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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gadget" data-source="post: 7106038" data-attributes="member: 23716">In addition to CapnZapp's analysis above, the Hold* spells fell into a category, The Save or Die (or suck), that the designers were trying hard to ameliorate in 5e to reign in the Linear Fighter, Quadratic Wizard issue.  Giving the target a save every round to end the effect was viewed as an effective way to reign in the power of the spell by giving the victim a way out.  Unfortunately, this makes the spell less attractive to spell casters, who are afraid of not getting their "money's" worth out of the spell until higher levels against weak saves, IMHO.  Even assuming the spell is successfully used, it encourages everyone to immediately beat on the victim and eliminate them quickly due to the fact that they could potentially recover by making their save at any time.  I'm not sure I like that.  Maybe if, like Tasha's Hideous Laughter, the target got an extra save with advantage each time they took damage?  This would undoubtedly weaken already questionable spells (at least when first obtained), so maybe the regular save could be given disadvantage?     This would encourage use to eliminate the target from the battle field for a time (along with non combat uses), while the caster and allies could concentrate on other foes.  I'm not sure it would be an improvement, but it does appeal to my aesthetics a bit more.</blockquote>