Ability Checks vs. Saves

[drsamsara]

My recent analysis of the Spell Saves got me to thinking about this: should there be a difference between Ability Checks and Saves? Officially, Saves are a sub-set of Checks. I'm finding myself torn however between leaving that alone and eliminating Saves as such.

For instance, right now, Thieves get a bonus to DEX Saves, but not to Checks. Wizards get a bonus to INT Saves but not Checks. Something seems maybe off even granted that they will possibly have bonuses from high stats.

It seems that many old-schoolers are using Saving Throws as a generic "Skills" system (check out recent issues of Fight On! for examples). Should S&S do the same, when its system makes that even more sensible that others (where you have to intuit that a Save vs. Dragon Breath means dodging and so on)?

Thoughts?

[Jason Vey]

Saves aren't as much a sub-set of checks as they are a type of check. Most classes get a situational or circumstantial bonus to that type of ability check. I do use checks as a type of skill system, with Backgrounds.

[drsamsara]

Exactly. My point is whether or not the classes ought to get an across-the-board bonus to their "favoured" Abilities, rather than just to Saves based on those Abilities.