D&D 3E/3.5 Spell Resistance (3.5)

[Alexander123]

So spell resistance prevents helpful spells also and iirc you can lower your spell resistance to allow helpful spells to affect you.

I want to know is it possible to simply decide to lower your spell resistance once and having it remained lowered without for example having to lower it again for the next spell etc.?

 

[Armando]

I want to know is it possible to simply decide to lower your spell resistance once and having it remained lowered without for example having to lower it again for the next spell etc.?

Short answer, yes; "A creature can voluntarily lower its spell resistance". DMG (p. 298)

Also, spell resistance seems to only "activate" if you are being attacked e.g. wizard A sends a fireball at you. If Wizard B however wanted to cast Bull's Strength on you, spell resistance does nothing.

 

[Particle_Man]

"A creature can voluntarily lower its spell resistance. Doing so is a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. Once a creature lowers its resistance, it remains down until the creature’s next turn. At the beginning of the creature’s next turn, the creature’s spell resistance automatically returns unless the creature intentionally keeps it down (also a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity). "

From the SRD. So you have to keep spending a standard action every round to keep your spell resistance lowered from round to round. The default state of being resistant to spells returns next round.

So short answer, no you can't keep SR down automatically.

 

[Particle_Man]

Short answer, yes; "A creature can voluntarily lower its spell resistance". DMG (p. 298)

Also, spell resistance seems to only "activate" if you are being attacked e.g. wizard A sends a fireball at you. If Wizard B however wanted to cast Bull's Strength on you, spell resistance does nothing.

Um, no. Spell Resistance is always on and resists all spells, not just spells that are attacks.

From the SRD: "Spell resistance is the extraordinary ability to avoid being affected by spells."

One silver lining. You automatically are affected by your own spells, so at least you can buff and heal yourself without having to make a caster level check vs. your own SR and without having to spend a standard action to lower SR.

 

[Jacob]

As was discussed in a previous thread that talked about SR, it's more a hindrance than a boon. I still seem to like it though, especially the idea of an Epic Half Golem with near perfect SR (as was discussed in linked thread). Will say this: SR certainly makes you think what spells NPCs should be prepared against PCs. With the necessity of the buff spells during combat gone, you can focus solely on spell buffs with long durations and attack/hindrance magic en masse.