Can someone explain saving throws?

[ManupBatman]

Where I live there is a sad lack of table top games, and I plan on changing that as soon as I can get a grasp on it.

I'm looking Pathfinder rules online, and I just can't get my head around saving throws. I understand if you get a 20 against flaming death cone of firey death you are golden, but how do you calculate damage if you got a 19?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BrassButtons]

Generally when the DM tells you to make a saving throw, he has a chart that divides the possible saving throws into ranges, with how much damage goes to a player whose throw falls within each range. So if your throw is a 19, the DM will look at whichever damage bracket on his chart that includes a 19, and give you the damage from there.

There's no rule (that I know of--but then I've got very limited experience here) for how much damage to take on certain saving throws. You might need a 19 to totally avoid damage from one trap, but only a 15 to avoid the trap next to it. It depends on the game and on the DM.