Resist Energy, Mass

[Venator]

Usually we are to deep in it to have the time to cast such a spell - the opportunity cost can be excessive when you can cast something damaging instead.

We generally use it when we know/suspect that we will be facing some kind of energy damage. Its been cast in combat twice, and both times we didnt see that energy type again in that encounter. At spell lvl 3, and its 10min/lvl duration, it makes a really good spell to boost via our lesser rod of extend. We almost always cast it out of combat.

 

[Nail]

We generally use it when we know/suspect that we will be facing some kind of energy damage.

Right. It's a key prep spell.

Once the DM knows the spell is in play, that energy damage type tends to not be used.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I see no reason why there's a level difference between the arcanes and divines. They all get Resist Energy at the same level. In my current game, after much debating w/ the DM, I got it for my sorc at level 3, mainly winning on the argument, "If I don't take it, the cleric will just take it anyway, and she already complains about doing nothing offensive. Pardon me for trying to take up some of that load for her." (Yay, guilt trips!) That said, it's a VERY good spell. Puts protection from energy to shame. I've popped it off first round against a dragon two or three times now, and if ever there's a monster that loses something from this spell, it's a dragon. They all still presented good threats to the party with their full attacks alone. Even so, I agree it should be level 4-5, with higher levels for the resist levels, but whatever level it's made, it should be the same for eveyone.

On a related note, what's everyone's opinion of Energy Immunity at level 6, lasting a flat 24 hours, with no text stopping you from warding against multiple elements in a single day? I found that even more unbelievable than this spell.

Edit Reason: Quoted someone for no apparant reason...

 

[Vegepygmy]

What I do know is that I carry it prepped on my current cleric at all times.

Yep. In any campaign I've played in where mass resist energy was available, it was an absolute "must-have" for the clerics. It should be at least 4th level, and probably should be 5th.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I see no reason why there's a level difference between the arcanes and divines.

The rationale is explained somewhere (maybe under spell creation?). Basically, protective spells typically fall under the cleric's role moreso than wiz/sor, so the spell is a level higher for the latter.

 

[Evilhalfling]

I would allow it as a 4th level spell. perhaps raising the levels that it increases from 10 to 20
and 20 to 30.
With most spells outside the PHB, it is not generally known and each character can learn or use only a few of the new spells, or as many as they want to research individually. While NPCs are limited by theme.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I think it should either be raised a spell level or it should be limited in some way (e.g., reducing the amount of damage resistance, reducing the number of affected targets, reducing the duration, etc.).

Being able to apply the exact same benefits of a 2nd-level spell (that affects only one person) on an entire party seems out of line for a spell simply one level higher.

The problem with an easy-access resistance spell that affects everyone is that it becomes too easy to totally negate what could be the prime attack form of the BBEG. Pretty soon, most of the BBEGs will have (probably) one of their best attack forms negated as a matter of course. And then come all the DM countermeasures. And the PC counter-counter measures. Better to just fix the problem rather than the symptoms, IMO.

 

[SadisticFishing]

Do you have to pick which energy type when you prepare it/learn it?

 

[ThirdWizard]

Do you have to pick which energy type when you prepare it/learn it?

Nope, when you cast it.

 

[Alpha Polaris]

I think it should either be raised a spell level or it should be limited in some way (e.g., reducing the amount of damage resistance, reducing the number of affected targets, reducing the duration, etc.).

Being able to apply the exact same benefits of a 2nd-level spell (that affects only one person) on an entire party seems out of line for a spell simply one level higher.

Perharps changing the Effect to one creature per two levels, or three ?