D&D 5E (2014) Magic Resistance: What was Old is New

[pukunui]

Whatever system is ultimately used, I would definitely want the above. IMO there has to be an option for the magic to simply have no effect on the creature to get the feel I want.

What about something like the rakshasa's Limited Magic Immunity trait?

 

[Micah Sweet]

What about something like the rakshasa's Limited Magic Immunity trait?

No effect from spells below a certain level? Yeah, that could definitely stand to have its use expanded.

 

[Chaltab]

I strongly dislike AD&D magic resistance and think it's best left in the past. It's just an arbitrary barrier to spells actually working.

Legendary Resistance and Limited Magic Immunity fulfill the same function in 5E.

 

[dave2008]

Ok @the Jester, @J-H, @Stormonu, @pukunui, @toucanbuzz, @Micah Sweet and @ezo: I have updated the OP with a simplified version that uses the existing infrastructure of spell DCs. I also clarified some of the language based on toucanbuzz recommendations. Let me know if there are any other improvements you suggest. Thank you all for your help!

 

[dave2008]

Here's what I used. The statblocks are very abbreviated because I have no plans to publish.

BG2 Drow
All drow have +10 on saves vs. magic.
Drow Adamantine gear: Magic, not immune to critical hits.
Longsword +3
Plate +2 (AC 20)
Adamantium Shield +3
Elven Chain +3 (AC 16+dex max 2)
Light Crossbow +2
Adamantine Dagger +2
Drow poison: DC 13 Con save or be poisoned for 1 minute. If failed by 5+, asleep for 1 hour or until damaged or awakened

Drow Rogue
MM pg 128, “Elite Warrior”
CR 6
Dagger: +9 to hit, 1d4+6 piercing + sneak attack
Light crossbow +9 to hit, 80/320’, 1d8+6 piercing + sneak attack
Sneak attack 3d6
BA
Dash, Steady Aim, Disengage, Stealth, Apply Poison
(Dagger +2, Elven Chain +3, 2 doses poison, 1 greater healing potion)

Drow Warrior
AC 25 (plate+shield)
HP 60
Speed 30
Str +3, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +0, Wis +1, Cha +1
Saves Str +6, Con +4, +10 vs. magic, adv. vs charm
Skills Athletics +6, Stealth +6 (disadv)
DV 120’
Immunities: Magic sleep
Sunlight Sensitivity
Actions
Multiattack: The drow warrior attacks 3 times
Longsword +3, +9 to hit, 5’, 1d8+6 slashing damage
(1 greater healing potion, Plate +2, Shield +3, longsword +3)

2 wizards (I think I used the drow mage statblock and changed up spells a bit?), 1 rogue, 2 warriors were a tough fight for a party of 4x level 11s. Some of the toughness was suboptimal tactics, but the high-AC warriors tanked things pretty well just by having an absurd AC. The low HP across the board mean they are very fragile, IF you can connect. The party rogue has no Darkvision, and drow have Darkness to counteract the light spells, so he suffered. Otherwise he could have one-shotted any of them with a lucky 20.

Having played Baldur's Gate II many times, I felt like it really hit the spot of feeling exactly like that first battle against drow in the Underdark. You round a corner and there's a group of 6, and your egg-cracking spells are mostly ineffective. Attack-roll spells were mentioned above, and when you combo SR with drow magic gear, the attack roll spells didn't fare much better.

They just beat the Pit Fiend near the Svirfneblin city and got the Daylight gem, which I'm giving actual use to by having it cast the Daylight spell once a day. Between that and the party fighter now having AC 26 due to drow gear, a re-run of the battle would go quite differently... as it should, from a pacing perspective!

OK, I just want to make it another stat like AC, but thank you for sharing! Your comments were helpful in getting to were I am now.

 

[dave2008]

What about something like the rakshasa's Limited Magic Immunity trait?

I think you can have that and my revised magic resistance.

 

[dave2008]

I strongly dislike AD&D magic resistance and think it's best left in the past. It's just an arbitrary barrier to spells actually working.

Legendary Resistance and Limited Magic Immunity fulfill the same function in 5E.

I respect that, but I am specifically going for that more old school feel and Advantage on saving throws doesn't do it for me. Legendary Resistance does fill some of that niche, but there are few things I think are superior with my system:

1. Some spells will completely fail
2. As a spellcaster get's stronger, their chance of success improves
3. Randomness for the DM

 

[Micah Sweet]

I respect that, but I am specifically going for that more old school feel and Advantage on saving throws doesn't do it for me. Legendary Resistance does fill some of that niche, but there are few things I think are superior with my system:

1. Some spells will completely fail
2. As a spellcaster get's stronger, their chance of success improves
3. Randomness for the DM

All three of those are quite valuable from my perspective.

 

[the Jester]

Ok @the Jester, @J-H, @Stormonu, @pukunui, @toucanbuzz, @Micah Sweet and @ezo: I have updated the OP with a simplified version that uses the existing infrastructure of spell DCs. I also clarified some on the language best on toucanbuzz recommendations. Let me know if there are any other improvements you suggest. Thank you all for your help!

A flat bonus is simple and easy to use, and helps monsters make even their worst saves more easily. Looks good to me.

 

[Shardstone]

Version 3 is a flat bonus and is something I would use as a rule. Great job thread on clarifying that.