Counterspell exploit + Counter Drain greater exploit

[HSalgo]

The Counter Drain greater exploit allows you to regain arcane reservoir points equal to the countered spell's spell level / 3.

Counter Drain greater exploit:

Quote:

Counter Drain (Su): Whenever the arcanist successfully counters a spell, she regains a number of points to her arcane reservoir, which is determined by the level of the spell countered. Spells of 2nd level or lower do not restore any points to her arcane reservoir. Spells of 3rd and higher restore 1 point to her arcane reservoir for every three spell levels (rounded down), to a maximum of 3 points at 9th level. The arcanist must have the counterspell exploit to select this exploit.

The Counterspell exploit allows you to counter spells as an immediate action at the cost of 1 arcane reservoir point and a higher level spell slot. However, the text also says, "Counterspelling in this way does not trigger any feats or other abilities that normally occur when a spellcaster successfully counters a spell."

Counterspell exploit:

Quote:

Counterspell (Su): By expending 1 point from her arcane reservoir, the arcanist can attempt to counter a spell as it is being cast. She must identify the spell being cast as normal. If she successfully does so, the arcanist can attempt to counter the spell as an immediate action and by expending an available arcanist spell slot of a level at least one higher than the level of the spell being cast. To counterspell, the arcanist must attempt a dispel check as if using dispel magic. If the spell being countered is one that the arcanist has prepared, she can instead expend an available arcanist spell slot of the same level, and she receives a +5 bonus on the dispel check. Counterspelling in this way does not trigger any feats or other abilities that normally occur when a spellcaster successfully counters a spell.

Given that the Counter Drain greater exploit is a class ability, does that mean that you cannot gain arcane reservoir points from Counter Drain after successfully using the Counterspell exploit?

This seems to be the Rules As Written (unless I'm missing something?), but I'm also wondering if this is the Rules As Intended. Any thoughts?

[HSalgo]

TL;DR: Does the Counter Drain greater exploit work on the Counterspell arcanist exploit? Or is it not allowed because using the Counterspell exploit "does not trigger any feats or other abilities that normally occur when a spellcaster successfully counters a spell?"

[kestral287]

Correct, Counter Drain does not trigger. This is pretty clearly RAW, and I would imagine it's also RAI. Without that clause every sane Arcanist going up against a caster would be countering a spell every turn, without cost.

[Elicoor]

Just as Kestral said :

From Counterspell (Su)
"[...] Counterspelling in this way does not trigger any feats or other abilities that normally occur when a spellcaster successfully counters a spell."

From Counter Drain (Su)
"Whenever the arcanist successfully counters a spell, [...]"

As written in counterspell, counter drain is not triggered.

[Dasrak]

The RAW is very clear that the two abilities don't work with each other. The ACG is a bit notorious for the state of its editing so it's certainly possible that this is an oversight and they are meant to work together, but unless there's a FAQ or errata that's just speculation.

From a balance perspective, I'd say allow it. The Counter Drain greater exploit is pretty much useless if it doesn't work with the Counterspell exploit. They aren't that powerful when combined, either; the Counterspell Exploit requires a dispel check and if it fails you still lose both your arcane reservoir point and spell slot. This is a very high-risk ability, so I don't see a problem with making it high-gain too if you want to spend a greater exploit to make it better. In addition, counterspelling doesn't work against SLA's, so it's a pretty tiny subset of enemies it actually works against.