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<blockquote data-quote="eamon" data-source="post: 4446357" data-attributes="member: 51942">Unfortunately, D&amp;D uses the word effect rather confusingly (namely, as a synonym for &quot;game mechanical cause&quot; and not for consequence).&nbsp; If you read the example provided in the Saving throw section, it's clear how they intend the word &quot;effect&quot; to be interpreted.&nbsp; &quot;Another kind of effect is like an imp's hellish poison, which includes both ongoing poison damage and a -2 penalty to will defense.&quot;That's not brilliant use of the English language, but it's consistent with how the word effect is used elsewhere in D&amp;D (and not just this edition, either).The entire quote (I hope this is still OK by the guidelines):Each round, at the end of your turn, you roll a saving throw against each effect on you.&nbsp; Sometimes an effect is a single condition or one type of ongoing damage.&nbsp; Another kind of effect is like an imp's hellish poison, which includes both ongoing poison damage and a -2 penalty to will defense.&nbsp; You don't make separate saving throws against the ongoing poison damage and the will defense penalty; you make a single saving throw each round against the hellish poison itself.
Emphasis mine.&nbsp; You save against the &quot;power&quot; causing the condition, not the condition.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="eamon, post: 4446357, member: 51942"] Unfortunately, D&D uses the word effect rather confusingly (namely, as a synonym for "game mechanical cause" and [I]not[/I] for consequence). If you read the example provided in the Saving throw section, it's clear how they intend the word "effect" to be interpreted. "Another kind of effect is like an imp's hellish poison, which includes both ongoing poison damage and a -2 penalty to will defense." That's not brilliant use of the English language, but it's consistent with how the word effect is used elsewhere in D&D (and not just this edition, either). The entire quote (I hope this is still OK by the guidelines):[INDENT]Each round, at the end of your turn, you roll a saving throw against each effect on you. Sometimes an effect is a single condition or one type of ongoing damage. Another kind of effect is like an imp's hellish poison, which includes both ongoing poison damage and a -2 penalty to will defense. You don't make separate saving throws against the ongoing poison damage and the will defense penalty; you make [B]a single saving throw each round against the hellish poison itself[/B]. [/INDENT]Emphasis mine. You save against the "power" causing the condition, not the condition. [/QUOTE]

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