As described in Ultimate Magic, there is a new method of counterspelling outlined in the Spell Duel section of the book. After reading through it, I wondered, "Why should casters only be able to do this in sanctioned duels?"
With that thought, I started to consider the implications of just making this the normal method counterspelling. Making it free obviates the existing counterspelling mechanics and counterspelling feats. (Yes, I know those options are very weak, but I'd rather not negate chunks of rules, but rather simply modify them.) So, instead of making it free, it should be available by feats.
For clarity, here are the rules of Deuling Counter:
Dueling Counter
Each participant in a duel can take a special action once per round called a dueling counter. A dueling counter is similar to a counterspell, but is easier to use. When a dueling opponent tries to cast a spell, the targeted spellcaster can make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + the spell’s level) as a free action. If the check succeeds, she identifies her opponent’s spell and can attempt a dueling counter. If it fails, she cannot attempt a dueling counter against that spell.
A dueling counter is an immediate action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. To attempt a dueling counter, the countering duelist must expend a spell or a spell slot of a level equal to or higher than that of the spell being cast. Note that characters who cast spells spontaneously (such as bards and sorcerers) must choose what exact spell they are using to counterspell in addition to the slot being used. The countering duelist must then make a caster level check against a DC of 15 + the spell’s caster level. Unlike when using a true counterspell action (which requires a readied action), even expending an exact copy of the spell being cast does not guarantee success.
The caster attempting the counterspell receives a bonus or penalty on her check depending upon the level of the spell slot expended and the exact spell used, as noted in Table 2–3. If the check is successful, the spell is countered—it is negated and the spell is lost. If not, the spell happens as normal and the duelist attempting to counter the spell takes a –2 penalty on any saving throws made against the spell’s effect.
Alternatively, a spellcaster can use dispel magic or greater dispel magic as a dueling counter. When a dueling spellcaster does so, she does not need to identify the spell being cast, can counter a spell of any level, and must succeed at a caster level check against a DC of 11 + the spell’s caster level. When dispel magic is used as a dueling counter, it is not modified by any of the circumstances in Table 2–3.
Because readying to counterspell is its own action, a participant can choose to ready to counterspell and make a dueling counter in the same round. This is only useful if the participant is facing multiple opponents or someone with access to Quickened Spell or other abilities that allow casting two spells in the same round.
Circumstance // Check Modifier
Spell is of a different school // –2
Spell is of the same school, but not the same spell // +2
Spell is of a higher level than the spell being countered // +1 per level higher
Spell is the same as the spell being countered // +10
The proposed feat to gain the ability to use these Dueling Counters would be as follows:
Dueling Counter
You have become more adept at understanding and countering the spells of other casters.
Prerequisite: Improved Counterspell, Caster Level 3
Benefit: You may treat any and all enemy spellcasters as if they had initiated a Spell Duel with you for the purposes of using the Dueling Counter ability described on page 100 of Ultimate Magic. You do not gain any of the other benefits of a Spell Duel, nor any of the restrictions, when not in a normal Spell Duel.
Normal: Countering a spell requires a readied action and the same spell or dispel magic.
The wording of the feat keeps both casters from the limitations of the Spell Duel (which are many) and the benefits (being able to force the other to stop casting spells when one party wishes to quit), but allows the method of counterspelling to work for the caster with this feat. If I were writing up the actual feat for a real source, I'd probably quote all or most of the text from the book, but I'm lazy and don't want to have to rewrite it so that it fits into the proper wording of a feat.
So, thoughts? Opinions? Power balance?
I'd like some opinions on this if anyone has any...
I'd like some opinions on this if anyone has any...
I like it. When I read the dueling counter rules, I thought, this is how counterspelling should have always worked. I dunno about a feat for it... I think I'd use a variant rule to just make it standard, and give the counterspeller a bonus if they use a spell capable of countering by the normal rules or if they ready the counter.