Questions tagged [counterspelling]

For questions about counterspelling, a mechanic in many role-playing games that allows a character to reactively disrupt another spellcaster's spell as it is being cast in order to prevent it from taking effect.

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12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can you counterspell a cantrip by casting a cantrip?

The Counterspell feat lets spellcasters counteract a foe that is Casting a Spell, as long as they have the spell prepared and they can see it being cast, via expending that same spell. What if an ...
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5 votes
1 answer
180 views

Can a Pact of the Chain familiar use the help action with counterspell?

I've been trying to find an answer to whether or not a Pact of the Chain familiar can give you advantage on counterspell. I can't find anything directly answering this. I have found that a chainlock ...
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

Does Counterspell prevent from any further spells being cast on a given turn?

If my understanding is correct, a successful Counterspell not only negates the spell effect of the receiving caster, but also burns their spell slot. So if Bob the Bard attempts to cast Mass Healing ...
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9 votes
3 answers
592 views

Is this Control Magic homebrew spell balanced? (Spell-stealing counterspell)

I based this off of Counterspell, with higher level requirement as it seems to me that it is generally a more useful spell. Control Magic Fifth level abjuration Casting Time: 1 reaction, when you see ...
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13 votes
4 answers
2k views

How can this statue on Level 23 of the "Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage" adventure be destroyed?

On page 290 of the adventure Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage (area 1 of Level 23), there exists a statue with the following description: Given the following facts: Is it impossible to destroy the ...
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14 votes
2 answers
897 views

Gaining the maximum bonus to your Counterspell check?

Counterspell checks are unmodified Ability Checks made when the spell you are attempting to stop is higher level than your Counterspell: If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ...
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6 votes
3 answers
930 views

Faking a spell in order to make an enemy caster waste a counterspell [closed]

Wizards are smart and sorcerers are cunning, and their power is pretty directly tied to how many spell slots they have remaining. As such, losing one to a counterspell can turn the tides of a battle ...
0 votes
0 answers
81 views

Can you Counterspell after Casting a Bonus action lvled spell? [duplicate]

If i Misty step and the enemy Counterspells it. Can i Counterspell the Counterspell with my Reactions? The Rules for Bonus Action Spellcasting say A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift....
15 votes
3 answers
5k views

Can you Counterspell a magic item?

Let's say the bad guy has a Wand of Fireballs, and wants to blast the party with it. To do so, they must: ...use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast the fireball spell ... The party ...
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6 votes
1 answer
509 views

Counterspelling with a lower-level spell

I'm curious about the utility of counterspelling with low level spells, if one chooses to feat for it. Particularly the feasibility of keeping low-level spells prepared specifically for use as ...
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6 votes
1 answer
234 views

How does the Ring of Greater Counterspells interact with the Mordenkainen's Disjunction spell?

When dealing with other spells that a Wizard really doesn't want to be caught unaware by, I see the Ring of Greater Counterspells recommended as near-mandatory equipment. Yet, in discussions of ...
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9 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can you counterspell Greater Teleport with the Teleport spell?

In our game, the arcane caster went on hold to counterspell Teleport of a demon to stop it escaping at the last moment (unknown to the player the demon had the greater version). Can you counterspell ...
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9 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can you use Order of Scribes: Manifest Mind feature to prevent counterspell?

Pretty straightforward question: as per feature's description, I can cast a spell as if I were in the place of my Awakened spellbook. So, using this feature, and being 60 feet from enemy spellcaster, ...
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3 votes
1 answer
855 views

How do Dispel Magic and Counterspell interact with a spell cast through the Ascendant Dragon-Touched Focus as though it were 9th level?

Counterspell and dispel magic call for an ability check if the target spell is 4th level or higher: If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ...
5 votes
0 answers
104 views

Twinned counterspell against multiple reactions [duplicate]

Wizard uses Magic Missiles on two opponents. Both opponents are using the Shield. The sorcerer uses Twinned spell on counterspell to counter the Shield. Can a sorcerer do that? I'm not sure if ...
14 votes
1 answer
8k views

Does casting Counterspell on one's own turn contradict the '1-non-cantrip-spell per turn' rule?

I've read both the question Casting multiple spells in a single round and the question Is it possible to cast multiple spells per turn? about using multiple spells on my turn. I know there are plenty ...
4 votes
2 answers
754 views

Does Darkness dispel Luminous armor?

The spell Darkness (PHB p. 216) reads: Darkness counters or dispels any light spell of equal or lower spell level. In our last session a drow used his Darkness spell-like ability against the ...
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10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can one use Witch Bolt to prevent spell casting?

Witch bolt seems to have a bad rap. One difference I see between witch bolt and other spells is that it is sustained/continued/ongoing damage. If I spam a spell caster with fire bolts, magic missiles ...
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6 votes
1 answer
275 views

Can you use a quickened metamagic rod to counterspell?

A few assumptions: A character can counterspell most spells with Dispel Magic unless otherwise stated Counterspell: When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell targets a spellcaster and is cast ...
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1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Can you Counterspell a spell cast using a Ring of Spell Storing? [duplicate]

Is a spell cast using a Ring of Spell Storing observable, in the sense that you could Counterspell it? Or is it essentially same as if you cast a spell using something like a Sorcerer's Subtle Spell ...
9 votes
1 answer
951 views

Does the ability check DC of Dispel Magic scale with the slot level or the original level of the spell cast?

We just played our weekly game and one of our PCs cast dispel magic and we got confused with the wording of the DC to dispel. Is the rise in DC based on the spell slot level used or the normal level ...
0 votes
1 answer
738 views

Can a Familiar allow you to avoid verbal and somatic components?

if I cast a spell and choose for it to come through my familiar, would I still have to do verbal and somatic components? what about material? would people be able to see the casting? could it still be ...
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23 votes
6 answers
5k views

If Booming Blade or Green Flame Blade are counterspelled, does the attack still go through?

Booming Blade says: As part of the action used to cast this spell, you must make a melee attack with a weapon against one creature within the spell's range. Counterspell reads: You attempt to ...
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5 votes
2 answers
538 views

Does Favored by the Gods work with counterspell rolls?

I was trying to counterspell power word kill and needed the extra rolls. Does Favored by the Gods work with counterspell rolls?
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5 votes
1 answer
413 views

How does Counterspell interact with the Detect Magic spell?

If a character casts Counterspell against Detect Magic as it is being cast, will the caster of Detect Magic know this, or will they think there is no magic present for the duration of the spell? Does ...
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2 votes
1 answer
521 views

Does counterspell require seeing the casting or the caster? [duplicate]

Counterspell: Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell What does "you see" refer to, the creature or the casting of a spell? ...
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is there a work around for Counterspell and Identifying a spell both using a reaction?

In order to Identify a spell being cast (XGtE p85) a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it's being cast, This is a problem because Counterspell (PH p228) also requires a ...
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2 votes
1 answer
772 views

Should magic items which allow to cast spells be considered as material components? [duplicate]

For using Counterspell, a spell needs to contain some kind of component, otherwise it cant be countered. https://twitter.com/jeremyecrawford/status/642086415040294912?lang=en When casting spells from ...
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11 votes
4 answers
3k views

What ways exist to prevent Counterspell from being cast?

What ways can a character (PC or Monster) prevent an enemy from casting counterspell? What I can think of so far: Surprise the enemy and win initiative Cause the enemy to be incapacitated (or stunned/...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

How do Counterspell and Legendary Resistance interact with a critical hit on a spell attack?

I was wondering about something in D&D 5e: About Counterspell If my sorcerer casts a spell and rolls a natural 20 against a magic user (a normal NPC or a boss), can they counterspell it? Or is ...
2 votes
0 answers
35 views

Can you execute your ready action in the same turn it was readied? [duplicate]

Is it possible for a spellcaster to ready a fireball when he is out of view, move into line of sight and release it in the same turn , without giving the opposing spellcaster the chance to ...
19 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is counterspelling a warlock different?

My question is about something that happens in S2E98 of Critical Role (potential spoilers if you haven't watched it yet). In the episode, the wizard attempts to counterspell a dimension door spell. ...
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29 votes
4 answers
5k views

Should the DM describe NPC spellcasting so that players can use Counterspell?

Going into battle, standing in front of a medusa and 2 nagas. I have line of sight on all 3. The DM says to make wisdom saving throw, without describing why. After failing the saving throw, I'm mind ...
3 votes
1 answer
153 views

How does the Disguise Spell feat work against counterspelling?

If my bard with the feat Disguise Spell (Complete Adventurer 108) is the victor in the opposed check (my bard's Perform skill check against onlookers' Spot skill checks) can the spell he cast still be ...
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9 votes
1 answer
901 views

Can I pretend to be casting from a spell scroll, but instead cast normally, or vice versa?

The strategy I am working on a tactic for my artificer (battlesmith) for combating mages which focuses on out-sustaining their spell slots. To do so he asked a companion (the cleric in the party) to ...
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7 votes
1 answer
334 views

When casting Counterspell, do I know if the other spell is an action or bonus action?

Related to What do I know, when deciding whether to cast Counterspell?, except that my particular question isn't included in that question. I've been thinking of ways to counter counterspell. ...
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1 vote
1 answer
346 views

Is the Chronomancer Wizard's Rewind feature triggered if their spell is counterspelled?

The Chronomancer wizard archetype gains the ability to reclaim ineffective spells using the Rewind feature: As an immediate action after losing a spell due to a failed concentration check or after ...
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22 votes
1 answer
2k views

If an Eldritch Knight's cantrip is counterspelled, can they still make a bonus-action weapon attack from the War Magic feature?

The Eldritch Knight fighter's War Magic feature (PHB, pg. 75) states: Beginning at 7th level, when you use your action to cast a cantrip, you can make one weapon attack as a bonus action. (The ...
12 votes
3 answers
2k views

If somebody Counterspells a Counterspell, is the original spell cast successfully? [duplicate]

Assume Caster A casts fireball. Assume Caster B casts counterspell on A's fireball using his reaction. Now Caster A can use his reaction and also cast counterspell on Caster B's counterspell. Does ...
21 votes
1 answer
4k views

Is there a way to counterspell a level 20 druid?

At level 20, Druids get access to the following feature: Archdruid At 20th level, you can use your Wild Shape an unlimited number of times. Additionally, you can ignore the verbal and somatic ...
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16 votes
3 answers
2k views

When I cast Counterspell as a reaction to an enemy's Counterspell, do I do so before or after the enemy makes their spellcasting ability check?

If I cast disintegrate and the enemy casts counterspell, would I wait to see the outcome of the enemy's counterspell before I cast counterspell? Or would I have to just cast it without knowing (like ...
9 votes
1 answer
653 views

Can a Flameskull's spells be Counterspelled?

Counterspell requires the following: [a reaction], which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell The Flameskull's spellcasting block reads the following: [The ...
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7 votes
1 answer
488 views

Is a counterspell ineffective against the wrong spell?

I had this idea in my campaign to rob a magic store. Logically, it makes sense that the owner of said store knows counterspell. What I plan to do is to take out the components of fireball but not ...
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21 votes
6 answers
5k views

Can you counterspell a spell if you don't know who's casting it?

Related to this question about a spellcaster hiding in a group of spellcasters. The reaction trigger for counterspell is "when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell". It has a ...
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10 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can Counterspell be used to prevent a Mystic from using a Discipline?

The most recent version of the Unearthed Arcana Mystic (V3) can be found here. The way I read it RAW Counterspell has no effect on Psionic Disciplines but this seems extremely over powered and I find ...
9 votes
3 answers
882 views

Can you store a casting of Counterspell in a Shield Guardian?

Would you be able to store a casting of counterspell inside of a Shield Guardian? Their Spell Storing trait states: A spellcaster who wears the shield guardian's amulet can cause the guardian to ...
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3 votes
2 answers
781 views

Can you cast Counterspell through the senses of your familiar? [duplicate]

I was looking into creating a wizard that remains hidden for the most part from combat (potentially even to go as far as to hide in a fellow party members' backpack, they are a halfling) and thought ...
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14 votes
1 answer
3k views

How does line of sight for spells work, accounting for familiars?

I had to make a call today and I'm wondering how this scenario should've gone down The map was a U-shaped hallway; the party was on the lower left of the U, with the enemies on the upper right. The ...
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3 votes
1 answer
898 views

Can Counterspell stop a Nightmare's Ethereal Stride?

A Nightmare has the ability: Ethereal Stride: The nightmare and up to three willing creatures within 5 feet of it magically enter the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. The ...
1 vote
0 answers
142 views

If I counterspell with subtle metamagic, can my counterspell be counterspelled? [duplicate]

BBEG casts a spell, I counterspell, and the mob has a chance to counterspell my counterspell under normal circumstances, leading to a wasted slot and some hurt from the incoming spell. If however I ...