Combat Fundamentals

The system for determining turn order in combat or other time-sensitive situations. Higher initiative usually means acting sooner.

A numeric measure of how much damage a character can take before being incapacitated or killed. Damage reduces HP; healing restores it.

A defensive stat representing how hard a character is to hit in combat. Attack rolls must meet or exceed the target's AC to deal damage.

A roll made to resist or avoid harmful effects like spells, traps, poison, or environmental hazards. Success typically reduces or negates the effect.

The system governing what you can do on your turn. Understanding action economy means knowing how to maximize your effectiveness with the actions available to you.

A roll made to determine if an attack hits its target. Compare the result to the target's AC or defense - meeting or exceeding it means you hit and can roll damage.

A roll made after a successful attack to determine how much damage you deal. Add relevant modifiers and subtract from the target's HP.