Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 MostlyDND Oct 12, 2014 18:15:04	Hello! I am just starting out in DND 5e, and I am also the DM for my group. I am just a bit confused as to the mechanics for casting spells, and the relationship between spells and saving throws; sorry in advance if some of these are rather stupid questions (I am very new to this game).   1) Assuming one is in combat, if one is casting an offensive spell, will an attack roll always be necessary? If so, what is the DC (qualitative) for that roll? Will it always be the enemy's AC, or will it be some other DC defined with other numbers (e.g. perhaps "roll higher than their passive willpower (10+Ability modifier) etc)? As an additional question: If one is casting a healing spell, or some other buff (maybe Mage Armor?), is a d20 roll necessary or is it an auto-success? 2) Are saving throws for spells only made when the spell-information specifically refers to them (e.g. burning hands), or is it possible for PCs and NPCs to use saving throws even when the spell does not specifically refer to them: for example, if a PC casts magic missile at a goblin, and succeeds on the attack roll, would it be permissible for the goblin to try to dodge the spell (a roll which I would guess to be a dex saving throw)?   3) Will attribute bonuses apply to calculating the damage of a spell (in the same way that, for example, a successful attack with an axe gets a strength bonus), or is the damage of a spell purely defined by the spell-information (e.g. Burning Hands = 3d6)?   Answers to any (and hopefully all) of these questions would be greatly appreciated, by both myself and my players! Thanks in advance!
#2 Jay_Ibero_911 Oct 12, 2014 18:33:26	The spells descriptions tell you everything you need. If the spell calls for an attack roll, it will tell you. If it calls for a saving throw, it will tell you. If it mentions none of these, then the spell doesn't use it. Magic missile for instance has no attack roll or saving throw. It is automatic, unavoidable damage. And the sleep spell has neither attack roll or saving throw either, but it affects a random amount of hp worth of creature. Burning hands does have a saving throw, so you use what the spell says.
#3 MostlyDND Oct 12, 2014 18:46:48	A concise and comprehensive explanation. Thank you very much!