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When can you counterspell a spell with a longer casting time?
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The spell counterspell in D&D 5e has a casting time of 1 reaction, "which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell". It has the basic effect of:
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell's level. On a success, the creature's spell fails and has no effect.
Most spells have a casting time of 1 action or less, in which case the timing your counterspell shouldn't affect anything outside of weird corner cases involving multiple reactions on the same spell. I'm not asking about those corner cases. However, some spells have a casting time longer than a single action, such as alarm with a casting time of 1 minute (10 rounds).
Alarm is a 1st level spell so should be countered by counterspell without any need for a check. However, I'm not certain what time within the 1 minute window you can actually do so. I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then. In my experience, the term "casting" is a lot more ambiguous than it initially seems and some other counterspell interactions aren't entirely intuitive to me, so I wanted to know if this is clarified anywhere.
For reference, these are the possible timing restrictions I can think of:
Counterspell can only be cast at the beginning of the casting time.
Counterspell can be cast at any point during the target's casting time.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment the casting ends.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment you first see the casting, regardless of how long it had been going before then (the most literal reading of "when you see a creature ... casting a spell").
Which of these is correct? When am I able to counterspell a spell that takes more than 1 turn to cast?
dnd-5e spells counterspelling
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
The spell counterspell in D&D 5e has a casting time of 1 reaction, "which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell". It has the basic effect of:
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell's level. On a success, the creature's spell fails and has no effect.
Most spells have a casting time of 1 action or less, in which case the timing your counterspell shouldn't affect anything outside of weird corner cases involving multiple reactions on the same spell. I'm not asking about those corner cases. However, some spells have a casting time longer than a single action, such as alarm with a casting time of 1 minute (10 rounds).
Alarm is a 1st level spell so should be countered by counterspell without any need for a check. However, I'm not certain what time within the 1 minute window you can actually do so. I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then. In my experience, the term "casting" is a lot more ambiguous than it initially seems and some other counterspell interactions aren't entirely intuitive to me, so I wanted to know if this is clarified anywhere.
For reference, these are the possible timing restrictions I can think of:
Counterspell can only be cast at the beginning of the casting time.
Counterspell can be cast at any point during the target's casting time.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment the casting ends.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment you first see the casting, regardless of how long it had been going before then (the most literal reading of "when you see a creature ... casting a spell").
Which of these is correct? When am I able to counterspell a spell that takes more than 1 turn to cast?
dnd-5e spells counterspelling
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
Related on Is a slowed spellcaster counterspellable on other people's turns until he finishes casting on his next turn?
– NautArch
1 hour ago
You should probably change the question to something like: When is it optimal to counter a spell... As in the body of the question you answer your own premise. Spells can be countered at any moment after you notice the caster is casting.
– Play Patrice
55 mins ago
@PlayPatrice I mean, I don't agree with you that I answer my question in the body. If the portion about "when I would use it if given free choice" is confusing the intent then I can remove it.
– Kamil Drakari
50 mins ago
From your post: Erratta "You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell" " I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then." Your own errata suggests that you intuitively understand that you can utilize counter spell any time before the absolute completion of the spell. The remaining bullet points seem to suggest alternate rule variations.
– Play Patrice
31 mins ago
1
@PlayPatrice I'm going to edit that section and see if I can clarify why I'm uncertain about this.
– Kamil Drakari
22 mins ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
The spell counterspell in D&D 5e has a casting time of 1 reaction, "which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell". It has the basic effect of:
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell's level. On a success, the creature's spell fails and has no effect.
Most spells have a casting time of 1 action or less, in which case the timing your counterspell shouldn't affect anything outside of weird corner cases involving multiple reactions on the same spell. I'm not asking about those corner cases. However, some spells have a casting time longer than a single action, such as alarm with a casting time of 1 minute (10 rounds).
Alarm is a 1st level spell so should be countered by counterspell without any need for a check. However, I'm not certain what time within the 1 minute window you can actually do so. I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then. In my experience, the term "casting" is a lot more ambiguous than it initially seems and some other counterspell interactions aren't entirely intuitive to me, so I wanted to know if this is clarified anywhere.
For reference, these are the possible timing restrictions I can think of:
Counterspell can only be cast at the beginning of the casting time.
Counterspell can be cast at any point during the target's casting time.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment the casting ends.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment you first see the casting, regardless of how long it had been going before then (the most literal reading of "when you see a creature ... casting a spell").
Which of these is correct? When am I able to counterspell a spell that takes more than 1 turn to cast?
dnd-5e spells counterspelling
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
The spell counterspell in D&D 5e has a casting time of 1 reaction, "which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell". It has the basic effect of:
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell's level. On a success, the creature's spell fails and has no effect.
Most spells have a casting time of 1 action or less, in which case the timing your counterspell shouldn't affect anything outside of weird corner cases involving multiple reactions on the same spell. I'm not asking about those corner cases. However, some spells have a casting time longer than a single action, such as alarm with a casting time of 1 minute (10 rounds).
Alarm is a 1st level spell so should be countered by counterspell without any need for a check. However, I'm not certain what time within the 1 minute window you can actually do so. I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then. In my experience, the term "casting" is a lot more ambiguous than it initially seems and some other counterspell interactions aren't entirely intuitive to me, so I wanted to know if this is clarified anywhere.
For reference, these are the possible timing restrictions I can think of:
Counterspell can only be cast at the beginning of the casting time.
Counterspell can be cast at any point during the target's casting time.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment the casting ends.
Counterspell can be cast only at the moment you first see the casting, regardless of how long it had been going before then (the most literal reading of "when you see a creature ... casting a spell").
Which of these is correct? When am I able to counterspell a spell that takes more than 1 turn to cast?
dnd-5e spells counterspelling
dnd-5e spells counterspelling
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
edited 12 mins ago
V2Blast
14.5k23595
14.5k23595
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
asked 1 hour ago
Kamil Drakari
1,782525
1,782525
Related on Is a slowed spellcaster counterspellable on other people's turns until he finishes casting on his next turn?
– NautArch
1 hour ago
You should probably change the question to something like: When is it optimal to counter a spell... As in the body of the question you answer your own premise. Spells can be countered at any moment after you notice the caster is casting.
– Play Patrice
55 mins ago
@PlayPatrice I mean, I don't agree with you that I answer my question in the body. If the portion about "when I would use it if given free choice" is confusing the intent then I can remove it.
– Kamil Drakari
50 mins ago
From your post: Erratta "You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell" " I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then." Your own errata suggests that you intuitively understand that you can utilize counter spell any time before the absolute completion of the spell. The remaining bullet points seem to suggest alternate rule variations.
– Play Patrice
31 mins ago
1
@PlayPatrice I'm going to edit that section and see if I can clarify why I'm uncertain about this.
– Kamil Drakari
22 mins ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
Related on Is a slowed spellcaster counterspellable on other people's turns until he finishes casting on his next turn?
– NautArch
1 hour ago
You should probably change the question to something like: When is it optimal to counter a spell... As in the body of the question you answer your own premise. Spells can be countered at any moment after you notice the caster is casting.
– Play Patrice
55 mins ago
@PlayPatrice I mean, I don't agree with you that I answer my question in the body. If the portion about "when I would use it if given free choice" is confusing the intent then I can remove it.
– Kamil Drakari
50 mins ago
From your post: Erratta "You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell" " I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then." Your own errata suggests that you intuitively understand that you can utilize counter spell any time before the absolute completion of the spell. The remaining bullet points seem to suggest alternate rule variations.
– Play Patrice
31 mins ago
1
@PlayPatrice I'm going to edit that section and see if I can clarify why I'm uncertain about this.
– Kamil Drakari
22 mins ago
Related on Is a slowed spellcaster counterspellable on other people's turns until he finishes casting on his next turn?
– NautArch
1 hour ago
Related on Is a slowed spellcaster counterspellable on other people's turns until he finishes casting on his next turn?
– NautArch
1 hour ago
You should probably change the question to something like: When is it optimal to counter a spell... As in the body of the question you answer your own premise. Spells can be countered at any moment after you notice the caster is casting.
– Play Patrice
55 mins ago
You should probably change the question to something like: When is it optimal to counter a spell... As in the body of the question you answer your own premise. Spells can be countered at any moment after you notice the caster is casting.
– Play Patrice
55 mins ago
@PlayPatrice I mean, I don't agree with you that I answer my question in the body. If the portion about "when I would use it if given free choice" is confusing the intent then I can remove it.
– Kamil Drakari
50 mins ago
@PlayPatrice I mean, I don't agree with you that I answer my question in the body. If the portion about "when I would use it if given free choice" is confusing the intent then I can remove it.
– Kamil Drakari
50 mins ago
From your post: Erratta "You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell" " I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then." Your own errata suggests that you intuitively understand that you can utilize counter spell any time before the absolute completion of the spell. The remaining bullet points seem to suggest alternate rule variations.
– Play Patrice
31 mins ago
From your post: Erratta "You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell" " I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then." Your own errata suggests that you intuitively understand that you can utilize counter spell any time before the absolute completion of the spell. The remaining bullet points seem to suggest alternate rule variations.
– Play Patrice
31 mins ago
1
1
@PlayPatrice I'm going to edit that section and see if I can clarify why I'm uncertain about this.
– Kamil Drakari
22 mins ago
@PlayPatrice I'm going to edit that section and see if I can clarify why I'm uncertain about this.
– Kamil Drakari
22 mins ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
You may interrupt the casting of a spell as soon as you see it is being cast, by using your reaction.
The casting time of Counterspell is
1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell.
If a spell has a casting time of 1 minute, they are casting for that 1 minute and if you see them you may counterspell. If the casting time is 1 action you must immediately spend your reaction to counterspell or miss your window.
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell.
The key here is interrupt. You may do so at any point during the casting.
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Anytime before the cast finishes
The description of Counterspell already gives the needed timing
which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
It is written in continuous tense, so you can counterspell the casting anytime before the cast actually finishes.
You can also foil the spell just before it finishes: when the creature declare his action to complete the spell, specifically because Counterspell is one of reaction that allows you to interrupt the trigger.
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I'd say that option B is accurate. The spell says nothing about beginnings or ends. You counter it at the point that you cast counterspell. If that's six turns into that ten turn Alarm casting, or one turn in, or if it's done on turn nine, it's countered at that point.
Also, if you're aware of the creature you 'see' it the entire time, which satisfies even that 'strict' reading you mentioned.
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
You may interrupt the casting of a spell as soon as you see it is being cast, by using your reaction.
The casting time of Counterspell is
1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell.
If a spell has a casting time of 1 minute, they are casting for that 1 minute and if you see them you may counterspell. If the casting time is 1 action you must immediately spend your reaction to counterspell or miss your window.
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell.
The key here is interrupt. You may do so at any point during the casting.
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
You may interrupt the casting of a spell as soon as you see it is being cast, by using your reaction.
The casting time of Counterspell is
1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell.
If a spell has a casting time of 1 minute, they are casting for that 1 minute and if you see them you may counterspell. If the casting time is 1 action you must immediately spend your reaction to counterspell or miss your window.
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell.
The key here is interrupt. You may do so at any point during the casting.
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
You may interrupt the casting of a spell as soon as you see it is being cast, by using your reaction.
The casting time of Counterspell is
1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell.
If a spell has a casting time of 1 minute, they are casting for that 1 minute and if you see them you may counterspell. If the casting time is 1 action you must immediately spend your reaction to counterspell or miss your window.
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell.
The key here is interrupt. You may do so at any point during the casting.
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
You may interrupt the casting of a spell as soon as you see it is being cast, by using your reaction.
The casting time of Counterspell is
1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell.
If a spell has a casting time of 1 minute, they are casting for that 1 minute and if you see them you may counterspell. If the casting time is 1 action you must immediately spend your reaction to counterspell or miss your window.
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell.
The key here is interrupt. You may do so at any point during the casting.
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
answered 55 mins ago
Jason_c_o
5,09732757
5,09732757
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Anytime before the cast finishes
The description of Counterspell already gives the needed timing
which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
It is written in continuous tense, so you can counterspell the casting anytime before the cast actually finishes.
You can also foil the spell just before it finishes: when the creature declare his action to complete the spell, specifically because Counterspell is one of reaction that allows you to interrupt the trigger.
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Anytime before the cast finishes
The description of Counterspell already gives the needed timing
which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
It is written in continuous tense, so you can counterspell the casting anytime before the cast actually finishes.
You can also foil the spell just before it finishes: when the creature declare his action to complete the spell, specifically because Counterspell is one of reaction that allows you to interrupt the trigger.
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Anytime before the cast finishes
The description of Counterspell already gives the needed timing
which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
It is written in continuous tense, so you can counterspell the casting anytime before the cast actually finishes.
You can also foil the spell just before it finishes: when the creature declare his action to complete the spell, specifically because Counterspell is one of reaction that allows you to interrupt the trigger.
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
Anytime before the cast finishes
The description of Counterspell already gives the needed timing
which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
It is written in continuous tense, so you can counterspell the casting anytime before the cast actually finishes.
You can also foil the spell just before it finishes: when the creature declare his action to complete the spell, specifically because Counterspell is one of reaction that allows you to interrupt the trigger.
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
answered 55 mins ago
Vylix
6,03412287
6,03412287
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I'd say that option B is accurate. The spell says nothing about beginnings or ends. You counter it at the point that you cast counterspell. If that's six turns into that ten turn Alarm casting, or one turn in, or if it's done on turn nine, it's countered at that point.
Also, if you're aware of the creature you 'see' it the entire time, which satisfies even that 'strict' reading you mentioned.
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I'd say that option B is accurate. The spell says nothing about beginnings or ends. You counter it at the point that you cast counterspell. If that's six turns into that ten turn Alarm casting, or one turn in, or if it's done on turn nine, it's countered at that point.
Also, if you're aware of the creature you 'see' it the entire time, which satisfies even that 'strict' reading you mentioned.
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I'd say that option B is accurate. The spell says nothing about beginnings or ends. You counter it at the point that you cast counterspell. If that's six turns into that ten turn Alarm casting, or one turn in, or if it's done on turn nine, it's countered at that point.
Also, if you're aware of the creature you 'see' it the entire time, which satisfies even that 'strict' reading you mentioned.
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
I'd say that option B is accurate. The spell says nothing about beginnings or ends. You counter it at the point that you cast counterspell. If that's six turns into that ten turn Alarm casting, or one turn in, or if it's done on turn nine, it's countered at that point.
Also, if you're aware of the creature you 'see' it the entire time, which satisfies even that 'strict' reading you mentioned.
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
answered 36 mins ago
MarkTO
475
475
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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Related on Is a slowed spellcaster counterspellable on other people's turns until he finishes casting on his next turn?
– NautArch
1 hour ago
You should probably change the question to something like: When is it optimal to counter a spell... As in the body of the question you answer your own premise. Spells can be countered at any moment after you notice the caster is casting.
– Play Patrice
55 mins ago
@PlayPatrice I mean, I don't agree with you that I answer my question in the body. If the portion about "when I would use it if given free choice" is confusing the intent then I can remove it.
– Kamil Drakari
50 mins ago
From your post: Erratta "You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell" " I think in general it would be advisable to wait as long as possible so as to keep the caster going through multiple turns, or to use counterspell immediately before your own turn so that you keep the reaction available in case you find something more important before then." Your own errata suggests that you intuitively understand that you can utilize counter spell any time before the absolute completion of the spell. The remaining bullet points seem to suggest alternate rule variations.
– Play Patrice
31 mins ago
1
@PlayPatrice I'm going to edit that section and see if I can clarify why I'm uncertain about this.
– Kamil Drakari
22 mins ago