Acid Splash 1e FAQ FAQ

Does magic resistance work against Acid Splash in AD&D 1e?

Yes. The D&D Portal 1e conversion is a magical effect directed at a creature, so normal AD&D 1e magic resistance applies. Resolve the target’s magic resistance before its saving throw vs. spell. If magic resistance succeeds, Acid Splash has no effect on that creature. If the resistance fails or the creature has none, the creature then makes its normal save vs. spell to avoid the 1 point of acid damage.

Magic resistance and saving throws are separate defenses in AD&D 1e. A creature can potentially benefit from both when a spell is subject to magic resistance and also allows a saving throw. The Portal conversion deliberately keeps that structure instead of importing the later-edition Spell Resistance mechanic or ignoring resistant monsters because Acid Splash is only a cantrip.

Normal magic resistance applies to Acid Splash

Acid A stylized corrosion icon representing acid damage. D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash is magical creature-affecting cantrip magic. A creature with magic resistance can therefore use that defense against the Portal conversion.

The fact that Acid A stylized corrosion icon representing acid damage. D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash deals only 1 point of damage does not cause the spell to bypass magic resistance. The defense is concerned with whether the magic affects the creature, not whether the spell is powerful enough to deal a large amount of damage.

A creature without magic resistance skips this step and proceeds directly to the saving throw A stylized die roll icon representing a saving throw. D&D Portal - Saving Throw D20 test rule Saving Throw is a d20 test rule used to resolve uncertain outcomes during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/d20-tests/saving-throw/ vs. spell.

Resolve magic resistance before the saving throw

When the target has magic resistance, resolve that percentage-based defense first. A successful magic-resistance result means the spell fails against the creature.

If resistance stops the spell, the target does not then need a saving throw A stylized die roll icon representing a saving throw. D&D Portal - Saving Throw D20 test rule Saving Throw is a d20 test rule used to resolve uncertain outcomes during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/d20-tests/saving-throw/ to avoid Acid A stylized corrosion icon representing acid damage. D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash. There is no damage result left to resolve because the magic never successfully affects the creature.

If the resistance check does not stop the spell, the normal Acid A stylized corrosion icon representing acid damage. D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash saving throw A stylized die roll icon representing a saving throw. D&D Portal - Saving Throw D20 test rule Saving Throw is a d20 test rule used to resolve uncertain outcomes during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/d20-tests/saving-throw/ is still made. Failing to resist magic does not automatically mean the creature takes damage.

The saving throw remains a second defense

After magic resistance has been passed, the target makes its saving throw A stylized die roll icon representing a saving throw. D&D Portal - Saving Throw D20 test rule Saving Throw is a d20 test rule used to resolve uncertain outcomes during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/d20-tests/saving-throw/ vs. spell. A successful save negates the cantrip's 1 point of Acid A stylized corrosion icon representing acid damage. D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/.

The creature therefore has two opportunities to avoid the effect when both defenses are available: first resistance to the magic itself, then the saving throw A stylized die roll icon representing a saving throw. D&D Portal - Saving Throw D20 test rule Saving Throw is a d20 test rule used to resolve uncertain outcomes during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/d20-tests/saving-throw/ granted by the spell.

This is intentionally different from treating magic resistance as a replacement saving throw A stylized die roll icon representing a saving throw. D&D Portal - Saving Throw D20 test rule Saving Throw is a d20 test rule used to resolve uncertain outcomes during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/d20-tests/saving-throw/. The two mechanics have distinct roles in the 1e rules structure.

Do not resolve it as 3e Spell Resistance

Players familiar with 3e may recognize the general idea but should not import the later caster-level-check system. AD&D 1e magic resistance uses its own rules and percentage values.

The Portal page should therefore display “Magic Resistance: Applies” rather than “Spell Resistance: Yes.” The latter belongs to a different edition's terminology and resolution procedure.

Keeping the terminology edition-native helps prevent the conversion from looking like a 3e spell whose field names were merely relabelled.