Saving throws

For a comprehensive summary of the mechanics behind all rolls and modifiers, see Dice rolls.

A Saving Throw, also called a save (and depending on the ability it's tied to, Strength Save, Dexterity Save, etc.), is a die roll the game makes for a creature to decide whether it can avoid or reduce the harmful effects of various threats, such as a spell, poison, trap, and so on. The creature's Ability Score Modifier and Proficiency Bonus (if proficient in that type of saving throw) are added to the roll.

Result =  d20 + Ability Score Modifier + Proficiency Bonus (if proficient)

Each Saving Throw is tied to an Ability Score that determines its type. Accordingly, it can be referred to as a Strength Save, Dexterity Save, Constitution Save, and so on. For a save to succeed, it must reach or exceed a value known as the Difficulty Class (DC).

Modifiers

Saving Throws are affected by the Ability Score Modifier of the ability they're tied to. In addition to that, a creature can be proficient in a type of Saving Throw, allowing it to add its Proficiency Bonus to the roll.

Saving Throws can also be affected by Advantage or Disadvantage. For example, Elves have Advantage on Saving Throws against being Charmed. As another example, the Bleeding condition incurs Disadvantage on Constitution Saves.

Some spells can also affect a saving throw, such as Bane, Bless, and Resistance.

Ability Score Modifier

Main page: Ability Score Modifier

Following is the Ability Score Modifier table based on the value of the Ability Score being used for the save:

Ability score modifier chart

Ability score	Modifier value		Ability score	Modifier value
1	-5		16-17	+3
2-3	-4		18-19	+4
4-5	-3		20-21	+5
6-7	-2		22-23	+6
8-9	-1		24-25	+7
10-11	+0		26-27	+8
12-13	+1		28-29	+9
14-15	+2		30	+10

Proficiency Bonus

Main page: Proficiency Bonus (See also: Proficiency)

As explained above, a creature needs Proficiency in the corresponding type of Saving Throw for its Proficiency Bonus to apply. Each Class provides a creature Proficiency in two types of Saving Throw:

Saving Throw Proficiencies by Class

Barbarian	Bard	Cleric
Strength  Constitution	Dexterity  Charisma	Wisdom  Charisma
Druid	Fighter	Monk
Intelligence  Wisdom	Strength  Constitution	Strength  Dexterity
Paladin	Ranger	Rogue
Wisdom  Charisma	Strength  Dexterity	Dexterity  Intelligence
Sorcerer	Warlock	Wizard
Constitution  Charisma	Wisdom  Charisma	Intelligence  Wisdom

Following is the table of Proficiency Bonus values, by Level of the creature making the save:

Proficiency Bonus Chart

Level	Proficiency Bonus
1 to 4	+ 2
5 to 8	+ 3
9 to 12	+ 4

The Difficulty Class of Saving Throws

If a creature uses a Weapon Action that forces another to make a save, the DC is determined according to the properties of the Weapon Action and the attacker, using the following formula:

DC = 10 + Strength or Dexterity + Inherent Weapon Action Bonus DC

If a creature casts a Spell that forces another to make a save, the DC is determined according to the properties of the spell caster, using the following formula:

DC = 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Spellcasting Ability Modifier

The Ability Score used to determine the Modifier depends on the class of the caster, and is the same as the one used for the Attack Roll:

Classes sorted by which Ability Score they use for Spellcasting

Intelligence	Wisdom	Charisma
Wizard  Arcane Trickster  Eldritch Knight	Cleric  Druid  Ranger	Bard  Paladin  Sorcerer  Warlock  Barbarian (Scrolls only)

In Baldur's Gate 3, the same ability modifiers apply when casting a spell from a Scroll, even when the spell being cast is not normally available to your class. For instance, a Cleric casting  Shatter (a spell not normally available to Clerics) from a scroll adds its Wisdom modifier to the Saving Throw DC.

The Proficiency needed to gain the Proficiency Bonus is spellcasting. All creatures capable of casting spells through their Class, Subclass, or Feats have this proficiency. If a creature that can't normally cast spells uses a scroll or other item to cast one, it will also receive its Proficiency Bonus on the Attack Roll or Saving Throw DC of that spell.

In the case of threats that don't originate from a spell caster, such as a trap or a poisonous apple, the game sets the DC based on how serious the threat is supposed to be. For example, a rather ineffective trap could have a DC of just 5, whereas a very powerful one could have a DC of 15. A slightly spoiled tart could impose a Constitution Save of DC 5, whereas a potent venom from a snake could impose a DC 15 Constitution Save on the hapless victim.

Effects of a Successful Saving Throw

Making a successful Saving Throw could mean avoiding negative effects entirely, or it could merely mean reducing the damage taken, usually by half. Depending on the threat, there could also be other rules that determine what happens on a failed or successful save.