Contingency question


Rules Questions


I've never played a wizard high enough level to actually try to use the spell, but I'm curious. Could you set up a contingent dispel magic (or greater dispel magic) to act as a counterspell?

Say 'if someone other than me casts Time Stop nearby, counterspell it with Greater Dispel Magic'.

I assume you could, but for some reason I'm having trouble getting it past my WTF-o-meter. Probably because counterspelling isn't something I ever actually see done.


PRD wrote:
The spell to be brought into effect by the contingency must be one that affects your person and be of a spell level no higher than one-third your caster level (rounded down, maximum 6th level).

no, it must be a spell you cast on yourself, not necessarily a range 'you' spell, but a spell that targets you. the dispel magic in your scenario would be targeting the enemy spell.

you could maybe set up an anti-magic field spell to trigger if someone casts a spell on you, but you'd have to be 18th level to do so. and may not be the best of ideas

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asthyril is correct that the spell must target yourself. You could set up a contingency to cast dispel on yourself if a hostile effect affects you, however.


i just dislike triggers you don't actually have control of. i prefer to set the contingency to go off if i say something that i normally would never say (eg. my halfling who loves sweets sets his to go off if he says 'i hate cake') basically getting another spell off on the first round, along with a quickened and normal standard action spell.


Yes, but it may be interesting if you're targeted & hit by a ray like disintegrate, enervation or a death spell


asthyril wrote:
PRD wrote:
The spell to be brought into effect by the contingency must be one that affects your person and be of a spell level no higher than one-third your caster level (rounded down, maximum 6th level).

no, it must be a spell you cast on yourself, not necessarily a range 'you' spell, but a spell that targets you. the dispel magic in your scenario would be targeting the enemy spell.

you could maybe set up an anti-magic field spell to trigger if someone casts a spell on you, but you'd have to be 18th level to do so. and may not be the best of ideas

Gee, I dunno... a Contingent Anti-Magic would make for a really nasty Cleric or Bard of some sort if they are built to be a melee power-house. Can also see Use Magic Device allowing, say, a Fighter or Rogue to do it... Not the sort of tactic you want to use against non-casters, sure, but --

Spoiler:
what sorts of BBEG creatures have some really nasty Extraordinary special abilities? Hint: incorporeal

On the other hand, if you can UMD a scroll for use with Contingency, then such things as Freedom of Movement and Heal pretty much trumps all. The fact is that Contingency is worded to behave as... a contingency.


thanks for the responses guys. I totally missed the obvious there :)


thread -ro-mancy in effect. Does casting a contingency destroy the idol of yourself?


The statuette is a focus component. Focus components are not consumed when casting spells.


thx blaph

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