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What does it mean to fail a saving throw by 5 or more?
Can you choose to fail a saving throw?Is it normal to be running out of spells?Does taking more damage than you have HP remaining result in a death saving throw failure?Reflex Saving Throw when flat-footed (or held, etc)What are the implications of being able to see into the Ethereal Plane in Curse of Strahd?Can lack of planning railroad players?What is considered a successful death saving throw?When making a campaign, how liberal can you get with “homebrewing” in 5e?Can creatures with Spell Resistance voluntarily fail saving throws?Is a creature with Blindsight affected by illusions?
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I feel like this should be self-explanatory, but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it essentially a secondary DC that is 5 less than the initial DC? I can not seem to find an example of it anywhere, so one would be appreciated.
dnd-5e saving-throw
asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
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add a comment |
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I feel like this should be self-explanatory, but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it essentially a secondary DC that is 5 less than the initial DC? I can not seem to find an example of it anywhere, so one would be appreciated.
dnd-5e saving-throw
asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
1231 silver badge4 bronze badges
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1
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Welcome! You can take the tour as an introduction to the site and check the help center if you need further guidance. Good luck and happy gaming!
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 15 at 20:19
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I feel like this should be self-explanatory, but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it essentially a secondary DC that is 5 less than the initial DC? I can not seem to find an example of it anywhere, so one would be appreciated.
dnd-5e saving-throw
asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
1231 silver badge4 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I feel like this should be self-explanatory, but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it essentially a secondary DC that is 5 less than the initial DC? I can not seem to find an example of it anywhere, so one would be appreciated.
dnd-5e saving-throw
dnd-5e saving-throw
asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
1231 silver badge4 bronze badges
asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
1231 silver badge4 bronze badges
asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
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asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
1231 silver badge4 bronze badges
asked Jul 15 at 20:11
NancyNancy
1231 silver badge4 bronze badges
1231 silver badge4 bronze badges
1
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Welcome! You can take the tour as an introduction to the site and check the help center if you need further guidance. Good luck and happy gaming!
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– Sdjz
Jul 15 at 20:19
add a comment |
1
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Welcome! You can take the tour as an introduction to the site and check the help center if you need further guidance. Good luck and happy gaming!
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 15 at 20:19
1
1
$begingroup$
Welcome! You can take the tour as an introduction to the site and check the help center if you need further guidance. Good luck and happy gaming!
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 15 at 20:19
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Welcome! You can take the tour as an introduction to the site and check the help center if you need further guidance. Good luck and happy gaming!
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 15 at 20:19
add a comment |
2 Answers
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From a plain English reading, failing by 5 or more means having a saving throw roll that is a number 5 below the normal DC or less (see detailed explanation below). This does nothing in general but certain abilities care about how much you failed your save by. For example, the pseudodragon's sting (emphasis mine):
(..) and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target falls unconscious for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another creature uses an action to shake it awake.
In this case, if a creature hit by the Sting rolls a Constitution saving throw. Then, after applying all modifiers to the save, if the saving throw value is...
- 11 or more: nothing else happens
- between 7 and 10: the target is poisoned
- 6 or less: the target is poisoned and falls unconscious
WARNING: This may be all you need to know, the rest is a very detailed explanation.
Why does failing by 5 or more mean having a number 5 below the DC or less?1
In D&D 5e, in the basic rules introduction we have an explanation on what rolling a saving throw entails. First you roll a d20 then add any applicable modifiers. The results are determined as such:
If the total equals or exceeds the target number, the ability check, attack roll, or saving throw is a success. Otherwise, it’s a failure.
(...)
The target number for an ability check or a saving throw is called a Difficulty Class (DC)
So for the case of a saving throw, we have a fixed number, called a DC, and the saving throw succeeds if the result of the roll (including modifiers) equals or exceeds the DC.
Failing by a number certain is never defined so we have to resort to a normal English interpretation of what this means. Usually if one says "I failed by 1" it means "If only I had got a result that had a difference of 1 from what I got, I would have succeeded".
In the case of a saving throw, the only result that would satisfy this condition would be a result that was exactly 1 less than the DC. In the example of the sting above, the DC being 11 means that someone that rolled a 10 could say "I failed by 1" or, in other words "If only I had got a result of 1 more than what I got (11) I would have succeeded.
In a similar fashion we can interpret "failing by 2" to mean "having a result of a saving throw that is 2 below the DC" and so on, so that "failing by N" means "having a result that is N below the DC".
"Failing by more than one" usually means "failing by a number that is greater than 1" and so we can also similarly interpreted it as "having a result that is 1 below the DC or less".
So we can conclude that "failing by N or more", in the case of saving throws in D&D 5e should mean "having a saving throw result that is N below the DC or less".
So, in the example of the sting, "failing the result by 5" means "having a result that is 5 below the DC of 11 or less". Since 11-5=6 then this would happen when having a result below 6, as was the case in my example above.
1. Detailed explanation suggested by Yakk
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Do you have a citation for your math or interpretation of the rules? Your answer seems to be an assertion, and the quotes/links just repeat the OP's question.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 18:42
4
$begingroup$
@yakk Well this is just the plain English reading of what "failing by 5 or more" means. I don't really see this being further supported in the rules. Failing a save by a number is never defined as far as I'm aware. Or did you have something in mind?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 18:48
$begingroup$
Yes, you could cite plain English reading, if that is what you have. I'm saying you are just asserting a definition, not saying why you think that is the right definition, and saying why makes your answer better. As it stands, we either trust you (and upvoters) or not; nothing in your answer actually justifies your position. I mean "failing by 1 is being 1 off a success. With saving throws, matching the number is a success; so failing by 1 is rolling 1 under the DC. Similarly, failing by 5 becomes rolling 5 under the DC."
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:06
$begingroup$
In a game where matching the target number was a failure (which has happened in RPGs), then "failing by 5" wouldn't be "rolling 5 under the DC or higher"; it is the fact that matching the DC is a success that makes this your answer right, as far as I can tell.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:07
$begingroup$
@Yakk Alright I see where you're getting at, I've added a more detailed explanation, how's that?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 19:55
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your understanding is correct. There is no keyword or special meaning at work here (and when something isn't defined by the game, standard English is applied to understand it), to fail a DC by 5 or more simply means that you roll a result 5 (or more) below the DC.
Example: The DC is 15. I roll an 10. 15-10 = 5, I have failed by 5 or more.
Another: DC is 15. I roll 11. 15-11 = 4, I have failed, but not by 5 or more.
Note the "roll" in those examples would be to total after adding modifiers, so if I have +3 on the roll, the first example I would have rolled a 7 (7+3=10).
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$
From a plain English reading, failing by 5 or more means having a saving throw roll that is a number 5 below the normal DC or less (see detailed explanation below). This does nothing in general but certain abilities care about how much you failed your save by. For example, the pseudodragon's sting (emphasis mine):
(..) and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target falls unconscious for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another creature uses an action to shake it awake.
In this case, if a creature hit by the Sting rolls a Constitution saving throw. Then, after applying all modifiers to the save, if the saving throw value is...
- 11 or more: nothing else happens
- between 7 and 10: the target is poisoned
- 6 or less: the target is poisoned and falls unconscious
WARNING: This may be all you need to know, the rest is a very detailed explanation.
Why does failing by 5 or more mean having a number 5 below the DC or less?1
In D&D 5e, in the basic rules introduction we have an explanation on what rolling a saving throw entails. First you roll a d20 then add any applicable modifiers. The results are determined as such:
If the total equals or exceeds the target number, the ability check, attack roll, or saving throw is a success. Otherwise, it’s a failure.
(...)
The target number for an ability check or a saving throw is called a Difficulty Class (DC)
So for the case of a saving throw, we have a fixed number, called a DC, and the saving throw succeeds if the result of the roll (including modifiers) equals or exceeds the DC.
Failing by a number certain is never defined so we have to resort to a normal English interpretation of what this means. Usually if one says "I failed by 1" it means "If only I had got a result that had a difference of 1 from what I got, I would have succeeded".
In the case of a saving throw, the only result that would satisfy this condition would be a result that was exactly 1 less than the DC. In the example of the sting above, the DC being 11 means that someone that rolled a 10 could say "I failed by 1" or, in other words "If only I had got a result of 1 more than what I got (11) I would have succeeded.
In a similar fashion we can interpret "failing by 2" to mean "having a result of a saving throw that is 2 below the DC" and so on, so that "failing by N" means "having a result that is N below the DC".
"Failing by more than one" usually means "failing by a number that is greater than 1" and so we can also similarly interpreted it as "having a result that is 1 below the DC or less".
So we can conclude that "failing by N or more", in the case of saving throws in D&D 5e should mean "having a saving throw result that is N below the DC or less".
So, in the example of the sting, "failing the result by 5" means "having a result that is 5 below the DC of 11 or less". Since 11-5=6 then this would happen when having a result below 6, as was the case in my example above.
1. Detailed explanation suggested by Yakk
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Do you have a citation for your math or interpretation of the rules? Your answer seems to be an assertion, and the quotes/links just repeat the OP's question.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 18:42
4
$begingroup$
@yakk Well this is just the plain English reading of what "failing by 5 or more" means. I don't really see this being further supported in the rules. Failing a save by a number is never defined as far as I'm aware. Or did you have something in mind?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 18:48
$begingroup$
Yes, you could cite plain English reading, if that is what you have. I'm saying you are just asserting a definition, not saying why you think that is the right definition, and saying why makes your answer better. As it stands, we either trust you (and upvoters) or not; nothing in your answer actually justifies your position. I mean "failing by 1 is being 1 off a success. With saving throws, matching the number is a success; so failing by 1 is rolling 1 under the DC. Similarly, failing by 5 becomes rolling 5 under the DC."
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:06
$begingroup$
In a game where matching the target number was a failure (which has happened in RPGs), then "failing by 5" wouldn't be "rolling 5 under the DC or higher"; it is the fact that matching the DC is a success that makes this your answer right, as far as I can tell.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:07
$begingroup$
@Yakk Alright I see where you're getting at, I've added a more detailed explanation, how's that?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 19:55
add a comment |
$begingroup$
From a plain English reading, failing by 5 or more means having a saving throw roll that is a number 5 below the normal DC or less (see detailed explanation below). This does nothing in general but certain abilities care about how much you failed your save by. For example, the pseudodragon's sting (emphasis mine):
(..) and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target falls unconscious for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another creature uses an action to shake it awake.
In this case, if a creature hit by the Sting rolls a Constitution saving throw. Then, after applying all modifiers to the save, if the saving throw value is...
- 11 or more: nothing else happens
- between 7 and 10: the target is poisoned
- 6 or less: the target is poisoned and falls unconscious
WARNING: This may be all you need to know, the rest is a very detailed explanation.
Why does failing by 5 or more mean having a number 5 below the DC or less?1
In D&D 5e, in the basic rules introduction we have an explanation on what rolling a saving throw entails. First you roll a d20 then add any applicable modifiers. The results are determined as such:
If the total equals or exceeds the target number, the ability check, attack roll, or saving throw is a success. Otherwise, it’s a failure.
(...)
The target number for an ability check or a saving throw is called a Difficulty Class (DC)
So for the case of a saving throw, we have a fixed number, called a DC, and the saving throw succeeds if the result of the roll (including modifiers) equals or exceeds the DC.
Failing by a number certain is never defined so we have to resort to a normal English interpretation of what this means. Usually if one says "I failed by 1" it means "If only I had got a result that had a difference of 1 from what I got, I would have succeeded".
In the case of a saving throw, the only result that would satisfy this condition would be a result that was exactly 1 less than the DC. In the example of the sting above, the DC being 11 means that someone that rolled a 10 could say "I failed by 1" or, in other words "If only I had got a result of 1 more than what I got (11) I would have succeeded.
In a similar fashion we can interpret "failing by 2" to mean "having a result of a saving throw that is 2 below the DC" and so on, so that "failing by N" means "having a result that is N below the DC".
"Failing by more than one" usually means "failing by a number that is greater than 1" and so we can also similarly interpreted it as "having a result that is 1 below the DC or less".
So we can conclude that "failing by N or more", in the case of saving throws in D&D 5e should mean "having a saving throw result that is N below the DC or less".
So, in the example of the sting, "failing the result by 5" means "having a result that is 5 below the DC of 11 or less". Since 11-5=6 then this would happen when having a result below 6, as was the case in my example above.
1. Detailed explanation suggested by Yakk
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Do you have a citation for your math or interpretation of the rules? Your answer seems to be an assertion, and the quotes/links just repeat the OP's question.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 18:42
4
$begingroup$
@yakk Well this is just the plain English reading of what "failing by 5 or more" means. I don't really see this being further supported in the rules. Failing a save by a number is never defined as far as I'm aware. Or did you have something in mind?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 18:48
$begingroup$
Yes, you could cite plain English reading, if that is what you have. I'm saying you are just asserting a definition, not saying why you think that is the right definition, and saying why makes your answer better. As it stands, we either trust you (and upvoters) or not; nothing in your answer actually justifies your position. I mean "failing by 1 is being 1 off a success. With saving throws, matching the number is a success; so failing by 1 is rolling 1 under the DC. Similarly, failing by 5 becomes rolling 5 under the DC."
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:06
$begingroup$
In a game where matching the target number was a failure (which has happened in RPGs), then "failing by 5" wouldn't be "rolling 5 under the DC or higher"; it is the fact that matching the DC is a success that makes this your answer right, as far as I can tell.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:07
$begingroup$
@Yakk Alright I see where you're getting at, I've added a more detailed explanation, how's that?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 19:55
add a comment |
$begingroup$
From a plain English reading, failing by 5 or more means having a saving throw roll that is a number 5 below the normal DC or less (see detailed explanation below). This does nothing in general but certain abilities care about how much you failed your save by. For example, the pseudodragon's sting (emphasis mine):
(..) and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target falls unconscious for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another creature uses an action to shake it awake.
In this case, if a creature hit by the Sting rolls a Constitution saving throw. Then, after applying all modifiers to the save, if the saving throw value is...
- 11 or more: nothing else happens
- between 7 and 10: the target is poisoned
- 6 or less: the target is poisoned and falls unconscious
WARNING: This may be all you need to know, the rest is a very detailed explanation.
Why does failing by 5 or more mean having a number 5 below the DC or less?1
In D&D 5e, in the basic rules introduction we have an explanation on what rolling a saving throw entails. First you roll a d20 then add any applicable modifiers. The results are determined as such:
If the total equals or exceeds the target number, the ability check, attack roll, or saving throw is a success. Otherwise, it’s a failure.
(...)
The target number for an ability check or a saving throw is called a Difficulty Class (DC)
So for the case of a saving throw, we have a fixed number, called a DC, and the saving throw succeeds if the result of the roll (including modifiers) equals or exceeds the DC.
Failing by a number certain is never defined so we have to resort to a normal English interpretation of what this means. Usually if one says "I failed by 1" it means "If only I had got a result that had a difference of 1 from what I got, I would have succeeded".
In the case of a saving throw, the only result that would satisfy this condition would be a result that was exactly 1 less than the DC. In the example of the sting above, the DC being 11 means that someone that rolled a 10 could say "I failed by 1" or, in other words "If only I had got a result of 1 more than what I got (11) I would have succeeded.
In a similar fashion we can interpret "failing by 2" to mean "having a result of a saving throw that is 2 below the DC" and so on, so that "failing by N" means "having a result that is N below the DC".
"Failing by more than one" usually means "failing by a number that is greater than 1" and so we can also similarly interpreted it as "having a result that is 1 below the DC or less".
So we can conclude that "failing by N or more", in the case of saving throws in D&D 5e should mean "having a saving throw result that is N below the DC or less".
So, in the example of the sting, "failing the result by 5" means "having a result that is 5 below the DC of 11 or less". Since 11-5=6 then this would happen when having a result below 6, as was the case in my example above.
1. Detailed explanation suggested by Yakk
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
$endgroup$
From a plain English reading, failing by 5 or more means having a saving throw roll that is a number 5 below the normal DC or less (see detailed explanation below). This does nothing in general but certain abilities care about how much you failed your save by. For example, the pseudodragon's sting (emphasis mine):
(..) and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target falls unconscious for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another creature uses an action to shake it awake.
In this case, if a creature hit by the Sting rolls a Constitution saving throw. Then, after applying all modifiers to the save, if the saving throw value is...
- 11 or more: nothing else happens
- between 7 and 10: the target is poisoned
- 6 or less: the target is poisoned and falls unconscious
WARNING: This may be all you need to know, the rest is a very detailed explanation.
Why does failing by 5 or more mean having a number 5 below the DC or less?1
In D&D 5e, in the basic rules introduction we have an explanation on what rolling a saving throw entails. First you roll a d20 then add any applicable modifiers. The results are determined as such:
If the total equals or exceeds the target number, the ability check, attack roll, or saving throw is a success. Otherwise, it’s a failure.
(...)
The target number for an ability check or a saving throw is called a Difficulty Class (DC)
So for the case of a saving throw, we have a fixed number, called a DC, and the saving throw succeeds if the result of the roll (including modifiers) equals or exceeds the DC.
Failing by a number certain is never defined so we have to resort to a normal English interpretation of what this means. Usually if one says "I failed by 1" it means "If only I had got a result that had a difference of 1 from what I got, I would have succeeded".
In the case of a saving throw, the only result that would satisfy this condition would be a result that was exactly 1 less than the DC. In the example of the sting above, the DC being 11 means that someone that rolled a 10 could say "I failed by 1" or, in other words "If only I had got a result of 1 more than what I got (11) I would have succeeded.
In a similar fashion we can interpret "failing by 2" to mean "having a result of a saving throw that is 2 below the DC" and so on, so that "failing by N" means "having a result that is N below the DC".
"Failing by more than one" usually means "failing by a number that is greater than 1" and so we can also similarly interpreted it as "having a result that is 1 below the DC or less".
So we can conclude that "failing by N or more", in the case of saving throws in D&D 5e should mean "having a saving throw result that is N below the DC or less".
So, in the example of the sting, "failing the result by 5" means "having a result that is 5 below the DC of 11 or less". Since 11-5=6 then this would happen when having a result below 6, as was the case in my example above.
1. Detailed explanation suggested by Yakk
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
edited Jul 16 at 19:55
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
answered Jul 15 at 20:16
SdjzSdjz
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
20.6k6 gold badges103 silver badges158 bronze badges
$begingroup$
Do you have a citation for your math or interpretation of the rules? Your answer seems to be an assertion, and the quotes/links just repeat the OP's question.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 18:42
4
$begingroup$
@yakk Well this is just the plain English reading of what "failing by 5 or more" means. I don't really see this being further supported in the rules. Failing a save by a number is never defined as far as I'm aware. Or did you have something in mind?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 18:48
$begingroup$
Yes, you could cite plain English reading, if that is what you have. I'm saying you are just asserting a definition, not saying why you think that is the right definition, and saying why makes your answer better. As it stands, we either trust you (and upvoters) or not; nothing in your answer actually justifies your position. I mean "failing by 1 is being 1 off a success. With saving throws, matching the number is a success; so failing by 1 is rolling 1 under the DC. Similarly, failing by 5 becomes rolling 5 under the DC."
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:06
$begingroup$
In a game where matching the target number was a failure (which has happened in RPGs), then "failing by 5" wouldn't be "rolling 5 under the DC or higher"; it is the fact that matching the DC is a success that makes this your answer right, as far as I can tell.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:07
$begingroup$
@Yakk Alright I see where you're getting at, I've added a more detailed explanation, how's that?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 19:55
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Do you have a citation for your math or interpretation of the rules? Your answer seems to be an assertion, and the quotes/links just repeat the OP's question.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 18:42
4
$begingroup$
@yakk Well this is just the plain English reading of what "failing by 5 or more" means. I don't really see this being further supported in the rules. Failing a save by a number is never defined as far as I'm aware. Or did you have something in mind?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 18:48
$begingroup$
Yes, you could cite plain English reading, if that is what you have. I'm saying you are just asserting a definition, not saying why you think that is the right definition, and saying why makes your answer better. As it stands, we either trust you (and upvoters) or not; nothing in your answer actually justifies your position. I mean "failing by 1 is being 1 off a success. With saving throws, matching the number is a success; so failing by 1 is rolling 1 under the DC. Similarly, failing by 5 becomes rolling 5 under the DC."
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:06
$begingroup$
In a game where matching the target number was a failure (which has happened in RPGs), then "failing by 5" wouldn't be "rolling 5 under the DC or higher"; it is the fact that matching the DC is a success that makes this your answer right, as far as I can tell.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:07
$begingroup$
@Yakk Alright I see where you're getting at, I've added a more detailed explanation, how's that?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 19:55
$begingroup$
Do you have a citation for your math or interpretation of the rules? Your answer seems to be an assertion, and the quotes/links just repeat the OP's question.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 18:42
$begingroup$
Do you have a citation for your math or interpretation of the rules? Your answer seems to be an assertion, and the quotes/links just repeat the OP's question.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 18:42
4
4
$begingroup$
@yakk Well this is just the plain English reading of what "failing by 5 or more" means. I don't really see this being further supported in the rules. Failing a save by a number is never defined as far as I'm aware. Or did you have something in mind?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 18:48
$begingroup$
@yakk Well this is just the plain English reading of what "failing by 5 or more" means. I don't really see this being further supported in the rules. Failing a save by a number is never defined as far as I'm aware. Or did you have something in mind?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 18:48
$begingroup$
Yes, you could cite plain English reading, if that is what you have. I'm saying you are just asserting a definition, not saying why you think that is the right definition, and saying why makes your answer better. As it stands, we either trust you (and upvoters) or not; nothing in your answer actually justifies your position. I mean "failing by 1 is being 1 off a success. With saving throws, matching the number is a success; so failing by 1 is rolling 1 under the DC. Similarly, failing by 5 becomes rolling 5 under the DC."
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:06
$begingroup$
Yes, you could cite plain English reading, if that is what you have. I'm saying you are just asserting a definition, not saying why you think that is the right definition, and saying why makes your answer better. As it stands, we either trust you (and upvoters) or not; nothing in your answer actually justifies your position. I mean "failing by 1 is being 1 off a success. With saving throws, matching the number is a success; so failing by 1 is rolling 1 under the DC. Similarly, failing by 5 becomes rolling 5 under the DC."
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:06
$begingroup$
In a game where matching the target number was a failure (which has happened in RPGs), then "failing by 5" wouldn't be "rolling 5 under the DC or higher"; it is the fact that matching the DC is a success that makes this your answer right, as far as I can tell.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:07
$begingroup$
In a game where matching the target number was a failure (which has happened in RPGs), then "failing by 5" wouldn't be "rolling 5 under the DC or higher"; it is the fact that matching the DC is a success that makes this your answer right, as far as I can tell.
$endgroup$
– Yakk
Jul 16 at 19:07
$begingroup$
@Yakk Alright I see where you're getting at, I've added a more detailed explanation, how's that?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 19:55
$begingroup$
@Yakk Alright I see where you're getting at, I've added a more detailed explanation, how's that?
$endgroup$
– Sdjz
Jul 16 at 19:55
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your understanding is correct. There is no keyword or special meaning at work here (and when something isn't defined by the game, standard English is applied to understand it), to fail a DC by 5 or more simply means that you roll a result 5 (or more) below the DC.
Example: The DC is 15. I roll an 10. 15-10 = 5, I have failed by 5 or more.
Another: DC is 15. I roll 11. 15-11 = 4, I have failed, but not by 5 or more.
Note the "roll" in those examples would be to total after adding modifiers, so if I have +3 on the roll, the first example I would have rolled a 7 (7+3=10).
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your understanding is correct. There is no keyword or special meaning at work here (and when something isn't defined by the game, standard English is applied to understand it), to fail a DC by 5 or more simply means that you roll a result 5 (or more) below the DC.
Example: The DC is 15. I roll an 10. 15-10 = 5, I have failed by 5 or more.
Another: DC is 15. I roll 11. 15-11 = 4, I have failed, but not by 5 or more.
Note the "roll" in those examples would be to total after adding modifiers, so if I have +3 on the roll, the first example I would have rolled a 7 (7+3=10).
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your understanding is correct. There is no keyword or special meaning at work here (and when something isn't defined by the game, standard English is applied to understand it), to fail a DC by 5 or more simply means that you roll a result 5 (or more) below the DC.
Example: The DC is 15. I roll an 10. 15-10 = 5, I have failed by 5 or more.
Another: DC is 15. I roll 11. 15-11 = 4, I have failed, but not by 5 or more.
Note the "roll" in those examples would be to total after adding modifiers, so if I have +3 on the roll, the first example I would have rolled a 7 (7+3=10).
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Your understanding is correct. There is no keyword or special meaning at work here (and when something isn't defined by the game, standard English is applied to understand it), to fail a DC by 5 or more simply means that you roll a result 5 (or more) below the DC.
Example: The DC is 15. I roll an 10. 15-10 = 5, I have failed by 5 or more.
Another: DC is 15. I roll 11. 15-11 = 4, I have failed, but not by 5 or more.
Note the "roll" in those examples would be to total after adding modifiers, so if I have +3 on the roll, the first example I would have rolled a 7 (7+3=10).
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
answered Jul 15 at 20:15
GreySageGreySage
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
16.8k4 gold badges60 silver badges107 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
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