Combat actions are actions in which a creature makes an attack roll against a creature's Armor Class (AC) or an ability check through a contested check. Certain features, such as the Minor or Quick Combat Actions features, allow combat actions to be taken as Minor Actions or Quick Actions.
Common Modifiers
- Ability Modifier.
- Strength is used for melee cleaving, splitting and bludgeoning attack and damage rolls. Dexterity is used for melee slashing and piercing attack and damage rolls, as well as ranged attack rolls (including throwing).
- Draw strength determines the added ranged damage for drawn and loaded weapons, while the melee ability modifier (Strength or Dexterity) determines the thrown weapons added damage (i.e. a thrown bludgeoning weapon uses strength, while a piercing dagger will use Dexterity).
- The ability modifier used for a spells depends on the Spellcasting ability of the spellcaster.
- Proficiency Bonus. You add your proficiency bonus to your attack roll when you attack using a weapon with which you have proficiency, as well as when you attack with a spell.
- Cover. Walls, trees, creatures, and other obstacles can provide cover during combat, making a target more difficult to harm. A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of the cover.