I've been considering for some time now, specifically with regard to the Drow, removing Spell Resistance as a racial trait and replacing it with something else, such as a bonus to saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities.
Just to be clear, I am only considering removing the spell resistance racial trait from player character races in my campaign setting, not in any way, shape, or form altering the mechanics or functions of spell resistance or spells that specifically provide Spell Resistance.
Has anyone else given thought to this or used similar rules and if so, how did it perform?
The following is an example with regard to racial trait changes:
Considering replacing spell resistance with:
Spell Defense, Lesser (2 RP)
Prerequisites: None.
Benefit: Members of this race gain a +1 racial bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities. At every fifth level after 1st, members of this race gain an additional +1 racial bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities (to a maximum of +4 at 16th level).
Notes: Or just a flat +2 bonus?
Spell Defense, Greater (3 RP)
Prerequisites: None.
Benefit: Members of this race gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities. Every four levels after 1st, members of this race gain an additional +1 racial bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities (to a maximum of +6 at 17th level).
Notes: Or just a flat +2 bonus, increased to +4 at 9th level?
As the bad guys are higher level, the sr would mainly inconvenience their own side.
That, and removing an extra die roll, are a couple of the reasons I'm contemplating replacing it.
Dwarves can trade in their +2 vs magic for SR of 5+level (it's a trap!) if you want an equivalence.
So I would derive teh inverse.
+2 if the racial SR is 5+level
+3 or +4 if teh racial SR is 10+ levelNote that the monk grants SR 10+level at higher level.
Very helpful. Thank you. I hadn't noticed the dwarven racial trait until you pointed it out.
As far as monk goes, I'll likely replace their class feature if I replace the racial trait. It is definitely one of the "weak points" of the monk, as far as my players are concerned.