3 Save System
One of the awkward things about 5e is Saving throws. I cannot count the number of times I've see people ask "What does an Intelligence/Charisma saving throw look like?" or something along those lines. Previous Editions of DnD had a more clearly defined system, you had Fortitude, Will, and Reflex. These words are very descriptive of what they actually are doing. There are a number of downsides of these systems, and this looks to update and improve on all previous editions.
What Saves exist?
In this system, we return to Reflex, Will, and Fortitude saves. They are calculated a bit differently, as this is designed as a module to plug into a 5e game.
General Rules for determining your Save bonus
- You never add Your proficiency Bonus more than once to a given saving throw bonus. If you would add Your Proficiency bonus and half your proficiency bonus (once or twice) instead add only your full proficiency bonus. If you would add half your proficiency bonus twice, add your full proficiency bonus.
- If you ever add half of a value, round down. (this is a general rule of 5e, but it should be reiterated here)
- Dexterity Adds your full modifier to Reflex saves. If you are proficient in Dexterity saving throws, you also add your full Proficiency bonus to this save
- Constitution adds your full modifier to Fortitude saves. If youIf you are proficient in Constitution saving throws, you also add your full Proficiency bonus to this save
- Wisdom adds your full modifier to Will saves. If you are proficient in Wisdom saving throws, you also add your full Proficiency bonus to this save
- Strength Adds half modifier to Will and Fortitude saves. If you are proficient in Strength saving throws, you also add half your Proficiency bonus to these save
- Intelligence Adds half modifier to Reflex and Will saves. If you are proficient in Intelligence saving throws, you also add half your Proficiency bonus to these saves.
- Charisma adds half modifier to Fortitude and Reflex saves. If you are proficient in Charisma saving throws, you also add half your Proficiency bonus to these saves.
General rules for determining which save is targetted
- If an effect calls for a Dexterity Saving throw, it instead targets Reflex.
- If an effect calls for a Strength or Constitution saving throw, it instead targets Fortitude.
- If an effect calls for an Intelligence, Charisma, or Wisdom saving throw, it instead targets Will.
An example Character
Billy bob,
Secondary impacts
There are a few things using these changes will cause, and because these rules are so general there are bound to be outliers that will not fit well. Of those that I can immediately say are Saving throw bonuses will be higher in general. This is particularly true for lower level characters.