Counterspell says "If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect." What if I cast fireball, a third-level spell, with a 4th-level spell slot? Will it be automatically countered, or will the fireball be counted as a 4th-level spell?
When a spellcaster casts a spell using a slot that is of a higher level than the spell, the spell assumes the higher level for that casting. For instance, if Umara casts magic missile using one of her 2nd-level slots, that magic missile is 2nd level. Effectively, the spell expands to fill the slot it is put into.
As a clarification, do you have to guess what level spell you are trying to counter spell or does your counter spell use up whatever slot is necessary to work or fail if you do not have a slot available...thus wasting the minimum slot level?
As a clarification, do you have to guess what level spell you are trying to counter spell or does your counter spell use up whatever slot is necessary to work or fail if you do not have a slot available...thus wasting the minimum slot level?
You have to guess. Counterspell also has a line for what to do with spells higher level that it was cast as.
As a clarification, do you have to guess what level spell you are trying to counter spell or does your counter spell use up whatever slot is necessary to work or fail if you do not have a slot available...thus wasting the minimum slot level?
I homebrew that a passive Arcane check can be used to gauge the level a spell.
I allow the passive check to not cost a Reaction and the active check to cost a Reaction.
I allow them to cast a spell (shield, counter, etc) as part of the same reaction. But I don't let them have it for free. That breeds shenanigans, plus basically tells them the spell level. "My passive arcana is 18 and the DM didn't tell me what they were casting, so it is at least level 4."
I allow the passive check to not cost a Reaction and the active check to cost a Reaction.
I allow them to cast a spell (shield, counter, etc) as part of the same reaction. But I don't let them have it for free. That breeds shenanigans, plus basically tells them the spell level. "My passive arcana is 18 and the DM didn't tell me what they were casting, so it is at least level 4."
Yeah, I don’t get upset if they make this assumption, that’s the entire point of me ruling this way - each character knows exactly what level of spell they can identify. Whether it’s a roll or an active check, you’re using number mechanics to determine the level of Counterspell to use, your method only introduces a randomized element to it.
That, and specifically your method purposefully introduces two reactions into one round. My preference was to use codified rules sets and not introduce any other modifiers to actions, etc.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Counterspell says "If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect." What if I cast fireball, a third-level spell, with a 4th-level spell slot? Will it be automatically countered, or will the fireball be counted as a 4th-level spell?
i play dnd with weird people
i guess im also weird
idk
From the PHB spellcasting chapter:
So fireball would be 4th level in your example.
Thank you.
i play dnd with weird people
i guess im also weird
idk
Note you can upcast Counterspell. If you upcast Counterspell to 4th level, it automatically counters a 4th level slot.
That said, the best use of Counterspell is when combined with Globe of Invulnerability. It blocks all spells of 5th level or lower EVEN IF UPCAST.
Which means that if you cast Globe then no one can Counter your spells. Including your own counterspell.
As a clarification, do you have to guess what level spell you are trying to counter spell or does your counter spell use up whatever slot is necessary to work or fail if you do not have a slot available...thus wasting the minimum slot level?
You have to guess. Counterspell also has a line for what to do with spells higher level that it was cast as.
I homebrew that a passive Arcane check can be used to gauge the level a spell.
Its partially backed by:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/using-ability-scores#PassiveChecks
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/xgte/dungeon-masters-tools#IdentifyingaSpell
I allow the passive check to not cost a Reaction and the active check to cost a Reaction.
I allow them to cast a spell (shield, counter, etc) as part of the same reaction. But I don't let them have it for free. That breeds shenanigans, plus basically tells them the spell level. "My passive arcana is 18 and the DM didn't tell me what they were casting, so it is at least level 4."
Yeah, I don’t get upset if they make this assumption, that’s the entire point of me ruling this way - each character knows exactly what level of spell they can identify. Whether it’s a roll or an active check, you’re using number mechanics to determine the level of Counterspell to use, your method only introduces a randomized element to it.
That, and specifically your method purposefully introduces two reactions into one round. My preference was to use codified rules sets and not introduce any other modifiers to actions, etc.