5e Spell Attacks: A D&D Guide To Modifiers & Bonuses
Ever found yourself wondering how your favorite spellcaster consistently lands those devastating blows, or perhaps how to best calculate your own chances of success when slinging spells? Understanding the intricacies of spell attack modifiers is the key to unlocking the full potential of your spellcasting abilities in the world of tabletop role-playing games.
Let's delve into the mechanics that govern how spells connect with their targets. Wizards and artificers, masters of the arcane arts, rely on their Intelligence (Int) modifier to weave their spells. Imagine a wizard with an Int modifier of +4 and a proficiency bonus of +4. Their spell attack bonus then becomes a formidable +8, combining the raw power of their intellect with their practiced skill. Conversely, clerics, druids, and rangers, who draw upon the wisdom of the divine or the natural world, utilize their Wisdom (Wis) modifier to fuel their spellcasting. The spell attack bonus for these classes is calculated accordingly, reflecting their connection to the forces they command.
Here's a breakdown of the key components involved in calculating your spell attack modifier and how they apply to different classes:
Understanding the Basics
The core concept revolves around your spell attack modifier. This modifier is what you add to your d20 roll when you're attempting to hit a target with a spell. This is the same process as attacking with a weapon: if the final result (d20 roll + spell attack modifier) meets or exceeds the target's Armor Class (AC), the spell hits.
The general rule for spell attack rolls is: Your attack bonus with a spell attack equals your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus.
Key Components:
- Spellcasting Ability Modifier: This varies by class. Wizards and Artificers use Intelligence, Clerics, Druids and Rangers use Wisdom, and Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Bards use Charisma.
- Proficiency Bonus: This increases as your character levels up, reflecting your growing skill and experience.
Example:
Let's say you play a Ranger. Your spellcasting ability is Wisdom. You have a +3 Wisdom modifier and a +3 proficiency bonus. Your spell attack modifier is +6 (+3 Wisdom + +3 Proficiency).
It's crucial to distinguish between spell attacks and saving throws. Spell attacks require you to roll to hit, while saving throws require the target to roll to avoid the spell's effects.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Core Mechanics | Spell attack modifier = spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency bonus. This is added to the d20 roll when making a spell attack. |
| Classes and Ability Scores |
|
| Proficiency | You gain proficiency in spell attacks automatically if you cast spells that require an attack roll; then you add your proficiency bonus. |
| Ranged Attacks | Regular ranged attack rules apply (disadvantage within 5 feet of a hostile creature, unless the spell description specifies otherwise.) |
| Melee Attacks | Melee spell attacks also use the spell attack modifier (spellcasting ability + proficiency). |
| Saving Throws | Spell Save DC = 8 + spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency bonus |
| Disadvantage | Ranged spell attacks suffer disadvantage if you're within 5 feet of an enemy. |
Remember, your proficiency bonus applies to attack rolls when you attack with a weapon you're proficient with, and also when you're attacking with a spell. But there are still some standout cantrips like green flame blade or spells like spiritual weapon that youll want to know your melee spell attack roll. So, in our melee spell attack 5e guide, youll learn how to calculate your bonus to touching someone with terrifying magic in melee.
Cantrips, like all other spells, adhere to these rules. If you cast Produce Flame, you'll roll a d20 and add your spell attack modifier to determine if the spell hits its target.
For Rangers the spell attack modifier is defined as: Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your wisdom
Melee and Ranged Spell Attacks:
The regular ranged attack rules apply even to spell attacks, the only exceptions are if the spell description allows for otherwise. If an enemy is within 5 feet of you, you get a disadvantage.
A melee spell attack is a close-quarters maneuver. In addition, a melee spell attack like a ranged spell attack uses your spell attack modifier (spellcasting ability + proficiency). The ability modifier used for a melee weapon attack is strength, and the ability modifier used for a ranged weapon attack is dexterity.
Most spells that require attack rolls involve ranged attacks. Remember that you have disadvantage on a ranged attack roll if you are within 5 feet of a hostile creature that can see you and that isn't incapacitated.
The spell bless, for example, can add a single d4 to the attack rolls of up to three creatures for one minute. Remember that in dnd, multiple spells with the same name cant stack effects, so a creature can only benefit from a single bless at a time.
If the description of a spell specifies that you have to make an attack roll. It involves your mod and proficiency bonus
Important Considerations
The spell attack modifier is what you add to your d20 roll if the spell calls for you to make an attack. This will often be worded as make a ranged spell attack or make a melee spell attack. Your spell attack modifier already includes your proficiency bonus. It is made up of your spell casting stat bonus and your proficiency modifier. It is not added to your damage rolls unless a feature says otherwise, some spells dont even add your spell casting ability modifier so be sure to read them carefully.
A spell can modify an attack roll. If a spell or other effect deals damage to more than one target at the same time, roll the damage once for all of them. Whether youre striking with a melee weapon, firing a weapon at range, or making an attack roll as part of a spell, an attack has a simple structure. Pick a target within your attacks range: A creature, an object, or a location. The difference between a melee attack and ranged attack is that a ranged attack suffers disadvantage if you're within 5 feet of an enemy while a melee attack is not affected. In addition, a melee spell attack like a ranged spell attack uses your spell attack modifier (spellcasting ability + proficiency). Your spell attack modifier already includes your proficiency bonus.
The ability modifier used for a spell attack depends on the spellcasting ability of the spellcaster. When attacking with a weapon, you add your ability modifierthe same modifier used for the attack rollto the damage. A spell tells you which dice to roll for damage and whether to add any modifiers.
Its also used to determine the save dc listed below.
If you are within 5 feet of a hostile creature, this gives you disadvantage on ranged spell attacks.
So if your class uses wisdom as their spellcasting ability and has a +3 wisdom modifier and +2 proficiency bonus, your spell attack bonus modifier is +5. You add this number to any ranged or melee spell attack.
If the result is equal or higher than the target's ac (armour class), then you have hit.
