Mastering Your Defenses: How Many Saving Throw Proficiencies Can You Get in D&D 5e?
In the thrilling world of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, survival often hinges on your ability to resist a variety of dangers, both magical and mundane. A crucial element in your character’s defensive arsenal is their saving throw proficiencies. So, how many of these vital proficiencies can you actually acquire?
The straightforward answer is that most characters typically start with two saving throw proficiencies granted by their class. However, through careful choices, particularly the Resilient feat, it is possible to gain a third. It’s also important to understand that you can only take any given feat once, unless it explicitly allows you to take it more than once. This makes maximizing your saving throw proficiencies a strategic decision that requires planning and awareness of the game’s rules. Let’s delve deeper into how this works.
Understanding Saving Throw Proficiencies
What are Saving Throws?
Saving throws are a fundamental mechanic in D&D 5e. They represent your character’s attempt to resist a harmful effect. These effects can range from a dragon’s fiery breath to a mind-controlling spell. When faced with such a threat, you roll a d20 and add the relevant ability score modifier. If you are proficient in the saving throw associated with that ability score, you also add your proficiency bonus.
Why are Saving Throw Proficiencies Important?
Proficiency in a saving throw significantly increases your chances of success. Your proficiency bonus scales with your character level, providing a growing advantage against challenging threats. The most common saving throws are Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution, making them valuable proficiencies to acquire.
The Basic Starting Point: Class Proficiencies
Each class in D&D 5e grants proficiency in two saving throws. These proficiencies are listed in the class description under the “Proficiencies” section. For example, Rogues are proficient in Dexterity and Intelligence saving throws. These starting proficiencies form the foundation of your character’s defensive capabilities.
Expanding Your Defenses: The Resilient Feat
What is the Resilient Feat?
The Resilient feat is a powerful tool for bolstering your saving throw defenses. This feat allows you to choose one ability score in which you are not already proficient in saving throws. You then gain proficiency in saving throws using that ability score. This is the primary method for acquiring that coveted third saving throw proficiency.
How the Resilient Feat Works
When you select the Resilient feat, you choose an ability score, gaining proficiency in its associated saving throws. For example, choosing Resilient (Wisdom) grants you proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. The feat also increases the chosen ability score by 1, further enhancing your saving throw modifier.
Strategic Choices for the Resilient Feat
Choosing which saving throw to gain proficiency in is a crucial decision. Constitution is often considered a strong choice, as it protects against effects like poison and helps maintain concentration on spells. However, Wisdom saving throws are also very important due to their prevalence in resisting mental manipulation and fear effects.
Considerations and Limitations
While the Resilient feat is a valuable tool, it’s essential to remember that you can only take any given feat once unless explicitly stated otherwise. This means you can only use the Resilient feat to gain proficiency in one additional saving throw. Furthermore, careful character planning is needed to make sure that you don’t accidentally select a feat that is considered useless for your character’s build.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Saving Throw Proficiencies
1. What are saving throw proficiencies?
Saving throw proficiencies allow a character to add their proficiency bonus to saving throws made using a particular ability score, increasing their chances of success.
2. Can you be proficient in saving throws?
Yes! Proficiency in a saving throw allows a character to add their proficiency bonus to saving throws made using a particular ability score.
3. How do you become proficient in Constitution saving throws?
Typically, you gain proficiency in Constitution saving throws either through your class or by taking the Resilient feat and choosing Constitution. There is also the possibility of borrowing a transmuter’s stone from a friendly wizard.
4. What saving throws are Rogues proficient in?
Rogues are proficient in Dexterity and Intelligence saving throws.
5. What are the best saving throw proficiencies in 5e?
The most crucial saving throw proficiencies are generally considered to be Wisdom, Constitution, and Dexterity. These protect against a wide range of common and debilitating effects.
6. Can you be double proficient in saving throws?
In general, you cannot multiply your proficiency bonus for saving throws. However, certain features or effects might allow you to do so in specific circumstances.
7. What is the most common saving throw proficiency?
Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution saves are far more common than Strength, Intelligence, and Charisma saves.
8. What is my proficiency bonus?
The value of your proficiency bonus is tied to your character level. At level 1, it is +2, increasing to +3 at level 5, and eventually reaching +6 at level 17.
9. Do saving throws count as attacks?
No, saving throws are distinct from attack rolls and ability checks.
10. How many proficiencies do you start with?
You will get 2 skill proficiencies. Rogues get 4 skill proficiencies, and free proficiency upgrade on 2 skills (or 1 skill and Thieves’ Tools).
11. Can you fail a saving throw in 5e?
Yes, you can fail a saving throw unless the ability or spell explicitly states that you can choose to fail.
12. Can you gain proficiency in saving throws in 5e?
Yes, through class features or the Resilient feat.
13. How do saving throws work in D&D?
A saving throw involves rolling a d20, adding the relevant ability score modifier, and adding your proficiency bonus if you are proficient in that saving throw. You must meet or exceed the Difficulty Class (DC) set by the effect to succeed.
14. What is the advantage on saving throws in 5e?
Having advantage on a saving throw allows you to roll twice and take the higher result, significantly increasing your chances of success.
15. Is Wisdom or Dexterity saving throw better?
While both are important, Wisdom saving throws are generally considered more crucial as they protect against many debilitating effects. The next important save is Dexterity. Most AOE damage effects are dexterity saves, and with Evasion or Shield Master you can even totally negate the damage.
Beyond the Rules: The Art of Defense
Maximizing your saving throw proficiencies is not just about following the rules; it’s about understanding the threats your character is likely to face and tailoring your defenses accordingly. Consider the types of enemies your party encounters, the spells commonly used against you, and your character’s role in the party. This will help you make informed decisions about which saving throw proficiencies to prioritize.
In Conclusion
While characters typically start with two saving throw proficiencies, the Resilient feat provides a valuable opportunity to gain a third. By carefully considering your character’s needs and the challenges they face, you can create a resilient and well-defended hero ready to tackle any adventure D&D throws their way. Remember that a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics, such as saving throws, is critical for success.
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