Spell Save Confusion

[Dragonhelm]

I'm confused on saving throws for spells. According to page 50 in the C&C PHB, the save is equal to the caster's level.

That seems odd to me. The save vs. a 1st-level spell casted by a 1st-level mage is a 1. If you figure that a roll of 1 is always a fumble, then a roll of 2 or better saves. While the 1st-level mage's power isn't all that great, surely it has a better chance of succeeding than that. The town drunk could make a save vs. that.
Even at higher levels, you have a fair chance of success. A save from a 10th-level mage gives you a 50/50 chance (figuring the save CL is 10).

Am I missing something here?
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Trampas Whiteman
---DragonHelm--->
Dragonlance Nexus

[serleran]

Yes, you're forgetting that its a save, so it uses the SIEGE Engine, because all saves do. So, the save difficulty for a 1st level wizard is one, but if the person doesn't have Prime in the relevant stat, the actual chance is much lower.

Think of it this way, which is the way it works:

d20 + level + attribute modifier + bonuses >= 12 / 18 + caster level.

[Dragonhelm]

serleran wrote:
12 / 18 + caster level.

Ah, THAT's what I'm missing. That makes much more sense now. I figured there had to be something missing.

Since I don't use primes (I know, I'm evil ), I can split the middle and make it 15 + caster level.

Thanks for the helping hand.
_________________
Trampas Whiteman
---DragonHelm--->
Dragonlance Nexus