More often than not, the PC who poses the greatest threat on the battlefield isn’t the heavily armored Fighter swinging a greatsword but the dagger-wielding Rogue in leather armor. Strikers are designed to inflict a lot of damage. The trade off is that these classes sacrifice high defenses. In general, strikers are soft. This becomes painfully apparent when the guy with the lowest defenses is singled out and starts taking attacks from everyone not marked by a defender (and even a few of them too).
As I’ve progressed through the heroic and paragon tiers I’ve noticed that many of the monsters are dealing more than just straight up damage. Attacks now include energy types and in a lot of cases ongoing damage. So it’s not enough that I just took 12 points of damage but it turns out it’s fire and I’ve got 5 ongoing fire damage (save ends) as well.
As a player who favours the striker classes more than any other, I’m getting sick of being the party’s punching bag. And that’s when I realized that the key to my survival wasn’t necessarily higher defenses (although that certainly helps). The secret to surviving is energy resistances. It doesn’t matter if you get hit if you’re able to shrug off most of the damage and pretty much ignore the nasty ongoing side effect.
Upon making this realization I started acquiring items with energy resistances. By the time my Sorcerer was level 7 or 8 he had items and powers that provided at least resist 5 to six different energy types. Suddenly he was able to go the whole combat without getting bloodied. He still took a lot of hits, but with all of those energy resistances most attacks did minimal damage, if any.
From then on I made sure that every PC I played had a few items that provided resist 5 to one or more energy type.
I’ve found that sifting through hundreds of items in the D&D Compendium trying to find exactly what I wanted was extremely time consuming and a lot of work. So I compiled a list of all items in the D&D Compendium that grant one or more energy resistances. The list allows power-gamers (like me) to quickly and easily find an item that provides resistance to the energy type of your choice. Although my list is sorted by energy type, you can still easily find items by slot.
This list includes any item that grants a resistance all the time or that has a power that is good for an entire encounter. I’ve intentionally left off items that only provide resistances until he end of your next turn.
This is just the list of items in the heroic tier. Within the next week we’ll provide lists for items in the paragon and epic tier. If you know of an item that I’ve missed, please leave a comment below and I’ll update the list.
- Improve Your Defenses With Energy Resistance (Paragon)
- Improve Your Defenses With Energy Resistance (Epic)
If you find this list useful, you may also want to check out the list we compiled in Brave Warrior, Heal Thyself. It includes items that allow PCs to expend a healing surge and regain hit points during combat.
Energy Resist Items (Heroic Tier)
Item | Magic | Level | Item Slot | Energy | Amount | Source |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | acid | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | acid | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Any | acid | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Any | acid | 5 | AV |
Demonscale | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale | acid | 5 | AV2 |
Demonskin Tattoo | 3 | Wondrous Item | acid | 5 | AV2 | |
Keicha’s Amulet | +2 | 9 | Neck | acid | 5 | AV2 |
Kruthik Potion | 10 | Potion | acid | 5 | AV | |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | acid | 5 | AV | |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | acid | 10 | DM378 | |
Symbol of the Dragon | +2 | 8 | Implement (Holy Symbol) | acid | 5 | DM365 |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | cold | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | cold | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Any | cold | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Any | cold | 5 | AV |
Cloak of Survival | +2 | 9 | Neck | cold | 5 | PHB |
Demonscale | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale | cold | 5 | AV2 |
Demonskin Tattoo | 3 | Wondrous Item | cold | 5 | AV2 | |
Frostwolf Pelt | +1 | 4 | Neck | cold | 5 | AV2 |
Frostwolf Pelt | +2 | 9 | Neck | cold | 5 | AV2 |
Frozen Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Scale, Plate | cold | 5 | AV2 |
Frozen Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale, Plate | cold | 5 | AV2 |
Inner Warmth Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Hide | cold | 5 | PHB2 |
Keicha’s Amulet | +2 | 9 | Neck | cold | 5 | AV2 |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | cold | 5 | AV | |
Raven Cloak | +2 | 9 | Neck | cold | 5 | DM381 |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | cold | 10 | DM378 | |
Symbol of the Dragon | +2 | 8 | Implement (Holy Symbol) | cold | 5 | DM365 |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | fire | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | fire | 5 | AV |
Black Iron Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Scale, Plate | fire | 5 | PHB |
Black Iron Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale, Plate | fire | 5 | PHB |
Chaos Weave Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Any | fire | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Any | fire | 5 | AV |
Cloak of Survival | +2 | 9 | Neck | fire | 5 | PHB |
Demonscale | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale | fire | 5 | AV2 |
Demonskin Tattoo | 3 | Wondrous Item | fire | 5 | AV2 | |
Fire Beetle Potion | 6 | Potion | fire | 5 | AV | |
Flamedrinker Shield | 6 | Arms | fire | 5 | AV | |
Forgemaster’s Gloves | 6 | Hands | fire | 5 | DM380 | |
Keicha’s Amulet | +2 | 9 | Neck | fire | 5 | AV2 |
Pelaurum Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Chain, Scale, Plate | fire | 5 | AV |
Pelaurum Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Chain, Scale, Plate | fire | 5 | AV |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | fire | 5 | AV | |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | fire | 10 | DM378 | |
Staff of Draconic Power | +1 | 5 | Implement (Staff) | fire | 10 | DM365 |
Staff of Draconic Power | +2 | 10 | Implement (Staff) | fire | 10 | DM365 |
Symbol of the Dragon | +2 | 8 | Implement (Holy Symbol) | fire | 5 | DM365 |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | force | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | force | 5 | AV |
Brooch of Shielding | +1 | 3 | Neck | force | 10 | AV |
Brooch of Shielding | +2 | 8 | Neck | force | 10 | AV |
Scintillating Armor | +2 | 8 | Scintillating Armor | force | 5 | MotP |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | lightning | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | lightning | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Any | lightning | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Any | lightning | 5 | AV |
Demonscale | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale | lightning | 5 | AV2 |
Demonskin Tattoo | 3 | Wondrous Item | lightning | 5 | AV2 | |
Keicha’s Amulet | +2 | 9 | Neck | lightning | 5 | AV2 |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | lightning | 5 | AV | |
Potion of Stormshield | 8 | Potion | lightning | 15 | AV | |
Scintillating Armor | +2 | 8 | Scintillating Armor | lightning | 5 | MotP |
Shockweave Armor | +1 | 5 | Armor: Cloth, Leather | lightning | 5 | AV2 |
Shockweave Armor | +2 | 10 | Armor: Cloth, Leather | lightning | 5 | AV2 |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | lightning | 10 | DM378 | |
Storm Shield | 8 | Arms | lightning | 5 | AV | |
Symbol of the Dragon | +2 | 8 | Implement (Holy Symbol) | lightning | 5 | DM365 |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | necrotic | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | necrotic | 5 | AV |
Black Iron Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Scale, Plate | necrotic | 5 | PHB |
Black Iron Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale, Plate | necrotic | 5 | PHB |
Deathcut Armor | +1 | 5 | Armor: Leather, Hide | necrotic | 5 | PHB |
Deathcut Armor | +2 | 10 | Armor: Leather, Hide | necrotic | 5 | PHB |
Gravespawn Potion | 5 | Potion | necrotic | 5 | AV | |
Inner Warmth Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Hide | necrotic | 5 | PHB2 |
Laughing Death Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Cloth, Leather, Hide | necrotic | 5 | AV |
Lifegiving Armor | +1 | 3 | Armor: Plate | necrotic | 5 | AV |
Lifegiving Armor | +2 | 8 | Armor: Plate | necrotic | 5 | AV |
Potion of Lifeshield | 7 | Potion | necrotic | 15 | AV | |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | necrotic | 5 | AV | |
Raven Cloak | +2 | 9 | Neck | necrotic | 5 | DM381 |
Skull Mask | 5 | Head | necrotic | 5 | AV | |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | necrotic | 10 | DM378 | |
Amulet of Health | +1 | 3 | Neck | poison | 5 | PHB |
Amulet of Health | +2 | 8 | Neck | poison | 5 | PHB |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | poison | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | poison | 5 | AV |
Deathcut Armor | +1 | 5 | Armor: Leather, Hide | poison | 5 | PHB |
Deathcut Armor | +2 | 10 | Armor: Leather, Hide | poison | 5 | PHB |
Gravespawn Potion | 5 | Potion | poison | 5 | AV | |
Keicha’s Amulet | +2 | 9 | Neck | poison | 5 | AV2 |
Periapt of Proof against Poison | +1 | 4 | Neck | poison | 5 | AV2 |
Periapt of Proof against Poison | +2 | 9 | Neck | poison | 5 | AV2 |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | poison | 5 | AV | |
Serpentine Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Scale | poison | 5 | AV2 |
Serpentine Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Scale | poison | 5 | AV2 |
Snakefang Armor | +2 | 8 | Armor: Leather, Hide | poison | 5 | AV2 |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | poison | 10 | DM378 | |
Spiderweb Robes | +2 | 8 | Armor: Cloth | poison | 5 | AV2 |
Viper Belt | 4 | Waist | poison | 5 | AV | |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | psychic | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | psychic | 5 | AV |
Nightmare Ward Armor | +1 | 3 | Armor: Leather, Hide | psychic | 5 | AV2 |
Nightmare Ward Armor | +2 | 8 | Armor: Leather, Hide | psychic | 5 | AV2 |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | psychic | 5 | AV | |
Scintillating Armor | +2 | 8 | Scintillating Armor | psychic | 5 | MotP |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | psychic | 10 | DM378 | |
Pelaurum Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Chain, Scale, Plate | radiant | 5 | AV |
Pelaurum Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Chain, Scale, Plate | radiant | 5 | AV |
Scintillating Armor | +2 | 8 | Scintillating Armor | radiant | 5 | MotP |
Whiteflame Armor | +1 | 3 | Armor: Chain, Scale, Plate | radiant | 5 | AV |
Whiteflame Armor | +2 | 8 | Armor: Chain, Scale, Plate | radiant | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +1 | 2 | Armor: Any | thunder | 5 | AV |
Armor of Resistance | +2 | 7 | Armor: Any | thunder | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +1 | 4 | Armor: Any | thunder | 5 | AV |
Chaos Weave Armor | +2 | 9 | Armor: Any | thunder | 5 | AV |
Demonskin Tattoo | 3 | Wondrous Item | thunder | 5 | AV2 | |
Potion of Resistance | 4 | Potion | thunder | 5 | AV | |
Potion of Stormshield | 8 | Potion | thunder | 15 | AV | |
Soulfang of Resistance | 5 | Soulfang | thunder | 10 | DM378 | |
Storm Shield | 8 | Arms | thunder | 5 | AV | |
Symbol of the Dragon | +2 | 8 | Implement (Holy Symbol) | thunder | 5 | DM365 |
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9 replies on “Improve Your Defenses With Energy Resistance (Heroic)”
Resistances are great for synergizing. Playing a tiefling rogue in a party with a fire wizard who likes burst attacks? Priceless.
Nice post. Your list is quite helpful and I plan on putting it to good use very soon. We have a dragonborn that is rather indiscriminate with his breath weapon. Yikes! Can you say friendly fire? (or acid, in this case)
.-= Rook´s last blog ..A Creature Featured: The Talyn Warrior =-.
Nice table. Just make sure you don’t start an arms race between the DM and the players.
The problem is not the defense or the resistance. If you get it, your defender and your controler arent doing their job!!!!!
@swordgleam – make him take the bolstering breath feat from the new dragonborn book. Then you’ll want him to breathe on you.
[…] grouped them by resistance type for easy reference. Last week we covered level 1 to 10 items in Improve Your Defenses With Energy Resistance (Heroic). Today we’re covering level 11 to 20 items. Within the next week we’ll complete the […]
@Swordgleam
Give a player an edge (like energy resistance) and watch how they find creative ways to use it. I’ve seen this tactic used before and it still amazes me how effective it is.
@Rook
Acid is one of those energy types that doesn’t come into play very often, but when it does no one is ready for it. Grab a suit of Chaos Weave armor or Keicha’a Amulet and you’re set. Tell the Dragonborn to use his breath weapon whenever he feels like it (which sounds like his SOP anyway).
@Liam
I’m a big believer that if the PCs have items that give them an edge (like a resist fire item) that the DM shouldn’t penalize the PC for his forethought. In fact in these cases I try to use fire against the PC in at least one or two encounters every level. PCs love to feel like they’re pulling one over on the DM. “Ha, I laugh at the red dragon’s fire breath since I’ve got resist 10 fire.”
@Less_than_vince
I tend to play in games that are striker heavy. I agree that in well-balanced parties the defenders should help draw fire, but even a good defender can benefit from a lot of these resist items.
@Philo Pharynx
Good suggestion.
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