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Reading about Werewolves, which are immune to "Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered", I wondered: How many damage types can a PC become immune to?

For the purpose of this question, assume the following:

  • One single character, no outside help from friends
  • 20 levels at your disposal
  • Multiclassing is allowed
  • Feats are allowed
  • All official published races + classes are allowed - No UA or other unreleased content
  • All magic items except artifacts are allowed
  • Preparation time is unlimited
  • Assume you have access to unlimited funds and any non-artifact magic item you desire
  • No usage of Wish

Temporary immunities are nice to have, but the best answer should contain ways to gain as many permanent immunities as possible.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ So is the werewolf's immunity considered something like "three half damage types", since it isn't immunity to all b/p/s, just nonmagical nonsilvered b/p/s? \$\endgroup\$
    – Thomas Markov
    Nov 10, 2021 at 13:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ I'd call it 3 immunities that are mutually exclusive to p/b/s without those restrictions. IE Immunity to all piercing, then werewolf immunity would still be 3. But they still count as an immunity for the purpose of counting a total (for simplicity). \$\endgroup\$
    – Ifusaso
    Nov 10, 2021 at 13:36
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Ifusaso I don't think "mutually exclusive" is correct there, as immunity to all b/p/s includes immunity to nonmagical nonsilvered b/p/s, but the reverse inclusion does not hold. It's definitely a subset relationship. \$\endgroup\$
    – Thomas Markov
    Nov 10, 2021 at 13:47
  • \$\begingroup\$ If we want to do a full count we'd have to grab all the possible values / combinations like "immune to b/s/p that aren't adamantine", but that kind of goes wild quickly. Let's go with it that the three types count separately, and - if possible - without any restrictions like "non-magical that aren't silvered'. E.g. immunity to bludgeoning is better than "immunity to b from non-magical attacks", if the "full one" exists / can be achieved. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tobias F.
    Nov 10, 2021 at 13:51
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    \$\begingroup\$ Related: What is the greatest number of resistances a character can have innately? \$\endgroup\$
    – Thomas Markov
    Nov 10, 2021 at 14:19

2 Answers 2

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I edited so it is only about the asked damage type immunities (my bad). In summary this build has 6 permanent damage type immunities and 7 temporary damage type immunities without buffs from friends.

Race:

  • Black Dragonborn -> gives resistance to acid

Class:

  • 17 level in Wizard for level 9 spell slot
  • Any class to wear medium/heavy armor

Items:

Since we can be level 20 and the preparation time is unlimited we can grind for Epic Boons.

Epic Boons:

Spell:

  • Mind Blank -> temporary immune to psychic damage
  • Invulnerability -> temporary immune to all damage (should be left: force, piercing, slashing, bludgeoning, radiant, necrotic)

You could also get Ring of Fire Elemental Command (attunement) so you only need the Boon of the Stormborn, but the result is the same. Also you don't need Mind Blank since Invulnerability grants immunity to all damage but I find Invulnerability is a too easy answer so I wanted to add this.

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    \$\begingroup\$ I posted rpg.stackexchange.com/q/192883/44723 you might want to answer it :) \$\endgroup\$
    – Akixkisu
    Nov 10, 2021 at 14:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ Ah of course, the Invulnerability spell. Valid way for temp. immunity to all damage types though. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tobias F.
    Nov 11, 2021 at 10:44
  • \$\begingroup\$ You can get immunity to cold as a background in Rime of the Frostmaiden, which frees up an item slot. \$\endgroup\$
    – fectin
    Nov 29, 2021 at 18:54
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I think I can get up to 9 permanent immunities, and then 3-4 temporary immunities, plus resistance to force damage cause why not.

Race:

  • Yuan-ti Pureblood (Volo's Guide to Monsters) - Immunity to Poison

Class:

  • 10 Levels in Artificer, subclass doesn't matter but Armorer might help
  • 10 Levels in Bard, choosing the College of Lore subclass

With the 10 levels in Artificer, you'll get Magic Item Adept, which allows you to attune to up to 4 magic items at once. This is important, because we're going to pick:

  • Shield of the Uven Rune - Immunity to Cold
  • Armor of Resistance (Artificer Infusion) - Resistance to Acid
  • Black Dragon Mask - Immunity to Acid, since we have resistance from the armor
  • Absorbing Tattoo, Force - Resistance to Force, with the ability to gain immunity to it once per day

Since we're level 20, we can also get:

  • Boon of the Fire Soul - Immunity to Fire
  • Boon of the Stormborn - Immunity to Thunder & Lightning

And, last but not least, all we need to do is contract Lycanthropy, which gives us Immunity to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage from weapons that aren't silvered.

This totals up to 9 permanent immunities.

As for the temporary ones, since we're a 10th level Bard, we get Magical Secrets. Multiclassing means that while we're only level 10, we have 8th level spell slots. This means we can take the Mind Blank and Tasha's Otherworldly Guise spells.

Mind Blank gives us Immunity to Psychic damage for 24 hours, and Tasha's Otherworldly Guise gives us Immunity to Necrotic and Radiant damage for one minute. Additionally, if you wanted resistance to them in the meantime, you can use one of your Additional Magic Secrets, since we're a College of Lore Bard, to take the Hallow spell. While within the area, creatures you designate can have resistance to one damage type of your choice.

With these spells, and a single turn of Immunity to Force from the tattoo, that gives us the 4 temporary immunities, meaning that for six seconds, the only thing in the universe that can hurt you are silvered weapons.

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    \$\begingroup\$ I'm pretty sure the same rules apply for bards as everyone else, that you cannot take a spell normally can't cast (spells prepared and known are determined as if you were just a single class), so you can't get Mind Blank and Tashas Otherwordly Guise unless you are at least a level 18 Bard. A spell you choose must be of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard table, or a cantrip. Other than that, nice answer. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tobias F.
    Nov 12, 2021 at 7:59
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    \$\begingroup\$ I have to say though cursing yourself with Lycanthropy is a very interesting way to gain such immunity, but a nice one. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tobias F.
    Nov 12, 2021 at 13:19

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