For the Monks out there playing on Master difficulty, what has been your preferred solution to deal with magic? Magic resist, absorption, alchemy, alteration perks, etc. Especially early game. Lots of builds like to cite "+30% MR from Alteration!" as if that's available right away. Level 25+ usually for the 3rd rank and that's really grinding the skill. I'm 26 now with a similar character and it's in the mid 40's, and I cast a flesh spell at least once per fight.

On that toon I did Agent of Mara + Lord Stone + 10% MR ring + 10% MR neck + 10% Alteration = 70% which is plenty to get by. In fact more would feel like cheating. Is this the usual accepted route normal builds do on Master?

Absolutely love this build. I wonder though, what difficulty do you recommend playing this on? Or doesn't it matter, since you can adjust your damage and armor with that exploit.

I had a Breton with the natural 25%, the Lord Stone for another 25%, then Agent of Mara for 15%. Keeping it at 65% until my alteration got high enough, then put 2 points into Magic Resistance, bringing me up to 85%, which is the cap. No need to keep magic resistance on any gear this way.