or spend a charge to cast etc on some items.   Others, like the ring of the ram i mentioned, it uses words like actiavate, or expend.   I think that seems to fit.  If it allows you to cast, counterspell, if it allows you to expend a charge for an effect, but doesnt say cast, not counterspell.