Attack Rolls

Formula: d20 + ability modifier + proficiency bonus (if proficient)

Roll the d20, add your modifiers, and compare to the target's Armor Class (AC). If your total equals or exceeds the AC, you hit!

Melee Weapon Attacks:

• Use Strength modifier (usually)
• Finesse weapons: Choose Strength OR Dexterity

Ranged Weapon Attacks:

• Use Dexterity modifier
• Thrown weapons: Use Strength (or Dex if finesse)

Spell Attacks:

• Use your spellcasting ability modifier
• Wizard: Intelligence
• Cleric/Druid: Wisdom
• Sorcerer/Warlock/Bard: Charisma

Natural 20 (Critical Hit):

• Always hits, regardless of AC
• Double all damage dice (not modifiers)
• Example: 2d6+4 becomes 4d6+4

Natural 1 (Critical Miss):

• Always misses, regardless of modifiers
• No additional penalties by RAW
• Some tables use fumble tables (house rule)

Critical Hit Math:

• Roll damage dice twice (or double the dice rolled)
• Add modifiers once
• Add extra dice from features (Sneak Attack, Smite) and double those too

Always Added:

• Ability modifier (Str, Dex, or spellcasting ability)
• Proficiency bonus (if proficient with weapon/spell)

Situational Bonuses:

• Magic weapon bonus (+1, +2, +3)
• Bless spell: +1d4
• Bardic Inspiration: +1d6/d8/d10/d12
• Fighting Style (Archery): +2 to ranged attacks

Advantage/Disadvantage:

• Roll 2d20, take higher (advantage) or lower (disadvantage)
• Roughly equivalent to ±5
• They cancel each other out