Good evening, a few sessions ago we had a confrontation with the enemy "Gideon Lightward" and I found out that he could use a skill/magic/action (I don't know how it would be qualified) that from what I understood could not be used Counter-spell because it was not indicated as a spell. (in the DM's words). It wasn't a big problem in battle, but it made me very hesitant about which monsters that use magics the counterspell can't be used. Could you please explain it to me.
Withering Gaze. Gideon targets a creature he can see within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 33 (6d10) necrotic damage if it fails the saving throw, or half damage if it succeeds.
I want to understand, from what the text says, that I can't counter it because it has no visible components, but does the fact that I can see its eyes count as a component?
Without further add to, thank you very much for your time and attention.
Spells are spell and as such either are cantrips or take spell slots/uses per day. These are listed in a specific area of the stat block and are all together.
However many Monsters have special abilities that can do things like make you make saving throws, but making a saving throw does not make something a spell.
You cannot counter Withering Gaze because it is not a spell. Simple as that. It has nothing to do with the words in the description of the action, it has to do with simply that it is not a spell
Gideon Lightward isn't a spellcaster anymore. He was a Priest of Lathander but is evidently excommunicated, and Withering Gaze is basically an infernal boon. It's a "power" not a spell. Like the gaze of Medusa or a number of undead with gaze-based effects.
Counterspell is not a spell that counters "magic" broadly defined. Rather it's a spell that counters "spells."
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Good evening, a few sessions ago we had a confrontation with the enemy "Gideon Lightward" and I found out that he could use a skill/magic/action (I don't know how it would be qualified) that from what I understood could not be used Counter-spell because it was not indicated as a spell. (in the DM's words). It wasn't a big problem in battle, but it made me very hesitant about which monsters that use magics the counterspell can't be used. Could you please explain it to me.
Withering Gaze. Gideon targets a creature he can see within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 33 (6d10) necrotic damage if it fails the saving throw, or half damage if it succeeds.
I want to understand, from what the text says, that I can't counter it because it has no visible components, but does the fact that I can see its eyes count as a component?
Without further add to, thank you very much for your time and attention.
Book: Baldurs Gate Descent into Avernus, Pag 65.
Spells are spell and as such either are cantrips or take spell slots/uses per day. These are listed in a specific area of the stat block and are all together.
However many Monsters have special abilities that can do things like make you make saving throws, but making a saving throw does not make something a spell.
You cannot counter Withering Gaze because it is not a spell. Simple as that. It has nothing to do with the words in the description of the action, it has to do with simply that it is not a spell
Gideon Lightward isn't a spellcaster anymore. He was a Priest of Lathander but is evidently excommunicated, and Withering Gaze is basically an infernal boon. It's a "power" not a spell. Like the gaze of Medusa or a number of undead with gaze-based effects.
Counterspell is not a spell that counters "magic" broadly defined. Rather it's a spell that counters "spells."
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Okay, thank you very much for the feedback, I appreciate you taking the time.