There are 64 Dexterity save spells in DnD 5e. Dexterity save spells typically involve avoiding the spell’s effect with agility. Most deal damage (53/64) — fire, bludgeoning, lightning, and physical damage being the most common – but some also provide utility in restraining foes. Dexterity is the most common saving throw forced by spells in DnD 5e. They are primarily found in the evocation, conjuration, and transmutation schools of magic.

Here are all the 5e spells that force a Dexterity saving throw:

As you can see, some of the best damaging spells in the game (Fireball, Lightning Bolt, and Disintegrate) force Dex saves. But there are also super-strong utility and control spells that force Dexterity saves, like Web and Faerie Fire. Restraining and knocking prone are the most common debuff effects caused by Dex save spells.

Are Dexterity Save Spells Good?

Dexterity save spells will land less often than most spells, on average. However, this is purely based on the average ability modifiers among DnD 5e’s monsters in the game’s main monster sourcebooks. The average Dexterity of monsters in 5e is 13.14 — the 3rd-highest average ability score in the game.

For comparison, here are the average ability scores of the 802 monsters included in this data set: