D&D 5E So why's the spell's saving throw and target in the text block?

[Jester David]

I guess that it really comes down to how each specific brain is 'wired'. For me, separating the information makes it muck quicker to access it.

I think it's easier to reference one in play when quickly looking for the save, and easier to read the other when just looking at spells.
For the former use, spell cards and spell cheats sheets are likely more usable.

 

[Nikosandros]

I think it's easier to reference one in play when quickly looking for the save, and easier to read the other when just looking at spells.
For the former use, spell cards and spell cheats sheets are likely more usable.

Fair point.

 

[MechaPilot]

I feel the perfect way to handle the presentation of spells is to have a 4e-style statblock with all of the relevant information either at the beginning or end of the spell entry while keeping the 2e- and 3e-style spell description.

In my opinion, this is the best of both worlds because it retains the flavorful text while also creating a quick-reference tool to expedite looking things up during play.

 

[Blackbrrd]

I think it's easier to reference one in play when quickly looking for the save, and easier to read the other when just looking at spells.
For the former use, spell cards and spell cheats sheets are likely more usable.

Even the 4e power cards are too verbose in my opinion. I don't want a eight page character sheet. Instead I made a one page cheat sheet. I don't need all the information, just enough for me to remember what the power does. I did the same with the 3e spells and am going to do the same with the 5e spells.

My example character "cheat" sheet. 1 page vs 8 for the "official".
View attachment Thiefling Wizard from Thay level 11.pdf

 

[Obryn]

If it's possible to make a workable minimalist cheat sheet, why not make those the basic spell blocks, putting all the extra stuff in the text?

I don't get why it's helpful to take vital information from the text box for a cheat sheet, but it's somehow not okay to put all the stuff you'd put into such a cheat sheet in one place in the spell description.