Unlocking the Secret of D&D 5e

How likely is a level 1 character to hit a goblin? Exactly how much better are your chances of success with advantage?

Today I'm talking about the core mathematics behind Dungeons ad Dragons 5e and how understanding them can make you a better dungeon master.

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[IcarusGames]

I hope you found this video useful. I know for some people, math can be a really dull topic and they don't want to think about it while playing the game, but I genuinely believe an understanding of the core of the system and how it works will make you a better dungeon master.

If you've got stories of crazy high numbers or ridiculous situations caused by the treadmill effect in previous editions, let me know about them below!

Much love
Anto

[BobWorldBuilder]

Really useful video for designers and serious homebrewing GMs!

[hikarihitomi]

The problem with bounded accuracy is that it inhibits something I loved about earlier editions, the smooth scale from normal people to demigods. Bounded accuracy is only useful for those who do not want to have growth from normal to godhood.

[Styrixa]

Another video like this that has less visible math, and more conclusions, would be really helpful. For example, why as a DM you shouldn't give out +2 Plate and a +2 shield, or a +3 hand crossbow.

[EspressoTyme]

DnD is my favorite probability lesson, it even has a vampire in an ominous and misty realm!

[theangryMD]

excellent video. thank you. love the format, delivery, and style. very lean, no fat. you obviously understand this topic very well as you've presented in an easy to understand way.

-from a mathematically challenged physician in the states.

[rathenn]

Solid video, great to explain this to newer folks or those not quite aware of the arithmetic behind it all. Wolves are a great example of frequent mistake newby DM's make; "Oh this is low CR, let's throw a big pack of them against my level 1-3 party"... Rarely ends well!
Glad you touched on psychology and how it effects the player experience - sometimes arbitrary higher number 'challenge' just ends up being a frustrating dice-roll simulator.

[awesomecow]

The thing is that one you know math in dnd you learn that a lot of things players think is strong is actually kinda weak. Cool video, love the math behind dnd as well!

[paulbigbee]

A possible follow-up video on this one would be demonstrating how to use bounded accuracy, and underlying maths, in showing how to prep maybe three different encounters (e.g. CR 4/8/12. Extra points for adjusting on the fly as the RNGoddess gets fickle. ;-)

[rippip]

Thank you. I kinda gave up on dnd maths, shying away from statistical homebrew. This helps

[Skywalker]

Thank you so much for this! It will greatly balance my homebrewed systems

[andersschmich]

Very useful video! As a new DM who has recently started trying to create my own homebrew worlds and adventures, your channel is a godsend.

[beyondfantasy]

I think it would be neat if you could do a video on the maths of why spells have their damage, heals, and save values. It would be so cool! I've never seen anyone make a video on that subject. It would be useful for DMs who have to remember every spell in D&D. It would also be handy for homebrew.

[dmunchained]

Well, I guess I'm gonna stop using the Flanking Advantage rule! Another upside is it will make stuff like my Barbarian's Reckless Attacks, my Paladin's Vow of Emnity and my Cleric's Invoke Duplicity more useful. Advantage doesn't stack, of course, but it can benefit from a +2 on the total roll so flanking still rewards them whilst encouraging them to be more tactical beyond simply "surround an enemy and kill them one by one".

[gopro_audio]

How to fix CR's and bounded accuracy. In the 90's we had the same problems. Its easy, use the D4 thru the D12 as minus modifiers to the DC. Using the minus D12 mod on CR 25-30 creature makes it 5% to 60% harder per player. Respectively, a D4 minus mod makes the creature 5% to 20% harder per player.

[Seergun]

Going from a 60% to a 50% chance to hit reminded me of something I've seen mentioned several times: during 5e's playtest, people generally seemed to have the "most fun" if they hit 60%(maybe 85, forget which) of the time. Someone plotted out all the monsters ac by their CR and this holds true, on average, for the entire swatch of monsters.

[shaneannigans]

Great video for a newbie DM like myself curious about the math! 😊

One criticism: I hated having to go back and pause-play-pause to see the jokes that flashed quickly on the screen.

These were funny yet didn't interfere with the content nor pace of the video. So not sure why some content creators do this (I watch a rugby channel that does it too).

Again, easily digestable information for newbies is the content I love!!
👍

[July-gjst]

This guy: “we’ll be talking about the maths behind dnd?”
Me a maths major: FINALLY!

[marclemieux]

I get what you're saying with bounded accuracy, but when it's balanced by piles and piles of HP that monsters seem to always have, it feels like your greatsword is made of nerf foam for how many times you have to hit a monster.

[iaindavidson]

Thanks Anto - you presented this subject in a way that makes it even more interesting, and helps me understand why 5E feels so different to PFRPG, and how much cleaner the system feels.