D&D 5E Is magic resistance (namely advantage to saves versus magic) always broken?

[Yaarel]

Is magic resistance (namely advantage to saves versus magic) always broken?

Monsters can have magic resistance, including the Dryad.

Is it possible for a normal player race, such as a Drow, to gain magic resistance in a balanced way?

Does it help if the race gains magic resistance at a higher level?

Ideas?

 

[Mephista]

First, define broken. The game works fine with magic resistances.

Secondly, there are lots of spells that call for attack rolls instead of saves - using Scorching Ray instead of fireball. Or, in the case of Sleep, you roll dice to try to beat their current HP. Someone with Fire Shield can run up and hug the enemy.

Third, most casters can fall from being a blaster to buffing, or something else. Adapt different tactics to situations.

Four - you want to give magic resistance? Make a feat that gives it out for the drow, or other race. Just know that enemy spellcasters will need to be more inventive, which puts more burden on you as a GM.

Five - advantage, while nice, is still swingy if a weak save is being targetted. Rolling two dice is not that exeptional if you are facing someone targetting CHA or INT with a high DC, and you've got WIS and STR for saves.

 

[spectacle]

It's definitely not broken. Gnomes are a PC race and they have magic recistance for INT, WIS and CHA saves, and those are the most important ones since spells that completely shut you down tend to target those saves. It's a strong ability though, so it should come at either a high price or be a significant award that powers up a character.

 

[ccs]

It depends upon what type of game you run.
So what type of DM are you? Answer that & you'll know if ______ is broken and to what extent.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Robe of the Archmagi grants basically this ability, and it's a legendary item (though it grants other benefits as well). For whatever that's worth.

 

[Staffan]

Robe of the Archmagi grants basically this ability, and it's a legendary item (though it grants other benefits as well). For whatever that's worth.

More to the point, mantle of spell resistance grants only spell resistance (advantage on all saves vs spells), and is rare.

 

[Psikerlord#]

I dont think it's broken, but if you thought it was too good for a PC balance wise, perhaps it could also halve healing magic effects?

 

[Prism]

An abjurer wizard gets it at 14th level

 

[abirdcall]

Warlocks can get it through familiars.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

Warlocks can get it through familiars.

The rule that lets a familiar of a certain type grant magic resistance has nothing at all to do with the Warlock class, it's a variant rule where the DM can decide that the monster offers familiar-ship to a character (of any class) and provides different benefit than standard familiars or even standard pact of the chain granted familiars do.