5E vs. Savage Worlds

Attribute	5E	Savage Worlds
Core Rulebook	Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook	Savage Worlds Adventure Edition
Character Creation	Classes and races with ability scores and skills	Point buy system with attributes and skills
Combat System	Turn-based with actions and bonus actions	Fast-paced with initiative cards and exploding dice
Setting	High fantasy with magic and monsters	Genre-neutral with customizable settings
Experience System	Level-based with experience points	Advancement based on character milestones

Core Mechanics

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5E) and Savage Worlds are both popular tabletop roleplaying games, but they have some key differences in their core mechanics. 5E uses a d20 system where players roll a twenty-sided die and add modifiers to determine success or failure. Savage Worlds, on the other hand, uses a system of dice with different sizes (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12) where players roll multiple dice and add them together to determine outcomes. This difference in dice mechanics can lead to a different feel in gameplay, with 5E focusing more on the swinginess of a single d20 roll and Savage Worlds offering more consistent results with multiple dice rolls.

Character Creation

Character creation in 5E and Savage Worlds also differs in some key ways. In 5E, players choose a race, class, background, and ability scores to create their character. They then select skills, spells, and equipment based on their choices. Savage Worlds, on the other hand, uses a point-buy system where players allocate points to attributes, skills, and edges hindrances to create their character. This allows for more customization and flexibility in character creation in Savage Worlds compared to the more structured approach of 5E.

Combat

Combat is a central aspect of both 5E and Savage Worlds, but they handle it in different ways. In 5E, combat is turn-based with initiative determining the order in which characters act. Players can take actions such as attacking, casting spells, or using abilities during their turn. Savage Worlds, on the other hand, uses a more fluid and fast-paced combat system where players can take actions in any order they choose. This can lead to more dynamic and unpredictable combat encounters in Savage Worlds compared to the more structured approach of 5E.

Setting and Genre

5E is known for its high fantasy setting, with elves, dwarves, and dragons being common elements in campaigns. It is designed to be a versatile system that can accommodate a wide range of settings and genres, but it is primarily focused on traditional fantasy. Savage Worlds, on the other hand, is designed to be a more generic system that can be adapted to any setting or genre. It has settings available for fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and more, making it a more flexible system for players who want to explore different genres and settings in their campaigns.

Success and Failure

In 5E, success and failure are often determined by the roll of a d20, with higher rolls indicating success and lower rolls indicating failure. Players can also add modifiers to their rolls based on their abilities and skills to increase their chances of success. In Savage Worlds, success and failure are determined by the total of multiple dice rolls, with players needing to meet or exceed a target number to succeed. This can lead to more consistent outcomes in Savage Worlds compared to the more variable outcomes in 5E.