Home/Spells/Reaction & Defense/Counterspell

Counterspell

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.

At a Glance

Level
3rd
School
Abjuration
Casting Time
1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
Range
60 feet
Duration
Instantaneous
Concentration
No

Jump to

MechanicsAt Higher LevelsCommon MistakesDM TipsSources

How Counterspell Works

Casting Time1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
Range60 feet
ComponentsS
DurationInstantaneous

Available to:

SorcererWarlockWizard

At Higher Levels

When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the interrupted spell has no effect if its level is less than or equal to the level of the spell slot you used.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistake
Forgetting you must see the creature casting the spell - can't counter if you can't see them
Common Mistake
Not making the ability check for spells of 4th level or higher
Common Mistake
Thinking the enemy gets a save - they don't, either your check succeeds or it doesn't
Common Mistake
Forgetting that you typically don't know what spell is being cast without Identify or similar features

DM Tips

DM Tip
One of the most powerful defensive spells in the game, especially against enemy spellcasters
DM Tip
The check DC is 10 + spell level (DC 14 for 4th level, DC 15 for 5th, etc.)
DM Tip
Consider having multiple enemy spellcasters to drain the party's reactions and spell slots
DM Tip
RAW, you don't know what spell is being cast unless you use a reaction to Identify it
DM Tip
Counterspell can itself be countered, leading to counterspell chains

Sources & Further Reading