Spells Granting Advantage on Saving Throws in D&D 5e

The most direct answer to the question, “What spell gives advantage on saving throws?” is that no single, dedicated spell exists solely to grant advantage on saving throws to another creature. Instead, advantage on saving throws is a secondary effect granted by several spells, dependent on the specific circumstances of the spell and the target. It’s more common for spells to grant advantage against specific saving throws in particular situations, rather than universally granting it against all saves. Understanding how these spells work requires examining the context and conditions they impose.

Understanding Advantage and Saving Throws

Before diving into the spells, it’s essential to understand what “advantage” means in D&D 5e. When you have advantage on a roll, you roll two d20s and take the higher result. This significantly increases your chance of success. Saving throws, on the other hand, are rolls made to resist a spell, effect, or other hazard. Your proficiency bonus and ability modifier can be added to saving throws.

Key Spells That Can Grant Advantage on Saving Throws

While there isn’t a single spell that universally grants advantage on all saving throws, several spells offer situational advantage. Here are some of the most notable:

• Haste: This spell grants a creature advantage on Dexterity saving throws. This is a significant benefit, especially against area-of-effect spells like fireball or traps. The target also gains increased speed, additional action, and a bonus to AC.

• Bless: While Bless doesn’t grant outright advantage, it provides a +1d4 bonus to saving throws. This isn’t as powerful as advantage, but it significantly improves the chances of success, particularly for multiple characters.

• Sanctuary: This spell imposes disadvantage on attack rolls against the warded creature. Although it does not directly grant advantage on saving throws, in some cases, an enemy may need to make a saving throw before they even attack. It’s a defensive spell that can indirectly protect a target from effects that would require a saving throw.

• Freedom of Movement: This spell allows the target to automatically succeed on saving throws against being paralyzed or restrained.

• Magic Resistance: This is not a spell a player typically casts, but some creatures have this ability. This gives them advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

How Ability Scores and Feats Improve Saving Throws

It’s also important to remember that spells aren’t the only way to improve saving throws. High ability scores and certain feats play a crucial role:

• Ability Scores: A high ability score directly translates to a higher modifier for that saving throw. Constitution, Dexterity, Wisdom, Charisma, Intelligence and Strength all play a part.

• Resilient Feat: This feat grants proficiency in a saving throw of your choice, along with a +1 bonus to that ability score. This is a powerful way to bolster a character’s weaker saving throws.

• Lucky Feat: This feat allows you to reroll an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. While not granting advantage directly, it provides a second chance at success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Saving Throws and Advantage

Here are some FAQs to further clarify how saving throws and advantage interact in D&D 5e:

1. What exactly is a saving throw?

A saving throw is a roll you make to resist a negative effect. This could be a spell, a trap, or some other hazardous situation. You roll a d20 and add your relevant ability modifier, and sometimes your proficiency bonus.

2. How is a saving throw calculated?

The formula is: d20 + Ability Modifier (+ Proficiency Bonus if proficient).

3. What are the most important saving throws to be proficient in?

Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom are generally considered the most important, as they are the most frequently targeted by spells and effects.

4. Does resistance grant advantage on saving throws?

No, resistance reduces the damage taken if a save fails (typically halving it), but it doesn’t grant advantage on the saving throw itself. Magic Resistance, however, does give advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

5. Does exhaustion give disadvantage on saving throws?

Yes, at three or more levels of exhaustion, you have disadvantage on saving throws, as well as attack rolls and ability checks.

6. Does the Guidance spell help with saving throws?

No, Guidance only affects ability checks, not saving throws or attack rolls.

7. How does surprise affect saving throws?

The surprised condition doesn’t directly give disadvantage on saves.

8. What is the spell save DC?

The spell save DC (Difficulty Class) is the number your target needs to meet or exceed on their saving throw to resist your spell. It is calculated as: 8 + Your Spellcasting Ability Modifier + Your Proficiency Bonus.

9. What saving throw is usually associated with fear effects?

Wisdom saving throws are most commonly used to resist fear effects.

10. What happens on a critical failure on a saving throw?

While not explicitly defined in the core rules, many DMs rule that a roll of 1 on a saving throw is an automatic failure, even if the total would have met or exceeded the DC. Additionally, there are often additional consequences determined by the Dungeon Master.

11. Does the Hex spell affect saving throws?

No, Hex only affects ability checks.

12. How can I improve my saving throws outside of spells?

Focus on increasing your ability scores, choosing the Resilient feat, and acquiring magic items that grant bonuses to saving throws (like the Cloak of Protection).

13. Are monster saving throws calculated differently from player character saving throws?

Monster saving throws are calculated similarly, using their relevant ability modifier and proficiency bonus (determined by their Challenge Rating).

14. Does Uncanny Dodge apply to saving throws?

No, Uncanny Dodge only works against attack rolls that hit you, not effects that require a saving throw.

15. What are some spells that target Charisma saving throws?

Some spells that require Charisma saving throws include Banishment, Calm Emotions, Dispel Evil and Good, and Planar Binding.

Conclusion

While no single spell grants universal advantage on saving throws, understanding the spells that offer situational advantage and investing in feats and ability scores is crucial for building a resilient character. Knowing the rules and strategies helps you and your group to play better. To improve your gaming experience, visit Games Learning Society, a community dedicated to the study and advancement of games and learning. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for resources and insightful information on gaming and education. Always remember that success in D&D often hinges on strategic planning and a thorough understanding of the rules.