Leatherhead
Possibly a Idiot.
The D&D Beyond Monster List is a fun little thing. It doesn't have quite all the options I would like at the current moment, but it does let you search every printed D&D monster even if you don't "own" them for the app.
Using the tool to search for monster/NPC proficiencies, I found out the following about saving throws:
[table="width: 500, Class: grid"]
[tr]
[td]Saving Throw Proficiency[/td]
[td]Number of Monster Listings[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Strength[/td]
[td]20[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Dexterity[/td]
[td]114[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Constitution[/td]
[td]144[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Intelligence[/td]
[td]64[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Wisdom[/td]
[td]220[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Charisma[/td]
[td]129[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
These results were kind of shocking. But obviously, there are a few caveats.
Firstly, it would seem VS Strength would be the go-to saving throw. Select Fiends, Giants, and Warrior NPCs belong to a rather exclusive club.
However, right now, that little powergamer in the back of your head is saying "But wait, there are oodles of monsters with high STR scores, and even STR scores above 20!" Yes, that's true. Dragons, for instance, have HUGE muscles. But oddly enough, that doesn't really change too much for them. The Ancient Gold Dragon, as an extreme example, has a save block of STR+10, DEX+9, CON+16, INT+4, WIS+10, and CHA+16. Which means pushing it around is actually rather viable compared to other options. The conclusion to this revelation is: The size of the monster VS your level is generally the most important factor for determining if you should try to make it use a STR save.
Dexterity looks like an easy target once you "control" for STR. But remember: much like how bigger creatures get beefy, smaller creatures get agile. And some higher CR monsters are supernaturally graceful. Which is a shame, because those pint-sized monsters are the ones who crowd together and tempt you to cast Fireball.
Constitution isn't as prolific as previously implied. The catch here is that when something is proficient in CON saves, it generally doubles down by having a good CON score to boot, rather than using a proficiency to shore up what would otherwise be an Achilles Heel. Additionally, lots of monsters (and again, especially big or high CR ones) have more than 20 CON. For an additional yardstick, the number of listings for monsters with an AC of 17+ is 186.
Intelligence isn't surprising anyone by being so scarce. INT also doesn't go as high as STR or CON, and in the case of animals, constructs, or "mindless" undead, can even go significantly lower than average.
Wisdom. Good gods where did you go wrong? It's everywhere, and shows up significantly more than it's closest competitor. Though it doesn't get as high as STR or CON, it doesn't get as low as INT or CHA either. The next time you consider VS WIS, you should think twice about it.
Charisma is yet another shocker. Being More common than DEX puts it in the "bad half" of the saving throw club. Monsters can have next to no self-awareness, like a Golem, or an ego as big as a mountain (Dragons should work on their humility).
TL;DR:
When forcing a save, STR>INT>DEX>CHA>CON>WIS. And you are now aware that the title of this thread was a stealth pun.
Using the tool to search for monster/NPC proficiencies, I found out the following about saving throws:
[table="width: 500, Class: grid"]
[tr]
[td]Saving Throw Proficiency[/td]
[td]Number of Monster Listings[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Strength[/td]
[td]20[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Dexterity[/td]
[td]114[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Constitution[/td]
[td]144[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Intelligence[/td]
[td]64[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Wisdom[/td]
[td]220[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Charisma[/td]
[td]129[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
These results were kind of shocking. But obviously, there are a few caveats.
Firstly, it would seem VS Strength would be the go-to saving throw. Select Fiends, Giants, and Warrior NPCs belong to a rather exclusive club.
However, right now, that little powergamer in the back of your head is saying "But wait, there are oodles of monsters with high STR scores, and even STR scores above 20!" Yes, that's true. Dragons, for instance, have HUGE muscles. But oddly enough, that doesn't really change too much for them. The Ancient Gold Dragon, as an extreme example, has a save block of STR+10, DEX+9, CON+16, INT+4, WIS+10, and CHA+16. Which means pushing it around is actually rather viable compared to other options. The conclusion to this revelation is: The size of the monster VS your level is generally the most important factor for determining if you should try to make it use a STR save.
Dexterity looks like an easy target once you "control" for STR. But remember: much like how bigger creatures get beefy, smaller creatures get agile. And some higher CR monsters are supernaturally graceful. Which is a shame, because those pint-sized monsters are the ones who crowd together and tempt you to cast Fireball.
Constitution isn't as prolific as previously implied. The catch here is that when something is proficient in CON saves, it generally doubles down by having a good CON score to boot, rather than using a proficiency to shore up what would otherwise be an Achilles Heel. Additionally, lots of monsters (and again, especially big or high CR ones) have more than 20 CON. For an additional yardstick, the number of listings for monsters with an AC of 17+ is 186.
Intelligence isn't surprising anyone by being so scarce. INT also doesn't go as high as STR or CON, and in the case of animals, constructs, or "mindless" undead, can even go significantly lower than average.
Wisdom. Good gods where did you go wrong? It's everywhere, and shows up significantly more than it's closest competitor. Though it doesn't get as high as STR or CON, it doesn't get as low as INT or CHA either. The next time you consider VS WIS, you should think twice about it.
Charisma is yet another shocker. Being More common than DEX puts it in the "bad half" of the saving throw club. Monsters can have next to no self-awareness, like a Golem, or an ego as big as a mountain (Dragons should work on their humility).
TL;DR:
When forcing a save, STR>INT>DEX>CHA>CON>WIS. And you are now aware that the title of this thread was a stealth pun.
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