The Hierophant can outright avoid some hostile spells.
Passive Spell
Effects:
Has an x% chance to absorb a same-level effect. Applies to Profession and NPC racial spells only.
Effects[]
Alternate Advancement Ability Effects by Ability Rank
Effect
Rank 1
Rank 2
Rank 3
Rank 4
Rank 5
Rank 6
Rank 7
Rank 8
Rank 9
Rank 10
Absorbs x% of same-level spells
1.5%
3%
4.5%
6%
7.5%
9%
10.5%
12%
13.5%
15%
The percentage shown is vs. a same-level effect - i.e. if you are level 45 then the percentage shown applies to a level 45 effect. This would imply that the percentage is higher or lower depending if the effect is lower or higher level than you.