Spell Resistance Armor: Ever Worth It?

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Is it me or is the spell resistance granted by items WAY too low to ever be of much real use? It seems that about the time you can reasonably afford to buy it an equal-level caster is going to blow through it on anything other than a 1. Not long after, you're going to find that the SR never comes up but for spells cast by total mooks.

--fje

 

[Nifft]

I assume it's basically there to defeat the twelve kobold Sorcerer 1 followers of the BBEG, each one with its own Wand of Magic Missile.

Yeah, otherwise it's not so great.

-- N

 

[Jack Simth]

Well, let's see....

SR 13 costs, at a minimum, something like 9,153 gp. If you're spending about 1/4th of your wealth on your Armor/shield for this purpose, you're looking at about level 9 or 10.

A 9th level caster (without anything boosting spell penetration) will get through that on a roll of 4. You have a 15% chance of not being affected by that Empowered Fireball.

SR 15 costs, at a minimum, something like 16,153 gp. Again, at 1/4 of your wealth, that's about level 11. An 11th level caster (without anything boosting spell penetration) will get through that on a roll of 4.

SR 17 costs, at a minimum, something like 25,153 gp. Again, at 1/4 of your wealth, that's about level 13. A 13th level caster (without anything boosting spell penetration) will get through that on a roll of 4.

SR 19 costs, at a minimum, something like 36,153 gp. Again, at 1/4 of your wealth, that's about level 14 or 15. A 15th level caster (without anything boosting spell penetration) will get through that on a roll of 4.

A Very Old CR 18 Black Dragon, on the other hand, only has a caster level of 9.....

 

[Sejs]

It's okayish against critters that have a couple spell-like abilities. They tend to have a reasonably low caster level such that the SR could make a difference.

Full blooded casters will just rip right through it like a linebacker through a silk nightie, however. Wont even slow 'em down.

 

[frankthedm]

If Shlub casters don't show up often enough, then no it is not work it.

If monstrous spellcasters can get Practiced Spellcaster[feat], then no it is not work it.

If the fighter's will save is so low 1st-3rd level casters have a modest chance to nail him with hold person or charm person and those casters do not dissappear when players hit 9th-11th level, then yes, the SR is worth it.

If players are never confronted by low level casters, because they are no longer worth XP, there are far better things to spend one's gold on. It is like mighty cleaving, useful for speed bumps, but if there are not any, then it is a waste.

 

[Stalker0]

Thing is, the SR is only going to help in certain cases, and even in those cases only a small portion of the time. I'd rather just have more bumps to my AC, or energy resistances.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Thing is, the SR is only going to help in certain cases, and even in those cases only a small portion of the time. I'd rather just have more bumps to my AC, or energy resistances.

QFT ... which is why I question why SR armors are so expensive. Seems like they tried to keep it from being too good right up into making it pretty much useless. If the Fighter is in danger of failing a Will save vs. a 3rd level caster we'll get him a Cloak of Resistance ... or just fireball that position.

--fje

 

[Stalker0]

At the very least I could see the lower SRs being cheaper. However, at higher levels in many cases SR is the only thing that prevents you from being effected by a spell, it becomes very valuable then.

 

[Brace Cormaeril]

Is it me or is the spell resistance granted by items WAY too low to ever be of much real use? It seems that about the time you can reasonably afford to buy it an equal-level caster is going to blow through it on anything other than a 1. Not long after, you're going to find that the SR never comes up but for spells cast by total mooks.

--fje

How is it that SR never comes up?

 

[Legildur]

Is it me or is the spell resistance granted by items WAY too low to ever be of much real use? It seems that about the time you can reasonably afford to buy it an equal-level caster is going to blow through it on anything other than a 1. Not long after, you're going to find that the SR never comes up but for spells cast by total mooks.

Tell me about it. In a PbEM game I've been involved in for 11 years, my (then) 11th level character got a ring with SR6! 6 I tell you. What use is that EVER going to be? Luckily it also grants another power that isn't altogether useless.