Forum > Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion
Saving Throws in fantasy rpg
Vic99:
If there is always a roll to hit for weapons, dragon breath, spells, etc., do you think a saving throw is necessary? I'm wrestling with this idea in my homebrew system. I'm trying for a more simplified system. I feel like I'm missing something here because my gut says to hit rolls cover it. Thanks.
Chris24601:
--- Quote from: Vic99 on September 20, 2021, 05:42:24 PM ---If there is always a roll to hit for weapons, dragon breath, spells, etc., do you think a saving throw is necessary? I'm wrestling with this idea in my homebrew system. I'm trying for a more simplified system. I feel like I'm missing something here because my gut says to hit rolls cover it. Thanks.
--- End quote ---
Based on 4E, hit rolls should cover it. Just consider adding some additional defenses beyond AC to cover things that armor realistically wouldn't affect.
4E also has pretty good categories with Reflex for things you need to avoid but which armor is unlikely to help with (ex. lightning bolts), Fortitude for things you can't even avoid and must just physically endure (ex. poison gas, an AoE sonic effect) and Will for things that target your mind (ex. enchantments).
hedgehobbit:
--- Quote from: Vic99 on September 20, 2021, 05:42:24 PM ---If there is always a roll to hit for weapons, dragon breath, spells, etc., do you think a saving throw is necessary? I'm wrestling with this idea in my homebrew system. I'm trying for a more simplified system. I feel like I'm missing something here because my gut says to hit rolls cover it. Thanks.
--- End quote ---
Saving throws were originally for things which either didn't have an attack roll (medusa's gaze or dragon's breath) or things where an attack did damage with the possibility of extra effect (spider's poison or ghoul's paralysis). If you are making a home brew, there's no need to have saving throws if there is already some method for character to avoid the specific damage effect. If you are clever with your math, you could even create a system where, for example, a PC wizard make a Spell Roll to affect monsters (who don't, then, get a save) whereas attacks against a PC grant the PC a save against that attack. So, players would roll in both situations.
In the end, though, it wouldn't be simpler as your just moving a roll from one part of the game to another.
Mishihari:
Saving throws different than the attack/defense system aren't necessary. There are a lot of ways to handle it. In my game, every attack, whether physical, magical, and whatever else works on the same opposed roll system
David Johansen:
In D&D 5e you either roll to hit or they get a saving throw. Area effect stuff is more likely to use the savingthrow.
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