Resist effectiveness
 

I'm wanting to up my resists to make fighting casters, mainly some named ones I camp, a lot easier. I'm quickly killed if I don't carefully charm and keep the caster occupied. I'm wanting to raise my resist to better improve my odds. The mobs I'm fighting are 35-40. What resist amounts should I shoot for? Can I expect to resist most spells once I have high resists?

Where, what mobs and what class/level are you?

Resists are based on level difference and resist stat.

Being 10 levels higher with 100 resist gives a pretty decent chance. Being 1 level higher with 50 resist is pretty bad chance to resist. Level differential is far more important though. 1 level higher and 255 resist will likely get hit more than 10 levels higher and 100 resist.

I'm a level 38 Bard. Mobs are 33-40. Sarnak shaman and necro type. Frontier mountains.

Sounds like I need a substantial investment into resist gear to make a difference.

As a bard, your biggest friend for resists will be a drum and guardian rhythms and elemental rhythms. Your resists are going to be pretty high with that.

However, level is going to make the biggest difference.