Here’s what happened: A semi boss ran up to my player and did a melee attack on my lvl 1 player. The d20 roll beat his AC for a hit. The average damage for the creature was enough to drop his hp to 0 in one hit. It was first attack that actually beat his AC the entire dungeon. He was rather confused (as was I) as to Why he wouldn’t be able to try to dodge the hit with a dexterity saving throw which he is proficient in making. He had moved n attacked but had not done a “reaction” yet.
COULD HE USE HIS REACTION TO MAKE A DEXTERITY SAVING THROW?
No: saving throws only apply to attacks when the attack description says they do. Some spells, for example, or additional effects of certain attacks. Note that with spells that use saving throws, there is no attack roll, so it’s still just one D20 roll that determines hit or miss.
”Dodging” is an action, not a reaction in 5e. So if the player wants to try tp dodge, they have to do that on their turn instead of attacking or other things that cost an action.If a player takes the dodge action, then attacks against them are made at disadvantage, and any dex saving throws they are required to make (by spells, etc) are made at advantage. But they don’t get to make “extra” dex saves.
For all intents and purposes they already did try to dodge. Their Dexterity modifies their AC (unless Heavy Armor) making it better - so their natural ability to dodge attacks is already taken into account. The attack beat their AC so their attempt to avoid the attack failed.
If they were wearing Heavy Armour (which isn't modified by Dexterity) then their dexterity wouldn't be able to save them anyway. That's purely down to the armour keeping them safe.
AC is a combination of base block and dodge chance.
The dodge action is spending your turn watching out for attacks, thus imposing disadvantage on attackers. And at higher levels rogues and monks get features where they can use their reaction to avoid damage.
Remember that the rules for combat apply to character and monsters equally. If all players and use their reaction to dodge attacks, so can all monsters. How many dice do you want to roll each turn?
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Here’s what happened: A semi boss ran up to my player and did a melee attack on my lvl 1 player. The d20 roll beat his AC for a hit. The average damage for the creature was enough to drop his hp to 0 in one hit.
It was first attack that actually beat his AC the entire dungeon. He was rather confused (as was I) as to Why he wouldn’t be able to try to dodge the hit with a dexterity saving throw which he is proficient in making. He had moved n attacked but had not done a “reaction” yet.
COULD HE USE HIS REACTION TO MAKE A DEXTERITY SAVING THROW?
No: saving throws only apply to attacks when the attack description says they do. Some spells, for example, or additional effects of certain attacks. Note that with spells that use saving throws, there is no attack roll, so it’s still just one D20 roll that determines hit or miss.
”Dodging” is an action, not a reaction in 5e. So if the player wants to try tp dodge, they have to do that on their turn instead of attacking or other things that cost an action.If a player takes the dodge action, then attacks against them are made at disadvantage, and any dex saving throws they are required to make (by spells, etc) are made at advantage. But they don’t get to make “extra” dex saves.
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For all intents and purposes they already did try to dodge. Their Dexterity modifies their AC (unless Heavy Armor) making it better - so their natural ability to dodge attacks is already taken into account. The attack beat their AC so their attempt to avoid the attack failed.
If they were wearing Heavy Armour (which isn't modified by Dexterity) then their dexterity wouldn't be able to save them anyway. That's purely down to the armour keeping them safe.
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AC is a combination of base block and dodge chance.
The dodge action is spending your turn watching out for attacks, thus imposing disadvantage on attackers. And at higher levels rogues and monks get features where they can use their reaction to avoid damage.
Remember that the rules for combat apply to character and monsters equally. If all players and use their reaction to dodge attacks, so can all monsters. How many dice do you want to roll each turn?