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Quick question, but I can't find it answered anywhere definitively: Can an Adept voluntarily lower their Magic Defense to facilitate having a spell cast on them by a friendly spellcaster?

I would have to dig to find the official quote, but yes, IIRC, they can voluntarily lower their defense. However they must lower it for all incoming effects for one round; they can't select what effect they want to lower it for. For example, if you lower your defense so that your friendly Wizard can cast Combat Fury on you, but an enemy Elementalist also casts Stick Together on you in the same round, the latter would be going against the lowered defense as well.

It depends on the edition. Prior to 4E, yes. In 4E, no.

Thanks for the replies; good to know. Now, if I can just convince my group to play some 4E when it's fully released...

To followup on Panda's response, I think it's a good thing this mechanic was removed for 4E. Specifically because now all spells can get bonus effects for additional Successes on the spellcasting roll. That's a great hook for your group