If improvising an action not listed in
Combat Combat
D&D 5E Combat Steps Actions
the rules, the DM determines the
feasibility and if a roll is needed.
Make one melee or ranged attack.
The DM determines if anyone Certain features allow more than one
involved is surprised. ex: Stealth Attack attack with this action.
versus Passive Perception. Determine Can use attacks from attack action to
Surprise push 5 ft or knock prone a creature 1
Shove size larger or less. See PHB p.195.
The DM decides where all the
characters and monsters are
Attack Use Shove at disadvantage to try to
located, distances, & direction. Establish move target 5 ft to any space within
Position Shove reach instead of pushing away.
Aside
Everyone involved rolls initiative Can use attacks from attack action to
(Dex check) to determine turn grab creature 1 size larger or less.
order. See PHB p.189 for ties. Grapple Athl vs Athl or Acrob. See PHB p.195.
Roll
Initiative Attack Use action to make an Athletics or
Each participant takes a turn in Acrobatics check vs other creatures
initiative order (6 sec in-game time Escape a Athletics to escape from a grapple.
for movement, actions, etc.). Take
Grapple Most spells have a casting time of 1
action. Each spell lists a casting time
Turns
The round ends when everyone in Cast a or time required to cast the spell.
combat has had a turn. Repeat Spell On melee attack, have advantage on
rounds until the fighting stops. Next opportunity attacks vs marked target
Round until end of next turn, see DMG p.271.
Mark
You can move a distance up to Make attack roll vs target’s Athletics
or Acrobatics check to knock item
your speed; move can be broken
up before and after an action and Disarm from target’s grasp, see DMG p.271.
Your
between attacks. Standing from Until your next turn, disadvantage on
prone costs half your total speed. Turn attacks against you if you see attacker
Speed is halved in Difficult Terrain Dodge & you have advantage on Dex saves.
or when grappling (unless Your movement doesn’t provoke
creature is 2+ sizes smaller than opportunity attacks for the rest of turn
you). Speed is 0 when grappled. Movement Disengage due to focusing on your surroundings.
You gain extra movement for the
You normally take a single combat current turn equal to your speed, after
action on a turn from the list here, applying any modifiers.
your class, or a special feature. Dash
Action As action or bonus action, make
Athletics contest to push through
You can take a single bonus creatures space once, see DMG p.272.
action on a turn when a specific Overrun
feature grants a bonus action. Bonus As action or bonus action, make
Acrobatics contest to duck and weave
Action through hostile creatures space once.
You can speak & interact with one Tumble
object or environmental feature Any ability to get on larger creature,
for free during a move or action. Athletics or Acrobatics vs target’s
Interaction Climb onto Acrobatics to stay on, see DMG p.271.
Certain situations allow an instant
Creature
You help another creature, it gains
reaction as a response to some advantage on its next ability check or,
kind of trigger, which can be used if w/in 5 ft of you, next attack roll.
Help
on someone else’s turn. When Reaction Make a Stealth check to try to hide
you take a reaction, you can’t take (hide rules PHB p.177). If successful,
another one until your next turn.
see “Unseen Attackers” PHB p.194.
Hide
Make DC 10 Medicine check to
Interaction
stabilize 0 hp creature. If successful,
unconscious at 0 hp, but not dying.
Examples of free activities during a move or action: First Aid
• Draw or sheathe a weapon, pickup an unfastened item Devote your attention to finding
• Open or close door, put ear to door, or turn key in lock something. DM might ask for a
• Withdraw an item from your backpack or pouch Perception or Investigation check.
• Stuff food into your mouth or drink a full flagon Search
• Pull lever, tap floor w/ 10 ft pole, or extinguish a flame This action is used if you want to
• Don a mask or pull the hood of a cloak over your head interact with more than one object or
• Hand item to another character or kick a small stone Use an an object that requires more time.
• Communicate through brief utterances and gestures Object
Save one action to possibly use later
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Attack
Making an Attack:
1. Choose a target in range, a
creature, object, or location.
2. Determine modifiers,
penalties or bonuses. A
finesse weapon can use Dex,
and a thrown weapon can
use Str instead of standard
mods for melee and ranged.
3. Resolve the attack. If the
attack roll result equals or
exceeds the target’s AC, it
hits. If the d20 roll is a 1, the
attack auto misses. If the d20
roll is a 20, it auto hits & is a
critical hit. On a critical hit,
roll all damage dice twice,
then add any relevant
modifiers as normal.
Melee Attack Rolls:
Typically using handheld
weapons or unarmed strikes w/
5 ft reach in close combat.
Attack Roll: roll d20, add Str
mod, add proficiency bonus for
spells or for weapons you have
proficiency, & add any other
mods (magic item, etc.).
Damage Roll: roll specified
weapon damage and add Str
mod. A spell will specify what
dice to roll and if any modifiers
should be added.
Opportunity Attacks: You can
use an opportunity attack
(melee) on a visible hostile
creature that moves out of your
reach using your reaction, see
PHB p.195.
Two-Weapon Fighting: If using
the attack action and attack with
a light weapon, you can use a
bonus action to attack with a
different light weapon held in
your other hand.
Ranged Attack Rolls:
Typically used to send
projectiles to strike foes at a
distance or for spells that
involve a ranged attack.
Attack Roll: roll d20, add Dex
mod, add proficiency bonus for
spells or for weapons you have
proficiency, & add any other
mods (magic item, etc.).
Damage Roll: roll specified
weapon damage and add Dex
mod. A spell will specify what
dice to roll and if any modifiers
should be added.
Range: You can only attack
targets within range. Some
weapons have two ranges. The
shorter range is normal range;
the second is long range that
has disadvantage.
Ranged in Close Combat: If
making a ranged attack w/in 5 ft
of active hostile creature, the
attack has disadvantage.