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So I have this fighter type. More precisely, 3 fighter levels, one bard level and ten RDD levels topped off with two Blackguard levels. It only invests in Strength (at character creation only) and Charisma. Its main skill is Diplomacy, and of course excels at that despite being a fighter-evil type. I haven't levelled it any further, but I plan on levelling out Blackguard levels with Fighter levels. Since they both have good BAB, past level 16 I only intend to get enough fighter levels to get Greater Weapon Specialisation.

-1 wisdom
+8 charisma, so with Dark Blessing
+8 on all saves

I knew spell resistance was going to be bad when I first created this build with a human, but I kinda figured that the Black Guard's Dark Blessing would even this out with high (universal) saves. I am after all talking about pretty high charisma levels. While this helped, it didn't work out as decently as I had hoped, especially during the later parts of the campaign.

I recreated the same character as a Drow, figuring their spell resistances would take of the problem. It worked out slightly better, but still not quite well enough. So now I'm adding Spellcraft levels every time I level up as a RDD. You get one extra saving throw bonus against spells for every five levels, and I've seen other munchkin builds take advantage of this.

(For comparison, the NWN1 (normal elf) Devastating Rogue build compensates an identical lack in wisdom with 20 levels in Spellcraft. That's a +4 extra wisdom save to compensate for a -1 wisdom score. Still, there is no Divine Grace or Dark Blessing in that build so I should be slightly better off in any event.)

Imagining for a moment I can already level this character way up to 40, how many Spellcraft levels should I take? The fact that this character is a Drow and already has some resistances slightly complicates the answer.

Spells resistances (SR) work differently than saves vs spells (SVS). SR is direct effect on the spells themselves forcing the caster of those spells to roll a caster level check against your SR to see if the spell affects you at all*. This is basically an "effected or not-effected" roll.

If the caster manages to by-pass SR, then, your SVS kicks in against the spell, if the spell allows any saves against it.**

* Note that Conjuration school spells are generally not affected by SR as they conjure up effects, which then deal whatever affects it does, meaning it basically automatically passes SR checks if you must, but still has the SVS portion.

** Of course, higher level spells tend to have have no save options in limited situations.

So in the case of your Drow, there should be almost the same consideration as to whether that little bit of SVS which will come in handy, especially when the SR fails, which is 50% of the time when considered against casters of your equal character level. Probably less when you factor in feats.

SR is handy, but not terribly reliable to fend of those important save or die spells at the worst possible moments. If you do manage it, it's fine... but just as often, you don't. The only reason to choose a race for it's SR would be to build it up with a class that would grant SR.. like a Drow Monk... since this is the only way where granted SR should stack... and in the example case... near total spell immunity where you can screw the saves... which by twist of class progression also happens to be incredibly high!!

So I should max out Spellcrafting as far as it will go regardless. Hmm.. this gives me all kinds of thought to ponder.

Thanks, you've been a great help.

WHAAAAT!!! Svirfneblin and monk spell resistance stack??!!!

I've been decieved. How do they stack? 11+1(per drow level)+1(per monk level)? This is amazing.

Nice Try, but NO

Sorry guys... it would certainly be nice if SR stacked, but it doesn't... Unless MOTB changed the rules and allows it. I haven't gotten to play that yet.

Well, it has been a mistake in some previous D&D implementations that I hope was brought over.. I never did really test it out in NWN2 myself.