There are other modifiers, based on ability scores and class abilities.
I would recommend reading the rules on combat closely. You don't need to memorize them - but you should be familiar with them.
As for figuring out attack/damage bonuses - if you build the Characters here on DNDB, it will calculate and list those in the Character sheet for you. That will get you moving, with correct statistics, but you really should learn the rules to be able to figure them out manually.
Welcome to them DM hot seat ;) Have fun with it, and good luck :)
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.
Although you absolutely should become familiar with the rules of how bonuses work, do not be afraid to assign to each player the responsibility of knowing his or her own bonuses and maluses. It is not YOUR job to add Strength bonus + Proficiency to get the total to hit bonus and then add that to the player's d20 roll. They should figure out how to do that. All they tell you is the total after all these things are added up, and you compare that to the enemy's armor class to see if it hits.
Now, with new players, you should help them out. But still it needs to be on them to know how their own character works. Same with things like how their spells work and such. You should try to learn the ones they use regularly, but if they pull out a spell you've not seen before and try to use it, it is on THEM to know how it works and use it correctly, or else ask the table for help if they don't.
And don't be afraid to lean on more knowledgeable and experienced players if you have them.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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.
Yeah, if you're all first time players and first-time GM, you should impress on each of the players that it is *their* responsibility to know how their own characters work. You should not be the one learning all the nuances and abilities of each party member, you've got enough on your plate.
That said, you should certainly know the basics: making an attack roll is (d20 + proficiency bonus + ability modifier), and then the damage roll is whatever the weapon says it is (+ability modifier).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
This is my first time as a GM (with first time D&D players) and I'm not sure of their attack rolls and damage bonuses.
Is it only their proficiency bonuses or is there other modifiers ?
There are other modifiers, based on ability scores and class abilities.
I would recommend reading the rules on combat closely. You don't need to memorize them - but you should be familiar with them.
As for figuring out attack/damage bonuses - if you build the Characters here on DNDB, it will calculate and list those in the Character sheet for you. That will get you moving, with correct statistics, but you really should learn the rules to be able to figure them out manually.
Welcome to them DM hot seat ;) Have fun with it, and good luck :)
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.
Although you absolutely should become familiar with the rules of how bonuses work, do not be afraid to assign to each player the responsibility of knowing his or her own bonuses and maluses. It is not YOUR job to add Strength bonus + Proficiency to get the total to hit bonus and then add that to the player's d20 roll. They should figure out how to do that. All they tell you is the total after all these things are added up, and you compare that to the enemy's armor class to see if it hits.
Now, with new players, you should help them out. But still it needs to be on them to know how their own character works. Same with things like how their spells work and such. You should try to learn the ones they use regularly, but if they pull out a spell you've not seen before and try to use it, it is on THEM to know how it works and use it correctly, or else ask the table for help if they don't.
And don't be afraid to lean on more knowledgeable and experienced players if you have them.
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.
Yeah, if you're all first time players and first-time GM, you should impress on each of the players that it is *their* responsibility to know how their own characters work. You should not be the one learning all the nuances and abilities of each party member, you've got enough on your plate.
That said, you should certainly know the basics: making an attack roll is (d20 + proficiency bonus + ability modifier), and then the damage roll is whatever the weapon says it is (+ability modifier).