# Saving throw

- Term: Tabletop term
- Date: 1962
- Canonical: https://www.lanternhall.org/lexicon/saving-throw/

> A roll made to avoid or reduce a sudden danger such as poison, a dragon's breath, a trap or a spell. The save represents a character's luck, reflexes or willpower rather than an attack, and a success typically negates or halves the effect.

A roll made to avoid or reduce a sudden danger such as poison, a dragon's breath, a trap or a spell. The save represents a character's luck, reflexes or willpower rather than an attack, and a success typically negates or halves the effect.

**Origin:** Wargame usage; the term is traced to Donald F. Featherstone's book War Games (1962), and entered roleplaying with Dungeons & Dragons (1974).

## Quick answers

**What does "Saving throw" mean?**
A roll made to avoid or reduce a sudden danger such as poison, a dragon's breath, a trap or a spell. The save represents a character's luck, reflexes or willpower rather than an attack, and a success typically negates or halves the effect.

**Where does the term "Saving throw" come from?**
Wargame usage; the term is traced to Donald F. Featherstone's book War Games (1962), and entered roleplaying with Dungeons & Dragons (1974).

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From The Lantern Hall (https://www.lanternhall.org/), a museum of fantasy literature and roleplaying games.