Is there a name for a single saving throw with multiple DCs (i.e. whose effect is determined based on the highest DC met)?
For example, say a character is placed in a supernaturally hot environment, requiring a Constitution saving throw with the following result table:
\$\begin{array}{|c|l|}
\hline
\textbf{Result} & \textbf{Effect}\\
\hline
16\text{ or more} & \text{no effect}\\
10-15 & \text{1d6 fire damage}\\
9\text{ or less} & \text{1d6 fire damage + 1 level of exhaustion}\\
\hline
\end{array}
\$
This Con save would have 2 DCs: 10 and 16.
Is there a name or precedent for something like this? Or just "multiple DCs"?
Best Answer
Dungeon Master Guide calls this Degrees of Failure or Success at a Cost
The opening paragraph of the Resolution and Consequences section of the DMG (p. 243) encourages non binary results to player actions:
It goes on to addresses variable skill check results directly.
Success at a Cost
Degrees of Failure
Varied Success by Skill Check
Also addressed is tiers of success based on the skill check in the social interactions section.
A neatly formatted explicit example is on DMG page 245 detailing reactions of NPCs based on the roll of the skill check.
\begin{array}{|l|l|} \hline \textbf{DC} & \textbf{Reaction} \\ \hline 0 & \text{The creature offers no help but does no harm.} \\ \hline 10 & \text{The creature does as asked as long as no risks or sacrifices are involved.}\\ \hline 20 & \text{The creature accepts a minor risk or sacrifice to do as asked.}\\ \hline \end{array}