Editing Saving throws

{{PageSeo
| title = Saving throws
| description = Saving throws are automatic dice rolls representing a creature’s attempt to “save” themselves from certain harmful effects, such as spells, actions or surfaces.}}
'''Saving throws''' are automatic dice rolls representing a creature’s attempt to “'''save'''” themselves from harm. They are provoked by [[spells]], the hostile actions (other than [[attack]]s) of other creatures, or hazards like [[traps]] and [[surface]]s.{note|[[List of features and items that affect saving throws]]}} Saves are always associated with a specific [[Ability score|ability]] and are always rolled against a target [[Difficulty Class]] (DC), both determined by the triggering effect. When successful, they reduce or prevent harmful effects.

== Overview ==
All harmful effects that provoke a saving throw have an associated target number – a Difficulty Class (DC) – and an ability associated with its allowed save – referred to using terms like ''Strength saving throw'' or ''Dexterity save''.

When attempting a saving throw, a creature rolls a d20 and adds the save's associated ability score modifier to the result. If they are [[Proficiency|proficient]] in saves using that ability, they add their proficiency bonus as well.

<center>Formula = {{InfoBlob|{{D20}} + [[Ability score modifier]] + [[Proficiency bonus]] (if proficient)}}</center>

The result is then compared against the effect's DC, and is considered a success if it equals or exceeds that number.

While the outcome of an attempted saving throw is always binary – it is either a success or a failure – the exact outcome of a successful save depends on the effect in question. Often, the damage or conditions inflicted by the associated effect will be reduced in severity, or sometimes ignored entirely.

=== Death saving throws ===
{{hatnote|Main article: [[Death Saving Throw]]}}
Death saving throws are a special type of saving throw made by playable characters and companions after they have been {{cond|Downed}}. Three successful saves will let a creature stabilise, no longer needing to make saves, and three failures will lead to the creature becoming {{cond|Dead}}.

== Difficulty Class ==
{{hatnote|Main article: [[Difficulty Class]]}}
An effect's Difficulty Class depends on where it originates from, and is typically intended to be reflective of how difficult the effect is to resist.

=== Spells ===
{{hatnote|See also: [[Spells#Spellcasters|Spellcasting]]}}
Spell save DCs are calculated via the following formula:

<center>DC = {{InfoBlob|8 + [[Proficiency|proficiency bonus]] + spellcasting ability modifier}}</center>

The same class ability modifiers apply when casting a spell from a [[Scrolls|scroll]], even when the spell being cast is not normally available to the caster's class. For instance, a [[Cleric|cleric]] casting {{SAI|Shatter}} from a scroll (a spell not normally available to clerics) adds its Wisdom modifier to the saving throw DC.

=== Weapon actions ===
When a creature uses a [[Weapon actions|weapon action]] that forces another to make a save, the DC is determined using the following formula:

<center>DC = {{InfoBlob|10 + [[Strength|Strength]] or [[Dexterity|Dexterity]] + [[Weapon actions#Melee Weapons|Inherent Weapon Action Bonus DC]]}}</center>

=== Other effects ===
In the case of threats that don't originate from a spell caster, such as a trap or a poisonous apple, the game sets the DC based on how serious the threat is intended to be. For example, a rather ineffective trap could have a DC of just 5, whereas an effective trap could have a DC of 15. A slightly spoiled tart could impose a Constitution save of DC 5, whereas a potent venom from a snake could impose a DC 15 Constitution save on the victim.

== Footnotes ==
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[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]
[[Category:Saving throws]]