Counterspell

by **MannyJabrielle** Sat May 15, 2010 3:05 am

What is counterspelling?

It's when one caster blocks another from casting a spell. Think of counterspell mode as like parry mode, but for spells, not physical attacks. You can counter only 1 target at a time, but multiple counterspellers can focus their attention on 1 target to counter.

There's two ways to activate counterspell mode in Aenea. The usual default bioware method, and the newly enabled playertool.

The default Bioware method is you rightclick on the target, go into your spell casting menu, and then into the casting modes section, and select counterspell mode (the other mode being defensive casting). This version cannot be quickslotted, so you're doing multiple clicks to activate... which is slow and a hassle. Going into counterspell mode with this method just isn't worth it in a quickpaced frackas.

Counterspell Ife_x3_ptool04

The Aenean method is the player tool feat. You quickslot the player tool. When you want to counterspell a target, you click on the quickslot, and target the caster, much like if you were casting a spell. You will be put into counterspell mode against the targetted caster. Two clicks. Click action, click target, there you go.

Countering a spell has it's costs though. Besides giving up any other actions while in counterspell mode, to counter a given spell, you must have an appropriate spell available to counter with. You must also be able to identify the spell the enemy is casting via a spellcraft check.

Also, speed of casting is relevant. If the target is hasted, and you are not, you won't be able to counter their spells. If you are hasted as well, you may counter the target's spells. AutoQuicken offers no benefits in regards to counter spelling. A non-hasted caster without the autoquicken feats can still counter a caster with autoquicken (and counter just as fast as they cast).

What spells counter what spells? A spell may be countered with an identical spell always. If your target casts invisibility and you have invisibility memorized, you sacrifice your invisibility cast to counter theirs. Your spell slot is consumed, as is theirs. A spell may also have specific alternate counters. These will be listed in the spell's description. For example, Haste can be countered with Slow, and the reverse as well, slow may be countered with haste.

There are also "generic counters", lesser dispel magic, dispel magic, greater dispel magic, and mordenkainen's disjunction. These spells will counter any other spell. There are limits with these however. Lesser dispelling will only counter spells of levels 2 and under. Dispell magic will only counter spells level 3 and under, greater dispelling will only counter spells level 6 and under. Mordenkainen's disjuction will counter any 9th and lower spells though.

Other things to note.... Counter spelling only works with and against spells actually cast (this is one of the many points where NWN differs from PnP). You can't counter spells cast off scrolls or other magical devices, nor can you use scrolls or other magical devices to counter spells with. You also can't counter epic spells.

Why counterspell?

You and your friendly neighborhood meatshields, er, tank are traipsing through some cave, and come upon an ancient and mean evil lich. As a caster, you know you don't have enough caster levels to reliably penetrate the lich's spell resistance... you COULD throw everything you had at it and hope for the best... but that's what your meatshie- er, tank friend is there for... to pound on stuff. You're the mage, you use tactics and stuff!

So you go counterspell on the demilich. He may know a couple of spells you can't counter, but if you can counter his acid sheath, that makes it that much easier for your hammer-hucking buddy to pound on the lich until it dies without dying himself. If you can counter the lich's wails and fingers of death... that's good. You may not be doing direct damage, but you're keeping the lich from doing direct damage itself. Not every situation will call for counterspelling, you won't be able to counterspell in every situation, but it's a tool that's there now.