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Resisting Magic

When an NPC casts a spell on a PC, the PC may try to resist the spell with a save. If the save fails, the spell takes full effect on the character. If the save is a partial success, the spell has diminished or half effect. If the save is a full success, the PC nullifies the spell completely.
A character resists any spell that changes or puts a condition on hir physical body with the Fortitude focus and, most commonly, Brawn or Psyche. A character resists any spell that changes or puts a condition on hir mind with the Willpower focus and, most commonly, Charm or Psyche. A character resists any spell that creates a physical manifestation or moves a physical object to attack the character with the Dodge or Hand-to-Hand Combat focus (to evade or parry, respectively) and the Brawn stat.
Spellcasting characters have other options. If they catch an enemy spellcaster before hir spell goes off, they can use Dispelling or Warding to counter the spell. Against direct spells that try to change the caster’s mind or body, they can use Dispelling to resist the effect.
Against targeted spells that have already launched physical manifestations or objects, they have to resort to other means: they could use Abjuration to protect themselves. They could use Apportation to move themselves or the missile out of the way or put a physical shield in front of the missile. They could use Conjuration to create a physical shield. They could use Dynamism to evoke a force to blast the missile out of the way or an opposed energy type to overwhelm the missile. They could use Teleportation to evade the missile or send it away. A canny spellcaster always has an entire arsenal of options at hir disposal in defending hirself against magical attack.
If a PC has to fight off the effects of a spell while ze’s in combat with other opponents, you have a choice. You can make the save separate, as normal, or you can turn it into a defensive combat check instead, letting the other foes seize the opportunity to attack while the PC is fighting off the spell. In this case, the spell takes effect based on the outcome as usual, but the PC also takes harm from other opponents in the same check... and has options to avoid harm.