Getting Spell Resistance (non-item) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Getting Spell Resistance (non-item) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Malvoi
07-30-07, 09:08 PM I know some (few) classes grant this ability but if I recall correctly they all only grant SR 5/10/15 + class level (granting the SR). Is there any feat or class which grants SR = 5/10/15 + character level?
zorgling25
07-30-07, 09:15 PM I know some (few) classes grant this ability but if I recall correctly they all only grant SR 5/10/15 + class level (granting the SR). Is there any feat or class which grants SR = 5/10/15 + character level?

Cleric
Spell Resistance is a 5th level Cleric spell that grants 12+caster level Spell Resistance

Why do you need Spell Resistance? Its not very useful, since most monsters have higher caster levels than the party.
Malvoi
07-30-07, 09:26 PM Why do you need Spell Resistance? Its not very useful, since most monsters have higher caster levels than the party.

I'm planning on playing a devout Monk/Pally with the Vow of Poverty feat and I happened upon the Exalted SR feat and figured I'd look into how I could get my PC SR so I could take it if it looked worthwhile.

In doing a bit of research it seems that becoming an outsider (such as the 10th level ability of Initiate of Pithis Sophia) might be the best bet as becoming an outsider seems to grant me SR = 5 + HD if I read it correctly.

Assuming SR 22 (26 vs. evil foes) at 17th level and that most monsters I face have a Cast. Lvl of n+3+d20 roll (where n = my level), I only block about 1 in 4 attempts. Hrmph. It might be worth it if I have nothing else to take for an exalted feat, etc. but it also means taking 10 levels in IoPS.

Thoughts? Experience?

Thanks for the reply.

Edit: Actually in reviewing the PrC IoPS I think I am mistaken in that the PC becomes an outsider (native) but that does not make it a celestial, so therefore (because I cannot seem to track down what that translates to), what does an Outsider gain if anything aside from the DR 10/Unholy listed?
Mojo_Rat
07-30-07, 10:04 PM the effects of becoming an outsider would be only what the PrC say they are. Just being an outsider doesnt grant you anything beyond being immune to spells like charm person dominate person etc.

As for SR at the 17th level range you really need to be looking at 30+ sr somewhow by that period if you want it to work at all consistantly.
zorgling25
07-30-07, 10:08 PM In doing a bit of research it seems that becoming an outsider (such as the 10th level ability of Initiate of Pithis Sophia) might be the best bet as becoming an outsider seems to grant me SR = 5 + HD if I read it correctly.

Where does it say that outsider gives you 5+HD SR? Outsider Traits:
An outsider possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).

* Darkvision out to 60 feet.
* Unlike most other living creatures, an outsider does not have a dual nature—its soul and body form one unit. When an outsider is slain, no soul is set loose. Spells that restore souls to their bodies, such as raise dead, reincarnate, and resurrection, don’t work on an outsider. It takes a different magical effect, such as limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection to restore it to life. An outsider with the native subtype can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be.
* Proficient with all simple and martial weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry.
* Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Outsiders not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Outsiders are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
* Outsiders breathe, but do not need to eat or sleep (although they can do so if they wish). Native outsiders breathe, eat, and sleep.

No SR there.
IMO if you're going to go the exalted route, you might as well go all the way and take Vow of Peace/Vow of Nonviolence. They have nice benefits and stack with Vow of Poverty (though all put together, its a pain in the *** to roleplay), and IMO more useful than SR. The thing is, even if you blocked 1/4 of all spells, there just simply aren't enough casters thrown at you in a normal D&D game to justify building a character around having SR.
Malvoi
07-30-07, 10:09 PM the effects of becoming an outsider would be only what the PrC say they are. Just being an outsider doesnt grant you anything beyond being immune to spells like charm person dominate person etc.

As for SR at the 17th level range you really need to be looking at 30+ sr somewhow by that period if you want it to work at all consistantly.

Fair enough. Thank you.

:tiphat:
tarkin
07-31-07, 11:12 AM SR is an extremely powerfull ability, not easy to get.

When you do get it, they usually have two grades:

magic item/partial caster grade:

This is effective against magic items and against people like a Ranger that does not have a caster level = to their character level. It pretty much will NOT protect you against someone that is a full caster with a caster level equal/near their ECL

Full SR: This is very high and has a good chance of protecting you against a pure caster. To get it, you generally need to pay alot, either in cash, or in Level adjustments for your race.
foxtail
07-31-07, 11:21 AM As for SR at the 17th level range you really need to be looking at 30+ sr somewhow by that period if you want it to work at all consistantly.

Well yeah, if you expect it to work half the time. SR isn't as good for players as it is for monsters, true, but even if your opponents are only going to fail the roll on, say, a 5 or less, that's 25% fewer spells you have to save agains. 25% fewer compulsions, 25% fewer save or dies, etc.

Relying on SR as your only defense is a mistake, but it's still a worthwhile ability to aspire to.

Back to topic, almost every class grants its abilities to scale based on the class level rather than character level, so finding a spell resistance equation like the OP wants is going to be rough - I can't think of a single example. Creating a character from scratch, your best bet is to look to races, not classes, and even then you're staring down at least a +1 LA.
Malvoi
07-31-07, 01:41 PM Well yeah, if you expect it to work half the time. SR isn't as good for players as it is for monsters, true, but even if your opponents are only going to fail the roll on, say, a 5 or less, that's 25% fewer spells you have to save agains. 25% fewer compulsions, 25% fewer save or dies, etc.

Relying on SR as your only defense is a mistake, but it's still a worthwhile ability to aspire to.

Back to topic, almost every class grants its abilities to scale based on the class level rather than character level, so finding a spell resistance equation like the OP wants is going to be rough - I can't think of a single example. Creating a character from scratch, your best bet is to look to races, not classes, and even then you're staring down at least a +1 LA.

Fair enough, thank you. I do agree that avoiding 1 out of every 4 spells (or so) is much better than avoiding none but at the moment it seems very difficult to get to that point for my current character (Mnk 4/Pal 2 - Vow of Poverty) without going exclusively monk levels until ... well he dies or retires.

Thanks again. :tiphat:
Thane26425
07-31-07, 08:06 PM You could become axiomatic. Don't recall all the stats for it, but it does include Spell Resistance at twice your level, up to 25.
Hsien
07-31-07, 08:36 PM Bloodlines from Unearthed Arcana
Titan gives 2 + CL , iirc

Have you looked into Templates?
Shade has good SR, for example, although that may not fit well with the Pally part of character.
unundindur
08-01-07, 08:24 AM Drow has 11+CL at +2 level adjustment. That combined with Improved spell resistance and a magic vest granting +5 in DMG2 is quite useful :)

at level ten that is a SR of a whooping 26 (11+8+2+5). And you really don't focus "that" much of SR.
Malvoi
08-01-07, 11:21 AM Drow has 11+CL at +2 level adjustment. That combined with Improved spell resistance and a magic vest granting +5 in DMG2 is quite useful :)

at level ten that is a SR of a whooping 26 (11+8+2+5). And you really don't focus "that" much of SR.

Well problem is I took Vow of Poverty so no item and I'm human and so was trying to make this happen based on what I'm working with but yes, drow would probably be the best option in terms of SR starting/ending value!

Thanks all.
Rakor
08-01-07, 11:57 AM Also remember that Spell Resistance doesn't automagically filter out harmful and beneficial spells. So it also blocks Cure spells or mage armor or True Res (maybe, I can't remember if it allows SR).
Malvoi
08-01-07, 12:03 PM Also remember that Spell Resistance doesn't automagically filter out harmful and beneficial spells. So it also blocks Cure spells or mage armor or True Res (maybe, I can't remember if it allows SR).

This is true but (if the situation permits or is safe) you can lower your SR as a standard action to permit whatever spell or spell-like ability to affect you. The downside is you will have lowered your SR for a full round as it will not reset until your next turn. Also you never apply SR to your own spells, abilities, etc.

Thanks for pointing that out though, I wasn't sure about reducing my SR or not! :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Malvoi 07-30-07, 09:08 PM	I know some (few) classes grant this ability but if I recall correctly they all only grant SR 5/10/15 + class level (granting the SR). Is there any feat or class which grants SR = 5/10/15 + character level?
zorgling25 07-30-07, 09:15 PM	I know some (few) classes grant this ability but if I recall correctly they all only grant SR 5/10/15 + class level (granting the SR). Is there any feat or class which grants SR = 5/10/15 + character level? Cleric Spell Resistance is a 5th level Cleric spell that grants 12+caster level Spell Resistance Why do you need Spell Resistance? Its not very useful, since most monsters have higher caster levels than the party.
Malvoi 07-30-07, 09:26 PM	Why do you need Spell Resistance? Its not very useful, since most monsters have higher caster levels than the party. I'm planning on playing a devout Monk/Pally with the Vow of Poverty feat and I happened upon the Exalted SR feat and figured I'd look into how I could get my PC SR so I could take it if it looked worthwhile. In doing a bit of research it seems that becoming an outsider (such as the 10th level ability of Initiate of Pithis Sophia) might be the best bet as becoming an outsider seems to grant me SR = 5 + HD if I read it correctly. Assuming SR 22 (26 vs. evil foes) at 17th level and that most monsters I face have a Cast. Lvl of n+3+d20 roll (where n = my level), I only block about 1 in 4 attempts. Hrmph. It might be worth it if I have nothing else to take for an exalted feat, etc. but it also means taking 10 levels in IoPS. Thoughts? Experience? Thanks for the reply. Edit: Actually in reviewing the PrC IoPS I think I am mistaken in that the PC becomes an outsider (native) but that does not make it a celestial, so therefore (because I cannot seem to track down what that translates to), what does an Outsider gain if anything aside from the DR 10/Unholy listed?
Mojo_Rat 07-30-07, 10:04 PM	the effects of becoming an outsider would be only what the PrC say they are. Just being an outsider doesnt grant you anything beyond being immune to spells like charm person dominate person etc. As for SR at the 17th level range you really need to be looking at 30+ sr somewhow by that period if you want it to work at all consistantly.
zorgling25 07-30-07, 10:08 PM	In doing a bit of research it seems that becoming an outsider (such as the 10th level ability of Initiate of Pithis Sophia) might be the best bet as becoming an outsider seems to grant me SR = 5 + HD if I read it correctly. Where does it say that outsider gives you 5+HD SR? Outsider Traits: An outsider possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry). * Darkvision out to 60 feet. * Unlike most other living creatures, an outsider does not have a dual nature—its soul and body form one unit. When an outsider is slain, no soul is set loose. Spells that restore souls to their bodies, such as raise dead, reincarnate, and resurrection, don’t work on an outsider. It takes a different magical effect, such as limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection to restore it to life. An outsider with the native subtype can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be. * Proficient with all simple and martial weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry. * Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Outsiders not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Outsiders are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor. * Outsiders breathe, but do not need to eat or sleep (although they can do so if they wish). Native outsiders breathe, eat, and sleep. No SR there. IMO if you're going to go the exalted route, you might as well go all the way and take Vow of Peace/Vow of Nonviolence. They have nice benefits and stack with Vow of Poverty (though all put together, its a pain in the *** to roleplay), and IMO more useful than SR. The thing is, even if you blocked 1/4 of all spells, there just simply aren't enough casters thrown at you in a normal D&D game to justify building a character around having SR.
Malvoi 07-30-07, 10:09 PM	the effects of becoming an outsider would be only what the PrC say they are. Just being an outsider doesnt grant you anything beyond being immune to spells like charm person dominate person etc. As for SR at the 17th level range you really need to be looking at 30+ sr somewhow by that period if you want it to work at all consistantly. Fair enough. Thank you. :tiphat:
tarkin 07-31-07, 11:12 AM	SR is an extremely powerfull ability, not easy to get. When you do get it, they usually have two grades: magic item/partial caster grade: This is effective against magic items and against people like a Ranger that does not have a caster level = to their character level. It pretty much will NOT protect you against someone that is a full caster with a caster level equal/near their ECL Full SR: This is very high and has a good chance of protecting you against a pure caster. To get it, you generally need to pay alot, either in cash, or in Level adjustments for your race.
foxtail 07-31-07, 11:21 AM	As for SR at the 17th level range you really need to be looking at 30+ sr somewhow by that period if you want it to work at all consistantly. Well yeah, if you expect it to work half the time. SR isn't as good for players as it is for monsters, true, but even if your opponents are only going to fail the roll on, say, a 5 or less, that's 25% fewer spells you have to save agains. 25% fewer compulsions, 25% fewer save or dies, etc. Relying on SR as your only defense is a mistake, but it's still a worthwhile ability to aspire to. Back to topic, almost every class grants its abilities to scale based on the class level rather than character level, so finding a spell resistance equation like the OP wants is going to be rough - I can't think of a single example. Creating a character from scratch, your best bet is to look to races, not classes, and even then you're staring down at least a +1 LA.
Malvoi 07-31-07, 01:41 PM	Well yeah, if you expect it to work half the time. SR isn't as good for players as it is for monsters, true, but even if your opponents are only going to fail the roll on, say, a 5 or less, that's 25% fewer spells you have to save agains. 25% fewer compulsions, 25% fewer save or dies, etc. Relying on SR as your only defense is a mistake, but it's still a worthwhile ability to aspire to. Back to topic, almost every class grants its abilities to scale based on the class level rather than character level, so finding a spell resistance equation like the OP wants is going to be rough - I can't think of a single example. Creating a character from scratch, your best bet is to look to races, not classes, and even then you're staring down at least a +1 LA. Fair enough, thank you. I do agree that avoiding 1 out of every 4 spells (or so) is much better than avoiding none but at the moment it seems very difficult to get to that point for my current character (Mnk 4/Pal 2 - Vow of Poverty) without going exclusively monk levels until ... well he dies or retires. Thanks again. :tiphat:
Thane26425 07-31-07, 08:06 PM	You could become axiomatic. Don't recall all the stats for it, but it does include Spell Resistance at twice your level, up to 25.
Hsien 07-31-07, 08:36 PM	Bloodlines from Unearthed Arcana Titan gives 2 + CL , iirc Have you looked into Templates? Shade has good SR, for example, although that may not fit well with the Pally part of character.
unundindur 08-01-07, 08:24 AM	Drow has 11+CL at +2 level adjustment. That combined with Improved spell resistance and a magic vest granting +5 in DMG2 is quite useful :) at level ten that is a SR of a whooping 26 (11+8+2+5). And you really don't focus "that" much of SR.
Malvoi 08-01-07, 11:21 AM	Drow has 11+CL at +2 level adjustment. That combined with Improved spell resistance and a magic vest granting +5 in DMG2 is quite useful :) at level ten that is a SR of a whooping 26 (11+8+2+5). And you really don't focus "that" much of SR. Well problem is I took Vow of Poverty so no item and I'm human and so was trying to make this happen based on what I'm working with but yes, drow would probably be the best option in terms of SR starting/ending value! Thanks all.
Rakor 08-01-07, 11:57 AM	Also remember that Spell Resistance doesn't automagically filter out harmful and beneficial spells. So it also blocks Cure spells or mage armor or True Res (maybe, I can't remember if it allows SR).
Malvoi 08-01-07, 12:03 PM	Also remember that Spell Resistance doesn't automagically filter out harmful and beneficial spells. So it also blocks Cure spells or mage armor or True Res (maybe, I can't remember if it allows SR). This is true but (if the situation permits or is safe) you can lower your SR as a standard action to permit whatever spell or spell-like ability to affect you. The downside is you will have lowered your SR for a full round as it will not reset until your next turn. Also you never apply SR to your own spells, abilities, etc. Thanks for pointing that out though, I wasn't sure about reducing my SR or not! :)