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I'm a big stan for abjuration magic, so I was disappointed when I dug into how Counterspell works in PF2. RAW, you can only attempt the Counteract check against the opposing spell if you happen to have the exact same spell prepared/in your repertoire (with exceptions for specific spells, like Bane and Bless). I feel that this makes Counterspell prohibitively difficult to use, which coupled with it being a reactive and defensive feat makes it even more unappealing. You can't even substitute Dispel Magic like you could in PF1.
My idea is to change the Trigger and Requirement so they do not necessitate having that exact spell, but give you bonuses on the Counteract roll if you use up similar/identical spells. Here's what I've got:
Counterspell
Reaction
Abjuration | Arcane | Sorcerer | Witch | Wizard
Trigger: A creature Casts a Spell
Requirement: You have an unused spell prepared or unexpended spell slot
When a foe Casts a Spell and you can see its manifestations, you can use your own magic to disrupt it. Expend a prepared spell or spell slot. Attempt a Counteract check against the triggering spell.
If the prepared spell/spell slot you expend can match the triggering spell's Tradition and/or School, you get a +1 bonus on the counteract check (+2 bonus if both Tradition and School match).
If the prepared spell/spell slot you expend is Dispel Magic or a similar spell, you instead get a +2 bonus on the counteract check (does not stack with matching Tradition/School).
If the prepared spell/spell slot you expend can match the triggering spell exactly or specifically states it can be use to counter the triggering spell (ex: Bane and Bless), you instead get a +3 bonus on the counteract check (does not stack with matching Tradition/School).
With these changes, if a wizard is trying to counterspell their clone they would have a 50-55-60-65% chance to successfully counteract the triggering spell, based on if they used up a spell that had zero matches, matching Tradition or School, matching Tradition & School or Dispel Magic, or had the exact same/exact counter.
Thoughts? Comments? Critiques? Suggestions? Let me know!
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I dig this.
Bookmarked for future reference.
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Sounds very similar to Clever Counterspell but given to all of the classes automatically.
The main difference being that a Wizard is almost guaranteed to have an appropriate spell in the spellbook. Yours the character has to have an appropriate spell prepared. Which is nice for those characters that don't have a spellbook.
The other difference being that you are giving bonuses for how closely the spell matches, while the official feat is giving a penalty for mismatching unless the GM rules that it is especially appropriate.
This is great and the way it supposed to be imo.
Thank you for this. I've added to my homebrew notes.