I have a probably stupid question , I keep seeing things like this. "Make a ranged attack, +4 to hit" I've never experienced using this before, what does it mean and how do you roll for this sort of attack? This is the first time I've seen this. Also I never really understood how you roll for a ranged attack?

Well with a standard ranged attack you roll 1d20 + dexterity modifier + (proficiency bonus if you're proficient). +4 to hit means you add 4 to that roll. I don't know what you see giving this, but monster stat blocks have this with their attacks, but you don't have a proficiency bonus to add to monster attacks, and I'm not actually sure if you add strength or dexterity to those rolls.

There's also damage rolls, which is just the base damage + strength or dexterity modifier, depending on the weapon. You don't add the stat bonus to damage rolls on a second weapon when dual wielding, unless you have an ability that does that. Just wanted to clarify extra things as well.

Depending on the context, it could mean either d20 + 4 for something with a set attack bonus or d20 + modifier for relevant stat + proficiency if you are proficient + 4 for a more conventional ranged attack.  My guess would be that this is a siege weapon or the like and so the first one would be correct.

Every "make a [blank] attack" or "an attack roll" is a d20 plus modifiers (DEX for range, STR for melee, unless otherwise specified). Monsters already have their modifiers added up in their stat block, so it is just 1d20+modifier for them.

Let's break the statement down into it's different pieces.

"Make a ranged attack, +4 to hit"

So, clearly, we are attacking something.  So we're in combat, and are taking combat turns.  Each turn, all creatures (players, NPCs, monsters) have the opportunity to take an Action, Bonus Action, and between each of their turns a single Reaction.  The statement "Make a <adjective> attack" tells us that we are consuming the creature's Action in order to perform the attack.  When making an attack, a d20 is rolled, and modifiers will be added to it to help determine whether the attack is successful or not.

Now we need to look at that adjective.  There are a number of different things that could be found here, and each of them is slightly different, but they all follow the same pattern.  Here's what you might find:

• melee (close combat, almost always 5 foot range, if it's a player it uses Strength modifier)
• ranged (from a distance, has a rating for both short and long range, if it's a player it uses Dexterity modifier)
• spell (the attack is magical in nature, and so will most likely trigger spell related defenses on the target)

In our example, we are looking at "ranged".  If a player is making the attack, they will be adding their Dexterity modifier to whatever the rolled on the attack.  If they are proficient with the weapon they are using, they also add their Proficiency modifier.  If it is a monster making the attack (as it appears from the wording of the statement), we skip all that.  Monster stat blocks already have the modifiers figured into their Attack option descriptions, and simply list the value you add to the d20 roll.  We can find that at the end of the statement, "+4 to hit".  This means that we just add 4 to whatever was rolled on the d20 for the to hit roll of the attack.

This result would then be compared to the Armor Class value of the target.  If the attack roll and it's modifiers is equal to or greater than the target's Armor Class, the attack successfully hits the target, and we move to rolling damage.

Let me give you an example, I have a monster with a weapon it intends to use to cause damage to a target, the weapon in question has a range of 300 feet. the attack for that monsters states range 300ft +7 to hit. Ok, so if I understand this correctly, (it does not state any proficiencies for that weapon, but it is its primary weapon so I assume it knows how to use it well and it does not state anything elss) I would roll a 1d20 + DEX modifier and add +7 to that roll. Now, exactly what am I rolling for to determine if the weapon hit or not? I know there is no way you're going to get a 300 value from a d20 roll, so how do I determine if it hit or not?

You would roll 1d20 + 7 and compare to the AC of whatever it was throwing at. Take for example the Hill Giant. In its stat block for attacks, it has:

• Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 60/240 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

The +8 to hit already includes

• proficiency bonus
• strength or dexterity, whichever was appropriate
• any racial, class, feat, magic item, etc other bonuses

the 60/240 is how far it can throw regularly, and what the maximum range is. If the target is within 60 feet, roll as normal. If they are farther than 60 but 240 feet or closer, they are at disadvantage (roll two 2d20 for the attack, and use the lowest). Anything past 240 feet can't be attacked with the rock.

for Armor Class, ties go to the attacker. For instance, if he is attacking a Fighter who is wearing splint mail (AC 17) and wielding a shield (+2 AC), the hill giant is trying to get a result of 19 (17 splint +2 shield) or higher on his roll. Which means the d20 value must be an 11 or higher, and then the +8 to hit on his attack.

edit: formatting and additional details

So I would roll a d20 +7 and compare that result to the AC of the target and if it matches the AC or is higher then it hits right?

correct. AC is usually between 11 and 25 depending on the target.

Sorry, still sorta new with this 5e system, plus never encountered this sort of thing before. I knew what the AC was for, but just never really understood its proper use, I always kinda did things on the fly, and I of course had some help from other DMs to help out with what i did not understand, this will sure help me in the future.

If you are familiar with 3e or 3.5, it is similar, just the numbers are smaller. Base Attack Bonus and Skill Points are combined into a single thing called Proficiency, which has a smaller range of possible values.

Pretty much everything is 1d20 + ability mod (+ proficiency bonus if the character is proficient in the thing). And then apply advantage or disadvantage depending on mechanics or the circumstances.

Most characters will be proficient in two of the saving throws, four or five skills, simple weapons, martial weapons if they are warrior type class, and then a tool or two.

D&D Beyond just added today a New Players Guide (rightmost menu option).

There is a section called Playing the Game which explains things in a little more detail.

I would really recommend buying a Player's Handbook.  It has the all most of the rules essential to running combat situations, including your question and a lot of other stuff besides.

I have the phb it just ain't too much help,its info is sketchy at best.

Okay, well in that case I suggest looking up podcasts for introducing D&D mechanics and role-playing to new audiences.  You will find a lot of helpful information about how the rules work as well as get more ideas for your characters.

thanks for all the help, this information will sure help me understand things a lot better. This is actually my first "involved" game using 5e. I used to run 3.5 games and I'm not used to the 5e system the way they combined a lot of the stuff makes things a bit confusing.