👉 This page covers the ability-based saving throws in GnollHack that allow targets to resist certain spells, wands, and effects.
🧠 Wisdom-Based Saving Throw
Contrary to NetHack, charm, sleep, and other mind-affecting spells and effects, such as fear, do not check against the magic resistance of monsters. Instead, monsters need to make a wisdom-based saving throw to resist the effect. The chance of resisting is equal to:
$-30\% + 5\% \times \text{Wisdom}$
Base Saving Throw Chance
| Wisdom | Chance of Resisting |
|---|---|
| 6 | 0% |
| 10 | 20% |
| 14 | 40% |
| 18 | 60% |
| 21 | 75% |
| 25 | 95% |
Spell Skill Modifiers
The caster's proficiency in the relevant spell school modifies the target's chance to resist. Higher skill levels make the spell harder to resist, while lower skill levels grant the target a bonus.
| Skill Level | Saving Throw Modifier |
|---|---|
| Unskilled | +15% |
| Basic | 0% |
| Skilled | -15% |
| Expert | -30% |
| Master | -45% |
| Grand Master | -60% |
Wand Skill Modifiers
When a wand is used, the user's Wand skill level applies a penalty to the target's saving throw, making wands more reliable at higher skill levels.
| Skill Level | Saving Throw Modifier |
|---|---|
| Basic | -10% |
| Skilled | -20% |
| Expert | -30% |
Lowered Magic Resistance Penalties
If a target's Magic Resistance has been lowered or depleted, they suffer severe penalties to all ability-based saving throws, making them significantly more vulnerable.
| Magic Resistance Status | Saving Throw Penalty |
|---|---|
| Full | 0% |
| 3/4 | -20% |
| 1/2 | -40% |
| 1/4 | -60% |
| None | -100% |
Monster Rank Modifiers
When monsters cast spells or use wands, their rank simulates high skill levels.
| Monster Rank | Simulated Skill Level | Saving Throw Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Lord-tier | Expert | -30% |
| Prince-tier | Grand Master | -60% |
Item Beatitude Modifiers
Items with mind-affecting effects (such as a scroll of taming or wand of sleep) apply modifiers based on beatitude.
| Beatitude | Saving Throw Modifier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blessed | -25% | |
| Uncursed | 0% | |
| Cursed | +25% | Applies if there is no separate cursed effect. |
🔋 Constitution-Based Saving Throw
Some spells, such as Power Words and Holy word, and some potion effects, such as sickness and poison, check against the constitution of the target. The chance of resisting is:
$-30\% + 5\% \times \text{Constitution}$
Base Saving Throw Chance
| Constitution | Chance of Resisting |
|---|---|
| 6 | 0% |
| 10 | 20% |
| 14 | 40% |
| 18 | 60% |
| 21 | 75% |
| 25 | 95% |
ℹ️ Note: The Holy word spell checks against the Constitution of the target to determine if it is affected, just like other constitution-based saving throws.
Spell Skill Modifiers
The caster's proficiency in the relevant spell school modifies the target's chance to resist. Higher skill levels make the spell harder to resist, while lower skill levels grant the target a bonus.
| Skill Level | Saving Throw Modifier |
|---|---|
| Unskilled | +15% |
| Basic | 0% |
| Skilled | -15% |
| Expert | -30% |
| Master | -45% |
| Grand Master | -60% |
🤸 Dexterity-Based Saving Throw
The Flesh to stone spell checks against the dexterity of the target to see if they can dodge the petrification effect. The chance of resisting uses the same formula:
$-30\% + 5\% \times \text{Dexterity}$
Base Saving Throw Chance
| Dexterity | Chance of Resisting |
|---|---|
| 6 | 0% |
| 10 | 20% |
| 14 | 40% |
| 18 | 60% |
| 21 | 75% |
| 25 | 95% |
🗣️ Charisma-Based Saving Throw
The Silence spell checks against the charisma of the target to see if they can resist the effect. The chance of resisting uses the same formula:
$-30\% + 5\% \times \text{Charisma}$
Base Saving Throw Chance
| Charisma | Chance of Resisting |
|---|---|
| 6 | 0% |
| 10 | 20% |
| 14 | 40% |
| 18 | 60% |
| 21 | 75% |
| 25 | 95% |