From: oryon@primenet.com (Leroy Van Camp)
Subject: New Saving Throw System

    The following is the saving throw system which I use in my own 
campaigns.  It simplifies the system, making it easier for the GM to 
determine which saving throw applies to the situation.  It also gives 
more logical ratings for each class: Fighters have tough bodies, Rogues 
are more nimble, Clerics have sturdy minds and Wizards have a better 
resistance to magic.
    This has been playtested in two mid-length campaigns.  There seemed 
to be no balance problems, and I had no complaints, but of course, YMMV.
    Also, it is easily altered; like the idea, but not numbers?  Think 
they change the balance of the classes?  Change 'em.  Its easy.
    Comments are both welcome and desired.


What Changes
    Under this system, there is only one major change: AD&D's normal saving 
throws (Rod, Staff and Wands, Paralyzation or Poison, Spells, etc.) are
replaced by four general categories: Dodge, Mind, Body, and Magic.  

Characters and Classes
    Each class is given a rating in each of the saving throws, as shown on 
Chart 1.  The ratings are Primary, Secondary and Normal.  Each of these 
ratings uses a different column of Chart 2.  The character's saving throw 
number is given by cross referencing the character's level with his rating in 
that saving throw.  For example, a fighter is rated as follows, as shown on 
Chart 1:  Dodge is Secondary,  Body is Primary,  and Mind and Magic are both 
Normal.  At first level his saves would be 15, 13, 17, and 17, respectively.
    Note:  Don't let this rating and cross referencing multi-chart stuff 
fool you into thinking it's complex.  Essentially, it takes the five 
different charts that you would have for each class and boils it down 
into one.  If one wanted, they could just make up a chart for each class, 
filling in the appropriate numbers.

Attributes
    Having exceptional attributes, either high or low, will modify a 
character's save.  Chart 3 shows the modifier. Simply add or subtract the 
appropriate modifier to the saving throw number.  Dexterity modifies Dodge, 
Constitution modifies Body and Wisdom modifies Mind.  Magic has no modifier.
    Optional:  Some might think this is a bit unbalanced, making Magic a 
little less useful.  Having Intelligence modify Magic would work.  I 
guess I just have a problem rationalizing this.

Using Saving Throws
    These saving throws are used like the old system.  The DM decides which 
applies, and the player rolls a d20.  If the roll is greater than or equal 
to, the save succeeds.
    Note that, like the old saving throws, these are hierarchical;  that is, 
they are in order of "preference".  So, although Charm Person is a magic 
spell, it affects the mind, so the subject would save against Mind, not Magic.
See below for more examples.


The Saving Throws
    Below is a summary of what each save covers.

Dodge   
    This covers a character's ability to get out of the way of or avoiding 
something.  Examples would be Fireball and Lightning Bolt spells, Red Dragon's
breath, and falling block, pit and spear traps.

Mind    
    This covers anything that changes or affects the character's mind, which 
includes just about all Enchantment/Charm spells.  Mind is also used to 
disbelieve illusions. Examples would be the mind blast of a mind flayer or 
possible insanity.

Body   
   Anything that affects or changes a character's physical form is covered
by Body.  Some examples are poison, disease, petrifaction, paralysis, 
polymorph or spells that physically cause blindness.

Magic    
    Anything magical not covered by the other three is saved against with 
magic, including any sort of life draining effects.  Most Divination spells 
directed at a target, such as Know Alignment, save against Magic.  Examples 
would be Teleport, Levitate, Light cast on the eyes, or Curse, the reverse of
Remove Curse.

A Few Specific Spell Examples
    Chill Touch (W1)  The spell affects a character's life force, so Magic 
		      is used.
    Grease (W1)  The save for this spell is based on movement, and thusly, 
		 Dodge.
    Light (W1)  Although Light cast on the eyes affects the body, the saving 
		throw is based on whether the caster can make the Light 
   		"stick" to his eyes.  Magic is used.
    Ray of Enfeeblement (W2)  Although this spell is an Enchantment/Charm, 
			      it weakens the body.  Body is used.
    Hold Person (W1)  Although this spell paralyzes the targets, it does 
		      it through the mind.  Mind is used.

Monsters and Saving Throws
    If the GM wishes, he can simply use the old method of assigning saving 
throws based on Hit Dice.  Most will use the Warrior Saving throws, unless 
the DM rules otherwise.  See page 65 in thr DM's Guide for more.
    Optionally, the GM can simply assign a value to each save for each 
monster.  For example, a Hill Giant would have a poor Mind save, 16 perhaps, 
but a very good Body save, such as 6.  This allows for more realiztic numbers.


Chart 1
_Class_	      Dodge    Mind    Body    Magic
Priest		N	P	N	S
Warrior		S	N	P	N
Wizard		N	S	N	P
Rogue		P	N	S	N
Psionicist	N	P	S	N

Chart 2            	
_Level_       Primary   Secondary   Normal
1-2		13	   15	      17
3-4		12	   14	      16
5-6		11	   12	      15
7-8		10	   11	      13
9-10		9	   10	      12
11-12		7	   9	      11
13-14		6	   8	      10
15-16+		5	   7	      9
    All saves have a minimum of 2, regardless of level and attributes.

Chart 3
_Attribute_   Modifier
1-3		-3
4-5		-2
6-8		-1
9-12		0
13-15		+1
16-17		+2
18-19		+3
20-21		+4
22-23		+5
24-25		+6