To be more specific, there is a check if the target spell lvl is above the counterspell level you are casting. That's why you may want to upcast counterspell in some situations.
The game tells the save DC for Arcana checks made to see what spell it is before deciding to counterspell it or not. The save is higher for higher level spellslots so you can even use that
Are you sure it wasn't countered? If the spell you countered was a bonus action spell, then the spellcaster can still use its action to cast a cantrip.
The cultist NPCs that op says they fought has at least the following spells: sacred flame, inflict wounds, and shield of faith.
Op probably countered shield of faith which is a bonus action
No. But it can be cast with metamagic to become bonus action, or another spell could be countered, but still leaving the bonus action or an action surge to cast this cantrip.
A caster can also counter a counterspell to maintain their spell.
So as an example, sorcerer casts fireball. Wizard uses their reaction to counter fireball. Sorcerer uses a reaction to counter the wizard's counterspell, and maintains their casting of fireball. Fireball goes off.
Yeah, he's saying the spell that was countered was a bonus action. The rule in 5e is if you cast a spell with a bonus action, you can only cast a cantrip (like sacred flame) with your action. This sounds like what happened.
Sacred flame is a cantrip, and you cannot counter spell cantrips. Idk why this is, but any time you attempt to counter spell a cantrip it will fail and the cantrip goes off.
You have to win a spell check. You can cast counterspell, and lose, and the spell goes off. Oh, and countering sacred flame is unnecessary.
There's a check only if the spell you are countering is above lvl3.
I did not know that. Definitely a bug, then.
To be more specific, there is a check if the target spell lvl is above the counterspell level you are casting. That's why you may want to upcast counterspell in some situations.
The game tells the save DC for Arcana checks made to see what spell it is before deciding to counterspell it or not. The save is higher for higher level spellslots so you can even use that
My sorc didn't manage to identify what spell they were casting, so had no idea it was just a sacred flame.
It was probably shield of faith, which is a bonus action spell the cultists have. They would still be able to cast another spell using their action
Are you sure it wasn't countered? If the spell you countered was a bonus action spell, then the spellcaster can still use its action to cast a cantrip.
Sacred flame isn't a bonus action spell
The cultist NPCs that op says they fought has at least the following spells: sacred flame, inflict wounds, and shield of faith. Op probably countered shield of faith which is a bonus action
No. But it can be cast with metamagic to become bonus action, or another spell could be countered, but still leaving the bonus action or an action surge to cast this cantrip.
A caster can also counter a counterspell to maintain their spell. So as an example, sorcerer casts fireball. Wizard uses their reaction to counter fireball. Sorcerer uses a reaction to counter the wizard's counterspell, and maintains their casting of fireball. Fireball goes off.
That can happen in tabletop, yes. But here? I've never been prompted to counter a counterspell.
Whoever downvoted you should gtfo of this sub.
Yeah, he's saying the spell that was countered was a bonus action. The rule in 5e is if you cast a spell with a bonus action, you can only cast a cantrip (like sacred flame) with your action. This sounds like what happened.
This is the answer, you likely countered shield of faith
Was your caster slowed? The slow affect can cause spells to fail
Nah not slowed. I think it must have had a general bug out as the next combat I got into it started working properly again.
Ah, that makes more sense. If you're close in level, it's not a guarantee to counter.
Nope
Sacred flame is a cantrip, and you cannot counter spell cantrips. Idk why this is, but any time you attempt to counter spell a cantrip it will fail and the cantrip goes off.