Counterspell

A
Control

Counterspell is a Control spell. Control spells restrict enemy options through debuffs or denial effects.

See all Control spells →
 spell that interrupts enemy magic with a
failed save

Counterspell is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

See all Save or Suck spells →
, wasting the cast before it takes effect.

2024 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level abjuration
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
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

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.

2014 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level abjuration
Casting Time
Reaction which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell
Range
60 feet
Components
S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

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.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. 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.

Counterspell 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Counterspell now uses a Constitution save instead of the old automatic cutoff/ability check system, and its slot-upcasting rule is gone. On a failed save, the caster’s action, Bonus Action, or Reaction is wasted, and if the spell used a slot, that slot isn’t expended.

How popular is Counterspell in 5e?

Counterspell is the #3 most popular level 3 spell (of 80) and the #2 most picked level 3 Wizard spell (of 59).

Among level 3 spells, Counterspell ranks just below Fireball and just above Revivify in popularity.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated and see Counterspell visualized with all 5e spells.

Spells similar to Counterspell

Counterspell is featured in