Why is Spell Resistance only a Divine spell?

[Ferox4]

This is not a grouse, more just a head-scratcher. I would think that Spell Resistance would be an Arcane spell as well. Your thoughts?

 

[shilsen]

I think it was set up as it is because of the traditional focus of the arcane spells on offense and the divine spells on defense. That being said, I think that it would be just fine as an arcane spell too, and considering that in 3e/3.5 there has been considerable overlap between arcane and divine on the offense/defense front, it probably makes more sense if it were both arcane and divine.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Here are some different ways of looking at things. Here are some in-game ideas.

A) Perhaps the gods have decided to make magic so that only divinely granted power can fully block magic. (Of course, this then begs the question why beings like dragons get spell resistance.)

B) There is an arcane version, but it has been lost, and no arcane spellcaster has been able to re-discover the proper formula for the spell.

C) Spell resistance falls more neatly into the jurisdiction of divine magic because, like curative magic, it's designed more to prevent harm or to heal than to cause injury.

Then again, there's another way of thinking about the issue. What are the consequences of making spell resistance an arcane spell?

1) Arcane spellcasters become more able to defend themselves against one another.
2) Divine spellcasters lose a little bit of their area of power (i.e. defending and healing).
3) Magic items that provide spell resistance suddenly become a bit devalued because wizards can make them. This takes something away from the power of the churches that gain from cornering the market on such things.

Dave

 

[KarinsDad]

Here are some different ways of looking at things. Here are some in-game ideas.

However, Psions can get it too.

I prefer to think of it as Arcane casters get some types of limited spell protection, divine casters get different types of limited spell protection.

For example, arcane casters can get Lesser Globe of Invulnerability and/or Globe of Invunerability and hence already have both lesser (doesn't affect higher level spells) and greater (blocks all low level spells, not just ones which have spell resistance) forms of Spell Resistance. Clerics cannot get this.

Arcane spell casters can also acquire Spell Turning which is again, more powerful in some ways, less powerful in others to Spell Resistance. Most Clerics cannot get this.

Also, arcane types can get similar protective effects (some more powerful, some less powerful) by crafting a Robe of the Archmagi, a Cube of Force, a Lavender/Green Ioun Stone, a Rod of Abosorption, or buy or have someone else craft them a Mantle of Spell Resistance.


I don't think it is critcal in a game for all types of spell casters to have the exact same type of spell protections.

If somebody started giving the coolest types of divine spell protection to arcane casters, they should also give the coolest types of arcane spell protection to divine casters. IMO.


I say if it is not broke, don't fix it. If your arcane spell caster wants Spell Resistance, have him hire a Cleric to walk around casting it on him.

 

[Ferox4]

By no means am I lobbying for it to be accessible to the Arcane. I almost exclusively play Clerics and I enjoy the elation and envy on the face of any Arcane-type when I cast it upon them.

You all bring up valid points. Especially the defense nature vs. the offensive nature. I also agree that it's good for the Divine to have a few ace cards in their repetoire.

 

[sfedi]

This is a spell that is very useful against outsiders.
Somthing Divinve casters should excel at.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Because someone, somewhere in the WoTC pyramid at somepoint was allowed to make spells for clerics, and they weren't very even handed about it. At least they only managed to sneak a few through.

Tenser's transformation vs divine power anyone?

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Maybe b/c arcane spellcasters usually don't have non-spell abilities to fall back on whereas clerics can fall back on the good 'ol fashioned mace and shield. If the spell was on the arcane list, every wizard would be taking it and making magic a whole lot less effective.

 

[beaver1024]

It's so that the cleric can out abjurer the abjurer. BTW clerics already get the coolest arcane defensive spell anyway, check the domains. Stoneskin anyone? No problem Strength domain.

 

[beaver1024]

Maybe b/c arcane spellcasters usually don't have non-spell abilities to fall back on whereas clerics can fall back on the good 'ol fashioned mace and shield. If the spell was on the arcane list, every wizard would be taking it and making magic a whole lot less effective.

And clerics taking it wouldn't make magic less effective?