Counterspell

What players would know #

Counterspell is the fast interruption spell for shutting down enemy casting.

Spell definition #

• Level / school: 3rd-level abjuration (legacy 2014 profile)
• Casting time: 1 reaction, taken when a creature you see within 60 feet casts a spell
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: S
• Duration: Instantaneous

How it works #

• If the triggering spell is 3rd level or lower, it fails automatically.
• If the triggering spell is 4th level or higher, make a spellcasting ability check.
• The check DC is 10 + spell level.
• On success, the triggering spell fails.
• If you cast counterspell using a higher-level slot, you auto-stop spells at that slot level or lower.

Common rumors #

• Good arcanists save this for control magic, not raw damage spells.
• Duelists call it “winning before initiative finishes.”