Sacred Flame saving throw questions

[Larrin]

Why wouldn't you roll at the end of your turn? It's not a "save ends" or anything so you still have to roll at the end of each turn....[snip]...

In other words, the death saving throw is not success/failure, it's a result.

A valid point. Still, sacred flame can give you a saving throw on it. If one uses "its a result" interpretation, which could very well be correct, it becomes a really bad idea. If one has it reflect other saving throws in "no penalty for failure, if you succeed don't roll until next time" behaviour, which could very well in part or in whole be not entirely irrefutably correct, Its a reasonable thing to do.

Consult your DM before use!


edit: Just to bring to your attention, several powers refer to "failing a death save", such as Return From Deaths Door, in divine power. Just food for thought....

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Here the DM should start using his brain instead of rules lawyering. Sorry, no tolerance for this kind of argumentation:

an extra save should not be harmful... ever!

 

[Colmarr]

an extra save should not be harmful... ever!

Unless it trivialises the risk of PC death (already low in 4e).

Allowing powers to grant risk-free death saving throws (especially Sacred Flame, an at-will) is going to have that effect.

 

[nookiemonster]

Here the DM should start using his brain instead of rules lawyering. Sorry, no tolerance for this kind of argumentation:

an extra save should not be harmful... ever!

Disagree. WHY should it not be harmful? If the only reason is "It conflicts with my intuitions about how the game should work, and any argument to the contrary is stupid rules lawyering" then I don't accept that. If the cleric wants to end the dying condition on a buddy without any risk, he'll need to use an encounter or daily ability like healing word, or a consumable like a healing potion. Sacred Flame is IIRC only a crummy at-will, after all. Edit: and vulnerable to abuse by certain builds under your interpretation.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

Unless it trivialises the risk of PC death (already low in 4e).

Tell that to my group's gallery of dead characters.

 

[fba827]

Can anyone direct me to this errata?

In addition to the rules compendium cited by a previous poster, it's also in Player's Handbook 2's index. And also in the pdf of errataupdates on WotC's site.

Basically, negative effects from failing a save do not count on bonus saves. thus, you aren't increasing your chance of turning to stone or death etc.