History Main / ResistantToMagic

** As part of development for the [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver second generation games]], the Steel-type was designed as resistant to Psychic-type moves (alongside the Dark-type, which is immune to their attacks) in order to better balance the types - Psychic being what was at the time the franchise's closest to magic. Later generations have introduced the much more overtly magical Fairy-type, whose attacks are resisted by Steel-types, and Steel is in turn one of the type's weaknesses. Ironically, Steel-types are ''also'' WeakToMagic, as they tend to have much lower Special Defense than Physical Defense.

** As part of development for the [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver second generation games]], the Steel-type was designed as resistant to Psychic-type moves (alongside the Dark-type, which is immune to their attacks) in order to better balance the types - Psychic being what was at the time the franchise's closest to magic.
** Later generations have introduced the much more overtly magical Fairy-type, whose attacks are resisted by Steel-types, and Steel is in turn one of the type's weaknesses.

* In ''Webcomic/DraconiaChronicles,'' dragons come in a quartet of subtypes; fire, water, earth, and light. They're not just immune to the mundane versions of their element, they [[ElementalAbsorption heal by exposure to the magic they represent,]] to the point that mother and child will cast cantrips in each other in leiu of more overt displays of affection.

** {{Downplayed|Trope}} this with the Copper [[FantasticCasteSystem caste]]: they're born with a very weak connection to the BackgroundMagicField, making it slower and more difficult for them to be targeted with magic.

** 5[[superscript:th]] Edition [[ThePaladin Paladins]] who take the Oath of the Ancients gain a protective aura that [[PercentBasedValues halves the damage]] they and nearby allies suffer from spells.
** 5th Edition Gnomes have the racial trait Gnome Cunning, which grants them advantage on wisdom, intelligence and charisma saving throws against magic and increases the odds of them being able to shrug off mind-affecting spells.
** Level 14 abjuration wizards have the Spell Resistance class feature, granting advantage on all saving throws against spells resistance to all damage caused by spells.

* [[{{Hobbits}} Halflings]] have an innate insulation against Chaos, making them more likely to resist magic and many other supernatural effects. The trade-off is that they themselves can never learn magic.

* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'' {{downplay|edTrope}}s this with the Copper [[FantasticCasteSystem caste]]: they're born with a very weak connection to the BackgroundMagicField, making it slower and more difficult for them to be targeted with magic.

** [[ThePaladin Paladins]] in the 5th edition, who take the Oath of the Ancients, gain a protective aura that [[PercentBasedValues halves the damage]] they and nearby allies suffer from spells.

** Later generations have introduced the much more overtly magical Fairy-type, whose attacks are resisted by Steel-type moves, and Steel is in turn one of the type's weaknesses.

* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series: The Bretons are a race of {{Uneven Hybrid}}s, born from eugenics experiments carried out in Tamriel's ancient past by Ayleid elves who bred with their human slaves. The combination of human hardiness and elven magical affinity in their blood makes them more naturally able to resist hostile magic than most races.

One advantage magic has--provided it's the right situation--is those who are WeakToMagic. For various reasons, magic is something that puts them at a disadvantage, and the user at an advantage.

On the other hand, magic isn't always the best ability to have--beyond counter-spells that may exist, there are also beings who, in some way or another, resist magic.

[[folder: Anime & Manga]]

[[folder:Fan Fic]]

--> "Well, you have magical powers, so you must be resistant to some magical spells.

** In 1st and 2nd Edition Advanced D&D, creatures have a trait called Magic Resistance which gives them a percentage chance of not being affected by magic.

** In 1st and 2nd Edition Advanced D&D, certain PlayerCharacter races have a resistance to magic separate from Magic Resistance.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': Characters and monsters with Spell Resistance (SR) have a chance of {{No Sell}}ing any spell (except for a select few) cast against them. Specifically, the caster needs to make a 1d20 + spellcaster level check against the target's SR value, otherwise the spell just bounces off--and even if it doesn't, the target is still entitled to any regular saving throws the spell allows afterwards. Enemy SR can completely shut down low-level casters, because it usually starts in the high teens and there are very few ways to improve your rolls to overcome SR beyond simply leveling up, forcing casters to focus on indirect damage, like manipulating the environment or buffing their non-magical party members.

* ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'':
** Anti-Mage is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin--a hero that is strong against magic. He has the skill Counterspell which not only increases his magic resistance but also allow him to gain a shield that reflect any single-target spells that tries to afflict him.

* ''Franchise/FireEmblem''

* ''WebComic/DominicDeegan'':

* In ''WebComic/DraconiaChronicles,'' dragons come in a quartet of subtypes; fire, water, earth, and light. They're not just immune to the mundane versions of their element, they [[ElementalAbsorption heal by exposure to the magic they represent,]] to the point that mother and child will cast cantrips in each other in leiu of more overt displays of affection.

[[/folder]]

* The ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' franchise has the recurring spell Shell, which reduces damage done by magic attack on whoever it's used on.
** ''Franchise/FireEmblem''

* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', mages always have a pretty high resistance to magical damage, but each of the houses also has one non-mage who has a very high resistance to magic, more or less making them the party's default MageKiller.

* ''Manga/FairyTail'': Acnologia, the Dark Dragon, is TheDreaded not only for being powerful but due to the fact that he ''eats magic'' meaning any spell throw at him will cause no damage in the slightest.

* In Piers' Anthony's ''[[Literature/{{Xanth}} A Spell for Chameleon]]'', the protagonist's Talent is a total immunity to hostile magic. It's so good at it that it'll hide behind coincidences so nobody will think to use AntiMagic on him, such as tripping Bink on a rock before he brains himself on one of the local bully's [[SomeKindOfForceField forcewalls]] or making him guess the password to make a magical guardian ignore him. It's so subtly hidden that it looks like he ''has'' no magic, which is the problem. The Storm King decreed that nobody who lacks magic may live in Xanth.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': Characters and monsters with Spell Resistance (SR) have a chance of {{No Sell}}ing any spell (except for a select few) cast against them. Specifically, the caster needs to make a 1d20 + spellcaster level + spellcasting ability bonus check against the target's SR value, otherwise the spell just bounces off--and even if it doesn't, the target is still entitled to any regular saving throws the spell allows afterwards. Enemy SR can completely shut down low-level casters, because it usually starts in the high teens and there are very few ways to improve your rolls to overcome SR beyond simply leveling up, forcing casters to focus on indirect damage, like manipulating the environment or buffing their non-magical party members.

* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', mages always have a pretty high resistance to magical damage, but each of Three Houses also has one non-mage who has a very high resistance to magic, more or less making them the party's default MageKiller.

Related to NoSell, though these characters are generally resistant to magic rather than immune to it. Sometimes overlaps with AntiMagic, a power that negates other powers. Occasionally featured as part of AntagonistAbilities.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': Characters and monsters with Spell Resistance (SR) have a chance of {{No Sell}}ing any spell (except for a select few) cast against them. Specifically, the caster needs to make a 1d20 + spellcaster level + spellcasting ability bonus check against the target's SR value, otherwise the spell just bounces off -- and even if it doesn't, the target is still entitled to any regular saving throws the spell allows afterwards. Enemy SR can completely shut down low-level casters, because it usually starts in the high teens and there are very few ways to improve your rolls to overcome SR beyond simply leveling up, forcing casters to focus on indirect damage, like manipulating the environment or buffing their non-magical party members.

** Anti-Mage is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin - a hero that is strong against magic. He has the skill Counterspell which not only increases his magic resistance but also allow him to gain a shield that reflect any single-target spells that tries to afflict him.

* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', a Dwarf Noble or Dwarf Commoner player has increased resistance to magical attacks, reflecting that Dwarves have a natural immunity to magic due to their proximity to lyrium deposits. The trade-off, though, is that they can never become mages themselves, ever. Also, the [[MageKiller Templar]] [[AntiMagicalFaction Order]] provides training that boosts magical defenses, so warrior characters who take the Templar PrestigeClass have abilities that grant them magic resistance.

One advantage magic has - provided it's the right situation - is those who are WeakToMagic. For various reasons, magic is something that puts them at a disadvantage, and the user at an advantage.

On the other hand, magic isn't always the best ability to have - beyond counter-spells that may exist, there are also beings who, in some way or another, resist magic.

!!Examples

[[folder:ComicBooks]]

* '''Webcomic/HarpyGee'': Due to an incident in the past involving her pet Goblin Cat, Pumpkin, who ate up all her magical power, Harpy ended up losing her ability to cast plant magic. But a trade off is that magical attacks have no effect on her either.

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'': Dwarves were designed by the Old Ones to be extremely resilient and are much less affected by magic than other races. Their own magic is much less potent, but also far safer to use, unlike the Winds of Magic.