Any way to reduce a target's Magic Resistance?

[SolemnGolem]

I'm looking through both the GURPS DF and the DFRPG books, and a fair number of creatures have MR at +4. This seems to mean that no matter how strong the caster's effective skill, the target will whiff the majority of spells cast on it.

Is there any way to bring down the MR of a target discussed in any of the books?

I'm happy to houserule my own arcane time-consuming workarounds, but just wanted to check with the hivemind first.

As an aside, D&D had a (perhaps somewhat counterintuitive) method where a magical spell could lower a target's MR.

[AlexanderHowl]

No, that is really the point of MR, it is one of the reasons why magic is relatively cheap.

[Anthony]

There aren't any practical methods of doing so (Shapeshift Others will remove racial MR, Great Wish can remove any sort of MR, but I wouldn't call either one a useful option).

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by SolemnGolem

I'm looking through both the GURPS DF and the DFRPG books, and a fair number of creatures have MR at +4. This seems to mean that no matter how strong the caster's effective skill, the target will whiff the majority of spells cast on it.
.

How do you figure that? While I've never played DF as I understand it 250 point characters are standard. That's a lot of CP to spend on your wizards so any thrown spell you are seriously relying on for offense really should be upwards of 20.

[Refplace]

A magical method of reducing MR would have to go against it.
Game wise it just means some monsters require some different tactics and maybe special equipment to deal with.

[corwyn]

My wizard has a base spell skill of 20, accessible as a starting DF wizard. He can break MR 4 just fine.

Also, missile spells, particularly combined with Great Haste.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by corwyn

My wizard has a base spell skill of 20, accessible as a starting DF wizard. He can break MR 4 just fine.

-4 to skill, along with any range penalties, and +4 to the resist roll. Even with no range penalty it only takes Will-12 to reduce the mage's odds to 50%.

That suggests that if MR-4 is fairly common in a DF game, skill-20 with their favourite offensive spells (if they're resisted) is a starting skill level, not a good level.

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by Rupert

-4 to skill, along with any range penalties, and +4 to the resist roll. Even with no range penalty it only takes Will-12 to reduce the mage's odds to 50%.

That suggests that if MR-4 is fairly common in a DF game, skill-20 with their favourite offensive spells (if they're resisted) is a starting skill level, not a good level.

I guess that's a valid point, but I just took a spin through DFRPG Monsters and found almost nothing that isn't MR 0, 6 or 10. So either 0, or clearly not to be dealt with magic. Is it a higher percentage in regular DF?

For the latter, I'll cast Might, Grace, or Great Haste on one of the meat shield melee machines. Generally more efficient. There are a lot of ways to contribute without direct damage. Also, Blink Other, Command for helping their defense.

Bottom line, if you can't break their MR, find another spell to help with. I consider that a feature, not a bug.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by corwyn

My wizard has a base spell skill of 20, accessible as a starting DF wizard. He can break MR 4 just fine.

I suspect that was representative, though between range penalties and the fact MR both reduces skill and increases resistance rolls, skill 20 is frequently going to be under 50%.

Actually looking at DF:M

• Eye of Death: MR 10. Requires skill-30 to tie vs IQ, 31 vs HT.
• Foul Bat: normally none, some have demonic leaders with MR 10.
• Mindwarper: MR 6; requires skill-30 to tie vs IQ, 24 vs HT.
• Mold: MR 4; requires skill-24 to tie vs HT (mindless)
• Ogre: MR 2; requires skill-11 to tie vs IQ, 17 vs HT.
• Pudding: MR 5; requires skill-14 to tie vs IQ (but immune to mind control), 23 vs HT.
• Sphere of Madness: MR 10; requires skill-30 to tie vs IQ, 34 vs HT.
• Watcher at Edge of Time: MR 6; requires skill-22 to tie vs IQ, 24 vs HT.

[coronatiger]

You could build an Affliction with Negated Advantage.