I run a few games from time to time, but I'm kinda new to the 5e system. I've been seeing on some characters that when you roll a damage it shows a damage value and out beside that it shows a dice roll in parenthesis like this :damage 16 (4d6), does this mean you can either take the 16 damage, or roll the 4d6 and take that damage? If not, what does this mean?
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Also the average value helps you figure out the probable damage in actual hit points something can do (or take). So for instance a 4d6 attack will usually do about 16 damage. Not always, and not exactly, but if you assume that while trying to figure out how much incoming damage a PC or NPC is going to take, it is a good ballpark.
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The fixed value is also handy for balancing without fudging dice at lower levels. You know your party’s HP and can create encounters where they aren’t likely to be one-shotted if needed. You can also pick a lower or higher number to use. Basically, you can remove much of the variance of combat if you feel that is necessary.
On occasion if we are in a tense fight, I will ask the player getting hit if he wants to take the average or have me roll. Mostly when the average will take the character to almost being unconscious. Adds a little flavor now and then.
Since I'm currently using a VTT that rolls damage for me, there's no real time savings for using average damage, but otherwise if you're using a horde of weenie monsters it can save quite a bit of time.
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I run a few games from time to time, but I'm kinda new to the 5e system. I've been seeing on some characters that when you roll a damage it shows a damage value and out beside that it shows a dice roll in parenthesis like this :damage 16 (4d6), does this mean you can either take the 16 damage, or roll the 4d6 and take that damage? If not, what does this mean?
The value in brackets is the average for that roll.
For example: 44 (8d8 + 8)
Average roll on a D8 is 4.5, so 8x4.5 = 36, 36+8 = 44
Some DMs, especially if pressed for time, or if they're trying to streamline combat, do in fact use the average value, not the roll.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Also the average value helps you figure out the probable damage in actual hit points something can do (or take). So for instance a 4d6 attack will usually do about 16 damage. Not always, and not exactly, but if you assume that while trying to figure out how much incoming damage a PC or NPC is going to take, it is a good ballpark.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
The fixed value is also handy for balancing without fudging dice at lower levels. You know your party’s HP and can create encounters where they aren’t likely to be one-shotted if needed. You can also pick a lower or higher number to use. Basically, you can remove much of the variance of combat if you feel that is necessary.
On occasion if we are in a tense fight, I will ask the player getting hit if he wants to take the average or have me roll. Mostly when the average will take the character to almost being unconscious. Adds a little flavor now and then.
Since I'm currently using a VTT that rolls damage for me, there's no real time savings for using average damage, but otherwise if you're using a horde of weenie monsters it can save quite a bit of time.