27 May 2019
Saving Throws and Math Retro vs 3.x DnD
I
think soon I'm going to talk shit about why I hate ability score
based saving throws and the confusing AF old school saving throws are
superior. Hint: fighter don't get fucked against fire balls.
Btw
that's one of the reasons old school saves are superior to ability
based saves. The difficulty of saves goes up alongside, or
outstripping, the bonus in 3.x and newer editions.
For
3.x/PF I'm going to assume a PC spellcaster with casting ability
score of 16 and no ability boosting items casting a spell that
requires a reflex saving throw at a fighter and a thief, w/ dex 16 in
2 level intervals and comparing it to the 1e saving throw vs breath
weapon.
Lvl
1, 1st lvl spell 3.x DC 14; Ftr +3 50%; Rog +5 60%. 1e Ftr 15 30%;
Thf 13 40% Things look shitty in 1e, but lets see what happens.
Lvl
3, 2nd lvl spell 3.x DC 15; Ftr +4 50%; Rog +6 60%. 1e Ftr 16 35%;
Thf No change. So far the 3.x classes are keeping pace, which is kind
of boring. The 1e versions are still lower but also improving.
Lvl
5, 3rd lvl spell 3.x DC 16; Ftr +4 45%; Rog +7 60%. 1e Ftr 13 40%;
Thf 45%. 3.x fighter is starting to lose ground.
Ok,
I think you can see the trend, so let's just jump to..... level 15.
Assuming the 3.x classes have use their 3 score adjustments in the
relevant scores, 19s. Lvl 15, capped at 4th lvl spell 3.x DC 18; Ftr
+9 60%; Rog +13 80%. 1e Ftr 6 75%; Thf 8 60%.
Using
a level appropriate ability @ lvl 15. 3.x DC 10+7+4=21; Ftr 45%; 65%.
Bumping
the 3.x classes to the min score to cast on level spells (8th lvl;
26) 3.x DC 26; Ftr +13 40%; Rog +17 65%. Remember, the fighter is
improving their dex over other scores just to slowly lose ground.
This
is again without magical items, except for the fudging for the last
one. I could going through using Pathfinder Unchained as a guide on
expected bonuses from magical items and compare it to the Monster
Abilities by CR from PF.
Anyways,
that was just a mechanical perspective on why ability based saves
suck. You don't the iconic shield vs dragon breath.
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