Need clarification on failing saving throws

[ForceUser]

For the duration of our time playing 3E, my game group has always assumed that rolling a "1" on any save is an automatic failure. Looking in the PHB in the Saving Throws section of the Combat rules on pg. 119, however, I discovered something startling: nowhere in the section does the text state or even imply that a roll of "1" is an automatic failure!

Am I to assume, then, that if you have a +12 modifier to your Fort save you cannot fail any check with a DC of 13 or lower?

Later, in Chapter 10: Magic, there is another saving throw section wherein the text states:

If a character rolls a natural 1 on his saving throw, however, an exposed item is harmed (if the attack can harm objects).

Following the above train of thought, does this mean that if a character rolls a natural 1 and makes his save that an item is potentially damaged regardless?

Am I missing something, or have we been doing it wrong this whole time?

 

[rhammer2]

Saving throws, attack rolls, and spell resistance checks all follow the 1 = fail, 20 = succeed rule. These are all areas that combat luck can make a difference.

Skill rolls and ability checks can fail on a 20 and succeed on a 1.

For the duration of our time playing 3E, my game group has always assumed that rolling a "1" on any save is an automatic failure. Looking in the PHB in the Saving Throws section of the Combat rules on pg. 119, however, I discovered something startling: nowhere in the section does the text state or even imply that a roll of "1" is an automatic failure!

 

[Hypersmurf]

You are correct in that nowhere in the Core Rules does it state that the autosuccess/failure rule applies to saving throws.

However, in the Main FAQ, it says it does.

So it's up to your DM, basically.

-Hyp.

 

[Dire Wolf]

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