Counterspelling, Two basic questions. Options

[jimbo]

The idea that line of sight is maintained across the astral/physical boundary is contradicted by the specification for the Dispelling sub-function of Counterspelling on page 185 of SR4A, where it clearly states that one has to be on the same plane as the spell being Dispelled. Spells on the physical plane have an astral shadow/image, yet cannot be Dispelled by someone on the astral plane. Seems clear enough to me.

And that sub-function of Dispelling Sustained Spells is indeed separate Spell Defense. You are pulling rules from one subsection to apply to the other. The section on Spell Defense covers the requirements for that function. The subsection on Dispelling Sustained Spells covers the requirements for that function. It is incorrect to assume the writers meant a rule to apply to BOTH functions of Counterspelling when it was only written into one (the second) function's rule set.

I think if the writers had intended it to require same plane for both Spell Defense and Dispelling Sustained Spells it would have been stated in both section or in the parent paragraph Counterspelling.

Counterspelling
not here
Spell Defense
or here
Dispelling Sustained Spells
The rules for same plane are HERE

[EchoFiction84]

Counterspelling costs two blue.

Oh wait, sorry, this isn't a magic board.

Just kidding guys!