What is the most common saving throw in 5e?

What is the Most Common Saving Throw in 5e?

Saving throws are an essential part of the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), a tabletop role-playing game. In this article, we’ll delve into the most common saving throws and provide insights into the importance of saving throws in the game.

Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution: The Top Saving Throws

According to various sources, including experienced players and DMs, Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution saving throws are significantly more common than the other three: Intelligence, Charisma, and Strength. In fact, Constitution saving throws are the most used among all.

Here’s a rough breakdown of the distribution:

• Constitution: 30-40%
• Dexterity: 25-35%
• Wisdom: 20-30%
• Intelligence: 5-10%
• Charisma: 5-10%
• Strength: Less than 5%

This trend can be attributed to the nature of D&D, where Constitution is often a vital statistic for survival, and Wisdom is crucial for perception, insight, and awareness.

Why are Constitution and Wisdom so Popular?

There are several reasons why Constitution and Wisdom saving throws are so prevalent:

• Venomous creatures: Many creatures in D&D, such as spiders, snakes, and certain types of monsters, inflict debilitating wounds. Constitution saving throws are essential to avoid these effects.
• Environmental hazards: Environmental hazards like drowning, falling, and exposure to harsh conditions also rely heavily on Constitution saving throws.
• Psychic attacks: Wisdom is crucial for defending against psychic attacks, such as mind control, illusions, and mind-affecting effects.

Other Saving Throws: The Lesser-Used Cousins

While Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution saving throws are the most common, Intelligence, Charisma, and Strength saving throws still play important roles:

• Intelligence: Intellect-based saving throws are typically used for puzzles, illusions, and magical effects. Intelligence saving throws are crucial for navigating complex scenarios and avoiding cognitive traps.
• Charisma: Charisma saving throws are used for social manipulation, persuasion, and intimidation. These saves are essential for influencing NPCs and avoiding social traps.
• Strength: Strength saving throws are rare but important for feats of physical strength, such as breaking objects, resisting crushing, or lifting heavy loads.

How Do Saving Throws Affect the Game?

Saving throws significantly impact the game, especially in combat and exploration. A failed saving throw can mean:

• Character death: Failure to resist a powerful effect can lead to character death.
• Disabling effects: Successful saves can prevent disabling effects, such as reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, or vulnerability to damage.
• Tactical advantages: Saves can also provide strategic advantages, like creating openings for attack or defense.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the most common saving throw in 5e is the Constitution save, followed closely by Dexterity and Wisdom saves. Intelligence, Charisma, and Strength saving throws are less common but still important for navigating various game mechanics.

Understanding the importance of saving throws and preparing your characters for the various challenges they’ll face is crucial for success in D&D. Remember to prioritize your saves and use them strategically to stay alive and thrive in the world of Eternity.