Practical Handling of the Ethereal Creature Near You

[Endless Query]

So I'm figuring out my spell list on an abjuration (Counterspelling) specialist in Pathfinder, and I know, historically, that our GM has a habit of trying to jam us with weird tricky fights, ethereal opponents, and so on, and has, in fact, been specifically banning certain things that are made to just be ethereal hose to keep us "on our toes" such as it is. So in my spell set up (which, even as a wizard, is a little tight as the game has been pretty low in terms of magical resources, so I'd best be pretty comfortable with what I start with/get from leveling up) I'm trying to come up with some useful spells that double over *as* ways to deal with Ethereal foes, as opposed to just flagrant Ethereal bashing, so that even if I don't have a "perfect" answer to the situation, when the time comes up I have *something* I can do. Now, I do have a solid benefit from the fact that Abjuration spells effect ethereal opponents to begin with, but I simply don't know what's really... Good for it, and still has more common, everyday utility. Especially since there's no telling *when* something is going to come out of the woodwork, I'd like some spells I'd be comfortable spending slots on regularly to make this pan out.

We currently have access to 3rd level spells, will have 4th before too terribly long. Any suggestions?

[Jarian]

Wings of Flurry when you hit 4th level spells?

It pretty much sucks to be anything not your ally within that cone of force.

[Swooper]

Do you have access to regular 3.5 material or just Pathfinder? Because Complete Arcane has the Transdimensional Spell metamagic feat. It might be what you need.

[Endless Query]

We have access to 3.5 things "With Permission" and, as noted above, the GM tends to nix anything that would very clearly be made strictly for anti-Ethereal enemies and such, so I don't think I'd get away with Transdimensional spell.

Also, as for Wing of Flurry that, very sadly, is a sorcerer only spell.

[Jarian]

Also, as for Wing of Flurry that, very sadly, is a sorcerer only spell.

Nothing is class specific if you throw enough money at it.

If you could give me an idea of how much you're willing to spend, there are many ways to get it available to a Wizard, or anyone else for that matter.

[Psyren]

What's wrong with the tried-and-true See Invisibility + Magic Missile*?

*Insert your preferred force spell here

[Endless Query]

Psyren has a good point, but honestly, the GM has been kind of restrictive with acquiring magical items and so on. Though I must confess, going through PF in general I must confess I'm not sure how to keep my abjurist on the cutting edge of much of anything other than counterspelling >_>