[Zen Shooter]

The SR4A rules refer specifically to spell defending characters. But what about objects? If a character is spell defended, and a magician targets that character's weapon with a Wreck spell, does the weapon get the benefit of spell defense applied to its owner?

If not, does that mean spell defense has to be declared for each individual item a character possesses? Is it even possible to spell defend objects? The rules don't say that it is.

[Fortinbras]

Counterspelling is used to add dice to the pool to resist spells. As non-living, non-magical devices do not resist spells, but rather an Object resistance to overcome, Counterspelling should not add to a dice pool that doesn't exist. Unless I'm very much mistaken.

[Charybdis]

RAW, I'm with Fortinbras, but only in relation to Direct Combat spells (eg Powerbolt). Standard rules do not allow physical objects to get Counterspelling assistance to defend/resist this limited list of spells.

RAW, physical objects do get resistance rolls to other physical spells (Indirect combat spells, levitation etc), so Counterspelling should apply there normally.

However, I think it's quite reasonable for a mage to dedicate counterspelling to a physical object from Direct Combat spells, so in our campaigns we House-ruled to allow Counterspelling dice (only, no attribute) to assist in resisting Direct combat spells as well.
Note: We included limitations on the size of objects that could be counterspelled, though. namely:
- Must be a wholly contained physical object with body (or structure) of (Magic x 2) or less.


Again, this is a house rule, and RAW is not really required. Seeing as only Full Magicians and Mystic adepts get access to counterspelling, this has only been utilised maybe three times in a year of campaigning, so it's not a big deal either way.