[RPG] Are there any practical reasons for choosing proficiency in Intelligence saving throws

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Are there any practical reasons for choosing proficiency in Intelligence saving throws?

It was suggested to me to take the Resilient feat (PHB, p. 168):

Choose one ability score. You gain the following benefits:

  • Increase the chosen ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
  • You gain proficiency in saving throws using the chosen ability.

I considered choosing Intelligence for the feat, but I can only think back to a handful of occasions where I was asked to make an Intelligence saving throw. It seems like it is the least useful out of all the saving throw proficiencies. Dexterity, Wisdom and Constitution get used the most; Strength and Charisma less so, but Intelligence…

Are there any uses for Intelligence saving throws, such as to counter a monster's special ability?

(This is a question about saving throws, not ability checks.)

Best Answer

Int saves are really good against Mind Flayers, other psionic creatures, and also some spells

Few spells require you to use Int saving throws, additionally from my experience some of these are often used in Dungeons or by BBEGs to screw PCs over. They are:

  • Feeblemind
  • Symbol (insanity mode)
  • Phantasmal Force
  • Mental Prison
  • Psychic Scream
  • Illusory Dragon (Save for Dragon Breath, Investigation check to see through illusion)
  • Synaptic Static (This is actually a useful AOE for PCs as well)
  • Raulothim's Psychic Lance
  • Enemies Abound
  • Tasha's Mind Whip
  • Mind Sliver
  • Contact Other Plane (When cast by you)

The distribution of spells requiring different saving throws can be seen in answers to this question with intelligence having the least spells associated with it.

In general psionic abilities and psionic monsters are often the ones that require intelligence saves.

The list below is not exhaustive, but these are the monsters I found the most common and impactful.

The dreaded Mind Flayer's Mind Blast ability requires an Int saving throw

Mind Blast (Recharge 5–6). The mind flayer magically emits psychic energy in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or take 22 (4d8 + 4) psychic damage and be stunned for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

And so do their tentacles

Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) psychic damage. If the target is Medium or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC 15) and must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until this grapple ends.

Having Int save proficiency in campaigns that deal with mind flayers a lot is very useful

Intellect devourer's devour intellect is another Int save ability

Devour Intellect. The intellect devourer targets one creature it can see within 10 feet of it that has a brain. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Intelligence saving throw against this magic or take 11 (2d10) psychic damage. Also on a failure, roll 3d6: If the total equals or exceeds the target's Intelligence score, that score is reduced to 0. The target is stunned until it regains at least one point of Intelligence.

Recently released Fizban's Treasury of Dragons sourcebook introduces Gem Dragons to 5e. Many of them have signature psionic abilities that require intelligence saving throws. One example for all:

Psychic Beam (Costs 3 Actions). The greatwyrm emits a beam of psychic energy in a 90-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that area must make a DC 26 Intelligence saving throw, taking 27 (5d10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Finally as was pointed out in the comments, a recent Unearthed Arcana contains three psionic focused subclasses and introduces new abilities and spells that require Int saving throws.

For what it's worth though I agree with the question and as far as I know Intelligence saving throw proficiency is generally considered the weakest one.

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