If a character has to make a spell caster check, say to overcome spell resistance, the roll is d20 + spell caster level. Why doesn't the spell caster get a bonus for their primary ability? Wouldn't a Wizard with an INT of 18 have a better chance of overcoming spell resistance than a Wizard of the same level with an INT of 13?
Is there a specific reason for this rule, or was it an oversight?
If the rule was to include ability modifiers to the roll, then all SR-values would be universally higher. All creatures with SR have their SR-values balanced according to the rule as printed (which has been the same for at least 8 years; 3.5 had the same rule. I think 3.0 did too).
There's a parity to rolls. You add Strength to attack and Dex to AC. You add Dex/Con/Wis to saves, and caster stat to DC. You add Charisma to bluff, and Wisdom to sense motive. So if you added your caster stat to spell penetration checks, you'd have to add a stat to SR checks to keep the balance.
The rule is fine as is.
The SR is generally tied to the CR of the monster. The CR is tied to the difficuly of the monster, hence to the "average level" the caster is when faces it.
Add the ability score modifiers would add more variables, and would be useless for the purpose of the SR.
|
The rule is fine as is.
The SR is generally tied to the CR of the monster. The CR is tied to the difficuly of the monster, hence to the "average level" the caster is when faces it.
Add the ability score modifiers would add more variables, and would be useless for the purpose of the SR.
This!
SR is typically calculated so that the difficulty of the check is directly correlated to the difficulty of the encounter.
