Dissonant Chord PrC and Improved Counterspell Clarifications

[Steve]

So this is Improved Counterspell:

When counterspelling, you may use a spell of the same school that is one or more spell levels higher than the target spell.

The Dissonant Chord gains this Feat at Level 1, with the added:

Improved Counterspell

Specifics: The dissonant chord's ability to counterspell has improved. Instead of protecting against a single spell, it now lasts a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier, the duration is extended from 10 rounds to 10 rounds plus your Charisma modifier (along with any other song duration modifiers), and the spell resistance granted gains a bonus equal to half your Charisma modifier.

But I'm not understanding it, exactly.

For one, Counterspelling is toggled on and off by targeting a spell caster, NOT that it has some timer associated with it (as implied above, that the Improved Counterspelling "lasts" a certain duration). Is this duration for the Imp. Counterspelling of a Dissonant Chord different from the general Imp. Counterspelling feat, which itself says nothing of a duration?

And what spell resistance? Counterspelling itself provides no spell resistance that I'm aware of?!?

Furthermore, even with Imp. Counterspelling active on a Bard/Dissonant Chord, the highest spell one could counter would be a Level 7 spell, correct? Or, is it that a Bard using Counterspelling would always default to applying a Greater Dispel Magic—if memorized—towards any spell or school from Level 7 upwards? And what would be the chances of success vs. a CL 30 caster (if both caster and counterspeller were CL 30, for example).

And one more thing: does Anti-Magic Melody feat, gained at level 5, count as having a Mordainkain's Disjunction, in regard to Counterspelling mechanics? Should it?

Let's just look at the PrC description:

The dissonant chord understands better than most how the natural harmonics of the universe pervade all things. Music might be its most pleasing form, but magical energy has harmonics of its own. The dissonant chord has learned to make her music resonate into a counter-harmony that disrupts the effects of magic.

And if the Dissonant Chord isn't or cannot be one of the most effective Counterspelling magic users, I don't know what should be!!!???

Can I get a witness?

[Tsidkenu]

Counterspell Song is what that feat refers to, the one that gives the bard or his/her allies an SR score of 10+ Bard level, and lasts for 10 rounds or until it has absorbed one spell (irregardless of whether or not that spell bypassed the SR check).

Improved Counterspell Song allows more than one spell to be blocked (as many as the bard's CHA mod) and also increases the duration it remains active (10 rounds + CHA mod), and an SR bonus of 1/2 CHA mod.

[Steve]

Interesting.

So does the mean the Dissonant Chords Imp. Counterspell IS NOT the same as the general Improved Counterspell feat, and thus would not provide a path to Reactive Counterspelling +/- Epic Counterspelling?

And would making a Bardic counterspeller be worth it (I do know it is possible)?

[Tsidkenu]

Correct. Improved Counterspell Song is completely different to Improved Counterspelling. You would need to spend a separate feat to acquire it.

Sorcerers tend to make better counterspellers than bards due to being able to reach 9th level spells (& Mords as a universal counterspell). And Anti-Magic Melody is not a spell; it is a feat that utilises your bardsong to dispell as per a Mords. Thus, I'm pretty sure it cannot be used to counterspell actual magic but I have never tested this.

[Steve]

Okay.

So we're looking at something like this to become nearly the best Bardic counterspeller possible?

http://nwn2db.com/build/?252633

Any thoughts?

[Theodore01]

Squeeze in two more CHA and get epic inspiration.

[Steve]

Squeeze in two more CHA and get epic inspiration.

Information on the Feat, please?

[Theodore01]

taken from the ingame descrition

Epic Inspiration
Prerequisitie: CHA 25, Perform 30, bardic music
Your art has reached new heights, you add +1 to all your bardic inspiration impact(s) and you may blend slowing and jarring inspiration into all the rest of your repertoire

Sadly the part about slowing and jarring is not working yet, hopefully it get fixed someday.

And the way it is implemented (as you can have 3 active inspirations (slowing and jarring) with the feat) makes it cumbersome to switch inspirations, as you have to deactivate all before switching to a new desired one.