What Determines Saving Throw Proficiency?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The foundation of any character’s resilience in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) lies in their ability to resist various effects. Saving throw proficiency is a crucial mechanic that significantly impacts this resilience. In essence, saving throw proficiency is primarily determined by a character’s class, and to a lesser extent, their race or feats. Each class grants proficiency in two specific saving throws, reflecting the areas where members of that class are naturally more adept at avoiding harm.
Understanding Saving Throws
Saving throws are d20 rolls made when a character is subjected to a harmful effect, such as a spell, trap, or poison. They represent an attempt to mitigate or avoid the full impact of the effect. There are six ability scores, and each one corresponds to a specific type of saving throw:
- Strength (STR): Resisting physical force, like being pushed or restrained.
- Dexterity (DEX): Evading effects that require agility, such as explosions or traps.
- Constitution (CON): Resisting effects that affect the body, like poison or disease.
- Intelligence (INT): Resisting effects that target the mind, like illusions or mind control.
- Wisdom (WIS): Resisting effects that target perception, like charms or fear.
- Charisma (CHA): Resisting effects that target personality or willpower, like banishment or possession.
The Primary Influence: Class
As mentioned, a character’s class is the most important factor in determining their saving throw proficiencies. When you create a character, the description of your chosen class will explicitly state which two saving throws that class grants proficiency in. These proficiencies are fixed and do not change as you level up within that class.
Here’s a breakdown of the saving throw proficiencies granted by each class:
- Barbarian: Strength and Constitution
- Bard: Dexterity and Charisma
- Cleric: Wisdom and Charisma
- Druid: Intelligence and Wisdom
- Fighter: Strength and Constitution
- Monk: Strength and Dexterity
- Paladin: Wisdom and Charisma
- Ranger: Strength and Dexterity
- Rogue: Dexterity and Intelligence
- Sorcerer: Constitution and Charisma
- Warlock: Wisdom and Charisma
- Wizard: Intelligence and Wisdom
These choices reflect the core strengths and archetypes of each class. For example, Barbarians, known for their raw power and resilience, are proficient in Strength and Constitution saving throws. Wizards, masters of arcane knowledge, are proficient in Intelligence and Wisdom saving throws.
Secondary Influences: Race and Feats
While class is the primary determinant, race and feats can sometimes grant additional saving throw proficiencies. This is less common, but it’s an important consideration when building a character.
- Race: Some races offer racial traits that grant advantage on specific saving throws in particular circumstances. For example, certain subraces of dwarves have advantage on saving throws against poison, but rarely does a race grant outright proficiency.
- Feats: Certain feats can grant proficiency in a saving throw. A prominent example is the Resilient feat, which allows you to choose one ability score and gain proficiency in saving throws using that ability. This is a powerful way to shore up a character’s weaknesses or further enhance their strengths.
It’s crucial to carefully review racial traits and feat descriptions during character creation to identify any potential saving throw proficiency bonuses.
Calculating Your Saving Throw Bonus
Once you know whether you are proficient in a saving throw, you can calculate your saving throw bonus. This bonus is added to your d20 roll when making a saving throw.
The formula for calculating a saving throw bonus is:
Saving Throw Bonus = Ability Modifier + Proficiency Bonus (if proficient)
- Ability Modifier: This is derived from your character’s ability score. For example, if your Strength score is 16, your Strength modifier is +3.
- Proficiency Bonus: This bonus increases as your character levels up, starting at +2 at 1st level and reaching +6 at 17th level.
Therefore, if a 5th-level Fighter (with a proficiency bonus of +3) has a Strength score of 18 (modifier of +4) and is proficient in Strength saving throws, their Strength saving throw bonus would be +7 (+4 from the Strength modifier + +3 from the proficiency bonus).
The Importance of Saving Throw Proficiencies
Saving throw proficiencies are vitally important for character survival and effectiveness. They determine how well a character can resist a wide range of harmful effects, from spells and traps to poisons and diseases. Characters with strong saving throw proficiencies are more likely to avoid being incapacitated, charmed, frightened, poisoned, or otherwise negatively affected.
Investing in feats or multiclassing to gain additional saving throw proficiencies can significantly enhance a character’s overall resilience. For example, a Wizard who takes the Resilient feat to gain proficiency in Constitution saving throws will be much better equipped to maintain concentration on spells when taking damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I have proficiency in more than two saving throws?
Yes, it is possible to have proficiency in more than two saving throws. This can be achieved through feats like Resilient, multiclassing into a class that grants proficiency in different saving throws than your primary class (though some rules prevent this), or through rare magical items or boons.
2. What happens if I gain the same saving throw proficiency from multiple sources?
You only apply the proficiency bonus once. You don’t get to add your proficiency bonus twice to the same saving throw. The highest proficiency bonus applies.
3. Can I change my saving throw proficiencies after character creation?
Generally, no. Saving throw proficiencies are typically fixed at character creation and do not change as you level up within your chosen class. The Resilient feat is the exception, as is multiclassing (to a degree, see FAQ #1).
4. How does multiclassing affect saving throw proficiencies?
When you multiclass, you only gain the saving throw proficiencies granted by your first class. You do not gain the saving throw proficiencies of subsequent classes. This is a significant drawback to multiclassing, so it’s important to consider carefully.
5. What is the Resilient feat, and how does it affect saving throw proficiencies?
The Resilient feat allows you to choose one ability score. You gain proficiency in saving throws using that ability score, and you increase the chosen ability score by 1. This is a valuable feat for characters who want to shore up a weakness in their saving throws.
6. Are there any magical items that grant saving throw proficiency?
Yes, while rare, there are magical items that can grant advantage on saving throws or even proficiency in specific saving throws. Always read the item description carefully.
7. What does “advantage” on a saving throw mean?
Advantage means you roll two d20s and take the higher result. It significantly increases your chances of succeeding on a saving throw.
8. What does “disadvantage” on a saving throw mean?
Disadvantage means you roll two d20s and take the lower result. It significantly decreases your chances of succeeding on a saving throw.
9. How do I know when I need to make a saving throw?
The Dungeon Master (DM) will tell you when you need to make a saving throw. This usually happens when you are targeted by a spell, trap, or other harmful effect.
10. What happens if I fail a saving throw?
The consequences of failing a saving throw depend on the effect that triggered the saving throw. You might take damage, become poisoned, be charmed, or suffer some other negative effect.
11. Do I add my armor bonus to saving throws?
No, your armor bonus only applies to your Armor Class (AC), which determines how difficult it is for enemies to hit you with attacks. It does not affect saving throws.
12. Can I use Inspiration to help with a saving throw?
Yes, you can use Inspiration to gain advantage on a saving throw.
13. How do effects that impose conditions like “stunned” or “paralyzed” interact with saving throws?
Conditions like stunned or paralyzed can automatically cause you to fail certain saving throws (typically Strength and Dexterity saving throws). Consult the description of the condition for specifics.
14. What is the difference between a saving throw and an ability check?
A saving throw is specifically used to resist harmful effects, while an ability check is used to perform a task or overcome an obstacle. Saving throws always involve a direct threat, while ability checks often involve more general situations.
15. Is it better to have high ability scores or saving throw proficiency?
Ideally, you want both. High ability scores provide a better modifier to your saving throws, and proficiency allows you to add your proficiency bonus, significantly increasing your chances of success. However, if you had to choose, proficiency is generally more valuable because it provides a consistent and reliable bonus that scales with your level. Without proficiency, even a high ability score might not be enough to consistently succeed on difficult saving throws. The Resilient feat can be invaluable in this regard.