Resist versus Protection | EN World Tabletop RPG News & Reviews
Resist is better at the on-going effects sort of thing.
Now you might have an argument that either one of those does not scale well, which is also a valid discussion, but one needs to look at it both ways - earlier and later in a career. Let's start with some rules:
Resist said:
...The subject gains energy resistance 10 against the energy type chosen, meaning that each time the creature is subjected to such damage (whether from a natural or magical source), that damage is reduced by 10 points before being applied to the creature’s hit points. The value of the energy resistance granted increases to 20 points at 7th level and to a maximum of 30 points at 11th level. ...
Protection said:
...When the spell absorbs 12 points per caster level of energy damage (to a maximum of 120 points at 10th level), it is discharged. ...
Flame Blade said:
...The blade deals 1d8 points of fire damage +1 point per two caster levels (maximum +10). ...
Fireball said:
...deals 1d6 points of fire damage per caster level (maximum 10d6)...
So let's use those to compare.
Level 5: Resist: 10pts/round, Protect: 60 pts, Flame Blade d8+2 (avg 6.5), Fireball 5d6 (avg 17.5)
Level 10: Resist: 20pts/round, Protect: 120 pts, Flame Blade d8+5 (avg 9.5), Fireball 10d6 (avg 70)
Level 15:Resist: 30pts/round, Protect: 120 pts, Flame Blade d8+7 (avg 11.5), Fireball 10d6 (avg 70)
This is not a perfect analysis of everything, but it does appear that even at 15th level Protection gives you only 20 pts if fire damage from two fireball while Resist lets 80 pts gets through. Resist is plenty good enough for total ptoectiuon form Flame Blade at all levels, though.
It does indeed seem that they legitimately serve two functions, as mentioned before. Of course, what you normally want is BOTH spells.
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