The Tool Desk
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When Counterspell can interrupt Scrying
Counterspell interrupts a spell during its casting; it does not undo a spell that has already taken effect. The official Sage Advice Compendium puts it plainly: “The easiest way to stop a spell is to cast Counterspell on its caster while it’s being cast.”
Scrying has verbal, somatic, and material components in both the 2014 and 2024 rules, and takes 10 minutes to cast. The key requirements are that you see the creature casting and that it is within 60 feet when you use Counterspell. If Scrying has finished casting and its sensor is present, Counterspell is too late.
How the ruling differs between 2014 and 2024 rules
| Rule | 2014 rules | 2024 rules |
|---|---|---|
| Counterspell resolution | Counterspell is 3rd level and automatically stops a spell of 3rd level or lower. Since Scrying is 5th level, a 3rd-level Counterspell requires a spellcasting ability check against DC 15. Casting Counterspell with a 5th-level or higher slot stops Scrying without a check. (Counterspell; Scrying) | The Scrying caster makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, Scrying dissipates; the action, Bonus Action, or Reaction used to cast it is wasted, but the spell slot used for the interrupted spell is not expended. (Counterspell) |
| Trigger | Use the reaction when you see a creature within 60 feet casting a spell. Scrying’s components make the casting perceptible unless an effect removes that perception. (Scrying; Sage Advice Compendium) | The trigger specifically requires seeing a creature within 60 feet casting a spell with verbal, somatic, or material components. Scrying has all three. (Counterspell; Scrying) |
What if the casting is hidden or already complete?
You cannot see the casting
Seeing the caster is part of the trigger. The 2014 Sage Advice Compendium says that if a feature removes every component and makes a spell’s casting imperceptible, Counterspell cannot interrupt it because the reaction user cannot see the casting. The 2024 trigger likewise requires a spell with at least one verbal, somatic, or material component.
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Scrying has already taken effect
Once the casting is complete, Counterspell cannot remove the Scrying sensor or reverse the effect. The Sage Advice Compendium distinguishes interrupting a spell in progress from removing a spell already present: Dispel Magic is the relevant kind of spell to consider for an existing effect, rather than a readied Counterspell after Scrying is complete.
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Rules references
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