SAVING THROWS
When you are subject to unusual or magical circumstances during an adventure, you may get a saving throw to avoid or reduce the effect. Like an attack roll, a saving throw is a d20 roll plus a bonus based on your class, level, and an ability score. Your saving throw modifier is: Base save bonus + ability modifier
Saving Throw Types: The three different kinds of standard saving throws are Fortitude, Reflex, and Will:
- Fortitude: These saves measure your ability to stand up to physical punishment or attacks against your vitality and health. Apply your Constitution modifier to your Fortitude saving throws.
- Reflex: These saves test your ability to dodge threats. Apply your Dexterity modifier to your Reflex saving throws.
- Will: These saves reflect your resistance to mental influence as well as many magical effects. Apply your Wisdom modifier to your Will saving throws.
The DM may request that you roll for a save using another modifier, depending on the circumstances.
The Difficulty Class (DC) for a save is determined by the DM based on the severity of the circumstances.
Automatic Failures and Successes: A natural 1 (the d20 comes up 1) on a saving throw is always a failure. A natural 20 (the d20 comes up 20) is always a success.
SKILL and ABILITY CHECKS
Many circumstances and actions in an adventure may involve skill checks or general ability checks. DC is determined by the DM; roll a 20 and add appropriate ability modifier and skill ranks where applicable.
Some checks may be combined for simplicity: for example a Stealth (DEX) check combines aspects of Move Silently, Hide, and maybe Sleight of Hand into a single “doing something sneaky” check.
Armor Check Penalty: Any armor heavier than leather, as well as any shield, applies an armor check penalty to all Dexterity- and Strength-based skill checks. A character’s encumbrance may also incur an armor check penalty.
The DM may request a player to roll a check without the player prompting the check by actively attempting something, e.g. an automatic Spot check may mean the character notices something without actively looking.
The DM may also request a player to roll a d20 for no reason at all.