I noticed on some spells it says towards the bottom, ATTACK/SAVE (Insert ability here.) and then a number. What exactly is this supposed to represent? I've been looking at the players handbook, and Im assuming it's referring to the saving throw that a NPC/PC has to make to dodge the spell or make it's effects null and void. Though it also says attack. Can someone explain this using possible examples?
Unfortunately, since you did not give an example of what you are talking about, everyone has to guess.
The spell listing section will say whether the spell requires the caster to make an attack role or whether it requires the target of the spell to make a saving throw. The spell description will also indicate which saving throw.
e.g.
"FIRE BOLT Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage."
A ranged attack roll is described in the PHB section on attacks.
"SACRED FLAME The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage."
The target must make a dexterity saving throw. The DC is determined by the caster proficiency and casting stat.
On the other hand, maybe you are talking about the NPC/monster stat blocks at the back of the PHB. These describe the characteristics of the monsters, their proficient saving throws, their attacks - modifiers and damage, as well as any spells or special actions they can take.
SKELETON Medium undead, lawful evil Armor Class 13 (armor scraps) Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4) Speed 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 10 (40) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3) Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning Damage immunities poison Condition Immunities poisoned Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9 Languages understands languages it knew in life but can't speak Challenge 114 (50 XP) ACTIONS Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage, Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80 ft./320 ft.. one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
This describes the skeleton. Its hit points, senses, damage/condition immunities and vulnerabilities and specific actions it can take in addition to the standard actions like dash, dodge, disengage and hide. In this case it could choose to make either melee or ranged attack though both have +4 to hit and similar damage.
Finally, I just skimmed the spells in the players handbook and can't find a single example of the word attack at the end of the spell followed by a number ... so a specific example would be very useful.
On the DNDBeyond character pages specifically, when clicking on certain spells in your spellbook it will say Attack/Save, then an ability such as CON(In the case of Thunderclap) or DEX(in the case of Fire Bolt), and then a number. I realized the number was the minimum number for someone to have to achieve to do a successful saving throw against the spell, but it also said Attack. So im confused about exactly what it means especially because as you mentioned, it says nothing like that in the PHB.
I also noticed when in the spells tab of a character page, at the top it says your spellcasting modifier(INT in this case as it's a wizard character), then spell attack, and then your Saving DC. What exactly is the spell attack referring to? I noticed it also matches my INT saving throw.
Its simply a space saving thing. The attack modifier and save DC are listed in the same place so you always know where to look. If there is an attack it will say +# instead of STAT##.
Your spell attack modifier and your spell save DC are based on you spellcasting ability.
I would normally agree with DxJxC and consider the matter well answered, but one thing bugs me.
You mention DEX in the case of Fire Bolt. Are you certain about this? If so, can you provide a screenshot?
Fire Bolt has no relevant save, it requires a ranged spell attack. As such, I'd expect it to show a "+X" format number at the "Hit/DC" column of your sheet, or the word "ranged" when you look at its "Attack/Save" field in the spell listing.
Otherwise, the answers above are on the spot. The spell entry describes how a spell works exactly, and since a lot of them include a spell attack or a single save, the "Hit/DC" and "Attack/Save" are shorthand reminders for player convenience.
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I noticed on some spells it says towards the bottom, ATTACK/SAVE (Insert ability here.) and then a number. What exactly is this supposed to represent? I've been looking at the players handbook, and Im assuming it's referring to the saving throw that a NPC/PC has to make to dodge the spell or make it's effects null and void. Though it also says attack. Can someone explain this using possible examples?
Unfortunately, since you did not give an example of what you are talking about, everyone has to guess.
The spell listing section will say whether the spell requires the caster to make an attack role or whether it requires the target of the spell to make a saving throw. The spell description will also indicate which saving throw.
e.g.
"FIRE BOLT
Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage."
A ranged attack roll is described in the PHB section on attacks.
"SACRED FLAME
The target must succeed on a
Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage."
The target must make a dexterity saving throw. The DC is determined by the caster proficiency and casting stat.
On the other hand, maybe you are talking about the NPC/monster stat blocks at the back of the PHB. These describe the characteristics of the monsters, their proficient saving throws, their attacks - modifiers and damage, as well as any spells or special actions they can take.
SKELETON
Medium undead, lawful evil
Armor Class 13 (armor scraps)
Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (40) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands languages it knew in life but can't speak
Challenge 114 (50 XP)
ACTIONS
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage,
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80 ft./320 ft.. one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
This describes the skeleton. Its hit points, senses, damage/condition immunities and vulnerabilities and specific actions it can take in addition to the standard actions like dash, dodge, disengage and hide. In this case it could choose to make either melee or ranged attack though both have +4 to hit and similar damage.
Finally, I just skimmed the spells in the players handbook and can't find a single example of the word attack at the end of the spell followed by a number ... so a specific example would be very useful.
On the DNDBeyond character pages specifically, when clicking on certain spells in your spellbook it will say Attack/Save, then an ability such as CON(In the case of Thunderclap) or DEX(in the case of Fire Bolt), and then a number. I realized the number was the minimum number for someone to have to achieve to do a successful saving throw against the spell, but it also said Attack. So im confused about exactly what it means especially because as you mentioned, it says nothing like that in the PHB.
I also noticed when in the spells tab of a character page, at the top it says your spellcasting modifier(INT in this case as it's a wizard character), then spell attack, and then your Saving DC. What exactly is the spell attack referring to? I noticed it also matches my INT saving throw.
Its simply a space saving thing. The attack modifier and save DC are listed in the same place so you always know where to look. If there is an attack it will say +# instead of STAT##.
Your spell attack modifier and your spell save DC are based on you spellcasting ability.
I would normally agree with DxJxC and consider the matter well answered, but one thing bugs me.
You mention DEX in the case of Fire Bolt. Are you certain about this? If so, can you provide a screenshot?
Fire Bolt has no relevant save, it requires a ranged spell attack. As such, I'd expect it to show a "+X" format number at the "Hit/DC" column of your sheet, or the word "ranged" when you look at its "Attack/Save" field in the spell listing.
Otherwise, the answers above are on the spot. The spell entry describes how a spell works exactly, and since a lot of them include a spell attack or a single save, the "Hit/DC" and "Attack/Save" are shorthand reminders for player convenience.