Spell Resistance and Arcane Mastery?

[Story]

Doesn't Arcane Mastery make Spell Resistance near useless? On a cursory search, I haven't been able to find any monsters with SR higher than CR+9, so I imagine there probably aren't many higher than that. So when you think you're challenging the casters by throwing out resistant enemies, all you're really doing is feat taxing the blasters. Or at least the blasters who aren't already relying on orb spells.

What is the point of even having SR?

[The Viscount]

Meet the drow (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/elf.htm), the spell known as spell resistance (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/spellResistance.htm), and of course Big T (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/tarrasque.htm). There are monsters with SR higher than CR+9, but they probably are fewer in number than those with SR lower than CR+9. Arcane Mastery doesn't make SR useless, but it does make defeating it easier. Granted, if you boost your caster level by a few ranks, even these become trivial.

As for why SR exists, I would guess an attempt at balance, making some sort of analog for AC. It doesn't work, mind you, but they tried. You are correct in stating that SR only hinders those who cast spells that allow SR.

[StreamOfTheSky]

A fair few monsters, like the Mindflayer, Roper, and the...Uriphon? (the psionic, higher CR roper) have insanely, stupidly high SR compared to their CR. If you follow the monster HD advancement rules by the book, I think you can make nearly any monster with SR get to an amount of CR +15 or more. At least, our DM uses advanced HD outsiders all the time and they seem to always have impossibly high SR...

So Arcane Mastery isn't a cure-all for SR, though it + Spell Penetration will render most monsters' SR moot.

[Sith_Happens]

Don't forget Assay Spell Resistance.

[TuggyNE]

Or true casting. Or miscellaneous general CL boosts.

[Sith_Happens]

Yeah. Basically, WotC seems to have hand-picked the writers for most of their arcane magic-related books based on how much those writers hate SR.

[Story]

Assuming level equal to CR with no CL boosters or other bonuses, CR+11 is barely enough. But by mid to high levels, everyone probably has at least one boost, making the requirement even higher.

Even the Tarrasque's SR is trivially bypassed, though the carapace will cause more trouble.

[Spuddles]

Arcane Mastery lets you take ten, but there is no clause to allow you to take 10 in stressful situations- like combat.

[Venger]

A fair few monsters, like the Mindflayer, Roper, and the...Uriphon? .

close. urophion from lords of madness (not pedantry, just so people can find it and behold its ridiculous glory)

[Sith_Happens]

Arcane Mastery lets you take ten, but there is no clause to allow you to take 10 in stressful situations- like combat.

*Checks*

Yup. Wondering whether that should go in the "Worst-Written Stuff" thread.

[Story]

Fortunately, it was errata'd.



Page 73: Arcane Mastery
You can use this feat even while under stress