Questions tagged [saving-throw]
A set of defensive traits based on a characters own ability to avoid the brunt of damage, resist control, and endure through some force.
11
votes
3answers
3k views
What is the purpose of the Evocation wizard's Potent Cantrip feature?
The School of Evocation wizard's Potent Cantrip feature (PHB, p. 117) says:
Starting at 6th level, when a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip, the creature takes half the ...
4
votes
2answers
720 views
Does the Vanguard Style bonus stack with itself?
The Vanguard Style feat states :
While using this style, when an adjacent ally is required to make a Reflex saving throw, you can expend a use of an attack of opportunity to attempt the aid another ...
9
votes
1answer
197 views
If the DM rolls initiative once for a group of monsters, how do end-of-turn effects work?
A wizard rounds a corner to find two kobolds brandishing their weapons. Roll initiative!
The DM determines that neither side is surprised. The DM then makes a single initiative roll (10) for the two ...
12
votes
1answer
890 views
Can unconscious characters be unwilling?
Some spells like enlarge/reduce and polymorph specify that only an unwilling creature makes a saving throw:
If the target is unwilling, it can make a Constitution saving throw.
and
An ...
12
votes
2answers
908 views
Do you continue making death saving throws while petrified?
Say you are playing a character, and they are downed (0 HP) and in that moment, they get turned into stone (petrified).
Does the character continue making death saving throws while petrified? Or do ...
10
votes
1answer
726 views
Can the Grease spell force multiple saves?
The description of the grease spell states:
A creature that enters the area or ends its turn there must also succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
What about a creature that enters ...
2
votes
1answer
134 views
Does the damage from the Dream spell only apply on a failed save?
The 5th-level spell Dream at first glance seemed really flavorful, but now it looks like an absolute nightmare after a second comb through.
Is the damage from the spell tied to the save? Or does it ...
27
votes
1answer
2k views
Are there any rules or guidelines about the order of saving throws?
Let's take the example from In an area covered with Caltrops and Ball Bearings, If you're falling because of Ball Bearings, do you automatically land on the Caltrops too?
In an area covered with ...
20
votes
2answers
2k views
If you're falling because of ball bearings, do you automatically land on caltrops in the same space?
If a creature had to make both saving throws for ball bearings and caltrops, and failed the ball bearings - Would they automatically fall prone & land on the caltrops, taking caltrop damage with ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the pros and cons of allowing a save each turn against the Levitate spell?
Consider the spell levitate (2nd level), which allows the caster to lift a hostile creature off the ground and hold it in place. It is easy to make the comparison to spells like hold person (2nd level)...
6
votes
1answer
232 views
What are the ramifications of a caster changing the ability of a forced saving throw?
There was an Unearthed Arcana release including a Wizard subclass called Lore Mastery. The development of this subclass was largely abandoned, although some of its features inspired a later UA ...
1
vote
0answers
48 views
Casting “Seeming” on unconscious creatures [closed]
So, in a campaign I just joined, my character is secretly going to be trying to kidnap one of the other PC's much later in the game, to use as a sacrifice for a pact of demons. She's role-playing to ...
6
votes
1answer
125 views
How do multiple ghast stench fields work?
Each ghast has a stench trait that can poison someone if they start their turn within 5 feet of the ghast and fail their saving throw. What happens if a creature starts their turn with multiple ghasts ...
1
vote
0answers
40 views
Does True Seeing automatically detect the illusions from Weird? [duplicate]
The weird spell creates illusions in the minds of those it is cast upon (unless they make their save).
The true seeing spell gives truesight, which grants the automatic detection of visual illusions ...
6
votes
1answer
288 views
Does damage vulnerability affect death saving throws?
I know that a critical hit, which deals double damage, immediately causes an unconscious creature to fail two death saving throws. Vulnerability also causes a creature to take double damage against ...
2
votes
1answer
496 views
How and when do I use my spell save DC and spell attack modifier?
I'm struggling to understand when and how I would use my spell save DC and my spell attack modifier.
Would I use my spell save DC as the DC that enemies need to beat when a spell calls for them to ...
5
votes
2answers
751 views
Can creatures with Spell Resistance voluntarily fail saving throws?
Pathfinder's magic rules say that a creature with "special resistance to magic" can voluntarily fail a saving throw against a spell.
Voluntarily Giving up a Saving Throw
A creature can ...
-5
votes
2answers
318 views
What saving throw would you use for avoiding opportunity attacks when fleeing?
As a player new to D&D to avoid an attack of opportunity from someone when sprinting away from combat, would you use a Dexterity saving throw or a Strength saving throw? I was thinking I would ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
Does the undead controlled by the Oathbreaker paladin's Control Undead ability get advantage/disadvantage on the saving throw?
I have two questions about my Oathbreaker paladin's relationship to the undead.
When I use my Control Undead Channel Divinity option, I can take control of an undead. My question is "Does the turn ...
2
votes
1answer
324 views
When does the Death Saving Throw happen with respect to sources of automatic ongoing damage? [duplicate]
If a character is knocked unconscious with 0HP with a source of automatically dealt damage, for example, into a fire, and takes damage from it each turn, does the automatic Death Saving Throw failure ...
26
votes
3answers
5k views
Does allowing death saving throws after being stable break the game?
After you roll three saves on a Death Saving Throw, you are stable and do not make other death saves. However, one of my player pointed out that if they keep rolling death saves, they might get a 20 ...
13
votes
2answers
2k views
If two Ensnaring Strikes affect the same target, does it have to make two saves to be unrestrained?
Say two Rangers shot the same target with ensnaring strike and the target failed its saves on both.
The PHB says the effects of the same spell cast multiple times don't combine such as two Clerics ...
0
votes
1answer
87 views
Why do Expert monsters get Will saves instead of Reflex?
The Starjammer SRD page about building monsters has a chart for Expert creatures. That chart claims that expert creatures should have good Will saves instead of Reflex. Why would that be? Expert style ...
4
votes
1answer
175 views
How do I make a creature with a +0 Saving Throw bonus in Genius Inc.'s DND Monster Maker?
I'm using Genius Inc.'s DND Monster Maker, and I can't seem to make the tool show a Saving Throw bonus of +0 in its generated stat block. I'm trying to make a monster that has a -2 to Wisdom but has ...
5
votes
0answers
75 views
How do you use DC when you cast a spell [duplicate]
Say I use a spell that requires target to make a DEX save or take 2d6 fire dmg. What would I compare that creatures DEX save to?
Example: I cast a spell that says, "Target creature makes a DEX ...
6
votes
1answer
253 views
Why do effects that overcome the willpower of their target use Wisdom, while resisting possession requires Charisma saves? [closed]
The PHB defines WIS as following (excerpt):
Wisdom reflects how attuned you are to the world around you and represents perceptiveness and intuition.
and CHA like this:
Charisma measures your ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there any difference between doing the Wisdom save against the Command spell when it's cast and doing it on the target's turn?
(This question is inspired by the question: When do enemies save against the Command spell?.)
I understand that the DM is thinking that the resisting part of the spell come on the target's turn, ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
When do enemies save against the Command spell?
I play a Glamour bard with the Mantle of Majesty feature (XGtE, p. 14). The feature lets me cast command on a creature as a bonus action.
My DM and I currently are arguing about when the enemy gets ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
Does a demon with the Magic Resistance trait have advantage on saving throws against the Summon Greater Demon spell?
Assume I use summon greater demon (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 166) and choose a demon with the Magic Resistance trait.
Does Magic Resistance grant the demon advantage on the Charisma saving ...
22
votes
3answers
4k views
Would it be unbalanced for Dex-based Fighters to choose proficiency in Dex saving throws instead of Str saving throws?
Whilst building a Dex-based Fighter (an Arcane Archer), I decided to pick the Resilient feat at level 4 so that I could have proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, which makes sense given that they ...
7
votes
1answer
217 views
Does Supernatural Defense assist your saving throws to maintain concentration?
Supernatural Defense, the level 7 Monster Slayer ranger feature (XGtE, p. 43), states that, if the target of your Slayer's Prey forces you to make a saving throw, you may add 1d6 to your roll.
If you ...
38
votes
4answers
4k views
Can a paralyzed creature targeted by an Evocation Wizard's Sculpt Spells feature actually succeed a Dex save?
Say a friendly barbarian is currently paralyzed. Part of the description of the paralyzed condition says:
The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
Its friend, the ...
4
votes
3answers
179 views
When do you not save from Ghost Sound?
Ghost Sound saving throw includes "(if interacted with)". I had assumed this meant "if you hear it" in which case all folks would get a save, however, it was pointed out to me then why have this in ...
6
votes
1answer
877 views
Can Bigby's Hand attempt Strength and Dexterity saving throws?
The spell description for Bigby's hand on PHB p. 218 (listed as arcane hand in the SRD) states:
The hand is an object that has AC 20 and hit points equal to your hit point maximum. If it drops to 0 ...
9
votes
2answers
835 views
What variant rules are there on “overstacking” base saves for multiclass characters?
I am planning a character with a lot of different character classes mixed in mostly to have a lot of useful, flavory low level feats and a broad selection of skills. What bothers me is that the base ...
7
votes
1answer
295 views
What saving throw is needed for the Cursed Treasure in the Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan?
Included in the Tales from the Yawning Portal, The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan adventure has some Cursed Treasure in area 29: "The Tomb of Pelota" (pg. 78)
What kind of saving throw is needed, by ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the distribution of monster save proficiencies?
I'm curious which saves are the best to target (as a player). As in, if I have a spell that forces the enemy to make a dex save and another spell that forces a con save, which am I better off using? ...
2
votes
0answers
62 views
How to charm-like effects that do not affect charm immune creatures interact with Fey Ancestry? [duplicate]
In Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (pg. 189), the Duergar Mind Master has the following Mind Mastery action:
Mind Mastery. The duergar targets one creature it can see within 60 feet. The target must ...
25
votes
6answers
7k views
Is this houserule preventing effects from dropping creatures to below 1 HP if they make their save exploitable or broken?
I'm playing with the idea of adding a new house-rule to my sandbox-style game.
The rule is as follows:
If you succeed on a saving throw against an effect, that effect cannot make you drop below 1 ...
-1
votes
1answer
298 views
If you can't see it coming, how do you get a dex save? [duplicate]
So, I was thinking simply fog cloud.. to obscure vision then fireball.
Input?
13
votes
2answers
2k views
Can a PC regularly impose disadvantage on enemies' saves? If so, how?
There are many ways to get advantage/disadvantage on attacks: the Dodge and Help actions are specifically designed for this in combat, and 10 of the 14 conditions in Appendix A have at least one ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How does Compelled Duel work with the saving throws?
The level 1 spell, Compelled Duel:
Compel a creature you can see to duel you. Unless they succeed on a Wisdom saving throw, the target is only able to attack someone other than you with ...
4
votes
3answers
843 views
Repeated poisonous effects and conditions
I was reading through the "Poisons" section of the DMG chapter 8, and had the following questions:
If for instance a character is hit by a creature repeated times with the same poison (for example a ...
-1
votes
1answer
149 views
Is it beneficial to trade a skill for better saving throws for a spell-less Ranger? [closed]
I'm working on a new character, which will be a spell-less ranger. In this case, I'm multiclassing a Rogue / Ranger, with a preference for melee (over ranged).
For the sake of this question, assume ...
9
votes
1answer
662 views
If you have dis/advantage on a roll, do you have dis/advantage on a reroll?
This might be a duplicate but I can't find it.
To be clear this has nothing to do with Halfling Luck trait. Or similar abilities that allow the reroll of a die that rolls a natural 1. (I was ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
What happens when a PC drops to 0 HP outside of combat?
All similar questions I've found are concerned with what happens if combat ends while there is an unconscious PC, but I can't find any rules regarding what happens if someone drops to 0 HP while the ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Can a Rutterkin's Bite poison a Paladin?
The Rutterkin (from Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, pg. 136) has the following attack:
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: + 4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 12 (3d6 + 2) piercing damage. If the ...
5
votes
3answers
331 views
If I can impose an effect on the enemy on a hit, can I use a Battle Master maneuver after the target has made the save against the other effect?
Can I use Battle Master maneuvers to force a second save after I have seen the target succeed on the first one?
Situation 1
My Moon Druid has 3 levels of Battle Master fighter, and he can use Trip ...
1
vote
2answers
113 views
Maximize/force confirm Reflex save
I'm looking for a way for my Rogue-like character to maximize or at best have the ability to auto-confirm at least one Reflex save per day. He's level 15 at the moment (it's a multiclass character) ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Does the Divine Soul sorcerer's Favored by the Gods bonus work with death saving throws?
The Divine Soul sorcerer (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 50) gets the Favored by the Gods feature at 1st level:
Starting at 1st level, divine power guards your destiny. If you fail a saving ...
