How to Perform Attack Rolls in D&D 5e

Published on October 21, 2024

Attack rolls in D&D 5e determine the grit of your game. This fundamental mechanic will decide if your punches land, and if your arrows strike.

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Attack Rolls Step-By-Step

Here is a summary of the steps to perform your next attack roll! 

Read further on for more detail on each step.

  1. Decide what type of attack you are using–Melee weapon, Ranged weapon, or spell attack
  1. Roll your d20

    • If you have gained Advantage on your attack roll, roll two d20s and take the higher result
    • If you have Disadvantage on your attack roll, roll two d20s and take lower result
    • A natural 20 is an automatic Critical Hit
    • A Natural 1 is an automatic miss
  1. Add modifiers to your d20 roll
    • Add either your Strength or Dexterity modifier if you’re making a weapon attack. If attacking with a spell, apply your spell attack modifier.If your character is proficient with the weapon, add your Proficiency Bonus. This is already included in your spell attack modifier, so make sure not to add it twice.
  1. Total your d20 roll + modifiers and compare this final result to the target’s Armor Class (AC)
    • If your total is greater than the target’s AC, the attack hits
    • If your total is less than the target’s AC, the attack misses
  1. If successful, roll the applicable dice to determine base damage
    • For example, your Longsword will deal 1d8 slashing damage, and casting Firebolt will deal 1d10 fire damage
  1. If applicable, add your ability modifier to base damage to determine total damage dealt
    • Apply Strength modifier for melee attacks without Finesse weapons, or Dexterity modifier for ranged attacks or attacks made with Finesse weapons
    • Unless stated otherwise, do not add ability modifier to spellcasting damage
  1. Subtract the total damage calculated from the target’s Hit Points

What are Attack Rolls

Attack rolls are one of the various D20 Tests performed in D&D 5e. They are used anytime your character is performing an attack on a target. Attack rolls will determine the outcome of your character’s efforts–will their Longsword critically strike or merely slice thin air? Read on for a summary of the 2024 Player’s Handbook rules behind attack rolls so you and your party are ready to find victory in your next battle.

Your Attack Basics

As with any D20 Test, the outcome of your attack roll is largely based on the result of your d20 roll. The final result of your roll will be compared to your target’s Armor Class (AC) to determine whether your attack hits or misses. However, more than mere fate factors into this final result. Outside of rolling either a natural 20, which automatically hits, or a natural 1, which automatically misses, a few other factors will help increase your odds during attack rolls. 

Attack Modifiers

An adventurer with a spear taking aim at rats.
Harried Spearguard – Wizards of the Coast – Borja Pindado

When in combat, your character’s specific skills, strengths, and weaknesses will play into how successful they may be in taking certain actions. Let’s quantify that by adding ability modifiers and Proficiency Bonuses to your attack rolls!

The type of ability modifier added to your attack roll will depend on the type of attack your character is making. Add your Strength modifier to attacks using melee weapons like Clubs or Longswords, and your Dexterity modifier to attacks using ranged weapons like Crossbows or javelins. Bear in mind that there are a few exceptions. For instance, Finesse weapons use Dexterity for melee attacks instead of Strength.

For spell attacks, the ability modifier added will depend on the class of the spellcaster–see our breakdown below:

Class Spellcasting Ability
Artificers, Wizards Intelligence
Cerics, Druids Wisdom
Sorcerers, Warlocks, Bards Charisma

Additionally, a Proficiency Bonus will be added to your attack roll whenever your character uses a weapon in battle that they are proficient with. This is already baked into spellcasters’ spell attack rolls, so be sure not to add it twice.

Proficiency represents your character’s skill in a certain area, so this bonus tangibly demonstrates the increased likelihood of success on such attacks by increasing the result of your d20 roll. Proficiency bonuses begin at +2, and increase overtime as certain levels are achieved.

Take Advantage 

Want to increase your likelihood of success in battle even further? There are several ways in which your character can gain Advantage on attack rolls. Certain positioning, abilities, spells, and items can each provide this upperhand, allowing you to roll two d20s during attack rolls, and choose the higher result.

Explore some of various ways to gain advantage below, and never miss a target again!

  • Conditions: Attacking a Prone, Stunned, or Paralyzed target.
  • Spells: Attacking creatures affected by Faerie Fire or Guiding Bolt.
  • Class Dependent: Using Reckless Attack as a Barbarian to gain Advantage on melee weapon attack rolls (remember this also gives Advantage against you until next turn).

Watch Out

Just as one might gain Advantage in battle, other unfavorable scenarios will lead your character to gain Disadvantage. 

Avoid the following scenarios to prevent gaining Disadvantage on your next attack roll:

  • Attacking an Invisible enemy or attacking in total darkness.
  • Making ranged attack within 5 feet of target.
  • Succumbing to the Frightened, Blinded, or Poisoned conditions.

If luck runs dry, and your character finds themselves with Disadvantage on their attack roll, roll 2d20s and use the lower roll. Here’s hoping your ability modifier and proficiency bonus are enough to make that arrow still find its mark!

What’s the Damage

Kellan’s Lightblades – Wizards of the Coast – Fajareka Setiawan

If the total of your d20 roll, plus applicable attack modifiers, and effects of Advantage or Disadvantage result in a final total greater than your target’s AC, congratulations! You’ve just landed a successful blow. But what will the damage be? 

Every type of weapon and attack spell uses a specific dice to determine the damage inflicted by their use. Once a successful attack roll is made, roll the relevant damage dice for the weapon used to determine the impact of your hit. This roll will represent the base damage that will be subtracted from the target’s Hit Points. 

Next, add the applicable ability modifier to increase the base damage. Add your Strength modifier for melee weapon attacks made without Finesse weapons, and your Dexterity modifier for ranged weapon attacks and attacks made with Finesse weapons. 

Notably, this is where damage from spellcasting attacks differ. Unless the spell, or another feature/ability specifically states otherwise, an ability modifier will not be added to increase the base damage caused by spell attacks.

The total of the base damage rolled, plus applicable ability modifiers (and any special bonuses granted by magic weapons or specific class abilities) results in the total damage dealt to your target from a successful hit. 

Remember that different types of attacks deal different types of damage, and certain creatures have Resistance or Vulnerability to certain types of damage. 

Let the Battle Begin

Attack rolls are a fundamental mechanic of D&D 5e, and hopefully brushing up on this skill will help you to find success in your next battle. Remember to maximize your primary ability score, and find advantages where you can, so your party can find victory on your next adventure! We’re manifesting a Critical Hit.

Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. He is a Adamantine best-selling author of Strixhaven: A Syllabus of Sorcery on DMs Guild and is a contributing author at D&D Beyond. Follow Mike on Twitter.

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