Calculating your attack bonus correctly is essential in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just starting your journey, mastering this fundamental skill will empower you to maximize your combat effectiveness and enhance your overall gaming experience.
The attack bonus is a value added to your attack roll, which determines whether your attack hits or misses. It’s comprised of two components: your proficiency bonus and your ability modifier. Your proficiency bonus represents your character’s training and skill with a particular weapon or tool, while your ability modifier reflects their natural aptitude in a certain area. By combining these elements, you can assess your character’s likelihood of successfully striking their target during combat encounters.
To calculate your attack bonus, start by determining your proficiency bonus based on your character’s level. Refer to the Player’s Handbook for the corresponding value. Next, add the ability modifier that corresponds to the ability used for the attack. For instance, if you’re wielding a longsword, you’d use your Dexterity modifier, whereas a warhammer would require your Strength modifier. Finally, combine these two values to arrive at your attack bonus. Understanding the components and calculation process empowers you to make informed choices when selecting weapons and planning your combat strategy.
Understanding Attack Bonus
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, an attack bonus represents a character’s proficiency and ability in performing an attack roll. It is a numerical modifier that is added to the d20 roll when making an attack and is determined by combining three factors:
Ability Modifier
The attacker’s ability modifier is the modifier based on their relevant ability score. For melee attacks, it is Strength for Strength-based weapons and Dexterity for Dexterity-based weapons. For ranged attacks, it is Dexterity for ranged weapons and Strength for thrown weapons.
Proficiency Bonus
The proficiency bonus is a bonus granted to attacks based on the character’s class and level. The proficiency bonus increases as the character levels up, reflecting their growing experience and skill.
Magical Bonuses and Penalties
Certain spells, equipment, and other effects can provide bonuses or penalties to attack rolls. These bonuses or penalties are added or subtracted to the attack bonus before making the roll.
| Source | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Strength Modifier | Character’s Strength modifier (for melee attacks) |
| Dexterity Modifier | Character’s Dexterity modifier (for ranged attacks or melee attacks with finesse weapons) |
| Proficiency Bonus | Character’s proficiency bonus |
| Magic Weapon | +1 to attack rolls |
| Bless | +1d4 to attack rolls |
Adding Proficiency Bonus
Proficiency bonus is a flat bonus added to skill checks and attack rolls for characters who are proficient in a skill or ability. The proficiency bonus is based on your character’s level and is as follows:
| Level | Proficiency Bonus |
|---|---|
| 1-4 | +2 |
| 5-8 | +3 |
| 9-12 | +4 |
| 13-16 | +5 |
| 17-20 | +6 |
When adding proficiency bonus to an attack roll, it is added to the character’s ability modifier for the weapon they are using. For example, if a character is using a longsword and has a +4 Strength modifier, they would add +4 to their attack roll, plus their proficiency bonus of +2, for a total bonus of +6. This would be added to the roll of the d20 when making an attack roll.
Proficiency bonus is an important part of character development, as it represents the character’s training and experience in a particular skill or ability. By increasing your character’s level, you can increase their proficiency bonus and make them more effective in combat and skill checks.
Incorporating Strength and Dexterity Modifiers
Your attack bonus is also influenced by your Strength or Dexterity modifier, which represents your character’s innate ability in the corresponding field. Here’s how to incorporateこれらの修整因子を組み込む方法：
Strength Modifier
If you’re using a melee weapon, you add your Strength modifier to your attack bonus. This modifier is derived from your character’s Strength score, which you can find on their character sheet. For instance, if you have a Strength score of 14, your Strength modifier is +2, which you would then add to your attack roll.
Dexterity Modifier
If you’re using a ranged weapon or making a finesse attack with a melee weapon, you instead add your Dexterity modifier to your attack bonus. Your Dexterity score and modifier are also located on your character sheet. For example, with a Dexterity score of 16, your Dexterity modifier is +3, which you would apply to your ranged attack rolls.
| Ability Score | Modifier |
|---|---|
| 10-11 | +0 |
| 12-13 | +1 |
| 14-15 | +2 |
| 16-17 | +3 |
| 18-19 | +4 |
| 20-21 | +5 |
Calculating with Finesse Weapons
Finesse weapons are weapons that can be used with either Strength or Dexterity for attack rolls. This means that you can choose which ability score to use for your attack roll, depending on which one is higher.
To calculate your attack bonus with a finesse weapon, you will need to add your proficiency bonus to either your Strength modifier or your Dexterity modifier, depending on which one you are using.
For example, if you are using a rapier and you have a Strength modifier of +2 and a Dexterity modifier of +4, you could choose to add either your Strength modifier or your Dexterity modifier to your proficiency bonus to calculate your attack bonus. If you choose to add your Strength modifier, your attack bonus would be +4 (+2 from your Strength modifier and +2 from your proficiency bonus). If you choose to add your Dexterity modifier, your attack bonus would be +6 (+4 from your Dexterity modifier and +2 from your proficiency bonus).
**Choosing Which Ability Score to Use**
When choosing which ability score to use for your attack roll with a finesse weapon, there are a few things to consider:
<td>**Strength:** Strength is typically used for melee weapons that require more strength to wield, such as axes, hammers, and swords.
<td>**Dexterity:** Dexterity is typically used for ranged weapons and finesse weapons that require more precision, such as bows, crossbows, and rapiers.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which ability score to use for your attack roll is to experiment and see which one works best for you.
| Ability Score | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Strength | When using melee weapons that require more strength to wield |
| Dexterity | When using ranged weapons and finesse weapons that require more precision |
Utilizing the Two-Weapon Fighting Style
The Two-Weapon Fighting style grants a +2 bonus to attack rolls made with the off-hand weapon.
This is calculated after the character’s strength or dexterity bonus and any other attack roll bonuses.
For example, a character with a strength of 16 (+3 bonus) and the Two-Weapon Fighting style would receive a +3 bonus to attack rolls made with their off-hand weapon.
To calculate the attack bonus with the Two-Weapon Fighting style, follow these steps:
- Choose your off-hand weapon.
- Determine your attack bonus for the off-hand weapon (strength or dexterity bonus).
- Add the +2 bonus from the Two-Weapon Fighting style.
The result is your attack bonus for the off-hand weapon.
| Example | Attack Bonus |
|---|---|
| Strength 16 (+3 bonus) | +5 |
| Dexterity 14 (+2 bonus) | +4 |
Modifying for Advantage and Disadvantage
Advantage and disadvantage are game mechanics that represent situations where a character is more or less likely to succeed at a task. When making an attack roll, advantage gives a character a +5 bonus to the roll, while disadvantage gives a -5 penalty.
There are a number of ways to gain advantage or disadvantage on an attack roll. Some spells, such as bless and bane, can grant advantage or disadvantage to a target. Certain class features, such as the rogue’s Sneak Attack, can also grant advantage. Additionally, the DM may award advantage or disadvantage based on the circumstances of the combat encounter.
When rolling with advantage, the character rolls two d20s and takes the higher of the two results. When rolling with disadvantage, the character rolls two d20s and takes the lower of the two results.
The following table summarizes the effects of advantage and disadvantage on attack rolls:
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| +5 bonus to the roll | -5 penalty to the roll |
| Roll two d20s and take the higher result | Roll two d20s and take the lower result |
Calculating Your Attack Bonus
To calculate your attack bonus, you need to add together your ability modifier, proficiency bonus (if any), and any other relevant modifiers.
Ability Modifier
Your ability modifier is based on your character’s relevant ability score. The ability modifier is calculated as follows:
Ability modifier = (ability score – 10) / 2
For example, if your character has a Strength score of 16, your Strength modifier would be +3.
Proficiency Bonus
Proficiency bonus is a bonus that you gain as you level up. Proficiency bonus is added to your attack rolls for any weapons or skills that you are proficient in.
Other Relevant Modifiers
There are many other factors that can affect your attack bonus. These include:
- Magic weapons: Magic weapons can grant a bonus to attack rolls.
- Feats: Feats can also grant a bonus to attack rolls.
- Class features: Some class features can grant a bonus to attack rolls.
Applying Class Features and Feats
Many class features and feats can grant bonuses to attack rolls. Here are some examples:
Class Features
| Class | Feature | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Barbarian | Rage | +2 to attack rolls while raging |
| Fighter | Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting | +2 to attack rolls with two-handed weapons |
| Rogue | Sneak Attack | +10 to attack rolls against creatures you have advantage on |
Feats
| Feat | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Great Weapon Master | +10 to attack rolls with heavy weapons |
| Sharpshooter | +10 to attack rolls with ranged weapons |
| Crossbow Expert | +1 attack roll with crossbows |
When applying class features and feats to your attack bonus, it is important to remember that the bonuses stack. For example, if you are a barbarian raging with the Great Weapon Fighting style, you would add +4 to your attack rolls with two-handed weapons.
Dealing with Multiple Attacks
Making Multiple Attacks
Certain classes, such as fighters and rogues, gain the ability to make multiple attacks as they level up. When attacking multiple times in a single turn, each attack is resolved separately.
Calculating Attack Bonus for Additional Attacks
The attack bonus for additional attacks is typically lower than the bonus for the first attack. The specific bonus for each attack is determined by the class and level of the character.
For example, a level 5 fighter with a Strength modifier of +3 would have the following attack bonuses:
| Attack | Modifier |
|---|---|
| First | +6 (+3 Strength, +3 Proficiency) |
| Second | +3 (+3 Strength) |
Advantage and Disadvantage
Advantage and disadvantage apply to each attack individually. If a character has advantage on one attack and disadvantage on another, they will roll with advantage on the first attack and with disadvantage on the second.
Critical Hits
Critical hits are also determined separately for each attack. If a character rolls a critical hit on one attack, it does not affect the other attacks.
Extra Attacks Feature
Some classes, such as fighters, gain the Extra Attacks feature, which allows them to make additional attacks beyond their base number of attacks. The attack bonuses for these additional attacks are determined by the class and level of the character.
Calculating Attack Bonus
To calculate your attack bonus, add the following modifiers:
- Proficiency bonus: +2 at 1st level, increases at levels 5, 9, 13, and 17.
- Ability modifier: Based on the ability score associated with the weapon (Strength for melee weapons, Dexterity for ranged weapons and finesse weapons).
- Magic weapon bonus: If you are wielding a magical weapon, it may have a bonus to attack rolls (e.g., +1 to attack).
Example: Attack Bonus for a Level 5 Fighter
A level 5 fighter with a Strength score of 16 (+3 modifier) and proficiency in longswords would have an attack bonus of +7:
+2 (proficiency bonus) + +3 (Strength modifier) + +2 (proficiency bonus from the Fighting Style feature)
Special Considerations for Spellcasters
Spell Attack Bonus
Spellcasters use a different attack bonus calculation for their spells, called spell attack bonus. This bonus is calculated as follows:
- Proficiency bonus: +2 at 1st level, increases at levels 5, 9, 13, and 17.
- Ability modifier: Based on the ability score associated with the spell (Intelligence for wizard spells, Wisdom for cleric spells, etc.).
Example: Spell Attack Bonus for a Level 5 Wizard
A level 5 wizard with an Intelligence score of 14 (+2 modifier) would have a spell attack bonus of +5:
+2 (proficiency bonus) + +2 (Intelligence modifier)
Cantrips
Cantrips, which are low-level spells that can be cast an unlimited number of times per day, do not add the proficiency bonus to their attack rolls. Instead, they only use the ability modifier to calculate their attack bonus.
Martial Spellcasters
Some spellcasters, such as paladins and rangers, also have proficiency in certain weapons. When attacking with these weapons, they can add their proficiency bonus to their attack rolls as normal.
Spellcasting Ability
The ability score used for spellcasting also affects the spell attack bonus. For example, a wizard using a spell that requires Intelligence for its casting would use their Intelligence modifier to calculate the spell attack bonus.
10. Proficiency Bonus
The final component of your attack bonus is your proficiency bonus. This bonus is based on your character level and provides a baseline boost to your overall attacking capabilities. The proficiency bonus progression is as follows:
Level | Proficiency Bonus
1-4 | +2
5-8 | +3
9-12 | +4
13-16 | +5
17-20 | +6
Your proficiency bonus applies to all attack rolls made using weapons, spells, or other abilities that you are proficient in. It represents your character’s training and experience with the specific weapon or ability being used.
Example:
A level 5 character has a +3 proficiency bonus. If they are making an attack roll with a longsword, which they are proficient in, they would add +3 to their attack roll in addition to their other bonuses.
How To Calculate Attack Bonus 5e
In the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, your attack bonus is a key factor in determining whether or not you hit your target. It is calculated by adding your proficiency bonus to your ability modifier for the skill you are using to make the attack.
For example, if you are a level 5 fighter with a Strength score of 16, your attack bonus with a melee weapon would be +6. This is because your proficiency bonus at level 5 is +3, and your Strength modifier is +3.
Your attack bonus can also be affected by other factors, such as magic items or spells. For example, the Bless spell can give you a +1 bonus to your attack rolls.
People Also Ask About How To Calculate Attack Bonus 5e
Q: What is the proficiency bonus?
A: The proficiency bonus is a bonus that you add to your ability modifier when making skill checks, attack rolls, and saving throws. Your proficiency bonus is determined by your character’s level.
Q: What is the ability modifier?
A: The ability modifier is a number that represents your character’s natural aptitude in a particular skill or ability. Your ability modifier is determined by your character’s ability score.
Q: How do I calculate my attack bonus?
A: To calculate your attack bonus, add your proficiency bonus to your ability modifier for the skill you are using to make the attack.
