On counterspells

[OrlockDelesian]

What is the point on reading an action to counterspell, when you can ready an action to cast a spell that damages the opponent spellcaster, thus forcing him to roll a high concetration check ?

[ArcturusV]

Well... Skill Checks are really easy to boost up in various ways. So they might always pass the skill check. Not to mention make the saving throw to reduce/negate the damage you were hoping to do to interrupt.

Counterspelling is basically a Sure Thing. There's no chance of failure at all. Well, unless using Dispel Magic. The Spellcraft check to ID the spell for Countering is pathetically easy. I think by the time you hit 3rd level there's no way in hell to ever fail it presuming you put in max ranks every chance.

[tyckspoon]

You may not be certain of the enemy's defenses to hit him with an appropriate spell. You may have class features or items that buff your Dispel check so that you are pretty sure you'll win that check.

That said, it is generally agreed that readying to counterspell is a poor choice of action. If you are going to counterspell, you want some method of doing it reactively and out of turn, not sacrificing your own turn to do it. If the only means you have of interfering with an enemy caster is readied action, then yeah, you will probably have better luck just whacking him in the face with Magic Missiles or a set of Scorching Rays or some other reliable damage spell.