Rules Variant: Static Save DCs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Rules Variant: Static Save DCs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tenzhi
05-08-04, 02:44 AM I'm positive that this idea will get shot down in a hurry... but I'm posting it anyway! :D

Static Save DCs:

Ability modifiers are longer added to saving throws, and save DCs will be relegated to one of three difficulties: Easy (15), Average (20), and Difficult (25). Most spell DCs will be Average, though some might fall into Easy or Difficult at the DM's discretion.

Other sources may, of course, still add to saving throws. Additionally, feats and class abilities may still increase the DCs for saving throws versus a caster's spells.
Laiqualasse
05-08-04, 02:52 AM Well, it's an interesting way to approach DCs, I guess . . but out of curiosity, what's the point of using this system? It glosses over the difference between an Int 25 spellcaster and an Int 12 one, which seems ridiculous (to me, at least). Also, higher-level spells would not be any harder to resist? (a ninth-level spell is no more difficult to resist than a first-level one?)

Most spell DCs will be Average, though some might fall into Easy or Difficult at the DM's discretion.

This rule seems way too arbitrary to be useful. On what would the DM base his judgment? Besides that, at lower levels the DC would be a bit on the high side, while at higher levels they would scoff at the average DC . . .
Tenzhi
05-08-04, 03:14 AM Originally posted by Laiqualasse
but out of curiosity, what's the point of using this system? It glosses over the difference between an Int 25 spellcaster and an Int 12 one

The question and the point (sort of) all in one. The difference between an Int 12 caster and an Int 25 caster (IMO, of course ;) )should be the number of spells they can cast, the ease with which they learned them, and of course the maximum level spell they can cast. Other than that, generally speaking a fireball is a fireball is a fireball.

This rule seems way too arbitrary to be useful. On what would the DM base his judgment?

A good DM bases his judgement on what he knows works best for his game. The alternative would be me taking the time to decide right now for each and every spell whether it should be Average or not, which I am not prepared to do at this juncture (and which others would likely disagree with in any case). A likely, fast-&-easy method for some DMs might be to make 0-3 level spells Easy, 4-6 Average, and 7-9 Difficult.

Besides that, at lower levels the DC would be a bit on the high side, while at higher levels they would scoff at the average DC . . .

The higher they get the less they should have to fear instant-death effects and the like. But with a poor save many characters will still have about a 50/50 chance at higher levels of failing. And characters might always fail by rolling a 1.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tenzhi 05-08-04, 02:44 AM	I'm positive that this idea will get shot down in a hurry... but I'm posting it anyway! :D Static Save DCs: Ability modifiers are longer added to saving throws, and save DCs will be relegated to one of three difficulties: Easy (15), Average (20), and Difficult (25). Most spell DCs will be Average, though some might fall into Easy or Difficult at the DM's discretion. Other sources may, of course, still add to saving throws. Additionally, feats and class abilities may still increase the DCs for saving throws versus a caster's spells.
Laiqualasse 05-08-04, 02:52 AM	Well, it's an interesting way to approach DCs, I guess . . but out of curiosity, what's the point of using this system? It glosses over the difference between an Int 25 spellcaster and an Int 12 one, which seems ridiculous (to me, at least). Also, higher-level spells would not be any harder to resist? (a ninth-level spell is no more difficult to resist than a first-level one?) Most spell DCs will be Average, though some might fall into Easy or Difficult at the DM's discretion. This rule seems way too arbitrary to be useful. On what would the DM base his judgment? Besides that, at lower levels the DC would be a bit on the high side, while at higher levels they would scoff at the average DC . . .
Tenzhi 05-08-04, 03:14 AM	Originally posted by Laiqualasse but out of curiosity, what's the point of using this system? It glosses over the difference between an Int 25 spellcaster and an Int 12 one The question and the point (sort of) all in one. The difference between an Int 12 caster and an Int 25 caster (IMO, of course ;) )should be the number of spells they can cast, the ease with which they learned them, and of course the maximum level spell they can cast. Other than that, generally speaking a fireball is a fireball is a fireball. This rule seems way too arbitrary to be useful. On what would the DM base his judgment? A good DM bases his judgement on what he knows works best for his game. The alternative would be me taking the time to decide right now for each and every spell whether it should be Average or not, which I am not prepared to do at this juncture (and which others would likely disagree with in any case). A likely, fast-&-easy method for some DMs might be to make 0-3 level spells Easy, 4-6 Average, and 7-9 Difficult. Besides that, at lower levels the DC would be a bit on the high side, while at higher levels they would scoff at the average DC . . . The higher they get the less they should have to fear instant-death effects and the like. But with a poor save many characters will still have about a 50/50 chance at higher levels of failing. And characters might always fail by rolling a 1.