Are there any rules for identifying what spell an opponent is casting?Can I say something to an ally when...

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Are there any rules for identifying what spell an opponent is casting?


Can I say something to an ally when it's not my turn and we are both in combat?Are the rules in Xanathar's Guide to Everything clarifications/in addition to the Core rules or are they Optional/Variants?If a spell cast from a Spell Scroll is Counterspelled, is the scroll consumed?Can I Counterspell Subtle spell without material component?Can you cast 2 spells at the same time?Can a spell cast through a familiar be Counterspelled even if the familiar's “owner” is out of range?Can you move between readying a spell and resolving its effect to avoid mage slayer or counterspell?Can you effectively apply the Distant Spell metamagic option to a Counterspell?When can you counterspell a spell with long casting time?Is it possible to counterspell the revised Artificer?What are the balance implications of using passive Arcana to identify spells for counterspell?Can a single spell be targeted by multiple sequential counterspells during the same turn?






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$begingroup$


I was reviewing the Counterspell spell in 5e and it is cast as a reaction when "you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell".



Obviously the spell is incredibly useful if you actually know what spell is going to be cast rather than just casting Counterspell blindly just in case.



Are there any rules that govern identifying what spell an opponent is casting before it is actually cast?



For example if the wizard must have it on his spell book or whether it is an Arcana check or even a passive arcana check?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$



















    5












    $begingroup$


    I was reviewing the Counterspell spell in 5e and it is cast as a reaction when "you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell".



    Obviously the spell is incredibly useful if you actually know what spell is going to be cast rather than just casting Counterspell blindly just in case.



    Are there any rules that govern identifying what spell an opponent is casting before it is actually cast?



    For example if the wizard must have it on his spell book or whether it is an Arcana check or even a passive arcana check?










    share|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      5












      5








      5





      $begingroup$


      I was reviewing the Counterspell spell in 5e and it is cast as a reaction when "you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell".



      Obviously the spell is incredibly useful if you actually know what spell is going to be cast rather than just casting Counterspell blindly just in case.



      Are there any rules that govern identifying what spell an opponent is casting before it is actually cast?



      For example if the wizard must have it on his spell book or whether it is an Arcana check or even a passive arcana check?










      share|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      I was reviewing the Counterspell spell in 5e and it is cast as a reaction when "you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell".



      Obviously the spell is incredibly useful if you actually know what spell is going to be cast rather than just casting Counterspell blindly just in case.



      Are there any rules that govern identifying what spell an opponent is casting before it is actually cast?



      For example if the wizard must have it on his spell book or whether it is an Arcana check or even a passive arcana check?







      dnd-5e spells spellcasting






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 4 hours ago









      V2Blast

      30.6k5113185




      30.6k5113185










      asked 8 hours ago









      Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba

      1,139721




      1,139721






















          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          12












          $begingroup$

          Optional rules for this can be found in Xanathar's Guide to Everything



          On page 85 (or on D&D Beyond) there is a section on "Identifying a spell" that reads:




          Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that
          someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do
          so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell
          as it's being cast, or they can use an action on their turn
          to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.




          It goes on to explain in detail what checks are involved (not transcribing everything here for copyright reasons). Do note that the rules presented in Xanathar's are considered optional/variant rules.



          Unfortunately these rules do require a reaction to identify the spell being cast which means that your reaction is expended and you can't usually use this along with Counterspell if you are alone, unless the spell is being cast over several rounds.



          As suggested by enkryptor, you might be able to achieve this with two characters: one of them identifying the spell for the other to cast counterspell. (A strict reading of the rules may not allow speaking outside your turn, see this Q/A. However, I have never played with a DM that actually enforces this)






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            FWIW, I've been running this with the house rule of also allowing you to cast Counterspell as part of the same reaction if you successfully identify the spell. It's been fine (although I present this with the caveat that it's only come up for us, like, twice ever).
            $endgroup$
            – mattdm
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @Sdjz as that answer suggests, most DMs end up ignoring that rule anyway. Though RAW you can't I love the roleplaying aspect of one player listening, suddenly turning white and screaming "Fireball!!" ... and enabling another player to do something...
            $endgroup$
            – Jorge Córdoba
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @JorgeCórdoba Indeed, note that I already added enkryptor's suggestion to the answer. It was a half-joke :)
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I think, by RAW, working as a team wouldn't actually work since you can only speak on your own turn so you couldn't yell out the name of the spell. The DM I've been playing under generally straight out announced the name of the spell anyway.
            $endgroup$
            – Allan Mills
            3 hours ago






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @AllanMills Ah yes that was the rule we were referring to in previous comments but I have yet to play with a DM that actually does not allow people to just speak whenever. I will add a small note though I suppose.
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            3 hours ago












          Your Answer








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          1 Answer
          1






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          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          12












          $begingroup$

          Optional rules for this can be found in Xanathar's Guide to Everything



          On page 85 (or on D&D Beyond) there is a section on "Identifying a spell" that reads:




          Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that
          someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do
          so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell
          as it's being cast, or they can use an action on their turn
          to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.




          It goes on to explain in detail what checks are involved (not transcribing everything here for copyright reasons). Do note that the rules presented in Xanathar's are considered optional/variant rules.



          Unfortunately these rules do require a reaction to identify the spell being cast which means that your reaction is expended and you can't usually use this along with Counterspell if you are alone, unless the spell is being cast over several rounds.



          As suggested by enkryptor, you might be able to achieve this with two characters: one of them identifying the spell for the other to cast counterspell. (A strict reading of the rules may not allow speaking outside your turn, see this Q/A. However, I have never played with a DM that actually enforces this)






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            FWIW, I've been running this with the house rule of also allowing you to cast Counterspell as part of the same reaction if you successfully identify the spell. It's been fine (although I present this with the caveat that it's only come up for us, like, twice ever).
            $endgroup$
            – mattdm
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @Sdjz as that answer suggests, most DMs end up ignoring that rule anyway. Though RAW you can't I love the roleplaying aspect of one player listening, suddenly turning white and screaming "Fireball!!" ... and enabling another player to do something...
            $endgroup$
            – Jorge Córdoba
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @JorgeCórdoba Indeed, note that I already added enkryptor's suggestion to the answer. It was a half-joke :)
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I think, by RAW, working as a team wouldn't actually work since you can only speak on your own turn so you couldn't yell out the name of the spell. The DM I've been playing under generally straight out announced the name of the spell anyway.
            $endgroup$
            – Allan Mills
            3 hours ago






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @AllanMills Ah yes that was the rule we were referring to in previous comments but I have yet to play with a DM that actually does not allow people to just speak whenever. I will add a small note though I suppose.
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            3 hours ago
















          12












          $begingroup$

          Optional rules for this can be found in Xanathar's Guide to Everything



          On page 85 (or on D&D Beyond) there is a section on "Identifying a spell" that reads:




          Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that
          someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do
          so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell
          as it's being cast, or they can use an action on their turn
          to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.




          It goes on to explain in detail what checks are involved (not transcribing everything here for copyright reasons). Do note that the rules presented in Xanathar's are considered optional/variant rules.



          Unfortunately these rules do require a reaction to identify the spell being cast which means that your reaction is expended and you can't usually use this along with Counterspell if you are alone, unless the spell is being cast over several rounds.



          As suggested by enkryptor, you might be able to achieve this with two characters: one of them identifying the spell for the other to cast counterspell. (A strict reading of the rules may not allow speaking outside your turn, see this Q/A. However, I have never played with a DM that actually enforces this)






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            FWIW, I've been running this with the house rule of also allowing you to cast Counterspell as part of the same reaction if you successfully identify the spell. It's been fine (although I present this with the caveat that it's only come up for us, like, twice ever).
            $endgroup$
            – mattdm
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @Sdjz as that answer suggests, most DMs end up ignoring that rule anyway. Though RAW you can't I love the roleplaying aspect of one player listening, suddenly turning white and screaming "Fireball!!" ... and enabling another player to do something...
            $endgroup$
            – Jorge Córdoba
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @JorgeCórdoba Indeed, note that I already added enkryptor's suggestion to the answer. It was a half-joke :)
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I think, by RAW, working as a team wouldn't actually work since you can only speak on your own turn so you couldn't yell out the name of the spell. The DM I've been playing under generally straight out announced the name of the spell anyway.
            $endgroup$
            – Allan Mills
            3 hours ago






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @AllanMills Ah yes that was the rule we were referring to in previous comments but I have yet to play with a DM that actually does not allow people to just speak whenever. I will add a small note though I suppose.
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            3 hours ago














          12












          12








          12





          $begingroup$

          Optional rules for this can be found in Xanathar's Guide to Everything



          On page 85 (or on D&D Beyond) there is a section on "Identifying a spell" that reads:




          Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that
          someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do
          so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell
          as it's being cast, or they can use an action on their turn
          to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.




          It goes on to explain in detail what checks are involved (not transcribing everything here for copyright reasons). Do note that the rules presented in Xanathar's are considered optional/variant rules.



          Unfortunately these rules do require a reaction to identify the spell being cast which means that your reaction is expended and you can't usually use this along with Counterspell if you are alone, unless the spell is being cast over several rounds.



          As suggested by enkryptor, you might be able to achieve this with two characters: one of them identifying the spell for the other to cast counterspell. (A strict reading of the rules may not allow speaking outside your turn, see this Q/A. However, I have never played with a DM that actually enforces this)






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          Optional rules for this can be found in Xanathar's Guide to Everything



          On page 85 (or on D&D Beyond) there is a section on "Identifying a spell" that reads:




          Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that
          someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do
          so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell
          as it's being cast, or they can use an action on their turn
          to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.




          It goes on to explain in detail what checks are involved (not transcribing everything here for copyright reasons). Do note that the rules presented in Xanathar's are considered optional/variant rules.



          Unfortunately these rules do require a reaction to identify the spell being cast which means that your reaction is expended and you can't usually use this along with Counterspell if you are alone, unless the spell is being cast over several rounds.



          As suggested by enkryptor, you might be able to achieve this with two characters: one of them identifying the spell for the other to cast counterspell. (A strict reading of the rules may not allow speaking outside your turn, see this Q/A. However, I have never played with a DM that actually enforces this)







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 3 hours ago

























          answered 8 hours ago









          SdjzSdjz

          16.2k581127




          16.2k581127












          • $begingroup$
            FWIW, I've been running this with the house rule of also allowing you to cast Counterspell as part of the same reaction if you successfully identify the spell. It's been fine (although I present this with the caveat that it's only come up for us, like, twice ever).
            $endgroup$
            – mattdm
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @Sdjz as that answer suggests, most DMs end up ignoring that rule anyway. Though RAW you can't I love the roleplaying aspect of one player listening, suddenly turning white and screaming "Fireball!!" ... and enabling another player to do something...
            $endgroup$
            – Jorge Córdoba
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @JorgeCórdoba Indeed, note that I already added enkryptor's suggestion to the answer. It was a half-joke :)
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I think, by RAW, working as a team wouldn't actually work since you can only speak on your own turn so you couldn't yell out the name of the spell. The DM I've been playing under generally straight out announced the name of the spell anyway.
            $endgroup$
            – Allan Mills
            3 hours ago






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @AllanMills Ah yes that was the rule we were referring to in previous comments but I have yet to play with a DM that actually does not allow people to just speak whenever. I will add a small note though I suppose.
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            3 hours ago


















          • $begingroup$
            FWIW, I've been running this with the house rule of also allowing you to cast Counterspell as part of the same reaction if you successfully identify the spell. It's been fine (although I present this with the caveat that it's only come up for us, like, twice ever).
            $endgroup$
            – mattdm
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @Sdjz as that answer suggests, most DMs end up ignoring that rule anyway. Though RAW you can't I love the roleplaying aspect of one player listening, suddenly turning white and screaming "Fireball!!" ... and enabling another player to do something...
            $endgroup$
            – Jorge Córdoba
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            @JorgeCórdoba Indeed, note that I already added enkryptor's suggestion to the answer. It was a half-joke :)
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            8 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I think, by RAW, working as a team wouldn't actually work since you can only speak on your own turn so you couldn't yell out the name of the spell. The DM I've been playing under generally straight out announced the name of the spell anyway.
            $endgroup$
            – Allan Mills
            3 hours ago






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @AllanMills Ah yes that was the rule we were referring to in previous comments but I have yet to play with a DM that actually does not allow people to just speak whenever. I will add a small note though I suppose.
            $endgroup$
            – Sdjz
            3 hours ago
















          $begingroup$
          FWIW, I've been running this with the house rule of also allowing you to cast Counterspell as part of the same reaction if you successfully identify the spell. It's been fine (although I present this with the caveat that it's only come up for us, like, twice ever).
          $endgroup$
          – mattdm
          8 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          FWIW, I've been running this with the house rule of also allowing you to cast Counterspell as part of the same reaction if you successfully identify the spell. It's been fine (although I present this with the caveat that it's only come up for us, like, twice ever).
          $endgroup$
          – mattdm
          8 hours ago












          $begingroup$
          @Sdjz as that answer suggests, most DMs end up ignoring that rule anyway. Though RAW you can't I love the roleplaying aspect of one player listening, suddenly turning white and screaming "Fireball!!" ... and enabling another player to do something...
          $endgroup$
          – Jorge Córdoba
          8 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          @Sdjz as that answer suggests, most DMs end up ignoring that rule anyway. Though RAW you can't I love the roleplaying aspect of one player listening, suddenly turning white and screaming "Fireball!!" ... and enabling another player to do something...
          $endgroup$
          – Jorge Córdoba
          8 hours ago












          $begingroup$
          @JorgeCórdoba Indeed, note that I already added enkryptor's suggestion to the answer. It was a half-joke :)
          $endgroup$
          – Sdjz
          8 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          @JorgeCórdoba Indeed, note that I already added enkryptor's suggestion to the answer. It was a half-joke :)
          $endgroup$
          – Sdjz
          8 hours ago












          $begingroup$
          I think, by RAW, working as a team wouldn't actually work since you can only speak on your own turn so you couldn't yell out the name of the spell. The DM I've been playing under generally straight out announced the name of the spell anyway.
          $endgroup$
          – Allan Mills
          3 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          I think, by RAW, working as a team wouldn't actually work since you can only speak on your own turn so you couldn't yell out the name of the spell. The DM I've been playing under generally straight out announced the name of the spell anyway.
          $endgroup$
          – Allan Mills
          3 hours ago




          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          @AllanMills Ah yes that was the rule we were referring to in previous comments but I have yet to play with a DM that actually does not allow people to just speak whenever. I will add a small note though I suppose.
          $endgroup$
          – Sdjz
          3 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          @AllanMills Ah yes that was the rule we were referring to in previous comments but I have yet to play with a DM that actually does not allow people to just speak whenever. I will add a small note though I suppose.
          $endgroup$
          – Sdjz
          3 hours ago


















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