D&D 5e Roll resolution cheat sheet
A 1-page summary of how to resolve rolls. At-the-table reference for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.
D&D 5e resolves everything with a d20: roll, add modifiers, and meet or beat the target number. Advantage and disadvantage replace most stacking bonuses.
Core mechanic
- Formula
- 1d20 + ability modifier + proficiency (if proficient)
- Success
- Total ≥ DC (or AC for attacks)
- Advantage
- Roll 2d20, keep the higher
- Disadvantage
- Roll 2d20, keep the lower
- Advantage and disadvantage do not stack: multiple sources of advantage still means roll 2d20 keep higher.
- If you have both advantage and disadvantage, they cancel out (roll normally).
Types of rolls
- Ability check
- d20 + ability mod (+ proficiency if proficient in a skill or tool)
- Attack roll
- d20 + ability mod + proficiency vs AC
- Saving throw
- d20 + ability mod (+ proficiency if proficient in that save)
Difficulty Classes
- Very easy
- DC 5
- Easy
- DC 10
- Medium
- DC 15
- Hard
- DC 20
- Very hard
- DC 25
- Nearly impossible
- DC 30
Common mistakes
- Proficiency bonus applies only when you are proficient; it is not added to every roll.
- Passive checks = 10 + modifiers (no roll). Used for Perception, Insight when not actively searching.
- Jack of All Trades (Bard) adds half proficiency to ability checks you are not proficient in, but not to attack rolls or saves.