Article: 10184 of rec.games.frp.dnd
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Path: email!news.univie.ac.at!scsing.switch.ch!ira.uka.de!gmd.de!Germany.EU.net!mcsun!uunet!stanford.edu!nntp.Stanford.EDU!galahad
From: galahad@leland.Stanford.EDU (Scott Compton)
Subject: Re: Saving Throws
Message-ID: <1993Mar11.034218.1920@leland.Stanford.EDU>
Sender: news@leland.Stanford.EDU (Mr News)
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 93 03:42:18 GMT
Lines: 69

I agree with the idea that the level system doesn't work too well for
Saving Throws.  However, it should have some correlation to advancement
of some sorts.  Next, I have always felt that SAVES should be based
on the six main attributes, and especially Constitution.  Therefore,
if you combine advancement with the attributes, you get a better
system.  Here is a random example:

Mr.Mage
Level: 9
HP's: 22
STR: 7  INT: 16  WIS: 13  DEX: 14  CON: 9  CHA: 11

STR: Saves for being crushed, any feat that would save the character's
     life based on strength, might, or force.

INT: Saves for magic (of the MU type)

WIS: Saves for magic (of the Priest type)

DEX: Saves for quickness, avoiding a deathly blow, etc.

CON: The major save.  Saves for Dragon's breath, diseases, poison, etc.

CHA: Saves for charm, entrancement, abnormal things, etc.


Now, if somehow we combine either Hit Points or Levels with the
attributes, we get a better concept of how a character can save.


Here is how I would do it: I would make each Attribute point 3% to
save, and each level 3% to save.  Therefore, if Mr. Mage wanted
to save against a spell, you would have (17x3)=51% + (9x3)=27%.
Therefore, he would have a grand total of 78% to save against spells
or magic of the Mage-type.  

To save against a feat of strength, he would need a (7x3)+(9x3)=50%.
Therefore, since each character class has a particualar Attribute
requirement, the class will always have a certain minimum level
of Save Percentage as well.  

Also, we can do away with all Saving Throw tables and not have to
change a number on the character sheet as we go up in level; the
Save percentage can simply be calculated when needed.  (Level
times three, Attribute times three.)  Pretty easy, eh?!
Since HP's are based on levels, I guess that the Save Percentage
could also be based on hit points.

You are probably thinking:  Well, what happens if the character 
gets so high in level that s/he levels out to 100%?  Well, what
I would do is put an ATTRIBUTE RESTRICTION on the the save in
question: I would use a formula (20 - Attribute score) as the
amount to subtract from the 100%.  Example: Mr Mage is now 
89th level and has a CON of 9 (still).  Even at 100%, his true
Save percentage would be calculated as (20 - 9)=11%; 100% - 11% = 89%,
or 89% maximum.  This system would also work great with spells
that alter your attributes.  Like the Strength Spell, your
STR would temporarily increase, thus increasing your Save's
vs. Strength as well. 


Scotty the Sagemaster


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