Glossary

A damage roll is a die roll, adjusted by any applicable modifiers, that deals damage to a target. See also “Playing the Game” (“Damage and Healing”).

A creature or an object that has a damage threshold has Immunity to all damage unless it takes an amount of damage from a single attack or effect equal to or greater than its damage threshold, in which case it takes that entire instance of damage. Any damage that fails to meet or exceed the damage threshold is superficial and doesn’t reduce Hit Points. For example, if an object has a damage threshold of 10, the object takes no damage if 9 damage is dealt to it, since that damage fails to exceed the threshold. If the same object is dealt 11 damage, it takes all of that damage.

Attacks and other harmful effects deal different types of damage. Damage types have no rules of their own, but other rules, such as Resistance, rely on the types. The Damage Types table offers examples to help a GM assign a type to a new effect. Damage Types Type Examples Acid Corrosive liquids, digestive enzymes Bludgeoning Blunt objects, constriction, falling Cold Freezing water, icy blasts Fire Flames, unbearable heat Force Pure magical energy Lightning Electricity Type Examples Necrotic Life-draining energy Piercing Fangs, puncturing objects Poison Toxic gas, venom Psychic Mind-rending energy Radiant Holy energy, searing radiation Slashing Claws, cutting objects Thunder Concussive sound

An area of Darkness is Heavily Obscured. See also “Heavily Obscured” and “Playing the Game” (“Exploration”).

If you have Darkvision, you can see in Dim Light within a specified range as if it were Bright Light and in Darkness within that range as if it were Dim Light. You discern colors in that Darkness only as shades of gray. See also “Playing the Game” (“Exploration”).

When you take the Dash action, you gain extra movement for the current turn. The increase equals your Speed after applying any modifiers. With a Speed of 30 feet, for example, you can move up to 60 feet on your turn if you Dash. If your Speed of 30 feet is reduced to 15 feet, you can move up to 30 feet this turn if you Dash. If you have a special speed, such as a Fly Speed or Swim Speed, you can use that speed instead of your Speed when you take this action. You choose which speed to use each time you take it. See also “Speed.”

A dead creature has no Hit Points and can’t regain them unless it is first revived by magic such as the Raise Dead or Revivify spell. When such a spell is cast, the spirit knows who is casting it and can refuse. The spirit of a dead creature has left the body and departed for the Outer Planes, and reviving the creature requires calling the spirit back. If the creature returns to life, the revival effect determines the creature’s current Hit Points. Unless otherwise stated, the creature returns to life with any conditions, magical contagions, or curses that were affecting it at death if the durations of those effects are still ongoing. If the creature died with any Exhaustion levels, it returns with 1 fewer level. If the creature had Attunement to one or more magic items, it is no longer attuned to them.

A player character must make a Death Saving Throw (also called a Death Save) if they start their turn with 0 Hit Points. See also “Playing the Game” (“Damage and Healing”).

If a space is Difficult Terrain, every foot of movement in that space costs 1 extra foot. For example, moving 5 feet through Difficult Terrain costs 10 feet of movement. Difficult Terrain isn’t cumulative; either a space is Difficult Terrain or it isn’t. A space is Difficult Terrain if the space contains any of the following or something similar: - A creature that isn’t Tiny or your ally - Furniture that is sized for creatures of your size or larger - Heavy snow, ice, rubble, or undergrowth - Liquid that’s between shin- and waist-deep - A narrow opening sized for a creature one size smaller than you - A slope of 20 degrees or more

A Difficulty Class (DC) is the target number for an ability check or a saving throw. See also “Playing the Game” (“D20 Tests”).

An area with Dim Light is Lightly Obscured. See also “Lightly Obscured” and “Playing the Game” (“Exploration”).

If you have Disadvantage on a D20 Test, roll two d20s and use the lower roll. A roll can’t be affected by more than one Disadvantage, and Advantage and Disadvantage on the same roll cancel each other. See also “Playing the Game” (“D20 Tests”).

If you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t provoke Opportunity Attacks for the rest of the current turn.

If you take the Dodge action, you gain the following benefits: until the start of your next turn, any attack roll made against you has Disadvantage if you can see the attacker, and you make Dexterity saving throws with Advantage. You lose these benefits if you have the Incapacitated condition or if your Speed is 0.

An Emanation is an area of effect that extends in straight lines from a creature or an object in all directions. The effect that creates an Emanation specifies the distance it extends. An Emanation moves with the creature or object that is its origin unless it is an instantaneous or a stationary effect. An Emanation’s origin (creature or object) isn’t included in the area of effect unless its creator decides otherwise.

An encounter is a scene in an adventure that is part of at least one of the game’s three pillars: social interaction, exploration, or combat. See also “Playing the Game” (“Social Interaction,” “Exploration,” and “Combat”).

A creature is your enemy if it fights against you in combat, actively works to harm you, or is designated as your enemy by the rules or GM.

As they overcome challenges and complete adventures, characters earn Experience Points (XP), which are awarded by the Game Master. When a character’s XP total crosses certain thresholds, the character’s level increases. See also “Level Advancement.”

Expertise is a feature that enhances your use of a skill proficiency. When you make an ability check with a skill proficiency in which you have Expertise, your Proficiency Bonus is doubled for that check unless the bonus is doubled by another feature. If you gain Expertise, you gain it in one skill in which you have proficiency. You can’t have Expertise in the same skill proficiency more than once. See also “Playing the Game” (“Proficiency”).

A Fly Speed can be used to travel through the air. While you have a Fly Speed, you can stay aloft until you land, fall, or die. See also “Flying” and “Speed.”