I'm sure this is really simple, but I am struggling to understand how this works. I've read lots on forums but it's honestly just not clicking for me for some reason. Probably because it involves math.
Part 1:
Example: Casting Ray of Frost cantrip.
I know I have to roll a d20 to determine if I hit.
Question: Do I add modifiers to this roll and, if so, which ones?
My character is a wizard and I have a +3 Proficiency Bonus, a +3 Modifier (not even sure what this ones means. It's just at the top of the Spells category before Spell Attack), and a +6 Spell Attack. I do not understand what these numbers mean and when to apply them.
Part 2:
Most of my spells do not require an attack roll. Do any of the above modifiers apply to these spells and when?
Part 3:
Can anyone suggest somewhere online that does a full breakdown of the character sheet and explains specifically what everything means. I'm feeling a little bit in the weeds and there is SO MUCH information online its tough to hone in on exactly what you need when you don't really know where to start.
We only have about an hour with our DM each week and I hate slowing down the game play asking so many questions to try to gain a better grasp on these things and end up going along with what I'm told, but I really want to know what I'm doing on my own instead of just going along with what our DM says.
It's less complicated than you think. Your spell attack is just your modifier (for a wizard that's using your intellect) and your proficiency bonus. So if you have a +3 proficiency and +3 modifier that's a +6 to spell attack. That's what you add in for attacking spells like Firebolt or in your case Ray of Frost. These are things that you roll a D20 for.
For the other spells that force an enemy to make a save, they must roll against your spell save DC. That's just 8 (the base number everyone starts with) plus your modifier (based on Int for a wizard) plus your proficiency bonus. So your spell save is DC14. That's the number the bad guy has to meet to avoid damage or bad effects.
Sometimes abilities or summoned creatures will use your spell attack modifier. The spell or ability will indicate when this happens. You don't have to "just know it".
Can anyone suggest somewhere online that does a full breakdown of the character sheet and explains specifically what everything means. I'm feeling a little bit in the weeds and there is SO MUCH information online its tough to hone in on exactly what you need when you don't really know where to start.
You can read the Basic Rules. I think everyone should but, that's just me. If you do that, almost everything on the character sheet will suddenly make sense.
I found this interesting as well as a semi tutorial once you have the basics down in regards to the character sheet options.
Spell Attack rolls work exactly the same as Weapon Attack rolls with the simple exception of which Ability Score gets added (Spellcasting Ability instead of Str/Dex). The only real difference is in the damage rolls. Spells do not add the Spellcasting Ability modifier to damage rolls like weapons do.
Can anyone suggest somewhere online that does a full breakdown of the character sheet and explains specifically what everything means. I'm feeling a little bit in the weeds and there is SO MUCH information online its tough to hone in on exactly what you need when you don't really know where to start.
You can read the Basic Rules. I think everyone should but, that's just me. If you do that, almost everything on the character sheet will suddenly make sense.
I found this interesting as well as a semi tutorial once you have the basics down in regards to the character sheet options.
I concur, reading the Basic Rules is kinda important, and then give chapters 7, 9, & 10 a second read since those three chapters contain all the rules that get used in 98% of sessions, like how to roll an attack for example.
Thank you! This makes total sense! It was the +6 that was really throwing me off. I couldn't figure out where that number was coming from. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain it.
I did read all the rules, but without samples from the character sheet it was a little abstract for me. I'm a visual learner. This video will help me to understand all of it for sure. Thanks! :)
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I'm sure this is really simple, but I am struggling to understand how this works. I've read lots on forums but it's honestly just not clicking for me for some reason. Probably because it involves math.
Part 1:
Example: Casting Ray of Frost cantrip.
I know I have to roll a d20 to determine if I hit.
Question: Do I add modifiers to this roll and, if so, which ones?
My character is a wizard and I have a +3 Proficiency Bonus, a +3 Modifier (not even sure what this ones means. It's just at the top of the Spells category before Spell Attack), and a +6 Spell Attack. I do not understand what these numbers mean and when to apply them.
Part 2:
Most of my spells do not require an attack roll. Do any of the above modifiers apply to these spells and when?
Part 3:
Can anyone suggest somewhere online that does a full breakdown of the character sheet and explains specifically what everything means. I'm feeling a little bit in the weeds and there is SO MUCH information online its tough to hone in on exactly what you need when you don't really know where to start.
We only have about an hour with our DM each week and I hate slowing down the game play asking so many questions to try to gain a better grasp on these things and end up going along with what I'm told, but I really want to know what I'm doing on my own instead of just going along with what our DM says.
Thanks!
It's less complicated than you think. Your spell attack is just your modifier (for a wizard that's using your intellect) and your proficiency bonus. So if you have a +3 proficiency and +3 modifier that's a +6 to spell attack. That's what you add in for attacking spells like Firebolt or in your case Ray of Frost. These are things that you roll a D20 for.
For the other spells that force an enemy to make a save, they must roll against your spell save DC. That's just 8 (the base number everyone starts with) plus your modifier (based on Int for a wizard) plus your proficiency bonus. So your spell save is DC14. That's the number the bad guy has to meet to avoid damage or bad effects.
Sometimes abilities or summoned creatures will use your spell attack modifier. The spell or ability will indicate when this happens. You don't have to "just know it".
That's really it.
You can read the Basic Rules. I think everyone should but, that's just me. If you do that, almost everything on the character sheet will suddenly make sense.
I found this interesting as well as a semi tutorial once you have the basics down in regards to the character sheet options.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQUrDdcKrJk
Spell Attack rolls work exactly the same as Weapon Attack rolls with the simple exception of which Ability Score gets added (Spellcasting Ability instead of Str/Dex). The only real difference is in the damage rolls. Spells do not add the Spellcasting Ability modifier to damage rolls like weapons do.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/combat#MakinganAttack
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
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I concur, reading the Basic Rules is kinda important, and then give chapters 7, 9, & 10 a second read since those three chapters contain all the rules that get used in 98% of sessions, like how to roll an attack for example.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Thank you! This makes total sense! It was the +6 that was really throwing me off. I couldn't figure out where that number was coming from. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain it.
I did read all the rules, but without samples from the character sheet it was a little abstract for me. I'm a visual learner. This video will help me to understand all of it for sure. Thanks! :)