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Legolas · 03-15-2005, 01:57 PM

Counterspell lets you negate the magic one enemy uses, if you have the right spells memorised to do that.

For example, a wizard is trying to Slow your party. You'd need a version of Dispel magic (all four work) or a Haste spell memorised. This spell will be 'used' just as though you'd cast it but without any of the benefits.
Basically you are sacrificing your own spells to contain the enemy's. It doesn't always work, but being higher level and having a good spellcraft helps a lot. Alternatively, have someone else join you in trying to counter the same wizard's spells.

You typically go into counterspell mode before the enemy even casts a thing. Since it keeps you occupied without harming the opponent, counterspelling is most useful when
- you and he are the only ones around and you can outlast him
- you are with a party of others, want to keep them safe from the enemy's magics, and can't swiftly dispatch the enemy caster by other means.
In solo play, you don't really want to bother, and in multiplayer, it depends on whether you are better off stopping most of one wizard, or using magic to kill many more. Which in turn depends on your other party members and the opposition. In general you don't counterspell unless it's part of a pre-determined strategy, and perhaps especially because of that, it can catch the enemy off-guard and win you the battle.

To answer Komo's question, yes, you can, you just have a greater chance of failure.

To respond to Memsie, not really true. Only wizards and sorcerers can counterspell reliably, and for them spellcraft is always a good skill to choose. Stating it makes them spend points in the wrong places is like claiming heavy armor isn't meant for fighters because they have to pour points into Strength to wear it without penalty.

03-15-2005, 01:57 PM	#6
Legolas Jack Burton Join Date: March 31, 2001 Location: The zephyr lands beneath the brine. Age: 40 Posts: 5,459	Counterspell lets you negate the magic one enemy uses, if you have the right spells memorised to do that. For example, a wizard is trying to Slow your party. You'd need a version of Dispel magic (all four work) or a Haste spell memorised. This spell will be 'used' just as though you'd cast it but without any of the benefits. Basically you are sacrificing your own spells to contain the enemy's. It doesn't always work, but being higher level and having a good spellcraft helps a lot. Alternatively, have someone else join you in trying to counter the same wizard's spells. You typically go into counterspell mode before the enemy even casts a thing. Since it keeps you occupied without harming the opponent, counterspelling is most useful when - you and he are the only ones around and you can outlast him - you are with a party of others, want to keep them safe from the enemy's magics, and can't swiftly dispatch the enemy caster by other means. In solo play, you don't really want to bother, and in multiplayer, it depends on whether you are better off stopping most of one wizard, or using magic to kill many more. Which in turn depends on your other party members and the opposition. In general you don't counterspell unless it's part of a pre-determined strategy, and perhaps especially because of that, it can catch the enemy off-guard and win you the battle. To answer Komo's question, yes, you can, you just have a greater chance of failure. To respond to Memsie, not really true. Only wizards and sorcerers can counterspell reliably, and for them spellcraft is always a good skill to choose. Stating it makes them spend points in the wrong places is like claiming heavy armor isn't meant for fighters because they have to pour points into Strength to wear it without penalty.