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Message: <blockquote data-quote="redrick" data-source="post: 6733779" data-attributes="member: 6777696">First of all, do not overthink it. Every table is going to be different in terms of what is and isn't the "most useful" ability. Most campaigns will use only a small subset of monsters in the MM. DMs will also often bring monsters in from outside sources or make up their own. Different DM's will also often call for saves in all sorts of different situations outside of traditional combat. For instance, Dex saves are very common when triggering traps — a successful Dex save can keep a PC from falling into a pit, for instance. I've called for Charisma saves in role-play when a character says something potentially stupid to an NPC. Intelligence saves are often used to detect various illusions, which can have potentially deadly effects if used effectively.The idea of the 3 major saves and the 3 minor saves seems to hold true in my campaign. Dex, Con and Wis come up all the time. Str is pretty common as well, though generally for melee combatants. Int and Cha come up less often, but the effects can be fairly devastating when they do. (For instance, Banish moves you into another plane of existence with one failed save. Once you're there, there is nothing you can do to return to the material plane until the caster stops concentrating on the spell. Compare to Hold Person, where you can continue making attempting saves every turn the spell is in effect.)Personally, when choosing my abilities, I try to think of, "which skills would my character be ok at?" Obviously, proficiency will pick up the main skills of a character, but your abilities will also give you bonuses in various skill checks. Do you want your character to be a little better at climbing, running and jumping, while not proficient? That's Athletics, and it generally uses the Strength ability. Do you want your character to be well-informed and capable of figuring out complicated items, research, etc? Those are all Intelligence based skills.</blockquote>

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