What is Dungeons & Dragons?
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy roleplaying game about a party making decisions together: exploring dangerous places, negotiating with characters and facing encounters. The Dungeon Master describes the situation and adjudicates uncertain actions. A check is not a request to roll every die you own. It is a specific question, with a particular ability, proficiency and difficulty attached to it.
How to use the presets
A normal D20 Test uses one d20 plus the relevant modifiers. The advantage preset rolls two d20s and keeps the higher; disadvantage keeps the lower. Our ability-score preset sums the best three of four d6. Damage is a separate preset because attack accuracy and damage are different quantities. Neither a very high damage total nor a natural 20 tells this tool which creature you targeted.
Advantage showing 7 and 16 selects 16. A +5 modifier gives 21, not 28. The discarded die stays visible so everyone can understand the calculation.
One target. Three very different chances.
Change the target and compare an ordinary d20 with keeping the higher or lower of two dice.
Practical table tips
- Rename damage groups by damage type, not just by die size. Keeping fire damage separate from weapon damage makes resistance easier to apply at the table.
- Enter the bonus once. If your sheet already gives a combined attack modifier, do not add proficiency again as a second row.
- Choose the preset before adding modifiers. Loading a new preset deliberately resets modifiers, rather than carrying an attack bonus into a damage roll.
Dungeons & Dragons dice FAQ
Does 2d20 mean advantage?
Not automatically. The Advantage preset keeps the higher die; a custom sum of two d20s is a different roll. The mode is printed above the tray.
Does a natural 20 always succeed?
That depends on the kind of test and the applicable rule. The roller does not declare an automatic success for every check or saving throw.
Can I roll a whole character?
Use 4d6 drop-lowest repeatedly and record the six ability totals. This page does not assign those totals to abilities or enforce your table's character-generation method.
Critical damage, resistances, attack targets, character sheets and house rules are not applied automatically. Shared links restore a tray; they are not a server-certified record of a roll.
Independent, unofficial dice aid. Game names identify the intended use; their publishers do not endorse this page. These original explanations are not a replacement for the rules.