Jonah Patel
In Dungeons and Dragons, saving throws are automatic dice rolls that represent a creature's attempt to save themselves from harm. Death saving throws are a special type of saving throw made by playable characters after they have been downed. Unlike other saving throws, death saving throws are not tied to any ability score and are instead left to chance. While some players have argued that constitution should be added to death saving throws, others have pointed out that this would be double-dipping as a character's constitution already contributes to their hit points.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Death saving throws | Made by playable characters after they have been downed |
| Death saves | Made once per turn while the character remains downed |
| Death saves | Can be critical failures and critical successes |
| Death saves | Are always DC 10 |
| Death saves | Are not associated with an ability score |
| Saving throws | Represent a creature's attempt to save themselves from harm |
| Saving throws | Are automatic dice rolls |
| Saving throws | Are always associated with a specific ability |
| Saving throws | Are always rolled against a target Difficulty Class (DC) |
| Saving throws | Can be modified by adding the save's associated ability score modifier to the result |
| Saving throws | Can be modified by adding a proficiency bonus if the creature is proficient in saves using that ability |
| Constitution save | Allows a creature to mitigate the effect of an attack, e.g. by reducing poison damage |
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What You'll Learn
Death saving throws are a special type of saving throw
Death saving throws are not associated with an ability score and so don't get any modifiers. They only benefit from bonuses that apply to all saving throws or specifically to death saves. Death saves are always DC 10. A character dies when three failures are accumulated or stabilizes when three successes are accumulated, whichever happens first.
There are multiple ways to gain advantage or bonuses to death saves. For example, level 14 monks get a feature called Diamond Soul, which lets them add their proficiency bonus to all saving throws. Paladins can also apply bonuses to their allies at level 6.
It is important to note that death saving throws are not the same as Constitution saves, which a creature might make to mitigate the effects of an attack, such as reducing poison damage by half.
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Saving throws are automatic dice rolls
In role-playing games (RPGs) and war games, a saving throw is a roll of the dice that determines whether magic, poison, or other attacks are effective against a character or monster. The term was first used in Donald F. Featherstone's book, "War Games". Saving throws represent the character's ability to avoid or resist threats, such as dodging a trap or resisting poison. They are often modified by attributes like Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom, or Luck. Players can roll for an 'armor save', 'ward save', or 'invulnerability save', depending on the game.
Saving throws are typically made with a single 20-sided die (d20) or three six-sided dice (3d6). The result of the roll is compared to a success value, which may be modified by the game system or the gamemaster. A natural 1 is usually an automatic failure, while a natural 20 (or sometimes 19) is an automatic success. However, saving throws do not always follow this rule, and the exact outcome depends on the specific effect in question.
Death saving throws are a specific type of saving throw that is not associated with an ability score. They are influenced by features and spells that improve the chances of success. While Constitution is related to a character's health and toughness, it is not added to death saving throws as it is already reflected in the number of hit points a character has. Additionally, some bonuses or abilities that apply to regular saving throws, such as the Paladin's Aura of Protection, require consciousness and therefore do not benefit death saving throws.
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Saving throws are always associated with a specific ability
Saving throws are an attempt to "save" oneself from harm. They are triggered by spells, hostile actions, and hazards like traps. Saving throws are always associated with a specific ability, such as Strength or Dexterity, and are rolled against a target Difficulty Class (DC). When successful, they can reduce or prevent harm.
Each saving throw has an associated ability score modifier that is added to the result of the roll. If a creature is proficient in saves using a particular ability, they can add their proficiency bonus as well. For example, a Dexterity saving throw would involve rolling a d20 and adding the creature's Dexterity modifier to the result.
Death saving throws are a special type of saving throw that playable characters make when they are downed. Unlike other saving throws, death saving throws are not associated with an ability score and therefore do not receive any modifiers or proficiency bonuses. They only benefit from bonuses that apply to all saving throws or specifically to death saves.
While Constitution is a term encompassing a character's health and toughness, it is not added to death saving throws. This is because a character with a high Constitution has already benefited from their Constitution in terms of their hit points. Once a character goes beyond their constitutive limits (0 hp), their survival is left to chance.
However, there are ways to gain advantages or bonuses to death saving throws. For example, Paladins can apply bonuses to their allies at level 6, and monks gain proficiency in all saving throws at a certain level.
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Death saving throws are not associated with an ability score
Death saving throws are a special type of saving throw made by playable characters after they have been downed. Saving throws are automatic dice rolls representing a creature's attempt to save themselves from harm. They are triggered by spells, hostile actions (other than attacks) of other creatures, or hazards like traps and surfaces.
There are multiple ways to gain advantages or bonuses to death saves. For example, Paladins can apply bonuses to their allies at level 6, monks get proficiency in them, and monks can get proficiency in all saving throws at a certain level.
A PC with a high constitution has already survived damage that would have put a low-constitution character into death saving throws. When a character has 0 HP, it's up to chance whether or not they live. Characters with high constitutions die slower than characters with poor constitutions.
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Bonuses that apply to all saving throws can benefit death saving throws
Death Saving Throws are a special type of saving throw that a player character must make when they are dying. Unlike other saving throws, this one isn't tied to any ability score. Instead, the player is in the hands of fate, aided only by spells and features that improve their chances of succeeding.
While Constitution determines a character's health and toughness, it does not directly impact Death Saving Throws. This is because a character with a high Constitution has already benefited from their Constitution score by having more hit points and being able to withstand more damage before falling to 0 HP and needing to make Death Saving Throws.
However, bonuses that apply to all saving throws can benefit death saving throws. For example, monks gain proficiency in all saving throws at level 14, and their Diamond Soul feature gives them additional benefits when making Death Saving Throws. Paladins can also use their Aura of Protection to add their Charisma modifier to any nearby party member's Death Saving Throws, but this requires the Paladin to be conscious.
Other ways to gain bonuses to Death Saving Throws include the Lucky feat, which allows a reroll on a natural 1, and the Halfling race's Lucky trait, which functions similarly. Bards can use Bardic Inspiration on Death Saving Throws, as it does not require the target to be conscious. Additionally, some classes have features that provide bonuses to Death Saving Throws, such as the Phantom Rogue and the Reborn lineage, which have advantage on Death Saving Throws.
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Frequently asked questions
No, unlike other saving throws, death-saving throws are not tied to any ability score. Once a character's hit points have reached 0, it is up to chance whether they live or die.
Death-saving throws are a special type of saving throw made by playable characters after they have been downed. Saving throws are automatic dice rolls that represent a creature's attempt to save themselves from harm.
Death-saving throws are made once per turn while the character remains downed. Three successful saves will let a creature stabilise, and three failures will lead to death.
