History Main / Counterspell

** The granddaddy of all countermagic is the iconic [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=185820 Counterspell]], the card upon which so many others are based. The thing proved to be too overpowered; thus, it is no longer printed. We have a selection of weaker, fairer replacements like [[http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/CardDetails.aspx?id=113523 Cancel]] and [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=153966 Counterbore]]. However, development teams have occasionally misjudged a card, giving us ''more'' powerful variants like [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=383006 Mana Drain]] and [[http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/CardDetails.aspx?&id=130701 Pact of Negation]].

** In ''Literature/TurnCoat'', [[MagicalNativeAmerican Listens-to-Wind]] does a rain dance as a counterspell--this time, instead of negating the blasts coming at him, he just causes them to miss their marks.
** The swords of the Wardens of the White Council are also noted as being able to cut through and undo any enchantment. We see it in action a couple times, once negating one of Harry's defensive shields, and another time destroying some magical armor.

* The page image shows Vaarsuvius from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' making good use of ''[[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons D&D]]'''s counterspell rules when [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0166.html battling]] Samantha the bandit sorceress. V notes that counter-spelling is a perfectly legitimate, if rarely used, means of disabling a spellcaster.

Subtrope of AntiMagic. The key distinction between this and AntiMagic is that this is stopping a spell ''while'' it's being cast, rather than removing its effects after it already has been. And keep in mind that simply having the opposite ''effect'' of a given spell (e.g. positive vs. negative StatusBuff; inflict/heal poison) is not enough to qualify as a counterspell. Compare CurseEscapeClause.

** The [[TabletopGame/TheDresdenFiles RPG]] goes into a little more detail on how it's done--first, the mage has to do a Lore check to assess the strength of the spell he wants to counter, then he casts the counterspell equal to that amount of power. It's noted this ''usually'' takes too long to do as a defensive move, but it can be houseruled in as one.

* The page image shows Vaarsuvius from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' making good use of ''[[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons D&D]]'''s counterspell rules when [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0166.html battling]] [[VainSorceress Samantha]] the bandit sorceress. V notes that counter-spelling is a perfectly legitimate, if rarely used, means of disabling a spellcaster.

-->''"I could think of nothing to do but to try and put a shutting-spell on the door. [snip] Then something came into the chamber [snip] and then it perceived me and my spell.\\

-->-- [[http://magiccards.info/jvc/en/24.html Counterspell]] FlavorText, ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering''

!!Examples

[[folder: Literature ]]

* An explicit spell and counterspell appear in Kelson's coronation duel against Charissa in ''[[{{Deryni}} Deryni Rising]]''. Charissa begins:

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
** 2nd Edition, ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' setting. The ''spellstrike'' spell can negate an opponent's spell as it is being cast.

*** Taken up to 11 in 3.5 where the mechanic was given a short feat chain and a prestige class focused entirely on standing around and just countering every spell as it's cast.
* [[http://magiccards.info/query?q=o%3A%22counter+target%22+o%3Aspell+t%3A%22instant%22&v=card&s=cname Loads and loads of examples]] in ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'', including the TropeNamer. Each card in a player's deck is considered a spell, cards such as Counterspell may be cast in response to "counter" the spell, sending it to the graveyard without having any effect.

* The page image shows Vaarsuvius from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' making good use of ''[[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons D&D]]'''s counterspell rules when [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0166.html battling]] [[VainSorceress Samantha]] the bandit sorceress. V notes that counter-spelling is a perfectly legitimate, if rarely-used, means of disabling a spellcaster.

* The page image shows Vaarsuvius from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' making good use of ''[[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons D&D]]'''s counterspell rules when battling Samantha the bandit sorceress. V notes that counter-spelling is a perfectly legitimate, if rarely-used, means of disabling a spellcaster.

* [[http://magiccards.info/query?q=o%3A%22counter+target%22+o%3Aspell+t%3A%22instant%22&v=card&s=cname Loads and loads of examples]] in ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'', including the TropeNamer. Each card in a player's deck is considered a spell, and cards with the types "Interrupt" or "Instant" may be played in response to other spells -- such as those your opponent tries to play. The modern standard for counterspells in ''Magic'' is Cancel -- as in, "I cancel your spell."

Subtrope of AntiMagic. The key distinction between this and AntiMagic is that this is stopping a spell ''while'' it's being cast, rather than removing its effects after it already has been. And keep in mind that simply having the opposite ''effect'' of a given spell (e.g. positive vs. negative StatusBuff; inflict/heal poison) is not enough to qualify as a counterspell.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

[[quoteright:167:[[Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/OotS166Counter_668.png]]]]

-> ''"The pyromancer summoned up her mightiest onslaught of fire and rage. Jace feigned interest."''
--> -- [[http://magiccards.info/jvc/en/24.html Counterspell]] FlavorText, ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering''

* ''{{The Fellowship of the Ring}}''. While the Fellowship is in Moria being pursued by orcs (and worse), Gandalf stays behind to hold a door closed. The opposition breaks through anyway. A few moments later Gandalf tells the rest of the Fellowship what happened.
-->I could think of nothing to do but to try and put a shutting-spell on the door. [snip] Then something came into the chamber [snip] and then it perceived me and my spell.
-->What it was I cannot guess, but I have never felt such a challenge. The counter-spell was terrible. It nearly broke me. For an instant the door left my control and began to open! I had to speak a word of Command. That proved too great a strain. The door burst in pieces.

-->"Drathon tall,
-->Power come.
-->Conquer all,
-->Senses numb."
::The shape of a dragon begins to coalesce from mist, and Kelson interrupts with the counter:
-->"Drathon kill,
-->Power fade.
-->Senses still,
-->Conquer shade!"

[[folder:Webcomics]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]

!!Examples:

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* Can be done in ''HeroesOfMightAndMagic V'' if a hero learns the counterspell ability. When used, the hero forgoes their current action, and if an enemy uses a spell between now and their next action, the counterspelling hero spends twice the spell's cost in mana to stop the spell taking effect.

[[folder: Webcomics]]

* The page image shows Vaarsuvius from ''TheOrderOfTheStick'' making good use of [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons D&D's]] counterspell rules when battling Samantha the bandit sorceress. V notes that counter-spelling is a perfectly legitimate, if rarely-used, means of disabling a spellcaster.

[[quoteright:167:[[Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/OotS166Counter_668.png]]]]

-> ''"The pyromancer summoned up her mightiest onslaught of fire and rage. Jace feigned interest."''
--> -- [[http://magiccards.info/jvc/en/24.html Counterspell]] FlavorText, ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering''

A counterspell is a spell that is used in response to an opponent casting their spell, which prevents that spell from doing its thing. Typically, a counterspell has to be specified in the same way that the spell is, so the one casting it has to know the caster and spell that they're trying to counter. In video games with a "casting speed" mechanic, counterspells are typically cast very fast so that they can finish casting while the other guy is still casting theirs. In card games with a last-in, first-out "stack" for responding to opponents, that isn't needed.

Subtrope of AntiMagic. The key distinction between this and AntiMagic is that this is stopping a spell ''while'' it's being cast, rather than removing its effects after it already has been. And keep in mind that simply having the opposite ''effect'' of a given spell (e.g. positive vs. negative StatusBuff; inflict/heal poison) is not enough to qualify as a counterspell.
----

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* ''{{The Fellowship of the Ring}}''. While the Fellowship is in Moria being pursued by orcs (and worse), Gandalf stays behind to hold a door closed. The opposition breaks through anyway. A few moments later Gandalf tells the rest of the Fellowship what happened.
-->I could think of nothing to do but to try and put a shutting-spell on the door. [snip] Then something came into the chamber [snip] and then it perceived me and my spell.
-->What it was I cannot guess, but I have never felt such a challenge. The counter-spell was terrible. It nearly broke me. For an instant the door left my control and began to open! I had to speak a word of Command. That proved too great a strain. The door burst in pieces.
* An explicit spell and counterspell appear in Kelson's coronation duel against Charissa in ''[[{{Deryni}} Deryni Rising]]''. Charissa begins:
-->"Drathon tall,
-->Power come.
-->Conquer all,
-->Senses numb."
::The shape of a dragon begins to coalesce from mist, and Kelson interrupts with the counter:
-->"Drathon kill,
-->Power fade.
-->Senses still,
-->Conquer shade!"

[[AC:TabletopGames]]
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
** 2nd Edition, ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' setting. The ''spellstrike'' spell can negate an opponent's spell as it is being cast.
** 3rd Edition has a Counterspell mechanic. A prepared spell may be cast to nullify another caster's attempt to use the same spell. For example, a ''fireball'' can counter another ''fireball'' (but not ''delayed blast fireball'', which is a different spell). Some spells are specifically opposed to and counter other spells (''haste'' and ''slow'' may counter each other as well as themselves). Finally, ''dispel magic'' can be used as a universal counterspell but requires a unique "dispel check" to make the attempt.
* [[http://magiccards.info/query?q=o%3A%22counter+target%22+o%3Aspell+t%3A%22instant%22&v=card&s=cname Loads and loads of examples]] in ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'', including the TropeNamer. Each card in a player's deck is considered a spell, and cards with the types "Interrupt" or "Instant" may be played in response to other spells -- such as those your opponent tries to play. The modern standard for counterspells in ''Magic'' is Cancel -- as in, "I cancel your spell."
* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'''s dispel dice are an example of this, being used solely to counter enemy spells. There are also various abilities and pieces of wargear that allow instant dispels (the ubiquitous Dispel Scroll), or increase the power of your dispel attempts, either through modifying the result or granting extra dispel dice.

[[AC:Video Games]]
* In ''VideoGame/GuildWars'', the Mesmer profession has a number of "interrupt" spells that only work on spells and [[WordsCanBreakMyBones chants]], which are given this kind of flavour (as opposed to the interrupt skills available to physical attacker professions, which can usually interrupt actions of all sorts and are given a flavour of hitting you so hard you stop what you're doing).
* The FinalBoss of ''VideoGame/{{Okamiden}}'' has its own version of the Celestial Brush and often nullifies your brushstrokes by crossing them out with his own. (Fortunately, this rule works both ways.)
----

* ''HarryPotter'' has these on at least a theoretical basis, most directly seen in ''HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'' when a teacher tries to curse Harry off his broom while another tries to counter it. The countercurse was not entirely effective, even though the latter teacher was more skilled than the former, suggesting that counterspells are imperfect as a defense. More common practice is to use shield charms, which block or deflect weak spells, or just use similar spell of equal power so that the two cancel out.

* ''HarryPotter'' has these on at least a theoretical basis, most directly seen in ''HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'' when a teacher tries to curse Harry off his broom while another tries to counter it. The countercurse was not entirely effective, even though the latter teacher was more skilled than the former, suggesting that counterspells are imperfect as a defense. More common practice is to use shield charms, which block or deflect weak spells, or just use similar spell of equal power so that the two cancel out.

!Examples

->I could think of nothing to do but to try and put a shutting-spell on the door. [snip] Then something came into the chamber [snip] and then it perceived me and my spell.
->What it was I cannot guess, but I have never felt such a challenge. The counter-spell was terrible. It nearly broke me. For an instant the door left my control and began to open! I had to speak a word of Command. That proved too great a strain. The door burst in pieces.

The shape of a dragon begins to coalesce from mist, and Kelson interrupts with the counter: