Sympathetic Energies as Counterspell
I think the subject pretty much says all that needs to be said. This Rank 1 Water Spell can effectively act as a Counterspell against spells of any element, without requiring any sort of opposed rolls. The only limitations are as follows: * The spell must be cast before Sympathetic Energies can 'steal' it. * Sympathetic Energies cannot effect any spells which are beyond your current Mastery Level * Sympathetic Energies cannot effect any spells with the instantaneous duration * Sympathetic Energies cannot effect any spells with the concentration duration Do you believe that these limitations are sufficient to compensate for its ability to usurp the counterspell mechanics?

I feel it's no big deal.

As good as Sympathetic Energies is, I would not say the spell is overtly inane. Like Doji Tsukaede, I generally see this spell as manifestation of the counterspell.

and so far, it is the ONLY way to get rid of the Maho spell "Curse". Transfer it onto a rat...

But think of the poor rat... ;) Getting serious, the spell should transfer the curse effect as written. Remember that sympathetic energies cannot transfer instantaneous spells.

You can raise to make a spell hard to counterspell, apply the same rules to sympathetic energies... Makes for importune being the best for casting spells you don't want stolen, as importuned spells can't be counterspelled.