D&D 5E Str, Int and Cha Saves

[Falling Icicle]

One of the things I liked about 5e (in theory) was using the six abilities for saving throws. I think it was a good idea. Unfortunately, the implementation of this has been less than stellar, to put it kindly. I haven't even been able to find a use for Str, Int and Cha saves. Yet, there are several spells in the basic game that could have used them.

Major Image/Minor Illusion/Silent Image: An Intelligence (Investigation) check allows you to see through the illusion. Why not an Intelligence saving throw?
Maze: An Intelligence check is required to end the spell. Why not an Intelligence saving throw?
Earthquake/Web: These spells allow a Strength check to break free. Why not a strength saving throw?

They had several opportunities to have Str, Int and Cha saves, but deliberately chose not to use them. Why? They could have let Strength saves break free from restraints and paralysis effects like hold person. They could have had Int be the default save against illusions. Cha could have been used against charms. Etc. They still wouldn't have been as useful as the big three saves, but at least they would have seen some use!

 

[Remathilis]

Reading through the Phandelver module, I noticed a need for a Strength saving throw.

[sblock]When a mineshaft tunnel suddenly floods, you need to make a Str check to avoid being dragged with the current [/sblock]

But otherwise, I'm not seeing much Str/Int/Cha saves so far...

 

[Xantherion]

I have seen stats for an air elemental attack that required a strength saving throw.

I believe we will see lots more of these types of saves when the monster manual comes out.

 

[TreChriron]

One of the things I liked about 5e (in theory) was using the six abilities for saving throws. ...

Awesome ideas for some house rules!

Maybe we can submit ideas in this thread for uses for the "lesser three" saves?

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Shouldn't a str save be used to resist something like improved grab? Or being knocked over by the wind? Granted we haven't seen any examples of those yet, but they should.

 

[Falling Icicle]

Shouldn't a str save be used to resist something like improved grab? Or being knocked over by the wind? Granted we haven't seen any examples of those yet, but they should.

Yes. I think Strength saving throws should have been used to resist being restrained, knockdown and forced movement effects, like thunderwave or gust of wind.

 

[CM]

One thing is the Investigation checks for illusions, Strength checks for Earthquake, and Int checks for Maze all require your action. Saving throws seem to be reserved for the initial effect on the caster's turn, and skill/ability checks are used on your turn if there is some residual effect to remove. It was the same way for the fear-type spells in the playtest. In order to remove the frightened condition you needed to make a Wisdom check using your action.

I can kind of see the reasoning for wanting to keep them separate, but it is a little frustrating.

 

[billd91]

Major Image/Minor Illusion/Silent Image: An Intelligence (Investigation) check allows you to see through the illusion. Why not an Intelligence saving throw?

In this case, I think this probably works to the advantage of more PCs than an intelligence saving throw would since more characters are likely to have proficiency in investigation as a skill than belong to a class that gives proficiency in intelligence saves.

 

[beej]

I've been thinking of using Int saves for resisting madness caused by Lovecraftian horrors. It feels so unsatisfying, though, because the bookish wizards will tend to be the ones currently subjected to isolated instances of this. And they are the ones most likely to successfully save.

 

[Stormonu]

This was something I posted some time back; still think it would work

I'd go for


Str - spells that seek to physically restrain the target (breaking/escaping a resilient sphere, evard's black tentacles, web, perhaps certain wall spells)
Dex - spells that can be avoided via quick reaction (AoE such as fireball and lightning bolt)
Con - spells that attack the body (Disintegrate, Cause Disease, Polymorph)
Wis - spells overcome by keeping a cool head or "grip on reality" - fear, insanity (this would make clerics good vs. fear, falling back on their faith in a deity)
Int - illusions
Cha - charms and domination


Read more: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showth...Int-Str-Cha-saving-throws/page3#ixzz36qOTbQCs