D&D 5e Cheatsheet

Action	Effect
Attack	Make one attack (extra attacks from feature)
Cast a Spell	Cast a spell with casting time of 1 action
Dash	Extra movement equal to speed this turn
Disengage	Movement doesn't provoke OAs this turn
Dodge	Attacks against you at disadvantage; DEX saves at advantage (until next turn, if not incapacitated)
Help	Give ally advantage on next ability check or attack vs adjacent enemy
Hide	Dexterity (Stealth) check to become hidden
Ready	Declare trigger + action; reaction fires when trigger occurs (concentration for spells)
Search	Perception or Investigation check
Use an Object	Interact with a second object (first is free)

Bonus Actions (class/feature-granted)

• Two-Weapon Fighting (off-hand attack)
• Cunning Action (Rogue: Dash/Disengage/Hide)
• Bonus action spell (e.g., Healing Word, Misty Step)
• Wild Shape, Second Wind, Bardic Inspiration, etc.

Reactions

• Opportunity Attack — creature leaves your reach voluntarily
• Counterspell — interrupt a spell being cast (within 60 ft)
• Shield — +5 AC until start of next turn
• Absorb Elements — resist triggered damage; add 1d6 to next melee
• Hellish Rebuke — 2d10 fire when hit (DEX save half)
• Parry (Battle Master) — reduce damage by 1d8 + DEX

Only one reaction per round; recharges at start of your turn.

Condition	Key Effects
Blinded	Fail sight checks; attacks at disadv; attackers have adv
Charmed	Can't attack charmer; charmer has adv on social checks
Deafened	Fail hearing checks; no verbal components
Frightened	Disadv on checks/attacks while source in sight; can't move closer
Grappled	Speed 0; ends if grappler is incapacitated or moved out of reach
Incapacitated	No actions or reactions
Invisible	Can't be seen; attacks at adv; attackers at disadv
Paralyzed	Incapacitated; can't move/speak; auto-fail STR/DEX saves; hits are crits within 5 ft
Petrified	Paralyzed + turned to stone; resist all damage; immune to poison/disease
Poisoned	Disadv on attack rolls and ability checks
Prone	Disadv on attacks; melee attackers have adv; ranged attackers have disadv; crawl = half speed
Restrained	Speed 0; attacks at disadv; attackers have adv; disadv on DEX saves
Stunned	Incapacitated; can't move; auto-fail STR/DEX saves; attackers have adv
Unconscious	Incapacitated; drop prone; auto-fail STR/DEX saves; hits are crits within 5 ft
Exhaustion	See Exhaustion panel

Initiative

d20 + DEX modifier. Ties: higher DEX first; still tied = simultaneous.

Surprise

Creatures unaware of combat are surprised. Surprised = no actions/reactions on first turn (can still move).

Attack Roll Anatomy

d20 + ability mod + proficiency (if proficient) vs. target AC.

• Natural 20 = critical hit (double all damage dice)
• Natural 1 = automatic miss (regardless of AC)
• Advantage = roll 2d20, take higher
• Disadvantage = roll 2d20, take lower
• Adv + Disadv cancel out regardless of count

Death Saving Throws

DC 10. 3 successes → stable. 3 failures → dead.

• Nat-1 counts as 2 failures
• Nat-20: regain 1 HP immediately
• Any damage while at 0 HP counts as 1 failure (massive = 2)
• Stabilize: DC 10 Medicine check (uses action)

Concentration

• Only one concentration spell at a time
• Taking damage → CON save DC 10 or half damage, whichever higher
• Fail = concentration drops
• Incapacitated or killed = auto-drop

Bonus-Action Spell Rule

If you cast a spell as a bonus action, the only other spell you can cast that turn is a cantrip with a 1-action casting time.

Components

• V Verbal — must be able to speak
• S Somatic — free hand required
• M Material — component pouch or focus

Other Rules

• Ritual: cast 10 min longer, no slot consumed
• Upcasting: use higher slot for stronger effect
• Counterspell vs. Counterspell: uses your reaction; the countered caster can't counter back (no reaction left)

Cover

Type	Bonus
Half cover (low wall, ally)	+2 AC & DEX saves
Three-quarters (portcullis, thick tree)	+5 AC & DEX saves
Full cover (completely hidden)	Can't be targeted directly

Light & Visibility

Condition	Effect
Bright light	Normal vision
Dim light	Lightly obscured — disadv on Perception (sight)
Darkness / Heavy obscurement	Heavily obscured — effectively blinded

Darkvision: treats darkness as dim, dim as bright. Still can't see colour.

Movement Type	Cost
Normal movement	1 ft per 1 ft
Difficult terrain	2 ft per 1 ft
Climbing	2 ft per 1 ft (unless climb speed)
Swimming	2 ft per 1 ft (unless swim speed)
Crawling (prone)	2 ft per 1 ft
Stand up from prone	Half speed

Jumping

• Long jump: STR score in feet (half without run-up)
• High jump: 3 + STR modifier feet (half without run-up)
• Jumping uses movement; difficult terrain still costs extra

Forced Movement

Does not provoke opportunity attacks. Difficult terrain doesn't affect forced distance.

Level	Effect (cumulative)
1	Disadvantage on ability checks
2	Speed halved
3	Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws
4	Hit point maximum halved
5	Speed reduced to 0
6	Death

Remove 1 level per long rest (requires food & water). All levels removed on finishing a long rest if you have food & water.

Short Rest (1+ hour)

• Spend any number of Hit Dice to recover HP (roll + CON mod per die)
• Regain class features that recharge on short rest (Second Wind, etc.)
• No limit per day, but must actually rest

Long Rest (8 hours)

• Regain all lost HP
• Regain all expended spell slots
• Regain spent Hit Dice up to half max (min 1)
• Regain class features that recharge on long rest
• Max one long rest per 24 hours
• Must be at 1+ HP to benefit; interrupted rest (1 hr of activity) must restart

• Opportunity Attacks: triggered when a creature you can see voluntarily leaves your reach. NOT triggered by being pushed/pulled/teleported.
• Grapple: Athletics vs. opponent's Athletics or Acrobatics (their choice). Grappled speed = 0. Drag = half speed.
• Shove: Athletics vs. opponent's Athletics or Acrobatics. Choose: knock prone OR push 5 ft.
• Ready + Concentration: readied spell requires concentration; if you're already concentrating, holding the readied spell drops the previous spell.
• Flanking: optional rule only — not RAW. If used: advantage when on directly opposite sides.
• Diagonals: RAW = 5 ft each (5-5-5). Optional Dungeon Master's Guide variant: 5-10-5-10.
• Hiding: must be obscured from the creature. Attacking while hidden = advantage (but reveals you). Moving into sight while hidden = DM may call for new check.
• Unconscious & healing: creature regains consciousness immediately when healed above 0 HP.

Skill	Ability	Skill	Ability
Athletics	STR	Arcana	INT
Acrobatics	DEX	History	INT
Sleight of Hand	DEX	Investigation	INT
Stealth	DEX	Nature	INT
Animal Handling	WIS	Religion	INT
Insight	WIS	Deception	CHA
Medicine	WIS	Intimidation	CHA
Perception	WIS	Performance	CHA
Survival	WIS	Persuasion	CHA