Feat: Spell Resistance [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feat: Spell Resistance [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ashmanonar
04-18-08, 01:09 PM Okay, are there any feats which can provide ongoing spell resistance? I'm building a warblade (specialized in destroying mages and spellcasters) and I'm stuck on trying to give him some protection.

I know there are energy resistance armor abilities, and some other items which provide that, but I think a Spell Resistance feat would be great. (Even if it had downsides, like reducing healing or friendly magic slightly.)
GalaGalaxia
04-18-08, 03:46 PM There is an armor enhancement which grants spell resistance.
ashmanonar
04-18-08, 05:28 PM There is an armor enhancement which grants spell resistance.

I think I saw it, but I'm still worrying about cost. Maybe I'll have enough by that time though.
GalaGalaxia
04-19-08, 04:32 PM It won't be cheaper elsewhere ...
Anyr
04-19-08, 11:46 PM I think I saw it, but I'm still worrying about cost. Maybe I'll have enough by that time though.

Don't bother, it's a bad investment. The problem with it is that the Spell Resistance is always fixed at a specific value (with the exception of the item which increases your existing natural resistance). Assuming standard character wealth, any version which can be comfortably bought at any but the very high levels will be made obsolete by advancement too quickly to be worth it.
dman11235
04-20-08, 09:39 AM Any feat that grants SR would be overpowered though. And wouldn't make sense, SR is an innate or magical thing. So your best bet would be to play a race that has it or a class that has it or can get it. Since class is out of the options, race it is. Oh, and pick up a Dazzix's Vest (DMGII). +5 to your SR. And I don't count the armor enchantments, because the +5 bonus one is SR 19, which loses its value after level 10, and the lowest (SR 13) loses its value after level 4. If you need an item custom craft it as per the rules in the DMG (found in the crafting magic items section of the SRD): 10,000 gp per point of SR over 12, 13 minimum. Wait until a high level when you can afford the SR 30 guy, for 180,000. Note that the Dazzix's Vest does not work with this.

Though you don't need SR, just grab Occult Slayer and Witch Slayer (or one or the other) and make sure you can make saves. And have Mettle and evasion if possible. And take Mage Slayer.
Suspect_Unusual
04-20-08, 01:05 PM Technically, a dragonwraught kobold (or any creature of the dragon type - I don't THINK the dragonblood subtype qualifies, but I could be wrong) can take a feat in the Draconomicon made to improve a Dragon's spell resistance (or grant it, if the dragon doesn't have SR yet).

Edit: the SR value itself, however, sucks bad. I think it's 10 +1 per racial HD.

Edit mk II: It's worse! You gain SR equal to your racial HD.

Still, it'll qualify you for SR increasers that only apply to those with natural SR, i guess?
dman11235
04-20-08, 04:16 PM I should have remembered the race specific ones. I thought about adding in that little stipulation, race specific feats would be fine. And there is the dracon feat Awaken Spell Resistance in either RotD or Draconomicon. And there may be a way to improve it with another feat.
Essex
04-20-08, 05:54 PM I've always felt that the best way to get rid of the annoying level adjustment on Drow would be to drop the ability adjustments to Intelligence and Charisma, and then turn their spell-like abilities and SR into a pair of Forgotten Realms style regional feats (which you can only possess one of, and which you must normally take at first level). This way, drow cannon fodder aren't needlessly pumped up with a bunch of stuff that they're unlikely to ever get a chance to use before getting crushed by the PCs.
Nathreet
04-20-08, 06:20 PM A feat that grants spell resistance equal to half your character level wouldn't be unreasonable. i.e., it's a feat that grants nigh-useless SR, basically giving you a chance (<<50%) of ignoring spells from super low level casters. This feat would not increase existing SR. Requirements: access to a mage who can blast you over and over again with spells, and 2 months time. Access to a means of healing/etc. during this time is recommended but not necessarily required.
Tordak
04-20-08, 06:43 PM Some feats increase existing spell resistance; awaken spell resistance (grants it and/or increases for dragon, Draconomicon), boost spell resistance (Book of Vile Darkness).

I know of one feat, arcane resistance, but it's only available to dwarf, and it's in the Dragonlance campaign setting (Races of Ansalon).
GalaGalaxia
04-21-08, 01:11 PM Edit: the SR value itself, however, sucks bad. I think it's 10 +1 per racial HD.

Edit mk II: It's worse! You gain SR equal to your racial HD.

... which, for the average PC = 0.
So, you would have to play a monstrous race that comes with a couple HD. But then it never ever improves either.
Suspect_Unusual
04-21-08, 05:05 PM Hence, the qualifications of "it sucks bad" and "it's worse!"
GalaGalaxia
04-22-08, 07:36 PM It's good for if you are polymorphed.
Suspect_Unusual
04-23-08, 05:00 PM Since you keep your own HD when polymorphed, I fail to see how it changes anything.
GalaGalaxia
04-24-08, 04:09 PM I was just being silly ...
The feat is good for exactly nothing for the average PC, unless you play a monstrous race. And even then -- useless.
Suspect_Unusual
04-24-08, 04:14 PM I wish silliness translated better to online forums. SO much unnecessary hostility/egoism could be avoided that way. :)
unundindur
04-26-08, 02:23 AM Spell resistance equal half level is a bad mechanic, because it becomes worse as you grow (at level 2 it is nearly as good as full spell resistance, and at level 30 it is 15 below).

I have tried to fix it before, by creating two race-spesific feats. The first grants spell resistance 5+character level, and the second increases it to 10+character level. For a drow for instance, this seems quite ok as a mean to remove their level adjustment.

Normal elf+2 feats=elf with moderate spell resistance.
aelryinth
04-27-08, 07:17 PM A feat that grants spell resistance should be part of the Mage Slayer line of feats, is all.

Taking Mage Slayer and Pierce Magical Protection as pre-reqs, that's a -8 to caster level. Add in, no Supernatural or Spell-like abilities on top of it, to make a very non-magical character, and you have basically a Forsaker stand in.

SR is a nice mechanic against low level monsters, but as has been noted, loses a lot of its power as you level. Still, it's got some usefulness.

As for magic item, try a ring that grants Energy Resistance = 10+ level, 'setting' the type 1/hr for the first type it is exposed to. It resets at the beginning of every hour, so gives you a chance to adapt to different energy types. It might be a bit pricey, but it'd be useful for most of your career.

==Aelryinth
plaguewraith
05-01-08, 05:19 PM try this one

Spell Resistance
Prerequisite: Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks, Character level 9th.
Benefits: You gain spell resistance 10 + half your character level.
ashmanonar
05-02-08, 10:12 AM try this one

Spell Resistance
Prerequisite: Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks, Character level 9th.
Benefits: You gain spell resistance 10 + half your character level.

Is this homebrewed? If not, what book is it from?
dawnbringer
05-02-08, 10:37 AM I'm going to say that plagewraith definately made that one up.
ashmanonar
05-02-08, 10:10 PM I'm going to say that plagewraith definately made that one up.

I figured, but I thought I'd get lucky.

I don't know how much this is gonna matter, because if this character actually gets any play time, I'll be surprised.

I think the best idea was one in the Mage Slayer line of feats; requiring a substantial investment into Spellcraft, loss of caster levels, etc.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ashmanonar 04-18-08, 01:09 PM	Okay, are there any feats which can provide ongoing spell resistance? I'm building a warblade (specialized in destroying mages and spellcasters) and I'm stuck on trying to give him some protection. I know there are energy resistance armor abilities, and some other items which provide that, but I think a Spell Resistance feat would be great. (Even if it had downsides, like reducing healing or friendly magic slightly.)
GalaGalaxia 04-18-08, 03:46 PM	There is an armor enhancement which grants spell resistance.
ashmanonar 04-18-08, 05:28 PM	There is an armor enhancement which grants spell resistance. I think I saw it, but I'm still worrying about cost. Maybe I'll have enough by that time though.
GalaGalaxia 04-19-08, 04:32 PM	It won't be cheaper elsewhere ...
Anyr 04-19-08, 11:46 PM	I think I saw it, but I'm still worrying about cost. Maybe I'll have enough by that time though. Don't bother, it's a bad investment. The problem with it is that the Spell Resistance is always fixed at a specific value (with the exception of the item which increases your existing natural resistance). Assuming standard character wealth, any version which can be comfortably bought at any but the very high levels will be made obsolete by advancement too quickly to be worth it.
dman11235 04-20-08, 09:39 AM	Any feat that grants SR would be overpowered though. And wouldn't make sense, SR is an innate or magical thing. So your best bet would be to play a race that has it or a class that has it or can get it. Since class is out of the options, race it is. Oh, and pick up a Dazzix's Vest (DMGII). +5 to your SR. And I don't count the armor enchantments, because the +5 bonus one is SR 19, which loses its value after level 10, and the lowest (SR 13) loses its value after level 4. If you need an item custom craft it as per the rules in the DMG (found in the crafting magic items section of the SRD): 10,000 gp per point of SR over 12, 13 minimum. Wait until a high level when you can afford the SR 30 guy, for 180,000. Note that the Dazzix's Vest does not work with this. Though you don't need SR, just grab Occult Slayer and Witch Slayer (or one or the other) and make sure you can make saves. And have Mettle and evasion if possible. And take Mage Slayer.
Suspect_Unusual 04-20-08, 01:05 PM	Technically, a dragonwraught kobold (or any creature of the dragon type - I don't THINK the dragonblood subtype qualifies, but I could be wrong) can take a feat in the Draconomicon made to improve a Dragon's spell resistance (or grant it, if the dragon doesn't have SR yet). Edit: the SR value itself, however, sucks bad. I think it's 10 +1 per racial HD. Edit mk II: It's worse! You gain SR equal to your racial HD. Still, it'll qualify you for SR increasers that only apply to those with natural SR, i guess?
dman11235 04-20-08, 04:16 PM	I should have remembered the race specific ones. I thought about adding in that little stipulation, race specific feats would be fine. And there is the dracon feat Awaken Spell Resistance in either RotD or Draconomicon. And there may be a way to improve it with another feat.
Essex 04-20-08, 05:54 PM	I've always felt that the best way to get rid of the annoying level adjustment on Drow would be to drop the ability adjustments to Intelligence and Charisma, and then turn their spell-like abilities and SR into a pair of Forgotten Realms style regional feats (which you can only possess one of, and which you must normally take at first level). This way, drow cannon fodder aren't needlessly pumped up with a bunch of stuff that they're unlikely to ever get a chance to use before getting crushed by the PCs.
Nathreet 04-20-08, 06:20 PM	A feat that grants spell resistance equal to half your character level wouldn't be unreasonable. i.e., it's a feat that grants nigh-useless SR, basically giving you a chance (<<50%) of ignoring spells from super low level casters. This feat would not increase existing SR. Requirements: access to a mage who can blast you over and over again with spells, and 2 months time. Access to a means of healing/etc. during this time is recommended but not necessarily required.
Tordak 04-20-08, 06:43 PM	Some feats increase existing spell resistance; awaken spell resistance (grants it and/or increases for dragon, Draconomicon), boost spell resistance (Book of Vile Darkness). I know of one feat, arcane resistance, but it's only available to dwarf, and it's in the Dragonlance campaign setting (Races of Ansalon).
GalaGalaxia 04-21-08, 01:11 PM	Edit: the SR value itself, however, sucks bad. I think it's 10 +1 per racial HD. Edit mk II: It's worse! You gain SR equal to your racial HD. ... which, for the average PC = 0. So, you would have to play a monstrous race that comes with a couple HD. But then it never ever improves either.
Suspect_Unusual 04-21-08, 05:05 PM	Hence, the qualifications of "it sucks bad" and "it's worse!"
GalaGalaxia 04-22-08, 07:36 PM	It's good for if you are polymorphed.
Suspect_Unusual 04-23-08, 05:00 PM	Since you keep your own HD when polymorphed, I fail to see how it changes anything.
GalaGalaxia 04-24-08, 04:09 PM	I was just being silly ... The feat is good for exactly nothing for the average PC, unless you play a monstrous race. And even then -- useless.
Suspect_Unusual 04-24-08, 04:14 PM	I wish silliness translated better to online forums. SO much unnecessary hostility/egoism could be avoided that way. :)
unundindur 04-26-08, 02:23 AM	Spell resistance equal half level is a bad mechanic, because it becomes worse as you grow (at level 2 it is nearly as good as full spell resistance, and at level 30 it is 15 below). I have tried to fix it before, by creating two race-spesific feats. The first grants spell resistance 5+character level, and the second increases it to 10+character level. For a drow for instance, this seems quite ok as a mean to remove their level adjustment. Normal elf+2 feats=elf with moderate spell resistance.
aelryinth 04-27-08, 07:17 PM	A feat that grants spell resistance should be part of the Mage Slayer line of feats, is all. Taking Mage Slayer and Pierce Magical Protection as pre-reqs, that's a -8 to caster level. Add in, no Supernatural or Spell-like abilities on top of it, to make a very non-magical character, and you have basically a Forsaker stand in. SR is a nice mechanic against low level monsters, but as has been noted, loses a lot of its power as you level. Still, it's got some usefulness. As for magic item, try a ring that grants Energy Resistance = 10+ level, 'setting' the type 1/hr for the first type it is exposed to. It resets at the beginning of every hour, so gives you a chance to adapt to different energy types. It might be a bit pricey, but it'd be useful for most of your career. ==Aelryinth
plaguewraith 05-01-08, 05:19 PM	try this one Spell Resistance Prerequisite: Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks, Character level 9th. Benefits: You gain spell resistance 10 + half your character level.
ashmanonar 05-02-08, 10:12 AM	try this one Spell Resistance Prerequisite: Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks, Character level 9th. Benefits: You gain spell resistance 10 + half your character level. Is this homebrewed? If not, what book is it from?
dawnbringer 05-02-08, 10:37 AM	I'm going to say that plagewraith definately made that one up.
ashmanonar 05-02-08, 10:10 PM	I'm going to say that plagewraith definately made that one up. I figured, but I thought I'd get lucky. I don't know how much this is gonna matter, because if this character actually gets any play time, I'll be surprised. I think the best idea was one in the Mage Slayer line of feats; requiring a substantial investment into Spellcraft, loss of caster levels, etc.