The Basics

1
The Basics

• DD 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
Terminology

• 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

3
Very Basics

• DD 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.

• The goal is to score equal to or above the given
  actions Difficulty Class (DC)
• DC determined by DM

• 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

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 isnt 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
Combat

• 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

• 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
Move Action
Free Action
Standard Action
Full Round Action
Attack
Melee Attack BAB Str
Ranged Attack BAB Dex
Unarmed Attack BAB Str
Move / Stand Up
Full Attack
Speak
Cast
Concentration (pg 170)
Read a Scroll
Drink a Potion
Draw / Sheathe Weapon
Charge / Run
Drop Item / Self
Use
Item
Skill or Ability
Power
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

• David threatens the area around him.

Orc 1 leaves Davids threatened space, provoking
an AoO.
Orc 2 charges David, a special action that
provokes an AoO.
Orc 1
Orc 3 enters Davids space, but doesnt 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
Special Actions

• Flanking
• Get a 2 bonus when flanking an enemy
• Bull Rush
• Push an enemy back
• Charge
• 2 BAB / -2 AC
• Sunder
• Strike enemys weapon
• Disarm
• Remove an enemys weapon

• Grapple
• Wrestle and Pin an enemy
• Overrun
• Plow past an enemy
• Trip
• Knock enemy prone

13
More on Roleplaying

• This is your chance to live your dreams.
• Its 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 dont 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
  ledgeno problem.
• Dont 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.

Dont 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.
• Dont get stressed or angry if things dont go
  your way dice are random.
• The game isnt meant to be a walk in the park.
• Be silly, be random

Be all that you cant be.