Dice rolls: Difference between revisions

When a creature takes an Attack action, they must make an attack roll. Attack rolls are rolled against the target's [[Armour Class]] (AC). If the final result of the attack roll is equal to or exceeds the target AC, the outcome is a ''hit''. Otherwise, it considered a ''miss''.

Attack actions are often made with [[Weapons|weapons]], but some spells, such as {{SAI|Fire Bolt}} or {{SAI|Eldritch Blast}}, also rely on attack rolls.

Melee attacks generally use the creature's Strength modifier, and ranged attacks use Dexterity, or Strength for thrown weapons. Weapons with the Finesse property use whichever of those two modifiers is highest. Spellcasters use their [[Spells#Spellcasting_Ability_and_Proficiency|spellcasting ability modifier]] for attacks made with spells. Some magical effects, like the spell {{SAI|Shillelagh}} or a Warlock's {{SAI|Pact of the Blade}}, allow spellcasters to use their spellcasting ability modifier for weapon attack and damage rolls.

The creature's proficiency bonus is added to attack rolls made with weapons they are proficient with. Classes capable of spellcasting add their proficiency bonus to the attack rolls of spells they cast.

[[File:critical hit.png|right|thumb|Example of a Critical Hit with a 1d6 Shortsword; the damage dice are doubled, but the Dexterity modifier is not]]

A natural 20 on an attack roll is a [[Critical hit|critical hit]]. In addition to being an automatic hit, the creature rolls twice the normal number of dice to determine damage, including additional dice such as those from smites or combat manoeuvres. "Flat" damage bonuses that add a simple number rather than dice, are not doubled by a critical hit. This includes ability score modifiers, weapon enhancement bonuses and features and abilities like {{SAI|Great Weapon Master: All In}}.