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MAGIC RESISTANCE is the chance a spell might fail when cast on the monster; this chance is expressed in a percentage. The basis for the percentage is a spell cast by a magic-user of the 11th experience level. If player character spell casters are not of the 11th level, the figure must be adjusted upwards by 5% for each level below 11th, or downwards by 5% for each level above 11th. Thus, a monster with 95% magic resistance cannot be affected by a spell cast by a magic-user of the 10th experience level or lower, while a 12th level magic-user has a 10% chance of affecting it.
Note that even if a spell does overcome the magic resistance of a monster, the monster is still entitled to normal saving throws. A creature's magic resistance extends only to its immediate possessions, i.e., anything carried or worn. Area-effect spells will still function if targeted on a magic-resistant creature within their area. The creature itself might not be affected, although all others in the spell area will be subject to spell effects. A fireball, for example, may wipe out a cluster of orcs, while an agathion standing in their midst might be totally unaffected.
The percent of magic resistance of a creature has an effect on certain existing spells such as hold portal, where it indicates the probability of shattering the existing spell.
—Monster Manual II.
Campaign Rule. Unless stated specifically in the spell's description (cf. hold portal), this ability does not allow a magic resistant creature to shatter a magical effect. Magic resistance only applies to spells with a direct effect against the resistant creature. ie. spells in the area such as light, darkness, illusions, invisibility, etc. do not grant a resistance check. Non-permanent (ie. non-instantaneous) magical barriers grant a resistance check to pass through them.
Polyhedron #12; Dispel Confusion, p.10: ADQ: How would a creature's magic resistance affect area-effect spells or magical walls (stone, ice, etc.)?ADA: Against area effects (such as Fireball), the MR is checked at that point when the creature might be affected. If the MR destroys such a spell effect, it cancels it only around the creature's body, not protecting others nearby. If the creature approaches a magical wall, MR is checked when the creature touches the wall. If successful, the wall disappears. If not, the creature may touch it every round, causing an MR check every round until the creature gives up or the wall goes down. If the creature touches (hits) a character upon whom spell effects exist (e.g. a mage with Detect Invisible, Polymorph, Protection from Evil, and Detect Magic running), each spell effect must be checked separately to see what crumbles and what remains.
Dragonsfoot.org; Q&A With Gary Gygax, Part V (Apr 30, 2006): Q. Gary. What wall spells are supposed to be affected by magic resistance? ie, if i cast a wall of iron over a drow, would the drow get squished, or would his MR kick in; What about rock to mud under their feet???A. Ciao! As a matter of fact I did not allow a wall spell to be cast save if there was [not] some surface the bottom edge it could rest upon. If you allow them to be cast into the blue, then MR will not affect one in falling, as it is not a spell. MR does not affect [blows] from magic [weapons], eh? The same goes for rock turned to mud.
Dragon #48; Sage Advice, p.59: Question: If a creature has magic resistance and someone is using a magical weapon against it, does their magic resistance affect the use of these kinds of weapons (fail to work), or do they work normally?Answer: As stated in the Explanatory Notes in the front of the Monster Manual, "Magic resistance indicates the percentage chance of any spell absolutely failing." Magic resistance does not have any effect on a creature's ability to withstand damage from magical weapons or any magical item which can damage or otherwise affect the creature, unless the description of that weapon or magic item specifically states otherwise.
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