The Basics

1. The Basics • D&D is a role playing game • Take on the persona of anyone. • You are the character of the story, the DM is the author, you define your world. • Use your imagination to achieve unimaginable results. • To make it fun and fair, there are rules. • Rules are meant to define the difficulty, not prevent an action, they can be bent.

2. AC – Armor Class Chance to dodge or block an attack BAB – Base Attack Bonus Base chance to hit DC – Difficulty Class Difficulty to complete a task (ie: DC15) Save Attempt to reduce or negate an effect AoO – Attack of Opportunity Free chance to hit an off-guard opponent. Abilities STR – strength DEX - dexterity CON - constitution INT - intelligence WIS - wisdom CHA – charisma Ability Modifier (Mod) Modified amount of an ability to add to any roll. 10 = 0 ; +/-2 = +/-1 ability mod Terminology

3. Very Basics • D&D is a d20 game • Every action is based upon a d20 roll • Add to the roll positive or negative modifiers. • Ability Mods, Skill Mods, Attack Mods, Weapon Mods, etc. • Dealing Damage • Strength determines melee hits and damage • Dexterity determines ranged hits and AC • Weapon determines damage dice type • Weapon may add +/- modifiers to Attack Bonus • The goal is to score equal to or above the given actions Difficulty Class (DC) • DC determined by DM

4. When to Roll What • If you are trying to do something • Roll a Skill Check • D20 + Ability Modifier + Skill Ranks + Misc. mods • If you are getting attacked • Roll a Saving Throw • D20 + Ability Modifier + Base Save Bonus + Misc. mods • If you are attacking • Roll to hit • D20 + Ability Modifier (Str or Dex)+ Base Attack Bonus (BAB) + Misc. mods • Roll damage if a hit • Damage dice + Strength bonus + Misc. mods

5. How to Use a Skill Choose Skill to use Roll d20 Add ability modifier Add any ranks in Skill Add skill modifiers Synergies, Racial / Class Bonuses, Magic Bonuses… Total must meet or exceed DC of task • Task failed by 10 or more is fumbled • Natural 1 is automatic fumble • Fumbling includes, but is not limited to: • Drop weapon, hit self / friend, fall down, trip / break device…

6. Opposed Checks An opposed check isn’t made against a set DC,but another d20 roll and modifiers. • Some skill checks can be opposed • Hide vs. Spot • Pickpocket vs. Spot • Listen vs. Move Silently • More… • Some attacks can be opposed • Trip, Bull Rush, Overrun, Grapple, Disarm, Feint, all are opposed checks. • A Saving throw is basically an opposed roll

7. Surprise round catches enemy off guard Flat footed, Denied Dex bonus to AC Initiative D20 + Dex Modifier + Miscellaneous Modifiers Combat Round Round consists of one full action or one standard and one move action. Full Action Full Attack, Run… Free Action Speak, drop… Combat • Standard Action • Attack, cast, use… • Move Action • Move, climb, jump…

8. Enemy Sighted Surprise Round (pg 137) No Free Standard Action (pg 138) Enemy Sighted Do They See You? Roll Initiative (pg 136) D20 + Dex + Misc Combat Round Standard & Move Action (pg 138) Yes Non-move actions get Free 5ft Step Standard Action Move Action Full Round Action Free Action Unarmed Attack BAB + Str Ranged Attack BAB + Dex Melee Attack BAB + Str Attack Move / Stand Up Full Attack Speak Drink a Potion Read a Scroll Concentration (pg 170) Cast Draw / Sheathe Weapon Charge / Run Drop Item / Self Power Item Skill or Ability Use Move Object / Door Ignite / Extinguish Flames Cease Concentration

9. Attacks of Opportunity (AoO) • A character threatens the area around her • An enemy taking certain actions within a threatened area provokes an AoO. • Moving out of a threatened area. • Casting or attacking with a ranged weapon. • An AoO interrupts the flow of combat as a free single attack, then initiative resumes. • Only one AoO may be made per round. • The Combat reflexes feat allows for more.

10. More on AoO Orc 1 leaves David’s threatened space, provoking an AoO. • David threatens the area around him. Orc 2 charges David, a special action that provokes an AoO. Orc 1 Orc 3 enters David’s space, but doesn’t leave. No AoO. If David tries an unarmed attack he provokes an AoO. If David tries for a ranged attack he provokes an AoO. If David tries casting a spell he provokes an AoO. Orc 2 Orc 3

11. More on AoO Orcs threaten the area around them. David is screwed. He tries to run, provoking an AoO from Orcs 1, 2 and 3. One may only take one AoOper round. The attack interrupts combat, is taken at the highest BAB, then combat resumes as usual.

12. Flanking Get a +2 bonus when flanking an enemy Bull Rush Push an enemy back Charge +2 BAB / -2 AC Sunder Strike enemy’s weapon Disarm Remove an enemy’s weapon Grapple Wrestle and Pin an enemy Overrun Plow past an enemy Trip Knock enemy prone Special Actions

13. More on Roleplaying • This is your chance to live your dreams. • It’s all as fun as you make it. • Communication is your best tool. • Even your enemies may have things to say • Sometimes, if you run away you may live to fight again another day. • The other guys are characters too, your actions will have results, good or bad. Your skills don’t define your character, your imagination does.

14. Playing the Role • Heroes do heroic things • Jumping from the back of a falling griffon, onto a nearby falling rock, to then jump onto a safe ledge…no problem. • Don’t just “hit” something • Be descriptive; stab him in the ribs, twist the blade, and pull free in a gush of blood. • Use your brain, use your eyes. • Find strategies and clues, rushing in headstrong is a quick way to die. Don’t be afraid to become your character, speak in their voice, be afraid of their fears, fall in love with their soul mate.

15. Above All, Have Fun • Find out what you like to do and tell your DM. • Don’t get stressed or angry if things don’t go your way; dice are random. • The game isn’t meant to be a walk in the park. • Be silly, be random… Be all that you can’t be.