D&D 5E Strength, Intelligence and Charisma saving throws

[Vicar In A Tutu]

So, quite a few people have a copy of the Player's Handbook and we've seen lots of monsters, some in Hoard of the Dragon Queen, some in Lost Mine of Phalander and a lot in the updated Basic Rules. My pet peeve with 5E (which I otherwise adore), is the lost opportunity to use the Strength, Intelligence and Charisma saving throws. They exist, every class is proficient with one of them, but are there any spells or monster abilities that call for them?

 

[GX.Sigma]

Yes. Not as many as Dex/Con/Wis, which is why every class gets one of Dex/Con/Wis and one of Str/Int/Cha.

 

[Vicar In A Tutu]

Yes. Not as many as Dex/Con/Wis, which is why every class gets one of Dex/Con/Wis and one of Str/Int/Cha.

I've seen a couple (as in 2-3) Strength saving throws to avoid being knocked prone, but I haven't seen any Charisma or Intelligence saving throws. I'm pretty sure there are at least a couple of those as well. I would have liked to see Hold Person being a Strength save, Fear using Charisma, stuff like that. Like Castles and Crusades.

 

[Mouseferatu]

This is pure speculation on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see a lot more Int saves if/when psionics are introduced into 5e.

 

[Prism]

A few spells

Gust of Wind - Strength
Wind Wall - Strength
Banishment - Charisma
Dispel Evil or Good - Charisma
Feeblemind - Intelligence

There may be others but I haven't noticed them

 

[Li Shenron]

Monsters

Strength saving throws:

Bite - Dire Wolf, Mastiff, Winter Wolf, Wolf, Worg
Charge - Boar, Elk, Giant Boar, Giant Elk, Giant Goat, Giant Sea Horse, Goat, Minotaur, Rhinoceros
Pounce - Allosaurus, Lion, Panther, Saber-Tooth Tiger, Tiger,
Tail - Ankylosaurus, Giant Crocodyle
Trampling Charge - Elephant, Mammoth, Triceratop, Warhorse
Whelm - Water Elemental
Whirlwind - Air Elemental's

In almost all cases, all these abilities except the last 2 require a Str ST to avoid being knocked prone, nothing else.

Whelm and Whirlwind however allow a Str ST to avoid damage and additional effects (being knocked away and being grappled, respectively).

No Intelligence or Charisma saving throws that I noticed...

(edited for grouping)

 

[Pickles JG]

There are a few CHA & INT saves - CHA for Zone of Truth. Int for er some spells (Maze maybe?)

They seemed sensible applications - CHA to avoid being forced to tell the truth & INT for solvong a puzzle

 

[MerricB]

This is pure speculation on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see a lot more Int saves if/when psionics are introduced into 5e.

Mike Mearls posted on twitter a while back:

Strength Save: Resist a gust of wind or push effect
Intelligance Save: Psionics when we do it
Charisma Save: Possession

Cheers!

 

[ppaladin123]

Charisma seems to be the "I refuse to be banished" save...which is a bit odd. There are certainly "charm" effects now that are more like compulsions/domination that seemed like a good fit for charisma saving throws ("spells that try to overcome one's sense of self") but are attached to wisdom.

 

[Vicar In A Tutu]

Mike Mearls posted on twitter a while back:

Strength Save: Resist a gust of wind or push effect
Intelligance Save: Psionics when we do it
Charisma Save: Possession

Cheers!

Is it worth having 6 saving throws instead of 3 for these things? We have Intelligence saving throw for "Psionics when we do it". Charisma is for "possession". In other words it's possible to play an entire campaign and use a Charisma saving throw maybe once or twice. And if you don't use the optional psionics add-on rules, you won't have Intelligence saving throws at all. This is weird.