Preemptive Counterspell [Feat]

[Lysander]

This might have useful applications, but you'd need to know something about your opponent:

Preemptive Counterspell

Benefit: You can cast any of your spells as a preemptive counterspell targeting a single person. If the target is currently capable of casting that spell you must make a Spellcraft check (DC15 + spell level + enemy caster level - your caster level) and if successful the target suffers one of two effects depending whether they use prepared or spontaneous spells. A person who prepares spells will lose one instance of that spell. A spontaneous spellcaster will lose no spell slots, but will unable to cast that particular spell for a number of rounds equal to your caster level. A person with both prepared and spontaneous spells may suffer both effects. The target is aware of their magic being lost or blocked. If your target is not currently ready to cast the spell you are targeting your spell is wasted. A preemptive counterspell can itself be counterspelled.

[Godskook]

How would this interact with casting dispel magic as a counterspell? Or, for that matter, shadow magic?

Also, it'd probably have a better name as 'spell lock' or 'denial' or something like that. Preemptive Counterspell sounds like an oxymoron, like preemptive revenge.

Finally, its interesting that you penalize wizards/clerics/druids more than you do sorcerers/bards. Probably not a bad thing, but interesting none the less.

[Lysander]

How would this interact with casting dispel magic as a counterspell? Or, for that matter, shadow magic?

Also, it'd probably have a better name as 'spell lock' or 'denial' or something like that. Preemptive Counterspell sounds like an oxymoron, like preemptive revenge.

Finally, its interesting that you penalize wizards/clerics/druids more than you do sorcerers/bards. Probably not a bad thing, but interesting none the less.

You could cast Dispel Magic as a preemptive counterspell to stop someone from casting Dispel Magic. You couldn't use it to prevent anything other spell though. Shadow Magic is a different spell than the one it's simulating so it could reproduce the effect of a blocked spell.

Actually, this penalizes sorcerers far more than anyone else. True they just have them temporarily blocked, but sorcerers have far fewer known spells. It's much easier to know what you should block with a sorcerer. Imagine if you block a sorceror's highest known spell. You've just completely rendered their highest spell slots useless for a number of rounds equal to your caster level. With a wizard you lose a spell, they lose the same spell, it has uses but it's not as potent as selectively deactivating a sorcerer's limited repertoire.