Dice rolls: Difference between revisions

 

Beyond the general principles explained above, the details of rolls depend on the type of roll that is being made. Following are the types of rolls in the game.

When a creature attacks another, the game rolls a D20. The result is modified by the attacking creature's [[Ability Score Modifier]] and [[Proficiency Bonus]]. If the result matches or exceeds the [[Armour Class]] of the target, then the attack is successful. Otherwise, it's a failure; this could mean the attack was a miss, failed to hurt the target due to its armour, or the target was able to dodge or parry.

Attacks done with [[Weapons]] always use an Attack Roll to determine success. Some spells also use an Attack Roll to determine whether they hit their intended target (such as {{SmallIcon|Fire Bolt Icon.png}} [[Fire Bolt]] or {{SmallIcon|Eldritch Blast Icon.png}} [[Eldritch Blast]]), though other spells hit the target automatically (such as {{SmallIcon|Magic Missile Icon.png}} [[Magic Missile]] or {{SmallIcon|Fireball Icon.png}} [[Fireball]]).  A spell that hits its target automatically may allow the target to make a Saving Throw instead; see below.

The Attack Roll should not be confused with the Damage Roll, which instead determines the amount of damage done to a target by a successful attack.

Likewise, a roll of 20 means the attack succeeds regardless of the target's Armour Class.  This is called a '''Critical Hit.'''  A critical hit also affects the result of the Damage Roll. Currently, a critical hit doubles all damage dice involved in the damage roll (including additional dice such as those from Smites or Combat Manoeuvers), but not the bonuses from modifiers or other flat damage bonuses such as {{SmallIcon|Great Weapon Master All-In Icon.png}} [[Great Weapon Master: All In]].

 

For the creature's Proficiency Bonus to be added to the roll, the creature must be [[Proficiency|proficient]] in the kind of attack it's making. For weapon attacks, this is based on whether the creature has proficiency in the weapon being used. For spells, it's based on whether the creature has any innate spell casting capability granted by its class, subclass, or Feats.

A '''Damage Roll''' is performed when a successful attack is made, a spell hits a target, a trap is activated, and so on. The result determines the damage done, in terms of hit-points. This roll can involve any type and number of dice.

For example, a successful hit with a [[Dagger]] will lead to a D4 being rolled to determine the damage (referred to as 1d4 damage), whereas a successful attack with a [[Greatsword]] will lead to two D6 being rolled (referred to as 2d6) for a total damage of 2 to 12. Being caught in a {{SmallIcon|Fireball Icon.png}} [[Fireball]] will cause 8d6 points of damage, though a successful Saving Throw (see below) can reduce it to half.

 

For attacks made with weapons, the total value resulting from the roll is affected by the attacking creature's [[Ability Score Modifier]]. For the damage of spell attacks, no such modifier applies, except when explicitly granted by a magical item or class feature, such as the [[Warlock]]'s {{SmallIcon|Agonizing_Blast_Icon.png}} [[Eldritch Invocation|Agonising Blast]] invocation.

Various types of danger can be avoided, or their harm reduced, by making a {{SavingThrow}}, also called a save. This could mean trying to avoid damage from a trap that was just activated, trying to resist the poison of a venomous bite, or trying to take cover to reduce damage from an explosion.

The creature rolls a D20, and adds its [[Ability Score Modifier]] and [[Proficiency Bonus]] (if Proficient in that type of saving throw). The result must reach or exceed the Difficulty Class of the Saving Throw.

Which [[Ability Score]] is used for the Modifier depends on the source of danger against which the save is being made.  For example, evading a spike trap may require Dexterity, whereas trying to resist the effects of a poisonous gas would require Constitution.

Depending on the Ability Score, the Saving Throw may be referred to as a Strength Saving Throw, Dexterity Saving Throw, Constitution Saving Throw, and so on.  (Further shortened to Strength Save, Dexterity Save, etc.)  The Proficiency Bonus is only added if the creature has [[Proficiency]] in the corresponding type of Saving Throw.  Each [[Class]] grants a creature two Saving Throw Proficiencies.

 

'''Difficulty Class''' (or DC) is a number that must be matched or exceeded to achieve success when rolling for [[Checks|Ability Checks]] or [[Saving Throws]]. The Difficulty Class (DC) is determined by the source of danger:

* For the Difficulty Class of a [[Spells|'''Spell''']] that imposes a Saving Throw, the DC is determined by the creature's '''[[Spells|Spellcasting Ability Modifier]]''', using the following formula:

A successful save could mean completely avoiding negative effects, or it could mean reducing the damage received.  For example, successfully saving against a spike trap could mean that a creature takes no damage at all, because it successfully evaded the spikes.  On the other hand, if it's caught in the area of effect of a {{SmallIcon|Fireball_Icon.png}} [[Fireball]], then a successful save will merely halve the damage.  Some effects don't allow for a Saving Throw at all, for example the damage taken from {{SmallIcon|Magic Missile Icon.png}} [[Magic Missile]].