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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Taran on December 11, 2013, 02:30:10 PM

Title: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: Taran on December 11, 2013, 02:30:10 PM
Can you use your foci to counter-spell?

Is counter-spelling an offensive or defensive action?
Title: Re: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: Mr. Death on December 11, 2013, 03:13:49 PM
If you're counter-spelling someone's defenses, I'd say it's offense. If you're counterspelling someone's attack or maneuver, it's defense. I'd allow using the foci.
Title: Re: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: Haru on December 11, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
I would say yes on the foci, if they fit the spell you are countering.

Then it depends. A counterspell could be seen as an attack against the spell, and I would handle it like that if the caster wanted to break a thaumaturgy spell. On the other hand, especially when it comes to countering evocation maneuvers or blocks, I would match them. If someone puts up a defensive maneuver, countering it would be an offensive counterspell and vice versa.

Damn, Ninja'd  :D
Title: Re: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: InFerrumVeritas on December 12, 2013, 03:09:07 PM
I'd let foci counterspell as long as thematically appropriate.  Counterspelling comes up so little, I'm totally good with allowing it to be done with either offensive for defensive foci.
Title: Re: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: Sanctaphrax on December 12, 2013, 10:25:31 PM
Which element do y'all use for counterspelling?
Title: Re: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: Haru on December 12, 2013, 10:41:28 PM
The one that fits the spell that's supposed to be countered.
Spirit could work as a catch all, but I'm sort of against that. If you mainly use spirit for force effects, you can counter a force spell, surely. But a light spell? Sound? That's just not in your wheelhouse, and you should probably try a ritual if you want to counter a spell like that.
Title: Re: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: narphoenix on December 12, 2013, 10:59:46 PM
Which element do y'all use for counterspelling?

It depends on how you're counterspelling. I've had a Wizard use Water to Counterspell a Fire evocation. I could also see using Earth, for example, to Counterspell a lightning spell by changing the magnetic field in the area to make the lightning go in a circle.
Title: Re: Counter-spelling and foci
Post by: Taran on December 12, 2013, 11:20:44 PM
I can see all kinds of combinations: 
Similar elements cancelling each other
Opposite elements
Water is the entropy element, so I'd allow water to counter-spell anything.