Overview
The ability to avoid some or all of the damage or effects of various types of magic in World of Warcraft.
- See also: Schools of Magic
Resistance Scores
Both player and NPC resistance scores determine how much damage you take from a given element type and also affect your chance to completely resist a spell from that element.
For a good reference for how they work, see "Resistances & How they Work" at Worldofwarcraft.com or the Characters page at Worldof War.net.
For a good guide on collecting resistance armor you can view our Armor resist guide.
Also see the magical resistance formula to determine what your chances are of resisting spells.
Analysis
- 300 will give max a resist ratio of 75% vs lvl 60 mobs.
- 315 will give max a resist ratio of 75% vs lvl 63 mobs.
Some players have researched and found that (sorry no link) increasing your resistance higher or lower than the exact mob lvl value x5 actually lowers the effect of the resistances. Thus 320, would be exatly the same as 310 would vs a lvl 63 mob (Ragnaros), and 365 would mean you actually have only an effective resistance of 265. However, no blue post has confirmed this as of yet.
General
For general spell resistance info (with very specific math and explanation), see the Resistances page at the official site.
| http://www.worldofwar.net/characters/images/resistances.jpg |
| ← Arcane |
| ← Fire |
| ← Nature |
| ← Frost |
| ← Shadow |
Arcane Resistance
Arcane is primarily used by Mages and Druids. It is the least used resistance type currently. Gnomes, having an affinity for arcane energies, benefit from a permanent +10 Arcane Resistance as a Racial Trait.
Resistable Spells
- Druid: Moonfire, Starfire
- Hunter: Arcane Shot, Concussive Shot, Flare, Hunter's Mark, Volley
- Mage: Arcane Missiles, Arcane Explosion, Counterspell, Detect Magic, Polymorph
- Priest: Starshards
Example Items with Arcane Resistance
Fire Resistance
Fire is the most useful resistance in Molten Core and some is useful in Blackwing Lair. Its also useful when fighting Mages or Warlocks.
Resistable Spells
- Hunter: Explosive Trap, Immolation Trap
- Mage: Blast Wave, Fire Blast, Fireball, Flamestrike, Pyroblast, Scorch
- Shaman: Fire Nova Totem, Flame Shock, Flametongue Weapon, Magma Totem, Searing Totem
- Warlock: Conflagrate, Fire Shield, Firebolt, Firestone, Hellfire, Immolate, Inferno, Rain of Fire, Searing Pain, Soul Fire
Example Items with Fire Resistance
Nature Resistance
Nature is the most useful resistance in Ahn'Qiraj and some in Naxxramas. It's also useful for fighting Shaman. Night elves have an affinity with nature and gain a permanent +10 to their nature resistance as a Racial Trait.
Resistable Spells
- Druids: Entangling Roots, Faerie Fire, Hibernate, Hurricane, Insect Swarm, ,Thorns, Wrath
- Hunter: Scare Beast, Scorpid Sting, Serpent Sting, Viper Sting, Wyvern Sting
- Rogue: Blind, Crippling Poison, Deadly Poison, Instant Poison, Mind-numbing Poison, Wound Poison
- Shamans: Chain Lightning, Earth Shock, Earthbind Totem, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Shield, Purge
Example Items with Nature Resistance
Frost Resistance
Used primarily by Mages, especially Frost Mages. Important for the last portion of Naxxramas.
Resistable Spells
- Hunter: Freezing Trap, Frost Trap
- Mage: Blizzard, Cone of Cold, Frost Armor, Frost Nova, Frostbolt, Ice Armor
- Shaman: Frost Shock, Frostbrand Weapon
Example Items with Frost Resistance
Shadow Resistance
Shadow is the most useful resistance in Naxxramas and some is useful in Blackwing Lair. The Warlocks main spell type, also used by shadow Priests. The Forsaken have an innate shadow resistance of +10.
Example Spells
- Priest: Devouring Plague, Fade, Feedback, Hex of Weakness, Mana Burn, Mind Blast, Mind Control, Mind Flay, Mind Vision, Psychic Scream, Shadow Word: Pain, Shadowguard, Silence, Touch of Weakness, Vampiric Embrace
- Warlock: Corruption, Curse of Agony, Curse of Exhaustion, Curse of Recklessness, Curse of Shadow, Curse of the Elements, Curse of Tongues, Curse of Weakness, Death Coil, Devour Magic, Drain Life, Drain Mana, Drain Soul, Fear, Lash of Pain, Seduction, Shadow Bolt, Shadowburn, Siphon Life, Spell Lock, Spellstone, Tainted Blood
Example Items with Shadow Resistance
Holy Resistance
Paladins and Priests have many holy spells, but there is no gear or spell which improves your holy resistances. (Alchemists can craft a 
[Holy Protection Potion] which absorbs 300 to 500 holy damage)