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Returning 35 results for 'both before descent combat rolling'.
Monsters
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
damage.Safe Descent. When it would take damage from a fall, the hadozee extends its skin membranes to reduce the fall’s damage to 0, provided it isn’t wearing heavy armor.
Uncanny Dodge. The
. A hadozee accustomed to space travel knows how to use a ship’s gravity plane to its advantage in combat, by diving off one side of the ship, gliding under the keel, and appearing on the opposite side of the ship from where it leapt off.
Monsters
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
":"damage","rollAction":"Dagger","rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage.Safe Descent. When it would take damage from a fall, the hadozee extends its skin membranes to reduce the fall’s damage to 0
glide. A hadozee accustomed to space travel knows how to use a ship’s gravity plane to its advantage in combat, by diving off one side of the ship, gliding under the keel, and appearing on the opposite side of the ship from where it leapt off.
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
False Appearance. If the doll is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the doll move or act, that creature must
living doll is a mean spirit that encourages those around it to behave badly toward others. The doll takes pleasure in tormenting the guilt-ridden and despondent, hastening their descent into depression
Monsters
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
","rollAction":"Musket"} to hit, range 40/120 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d12 + 3);{"diceNotation":"2d12+3","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Musket","rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage.Safe Descent
ability comes in handy, as does their ability to glide. A hadozee accustomed to space travel knows how to use a ship’s gravity plane to its advantage in combat, by diving off one side of the
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
9
3
8
Looking like pumpkin-sized acorns, hill dragon eggs can remain dormant in the ground for a year or more before they hatch. Hill dragon eggs are
instincts, hill dragons lay their eggs in clutches all across the plains, dales, and rolling hills of Obojima.
Initiative
Legacy
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Rules
Initiative determines the order of turns during combat. When combat starts, every participant rolls Initiative; they make a Dexterity check that determines their place in the Initiative order. The DM
rolls for monsters.Surprise. If a combatant is surprised by combat starting, that combatant has Disadvantage on their Initiative roll. For example, if an ambusher starts combat while hidden from a
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
guildless masses of the city.
Consider why you’re embedded in the secondary guild. Create a story with your DM, inspired by rolling on the following table or choosing a reason that suits you
people’s nightmares.
6
Combat is meant to be quick, clean, and one-sided.
7
I like to stick to the shadows.
8
I never show my anger. I just plot my revenge.
Ideals
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
, investigation, and combat.
Personas can be shared by multiple changelings; a community might be home to three healer changelings, with whoever is on duty adopting the persona of Andrea, the gentle
of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
instead of rolling Initiative. Your Initiative score equals 10 plus your Dexterity modifier. If you have Advantage on Initiative rolls, increase your Initiative score by 5. If you have Disadvantage on those rolls, decrease that score by 5. See also chapter 1 (“Combat”).
Initiative Initiative determines the order of turns during combat. The combat rules in chapter 1 explain how to roll Initiative. Sometimes a DM might have combatants use their Initiative scores
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
scores instead of rolling Initiative. Your Initiative score equals 10 plus your Dexterity modifier. If you have Advantage on Initiative rolls, increase your Initiative score by 5. If you have Disadvantage on those rolls, decrease that score by 5. See also “Playing the Game” (“Combat”).
Initiative Initiative determines the order of turns during combat. The combat rules in “Playing the Game” explain how to roll Initiative. Sometimes a DM might have combatants use their Initiative
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
be accomplished without slaying it. If the characters strike a truce with a creature, award them XP as if they had defeated it in combat. The characters will most likely arrive here by way of the
begins its lengthy, tumultuous descent into the Underdark — a voyage no ordinary boat or raft can survive.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Rolling Initiative Combat starts when—and only when—you say it does. Some characters have abilities that trigger on an Initiative roll; you, not the players, decide if and when Initiative is rolled
anticipate the spell. Using Initiative Scores You can get to the action of combat more quickly by using Initiative scores instead of rolling. You might decide to use Initiative scores just for
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Combat Encounters The following features can make a combat encounter more interesting or challenging: Changes in Elevation. Terrain features that provide a change of elevation (such as stacks of
classes and origins. A diverse force is more powerful. Reasons to Move. Use features that encourage characters and their enemies to move around, such as chandeliers, kegs of gunpowder or oil, and rolling stone traps.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
combat, carving out vicious fiefdoms for themselves. Mad Maggie is one such warlord. Mad Maggie is a night hag with the demeanor of a kindly grandmother, but her warm smile masks a cruel cunning. In
redcaps, Maggie found pieces of a beautiful tapestry that chronicled the fall of Zariel. It recounted the angel’s descent into Avernus, her betrayal at the hands of the Hellriders, and her submission
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
8. Library The master of the house used to spend many hours here before his descent into madness. Red velvet drapes cover the windows of this room. An exquisite mahogany desk and a matching high-back
bookshelves line the south wall. A rolling wooden ladder allows one to more easily reach the high shelves. The desk has several items resting atop it: an oil lamp, a jar of ink, a quill pen, a tinderbox
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
mephits follow the giants’ commands to the best of their ability, though they loathe melee combat. On subsequent occurrences of this encounter, you can replace the mephits with 1d2 hell hounds, 1d2 fire
elementals, or 1d4 + 2 magmins. Treasure. The fire giant has a sack containing 3d6 × 100 cp, 2d6 × 100 sp, 1d6 × 100 gp, and one mundane item, determined by rolling on the Items in a Giant’s Bag table in the introduction.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
Ranged Attacks The most common actions that a creature will take in combat are melee and ranged attacks. These can be spell attacks or weapon attacks, where the “weapon” might be a manufactured item or a
rolling the damage; for this reason, both the average damage and the die expression are presented. For example, a monster might deal 4 (1d8) slashing damage with its longsword. That notation means you can have the monster deal 4 damage or you can roll 1d8 to determine the damage.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
interaction, and combat. Exploration includes both the adventurers’ movement through the world and their interaction with objects and situations that require their attention. Exploration is the give-and
day crossing a rolling plain or an hour making their way through caverns underground. On the smallest scale, it could mean one character pulling a lever in a dungeon room to see what happens. Social
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
other dragonnels to help them escape. Floating Rocks The characters find their path impeded by a 30-foot ascent or descent between levels of the ruins. A character can jump between a series of floating
appendix B for both stat blocks) spots the characters and attacks. At the end of the first round of combat, roll a die. If you roll an even number, a random draconian is affected as if by the levitate
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
rolling a d20, adding any modifiers, and comparing the total to a Difficulty Class, and they’re all subject to advantage and disadvantage. In short, they share the same procedure for determining
number? Ability checks don’t score critical hits. Attack rolls do. Is a 1 on an ability check an automatic failure? Rolling a 1 on an ability check or a saving throw is not an automatic failure. A 1
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
, you’ll have to deal with me—Steel Crane!”
As Steel Crane presses his attack, the monks use the steles for cover and leap between them to engage the characters in close-quarters combat. Red Key. Steel
the attack is reduced by 1d10 + 10. If the damage is reduced to 0, Steel Crane catches the missile if it’s small enough to hold in one hand and Steel Crane has a hand free.
Slow Descent (3/Day). When Steel Crane falls, he can slow his descent, taking no damage from the fall.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Physical Excellence in Combat A Champion focuses on the development of martial prowess in a relentless pursuit of victory. Champions combine rigorous training with physical excellence to deal
Style feat of your choice. Level 10: Heroic Warrior The thrill of battle drives you toward victory. During combat, you can give yourself Heroic Inspiration whenever you start your turn without it. Level
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
“Combat” later in this chapter, but the DM might also ask for an attack roll in other situations, such as an archery competition. Ability Modifier The Attack Roll Abilities table shows which ability
Class A creature’s Armor Class represents how well the creature avoids being wounded in combat. The AC of a character is determined at character creation (see chapter 2), whereas the AC of a monster
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
“Combat” later in this chapter, but the DM might also ask for an attack roll in other situations, such as an archery competition. Ability Modifier The Attack Roll Abilities table shows which ability
. Armor Class A creature’s Armor Class represents how well the creature avoids being wounded in combat. The AC of a character is determined at character creation (see chapter 2), whereas the AC of a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Running Combat This section builds on the combat rules in Playing the Game and offers tips for keeping the game running smoothly when a fight breaks out. Rolling Initiative Combat starts when—and
You can get to the action of combat more quickly by using Initiative scores instead of rolling. You might decide to use Initiative scores just for characters, just for monsters, or for both. Initiative
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
toward others. The doll takes pleasure in tormenting the guilt-ridden and despondent, hastening their descent into depression or paranoia. Because it fears its own destruction, the doll rarely causes
Perception 10
Languages Common
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
False Appearance. If the doll is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
. Melee and Ranged Attacks The most common actions that a monster will take in combat are melee and ranged attacks. These can be spell attacks or weapon attacks, where the "weapon" might be a
average damage or rolling the damage; for this reason, both the average damage and the die expression are presented. Miss. If an attack has an effect that occurs on a miss, that information is presented
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
, as described in the Player’s Handbook. Melee and Ranged Attacks The most common actions that a monster will take in combat are melee and ranged attacks. These can be spell attacks or weapon attacks
occur as a result of an attack hitting a target are described after the “Hit” notation. You have the option of taking average damage or rolling the damage; for this reason, both the average damage and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier: Size modifier = 2d12 Height = 6 feet + your size modifier in inches Weight in pounds = 200 + (2d6 × your size modifier
turn in combat, the attack deals an extra 2d6 damage to it. You can use this trait only once per combat. Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin. Goblin Traits Your goblin character
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
initiative that introduces more uncertainty into combat, at the cost of speed of play. Under this variant, the participants in a battle roll initiative each round. Before rolling, each character or
Initiative Variants This section offers different ways to handle initiative. Initiative Score With this optional rule, creature don’t roll initiative at the start of combat. Instead, each creature
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
heavily laden cart on a steep descent Steer a chariot around a tight turn Pick a lock Disable a trap Securely tie up a prisoner Wriggle free of bonds Play a stringed instrument Craft a small or detailed
might add some or all of your Dexterity modifier to your Armor Class, as described in chapter 5, "Equipment." Initiative At the beginning of every combat, you roll initiative by making a Dexterity check
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
throne by besting the heir in single combat. Currently, the monarchy is in a state of turmoil. King Anax has died, and his wife, Queen Cymede, has disappeared. An oracle of Keranos, the queen is said
Akroan society are the lektoi, the large warrior class of Akros. Members of this class claim descent from the seven warriors who first established the Kolophon after the fall of the archons. Though the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Handling Mobs Keeping combat moving along at a brisk pace can be difficult when there are dozens of monsters involved in a battle. When handling a crowded battlefield, you can speed up play by
forgoing attack rolls in favor of approximating the average number of hits a large group of monsters can inflict on a target. Instead of rolling an attack roll, determine the minimum d20 roll a creature
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
move around, such as chandeliers, kegs of gunpowder or oil, and rolling stone traps. Combat Encounter Difficulty Use the following guidelines to create a combat encounter of a desired level of difficulty
Combat Encounters Chris Seaman Otto's conversation with a magic mirror
is an exciting social interaction encounter The following features can make a combat encounter more interesting or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
laden cart on a steep descent Steer a chariot around a tight turn Pick a lock Disable a trap Securely tie up a prisoner Wriggle free of bonds Play a stringed instrument Craft a small or detailed
, you might add some or all of your Dexterity modifier to your Armor Class. Initiative At the beginning of every combat, you roll initiative by making a Dexterity check. Initiative determines the order






