Saving Throw Methods

[codeman123]

I was just curious what type of saving throw method you guys use, your opinions on the various types, and why you use that type.

[Falconer]

Traditional BTB. As the default rule, I have never had any complaint about it or reason to change. It deals with the various situations specifically and adequately.

[coffee]

I had to go with BTB, too. It's just what I'm used to.

[Arminath]

I originally voted Fort, Ref and Will, but it's not quite the 3.5 edition way - I use them in the traditional way (each class has target saves for each category). I makes it easier to get new players with experience in the more modern systems find a comfort zone quicker.

[aldarron]

Reflex Fortitude and Will are saving throw categories? Huh. I always wondered what those abbreviations were and what they were for.

[EdOWar]

I voted for the S&W one save system, though I would probably use the save system for whatever version of the game I was running. If running S&W, then one save. Running B/X, then use the traditional system.

Though, a version of Ref/Fort/Will could be interesting, too, maybe combined with S&W's simplified one save.

[codeman123]

Yeah im considering using a 3 save method.. but maybe retitle them to be something like Magic, Poison, Breath weapon or something..

[Falconer]

Huh. In my games, the players don’t even know what the types of saving throws are, let alone “target numbers” they are trying to roll. I just tell them, “Roll a d20; roll high!” They roll and report their score; I glance at the chart and narrate what happens. In AD&D, saving throws are DM-only information (found in the DMG, not the PH); I treat it the same way in OD&D. Helps keep the game immersive and character generation quick.

[thegreyelf]

I'm using my method from Age of Conan, which is similar to traditional BtB, but on 2d6 instead of 1d20, with appropriately tweaked bonuses/target numbers.

It can be found for standard (non-Conan) OD&D in my Forbidden Lore PDF.

[codeman123]

Yeah i have seen your method greyelf and really a big fan. I have used something similar but modified a little.

[Deleted]

I go BTB on this, if its not broken and IMO its not, then why fix it.

[irdaranger]

I use the S&W "one save" system. I always found the traditional categories to be rather arbitrary and unhelpful for adjudicating novel situations.

I liked the Ref/Will/Fort save categories and stat-based systems too (like Castles & Crusades) and would not object to running a game that used them.

[thegreyelf]

Mar 21, 2010 18:41:28 GMT -6 @theperilousdreamer said:

I go BTB on this, if its not broken and IMO its not, then why fix it.

For me, once I had successfully worked out using Chainmail for combat, I figured I may as well adapt the saving throw system from there, too. Removed all but d6's from the landscape.

[Lord Kilgore]

Voted BTB because that's how we play. But I must admit that I sorta like the 1-save method.

[irdaranger]

Mar 22, 2010 7:51:43 GMT -6 Lord Kilgore said:

But I must admit that I sorta like the 1-save method.

It's nice.

The single best thing about it (IMO, of course) is that the save categories are both "just one" and "infinite" at the same time. Any time a Save is called for the players can try to figure out if they deserve a bonus to the roll, for really creative reasons. Fireball is a spell, for instance, but can they be dodge with a high DEX? Sure, why not? Just add your Dex mod to the roll (if you have one). That won't work for Sleep though. Etc.

A more novel situation might be a Dire Boa-Constrictor that forces a Save vs. Death if it squeezes you for more than 1 round. No race or class has a saving throw bonus vs. squeezed-by-giant-snakes, but what if your friends poured hot grease on you? That seems like a good reason for a bonus to escaping the hold, given the nature of the attack, don't you think?

Naturally you can do this in OD&D with the original categories, but it seems like more mental work to me. The one-save system encourages more creative thinking, IME.

[jblittlefield]

I use the One Number to rule them all method in Swords & Wizardry; however, I allow the most relevant ability to modify the roll.

[waysoftheearth]

I've been using the one save method ever since I first download S&W, but I have all saves modified by wisdom.

fewer tables of figures to depend on and fewer PC stats to write down is a big plus for smooth play.

[bluskreem]

I go BTB myslef. I really like having as much variation as possible. I envision saves as being the result of skills rather then being an extension of attributes.

In my BX based Ice Age game I'm play testing right now (Masters of Flints and Flames) I put a lot of thought into saves. The traditional saves simply wouldn't work in a low magic setting, but I prefer more flavor in my saves than modern systems. I eventually settled on Environment, Posion , Startle , and Moral (NPC only.) I've made it clear since the playtest started that I might change th system but this late in the game i doubt it will happen.