Saving throws: Difference between revisions

A '''saving throw''', also called a '''save''' (and depending on the [[Ability score|ability]] it's tied to, '''Strength save''', '''Dexterity save''', etc.), is a die roll the game makes for a creature to decide whether it can avoid or reduce the harmful effects of various threats, such as a spell, poison, trap, and so on.  The creature's ability score modifier and proficiency bonus (if proficient in the relevant ability) are added to the roll.

Each saving throw is tied to an [[ability score]] that determines its type.  Accordingly, it can be referred to as a Strength save, Dexterity save, Constitution save, and so on.  For a save to succeed, it must reach or exceed a value known as the [[#The Difficulty Class of Saving Throws|Difficulty Class]] (DC).

Saving throws are affected by the [[ability score modifier]] of the ability that they are tied to. In addition to that, a creature can be [[Proficiency|proficient]] in a type of saving throw, allowing it to add its proficiency bonus to the roll.

Saving Throws can also be affected by {{Advantage}} or {{Disadvantage}}.  For example, [[Elf|Elves]] have Advantage on saving throws against being {{cond|Charmed}}. As another example, the {{cond|Bleeding}} condition incurs Disadvantage on Constitution saves.

Some [[spells]] can also affect a saving throw, such as [[Bane_(Spell)|Bane]], [[Bless]], and [[Resistance_(Cantrip)|Resistance]].

=== Ability score modifier ===

=== Proficiency bonus ===

As explained above, a creature needs [[proficiency]] in the corresponding type of saving throw for its [[proficiency bonus]] to apply. Each [[class]] provides a creature proficiency in two types of saving throw:

{{ClassSavingThrowsTable}}

If a creature uses a [[Weapon actions|Weapon action]] that forces another to make a save, the Difficulty Class (DC) is determined according to the properties of the '''Weapon action''' and the '''attacker''', using the following formula:

The [[ability score]] used to determine the Modifier depends on the class of the caster, and is the same as the one used for the [[attack roll]]:

{{ClassSpellcastingAbilityTable}}

In Baldur's Gate 3, the same ability modifiers apply when casting a spell from a [[Scrolls|scroll]], even when the spell being cast is not normally available to your class. For instance, a [[Cleric]] casting {{SAI|Shatter}} (a spell not normally available to Clerics) from a scroll adds its [[Wisdom]] modifier to the saving throw DC.

The proficiency needed to gain the proficiency bonus is spellcasting. All creatures capable of casting spells through their class, subclass, or feats have this proficiency. If a creature that can't normally cast spells uses a scroll or other item to cast one, it will also receive its proficiency bonus on the attack roll or saving throw DC of that spell.

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 supposed to be. For example, a rather ineffective trap could have a DC of just 5, whereas a very powerful one 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 hapless victim.

Making a successful saving throw could mean avoiding negative effects entirely, or it could merely mean reducing the damage taken, usually by half. Depending on the threat, there could also be other rules that determine what happens on a failed or successful save.