Baldur's Gate 3: Saving Throws Explained

Since Baldur's Gate 3 uses almost all the rules of D&D, some features may not be clear to new players, especially those related to dice rolling. One of the most confusing is the Saving Throws, which you will roll often in Baldur's Gate 3.

Unlike Ability Checks, which players can influence, most Saving Throws are completed automatically, and players can only accept their results. However, in reality, all this works much simpler than it might seem. Plus, you'll have to figure this out if you're playing as a spellcaster.

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BG3: What Are Saving Throws?

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Foremost, you should know that a Saving Throw rolls when your characters are threatened by something in Baldur's Gate 3. It could be an enemy spell, a trap, or dangers such as poison. Depending on what exactly is threatening you, you will need to make Saving Throws of a certain Ability:

Dexterity - One of the most common Saving Throws in Baldur's Gate 3. You will roll them to avoid damage from AoE spells or natural hazards.
Strength - Strength Saving Throw rolls when you need to use strength to escape a threat, such as breaking out of a grab or staying on your feet after a Thunderous Smite spell.
Constitution - At first glance, it might seem that Constitution Saving Throws are needed to counter spells like Thunderous Smite. But instead, this ability helps you fight diseases or poisons that have entered your body.
Charisma - Charisma Saving Throw rolls when you try to avoid being affected by Charm spells.
Wisdom - Wisdom is similar to Charisma Saving Throws but is much more common. This Ability shows how strongly you can counter an enemy's mind-affecting spells.
Intelligence - This Ability helps you look at things logically. It is useful for recognizing illusions and countering spells such as Phantasmal Force.

But it's important to note that even if your Saving Throw matches the Difficulty Class (DC) of the spell, it doesn't mean you're safe. Some spells still deal half damage on a successful Saving Throw.

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How to Calculate Saving Throws in Baldur's Gate 3?

So, like most other actions in Baldur's Gate 3, your Saving Throws depend on the almighty d20. Every time you need to make a Saving Throw, you roll a d20 and add the appropriate Ability Score Modifier. In addition, each class has two Saving Throws Proficiencies:

Barbarian - Strength and Constitution
Cleric - Wisdom and Charisma
Bard - Dexterity and Charisma
Druid - Intelligence and Wisdom
Paladin - Wisdom and Charisma
Fighter - Strength and Constitution
Monk - Strength and Dexterity
Wizard - Intelligence and Wisdom
Ranger - Strength and Dexterity
Sorcerer - Constitution and Charisma
Rogue - Dexterity and Intelligence
Warlock - Wisdom and Charisma

Thus, with Strength Saving Throw, Barbarian adds an Ability Score Modifier and a proficiency bonus to the result on d20. It's also worth noting that characters can roll this with an advantage or disadvantage depending on buffs and debuffs respectively. In addition, some items can provide a bonus to your Saving Throws. A good example is Safeguard Shield, which grants the bearer Saving Throw +1.

The same calculations apply to your enemies on whom you use spells. Depending on your stats, the Difficulty Class of a spell can be incredibly high, which will greatly increase the effectiveness of your spells. But be careful with the choice of spells during the battle, as some enemies, especially Bosses, have several Saving Throw proficiencies.

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BG3: Death Saving Throws Explained

One cannot help but recall one of the most important Saving Throws, which can literally save your characters from death. You start rolling them when your character's HP reaches 0, and they become Downed. In this case, you will roll d20 every turn until you make 3 successful or failed Death Saving Throws. Successful Throws will allow you to live, while failing Saving Throws three times will cause you to die.

You have to use the Scroll of Revivify or Revivify spell to bring dead companions back to life. However, there is a way you can avoid this fate. While the companion is Downed, another party member must help or heal them to bring them back to consciousness. As a result, the character will no longer need to roll Death Saving Throws.

That's all you need to know about how Saving Throws works in Baldur's Gate 3. You'll be using this feature throughout your adventure, so you'll want to know how your party can avoid enemy spells and other traps. But as you can see, it's elementary.

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