Because of the only somatic component of Counterspell. Since counterspell is a reaction, the caster (the wizard in your case) can cast another spell (fireball) just after counterspell. So with all that in mind I think it would play out. The original fireball goes off as normal.
Do you have to ready counterspell?
When you ready a spell, you cast it as normal but hold its energy, which you release with your reaction when the trigger occurs. To be readied, a spell must have a casting time of 1 action, and holding onto the spell’s magic requires concentration.
Can You Use Your Hands to counterspell a spell?
You would have to cease the somatic component of the casting and instead use your hands or focus to cast Counterspell. The only time that you could conceivably do this would be in cases where the original spell you were casting had ONLY a verbal component.
What happens if you win a contest with Counterspell?
If you win, its spell fails and has no effect. If you win the contest by 5 or more, the creature takes 1d6 force damage per the spell’s level. Using Counterspell to try to counter a 4th or higher level spell isn’t overpowered compared to the suggested ability because it’s not all that likely.
Can you use your reaction to cast counterspell?
You CAN use your reaction to cast Counterspell, but you will lose the original spell you were casting and the result would be the same. The only difference being that you wasted 2 spell slots instead of one. If you are attempting to cast a spell, let’s call it Fireball, then someone within 60′ of you can use their reaction to cast Counterspell.
What happens to psionics when you use counterspell?
Counterspell only affects creatures who are casting a spell, so RAW, counterspell does not affect Psionics. More interesting still, Dispel Magic does not affect Psionics, because Dispel Magic specifies it ends spells, not magical effects. So Psionics cannot be counterspelled or dispelled.
