1 reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
Range
60 feet
Components
S
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Abjuration
Level
3
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 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.
How Counterspell plays
When you see a creature within 60 feet casting a spell, you can use your reaction to stop it. A spell of 3rd level or lower simply fails. For a higher-level spell you make an ability check with your spellcasting ability against DC 10 + the spell’s level, so a 5th-level spell needs a 15. Casting Counterspell with a higher slot automatically stops spells up to that slot’s level.
It’s the spell that changes how fights against casters go. Stopping an enemy mage’s Hold Person, Fireball or Banishment can be worth more than any damage you’d do on your own turn.
When to pick Counterspell
Take it if your campaign has enemy spellcasters, which most do from the midgame on. One wizard or sorcerer per party carrying it is usually enough.
Keep your reaction free when an enemy caster is around. Using it on an opportunity attack or Shield means you can’t counter until your next turn.
Stay within 60 feet and in sight. Casters who hang back at range can’t be countered.
Common questions
Can you Counterspell a Counterspell?
Yes. Counterspell is itself a spell being cast, so another creature can counter it with its own reaction. That back-and-forth is often called a counterspell war.
Do I know what spell I’m countering?
The 2014 rules don’t say. Xanathar’s Guide to Everything has an optional rule where identifying a spell as it’s cast takes your reaction and an Arcana check, which means you can’t then counter it. Many DMs simply tell you, or tell you the spell’s level.
Can Counterspell stop a spell with no components?
No. You react when you see a creature casting, and a spell with no verbal, somatic or material components (such as one cast with a sorcerer’s Subtle Spell) gives nothing to see.
Does the countered caster lose the spell slot?
Yes. The spell fails and has no effect, and its slot and action are spent.
Can it stop spells cast from magic items?
Yes, if the item casts a spell, like a wand of fireballs. It can’t stop magical abilities that aren’t spells, such as a dragon’s breath weapon.
Is proficiency added to the ability check?
No, only your spellcasting ability modifier, unless a feature says otherwise. The School of Abjuration wizard’s Improved Abjuration adds proficiency to it.
How is the 2024 Counterspell different?
In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, the enemy caster makes a Constitution saving throw instead of you making a check, and on a failure the spell fizzles without spending its slot. There’s no longer an upcast version. This page and the builder use the 2014 rules.
Same level and the same DC 10 + level check, but it ends a spell that’s already in effect. Counterspell stops it being cast; Dispel Magic cleans up afterwards.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Same level, casting time, range, components, duration and dice; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
Casting time
Reaction, which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of yourself casting a spell with Verbal, Somatic, or Material components
Range
60 feet
Components
S
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Abjuration
Level
3
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting a spell. The creature makes 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.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
