If a player casts a spell against a creature, and that creature casts counterspell, can the player cast counterspell in response to the counterspell?
I want to say no, because the original spell is being cast and using the VSM, and you couldn't use those at the "same time" as casting the original spell. Does this still not work if the player has a warlock familiar?
Session ended with a player casting banishment on a boss, and trying to counterspell her counterspell.
Id say no, cause where would it end? (other then when one of them is out of spell slots). On the other hand, it would be cool, so if you want to allow it, l recomend some kind of draw back, like a temporary antimagic field, a wild magic surge, a level or 2 exhaustion, or needing to roll a d100 and it working on a 99/100. (or some other number of your choice) (or something else, those were just examples)
(edit: welp, shows what l know, lol. glad to be wrong)
Yes it is absolutely possible. Counterspell only requires a Somatic component. If you're using one hand for one spell - then you would need both hands free rather than just one (and some DM's even waive that).
You sure can! Here’s a common way for it to happen: Cornelius the wizard is casting fireball on his turn, and his foe casts counterspell on him. Cornelius also has counterspell prepared, so he uses his reaction to cast it and break his foe’s counterspell before it can stop fireball.
It ends once they are out of reactions. Which is once each (very quickly).
Anyway, yes you can counterspell a counterspell while casting another spell (unless you cast a bonus action spell that turn).
Allies can extend the chain but yes each character can only use their reaction once.
Going back the original question: "If a player casts a spell against a creature, and that creature casts counterspell, can the player cast counterspell in response to the counterspell?" The answer is it depends on the spell A DxJxC referrred to you can not cast counterspell if you have used your bonus action to cast a spell so if a player tries to escape with misty step (casting time one bonus action) and a creature casts counterspell the (same) player can not counterspell the counterspell, however if they try to escape casting dimension door(casting time one action) they can counterspell the counterspell unless they have already used their reaction (which is unlikely as it refreshes at the start of the players turn) or are out of spell slots of 3rd level or higher.
That's what makes subtle spell so great as a sorcerer or as the metamagic feat. If you absolutely have to counterspell and not have it in return be counterspelled or have the original spell go off, subtle makes it uncounterable.
I don't allow counterspelling the counterspell, myself, at least between 2 casters. If A is casting fireball, and B counterspells him to interrupt fireball, I don't see how A can cast counterspell back without interrupting and breaking the casting of fireball. If there was a third caster, C, I would I have no issue with her counterspelling B.
I don't allow counterspelling the counterspell, myself, at least between 2 casters. If A is casting fireball, and B counterspells him to interrupt fireball, I don't see how A can cast counterspell back without interrupting and breaking the casting of fireball. If there was a third caster, C, I would I have no issue with her counterspelling B.
I really like the idea of counterspelling "duels", it's one of the really unique aspects of a magical world. While not "streamlined" for 5e, part of me would be interested in writing up special rules just for casters to duke it out for dominance. Limiting it to Cast, Counter, Counter-Counter is almost underwhelming.
Maybe what we need is something comparable to a "Mental Grapple", where Casters can use opposed spellcasting checks to block another caster from using their spells.
Wouldn’t your counterspell be subject to the one levelled spell one cantrip per round restriction? Meaning you would only be able to counter a counterspell that was cast to counter your cantrip. Your first spell, the one being countered that is, is your levelled spell for the round, isn’t it?
Wouldn’t your counterspell be subject to the one levelled spell one cantrip per round restriction? Meaning you would only be able to counter a counterspell that was cast to counter your cantrip. Your first spell, the one being countered that is, is your levelled spell for the round, isn’t it?
There's no such things as one levelled spell and one cantrip per round.
The rule is that if you cast a Bonus Action spell (even a cantrip) - the only other spell you can cast on the same turn is a cantrip with one action. So yes - if you cast a Bonus Action spell like Misty Step then you couldn't cast Counterspell. But if you haven't then you can.
Wouldn’t your counterspell be subject to the one levelled spell one cantrip per round restriction? Meaning you would only be able to counter a counterspell that was cast to counter your cantrip. Your first spell, the one being countered that is, is your levelled spell for the round, isn’t it?
There's no such things as one levelled spell and one cantrip per round.
The rule is that if you cast a Bonus Action spell (even a cantrip) - the only other spell you can cast on the same turn is a cantrip with one action. So yes - if you cast a Bonus Action spell like Misty Step then you couldn't cast Counterspell. But if you haven't then you can.
If a player casts a spell against a creature, and that creature casts counterspell, can the player cast counterspell in response to the counterspell?
I want to say no, because the original spell is being cast and using the VSM, and you couldn't use those at the "same time" as casting the original spell. Does this still not work if the player has a warlock familiar?
Session ended with a player casting banishment on a boss, and trying to counterspell her counterspell.
Id say no, cause where would it end? (other then when one of them is out of spell slots). On the other hand, it would be cool, so if you want to allow it, l recomend some kind of draw back, like a temporary antimagic field, a wild magic surge, a level or 2 exhaustion, or needing to roll a d100 and it working on a 99/100. (or some other number of your choice) (or something else, those were just examples)
(edit: welp, shows what l know, lol. glad to be wrong)
Yes it is absolutely possible. Counterspell only requires a Somatic component. If you're using one hand for one spell - then you would need both hands free rather than just one (and some DM's even waive that).
It's even in the Sage Advice Compendium:
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
It ends once they are out of reactions. Which is once each (very quickly).
Anyway, yes you can counterspell a counterspell while casting another spell (unless you cast a bonus action spell that turn).
Allies can extend the chain but yes each character can only use their reaction once.
Going back the original question:
"If a player casts a spell against a creature, and that creature casts counterspell, can the player cast counterspell in response to the counterspell?"
The answer is it depends on the spell
A DxJxC referrred to you can not cast counterspell if you have used your bonus action to cast a spell so if a player tries to escape with misty step (casting time one bonus action) and a creature casts counterspell the (same) player can not counterspell the counterspell, however if they try to escape casting dimension door(casting time one action) they can counterspell the counterspell unless they have already used their reaction (which is unlikely as it refreshes at the start of the players turn) or are out of spell slots of 3rd level or higher.
That's what makes subtle spell so great as a sorcerer or as the metamagic feat. If you absolutely have to counterspell and not have it in return be counterspelled or have the original spell go off, subtle makes it uncounterable.
I don't allow counterspelling the counterspell, myself, at least between 2 casters. If A is casting fireball, and B counterspells him to interrupt fireball, I don't see how A can cast counterspell back without interrupting and breaking the casting of fireball. If there was a third caster, C, I would I have no issue with her counterspelling B.
I already explained how in my earlier reply.
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
I really like the idea of counterspelling "duels", it's one of the really unique aspects of a magical world. While not "streamlined" for 5e, part of me would be interested in writing up special rules just for casters to duke it out for dominance. Limiting it to Cast, Counter, Counter-Counter is almost underwhelming.
Maybe what we need is something comparable to a "Mental Grapple", where Casters can use opposed spellcasting checks to block another caster from using their spells.
Wouldn’t your counterspell be subject to the one levelled spell one cantrip per round restriction? Meaning you would only be able to counter a counterspell that was cast to counter your cantrip. Your first spell, the one being countered that is, is your levelled spell for the round, isn’t it?
There's no such things as one levelled spell and one cantrip per round.
The rule is that if you cast a Bonus Action spell (even a cantrip) - the only other spell you can cast on the same turn is a cantrip with one action. So yes - if you cast a Bonus Action spell like Misty Step then you couldn't cast Counterspell. But if you haven't then you can.
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.
When anyone counters a counterspell in y table (haven't happened yet) I'll roll a wild magic surge.