ROLZ

D&D basics

Beginner overview
This overview covers fifth-edition D&D using SRD 5.2.1. It does not establish which edition or house rules a room uses.
  • The game master describes a situation. Players describe their characters' actions. The game master explains what happens.
  • For an uncertain action, the rules can call for a d20 test. Roll one twenty-sided die and add the relevant ability modifier. Add proficiency when applicable.
  • An ability check or saving throw succeeds when its total meets or exceeds the Difficulty Class, abbreviated DC. An attack compares its total with Armor Class, abbreviated AC.
  • Advantage uses the higher of two d20s. Disadvantage uses the lower.
  • Specific rules can override these general rules. Ask which edition the group uses before giving edition-specific details.
In French, Difficulty Class is degré de difficulté, abbreviated DD. Armor Class is classe d'armure, abbreviated CA.
Source and scope
Use the linked rules for details about combat, character creation, classes, and spells. Do not infer those details from this short overview. Different editions and revisions exist. This page makes no claim about which edition is the latest.
This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 ("SRD 5.2.1") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
This page summarizes the rules. It does not reproduce the full document.