D&D Dice Guides

Dice & Odds

• 2d6 and 3d6 Probability Tables
  Exact 2d6 probability and 3d6 odds for every total: number of ways, chance of each result and of rolling at least that number, plus why dice form a bell curve.
• Advantage and Disadvantage in 5e: How It Changes Your Odds
  How advantage in DnD 5e works: roll two d20s and keep the higher. Exact odds for every target number, why it never stacks, and what it is worth as a bonus.
• Are Online Dice Rollers Truly Random? We Rolled Each Die 1,000,000 Times
  We rolled each D&D die 1,000,000 times with our online dice roller's own code. The results, the statistics, and how browser random number generators work.
• Average Dice Rolls: d4 to d100 Cheat Sheet
  Average dice rolls for every die from d4 to d100 plus common 5e damage like 2d6+3 and 8d6, the (sides+1)/2 formula, and how to work out average damage in 5e.
• D&D Dice Names: What Each of the 7 Dice Is Used For
  D&D dice names explained: the d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 and percentile die, with each shape, number range, average roll and what you use it for in 5e.
• Dice Notation Guide: What 2d6+3 Means and How to Read Any Roll
  Learn dice notation: what 2d6, 1d20+5 and 4d6dl1 mean, how to roll 2d6, plus keep and drop, d% and advantage, with ranges and averages for each.
• Odds of Rolling a Natural 20 (and with Advantage)
  The odds of a natural 20 are 5% per roll, 9.75% with advantage and 14.26% with Elven Accuracy. See your chances over many rolls and what a nat 20 does in 5e.
• Percentile Dice: How to Roll a d100 with Two d10s
  How percentile dice work: roll a d100 with two d10s, read the tens and ones dice, why 00 and 0 makes 100, common mistakes and where D&D uses d100 rolls.
• What Is a d20? Odds, Uses and History of the 20-Sided Die
  What is a d20? The 20-sided die explained: its icosahedron shape, the 5% odds of each number, when you roll it in D&D 5e, and what a natural 1 or 20 does.

Character Creation

• Ability Scores and Modifiers in 5e
  Ability scores in 5e explained: what Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma do, the full modifier table and how scores rise.
• Cantrips in 5e: How They Scale
  Cantrips in 5e explained: how damage scales at levels 5, 11 and 17, dice and averages for Fire Bolt, Eldritch Blast, Sacred Flame and more, with 2024 changes.
• D&D 2024 Backgrounds: All 16 With Ability Scores, Origin Feats and Skills
  All 16 D&D 2024 backgrounds in one table: the three ability scores, Origin feat, skills and tool each one gives, plus how 5e backgrounds changed from 2014.
• How to Roll Stats in D&D 5e: 4d6 Drop Lowest, Standard Array & Point Buy
  The three ways to generate ability scores in D&D 5e: rolling 4d6 drop lowest, the standard array and 27-point buy, with odds, costs and modifiers.
• Point Buy 5e Explained: Costs, Legal Spreads and a Free Calculator
  Point buy 5e in full: the 27-point budget, the cost of every score from 8 to 15, all the common legal spreads, and how 2014 and 2024 bonuses change them.
• Proficiency Bonus by Level in 5e
  Proficiency bonus in 5e by level, from +2 at level 1 to +6 at level 17, plus the formula, what it applies to, expertise and monster proficiency by CR.

Rules Explained

• Concentration in 5e Explained
  Concentration in 5e explained: one spell at a time, the Con save DC of 10 or half damage, what breaks it, War Caster and Resilient, plus exact save odds.
• Conditions in 5e: Complete List
  All 15 conditions in 5e in plain English, from blinded to unconscious, with a table of which give advantage or disadvantage and the 2024 rule changes.
• Cover in 5e: Half, Three-Quarters and Total Cover Explained
  How cover works in 5e: half cover gives +2 to AC and Dex saves, three-quarters cover +5, and total cover blocks targeting. Examples, odds and creature cover.
• Critical Hits in 5e: How Crit Damage Works
  How a critical hit works in 5e: roll a natural 20, double the damage dice but not the modifier. Worked examples, crit ranges, 2024 changes and house rules.
• Death Saving Throws 5e Explained
  Death saving throws 5e explained: roll a d20, 10 or higher succeeds, three of either ends it. Nat 20s, nat 1s, damage at 0 HP and the exact odds of dying.
• Exhaustion in 5e: 2014 vs 2024 Rules
  How exhaustion works in 5e: the 2014 six-level table, the simpler 2024 rule of -2 to d20 Tests per level, what causes it and how to remove it.
• Grappling and Shoving in 5e: 2014 and 2024 Rules Compared
  How to grapple in 5e: the 2014 Athletics contest vs the 2024 Unarmed Strike and saving throw, plus shoving, escaping and the Grappled condition.
• Hit Dice in 5e and How to Calculate HP
  Hit dice in 5e explained: the hit die for every class, how to calculate HP at level 1 and beyond, spending Hit Dice on a short rest, and 2014 vs 2024 recovery.
• Initiative in 5e: How to Roll for Initiative and Track Turn Order
  How initiative works in D&D 5e: roll a d20 plus your Dexterity modifier, how ties break, 2014 vs 2024 surprise rules, and tips for tracking turn order.
• Inspiration in 5e (2014 vs 2024)
  Inspiration in 5e explained: 2014 Inspiration gives advantage, 2024 Heroic Inspiration lets you reroll any die. How to earn it, spend it and share it.
• Opportunity Attacks in 5e Explained
  How an opportunity attack works in 5e: what triggers it, how Disengage, teleporting and forced movement avoid it, and feats like Sentinel and War Caster.
• Saving Throws in 5e: Full Guide
  Saving throws in 5e explained: the roll, how spell save DC is set, which saves each class is proficient in, and which saves come up most in play.
• Short Rest vs Long Rest in 5e
  Long rest 5e rules compared with short rests: how long each takes, what you regain, what interrupts them in 2014 vs 2024, and the once-per-day limit.
• Skill Checks in 5e: Full Guide
  Skill checks in 5e explained: all 18 skills and their abilities, typical DCs from 5 to 30, proficiency and expertise, passive checks, group checks and contests.
• Sneak Attack 5e: Rules and Damage by Rogue Level
  How Sneak Attack works in 5e: when you can use it, a damage table for Rogue levels 1-20 with averages, crit damage, and 2024 Cunning Strike options.
• Weapon Mastery in 5e (2024 Rules)
  Weapon mastery in 5e (2024 rules): which classes get it, how many weapons, what Cleave, Graze, Nick, Push, Sap, Slow, Topple and Vex do, and weapon picks.
• What Changed in the 2024 D&D Rules
  The biggest D&D 2024 changes vs 2014: backgrounds and origin feats, species, Heroic Inspiration, exhaustion, weapon mastery, surprise, grappling and spells.

Beginners & DMs

• Best D&D Starter Set: Which Box to Buy First
  Which D&D starter set should you buy? Compare Heroes of the Borderlands, Stormwreck Isle, the Essentials Kit and the original box by rules, levels and group.
• D&D for Beginners: What You Need to Start Playing
  D&D for beginners: a practical checklist of what you need to start, what is optional, how to find a group, your first session and mistakes to avoid.
• Dice Roller App vs Physical Dice: Which Should You Use?
  Dice roller app or physical dice? An honest comparison of fairness, speed, cost and table feel, plus when each one fits best for online and in-person D&D.
• Dungeon Master Tips: 20 Practical Tips for New DMs
  Dungeon master tips for new DMs: 20 practical ideas for prep, running sessions, combat, handling players and improvising, plus quick fixes for common problems.
• How Many Dice Are in a D&D Set (and Do You Need Your Own)?
  How many dice are in a D&D set? A standard set has 7 dice. See what they are, which classes need extra d6s, d8s or a second d20, and whether you need your own.
• How to DM Your First D&D Session
  How to DM your first D&D session: run a session zero, pick a short adventure, prep scenes and NPCs, set DCs, run combat and end on a hook.
• How to Make a D&D Character (2024 Rules, Step by Step)
  D&D character creation step by step with the 2024 rules: choose a class, background and species, set ability scores, pick alignment and fill in HP and AC.
• How to Play D&D: A Beginner's Guide
  How to play D&D, explained for beginners: the DM and players, the core d20 roll, the dice set, making a character, combat turns and your first session.
• Polyhedral Dice Explained for New Players
  Polyhedral dice explained: the shapes behind the d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and d20, how to read each one, and simple ways to care for your dice and check fairness.

Spell damage rollers

See every spell with a damage roller.