Is there a difference between "save" spells vs. "attack roll" spells?

[SuperbDave]

I understand the mechanics of these two spells, however, unlike pathfinder, both types' accuracy base off casting stat alone, while in pathfinder, attackroll mage must invest in STR or DEX, while save caster can solely focus on casting stat.

Am I understand this correctly?

[reliankru]

In 5e, both spell attacks and spell saves use your caster stat.

[Wuffle]

attack roll spells is to hit the target.
spell save is to resist a spell effect

your spell attack is based on your main spellcasting modifier and proficiency
you spell save DC is based on your main spellcasting modifier, proficiency and a base +8

Let's say you're a wizard with +3 proficiency and have an intelligence of 18 (every 2 points over 10 gives you a +1 to that modifier)

your DC is 8 + 3 + 4 = 15
If a creature has to make a WIS save against one of your spells, you still use the ''DC granted to you with INT, all spells that you have are based on your spellcasting modifier for that class.

I probably overexplained

[SuperbDave]

Originally posted by reliankru:

In 5e, both spell attacks and spell saves use your caster stat.

So for pure offensive consideration, caster should only focus on main casting stat and nothing else?

[Jaggid Edje]

The main difference is in terms of what the difficulty ends up being in terms of the success/fail.

Deciding which spells to use gets an extra layer of decision making where you may want to account for the opponent's armour class and saving throw strengths/weaknesses when deciding what spell to use, for example.

[BeautifulFlowerField]

Originally posted by SuperbDave:

Originally posted by reliankru:

In 5e, both spell attacks and spell saves use your caster stat.

So for pure offensive consideration, caster should only focus on main casting stat and nothing else?

Constitution is needed to maintain concentration.

[Shadow]

Many save spells (except cantrips) guarantee _some_ damage. e.g. Fireball still gives half damage to enemies that make the save roll. Aside from that it will vary depending on the enemy. Some will have high ac but low saves, etc.