Counterspell
Level 3 · Abjuration
- Save
Listed under abjuration, Counterspell costs a 3rd-level slot for sorcerer, warlock, and wizard casters. Cast time: Reaction. Range 60 feet, components S, duration instantaneous. Effect: You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell.
Stat Block
- Level
- 3
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- Reaction
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. The creature must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the spell dissipates with no effect, and the action, Bonus Action, or Reaction used to cast it is wasted. If that spell was cast with a spell slot, the slot isn't expended.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Counterspell is Abjuration in its purest form — the school of denial, performing exactly one trick: stopping another spell mid-cast. A Reaction, 60 feet, and the targeted spell ends before it resolves. If the target is at level 3 or lower, no roll is needed; higher than that, the counter requires a spellcasting ability check against DC 10 + the slot level used.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: Counterspell is the Sorcerer's tax. The class learns very few spells, and one of them almost always has to be Counterspell — losing a casting battle to an enemy mage matters too much. Subtle Spell pairs uniquely with Counterspell: the cast happens without a verbal component, so it can be cast under a Silence aura or while bound and gagged.
- Warlock: Hexblade and Pact of the Tome Warlocks both pick up Counterspell as the single most-impactful invocation or known spell at level 5. Pact Magic recovery on short rest means a Warlock can cast Counterspell more times per day than a Wizard's same-tier slot count, especially in adventure days with multiple short rests.
- Wizard: Wizards add Counterspell to the spellbook the level they hit 5 and rarely take it out. The Wizard's Arcane Recovery means a daily Counterspell often costs less than the slot column suggests. Abjuration Wizards specifically get Arcane Ward charges from casting Counterspell, making the spell pay for itself on most rounds it's used.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Counterspell
- What level spell is Counterspell?
- Counterspell is a level 3 spell from the Abjuration school. The classes that can prepare it: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard.
- What save does Counterspell require?
- Counterspell calls for a Constitution save against the caster's DC. Success conditions are described in the spell text.
- What is the range of Counterspell?
- Counterspell can target a point or creature within 60 feet of the caster.
- What components and casting time does Counterspell need?
- For Counterspell: Counterspell requires S; on top of that, the casting time is reaction (not a standard Action).