A Guide to Commonly Misunderstood Rules

[Grynning]

Dealing with players at organized play and reading the forums, I've noticed there are several 5E rules that people consistently find confusing or misinterpret. I'm going to post the ones I've seen here, and I'd like people to let me know about other ones they see come up so I can move them to the top. Note that this is not a complaint or critique thread, this is just here to help people understand RAW.

1) Ability Checks, Attack Rolls, and Saving Throws are all separate concepts. Something that gives advantage or disadvantage on an Ability Check does not apply to the other two. This is explained at the beginning of page 173 and referenced elsewhere in the book.

2) You can only do ONE bonus action per turn. They work almost identically to Swift actions from 3.5/4th ed. This is on page 189 of the PHB, but a lot of people seem to miss it.

3) You can only do ONE reaction per round. p. 190 - "When you take a reaction, you can't take another one until the start of your next turn."

4) Multiclass spell preparation/Wizard spellbook - You gain spells known/prepare spells as if you were single classed in each class. I made this mistake myself and started a thread about it, and I've seen other people do the same. The multiclass spell slots table is for casting only, even when you have a class like Wizard/Druid/Cleric that states you prepare spells based on your available slots - you base your slots only on your class table, not the multiclass slots table.

Multiclassing is laid out completely on page 164. It specifies that you use the table and rules under the multiclassing section for the Spell Slots and that you count each of the spells known/prepared as if you were only that level in the class.

Lvl 5 Sorc/Lvl 5 Wizard is considered a lvl 10 caster for Spell slots (both combined) but only knows the spells a lvl 5 Sorc knows and the spells a lvl 5 Wizard knows (so he doesn't know how to cast 4th level spells even though he has the power to do so, he must enhance a lower level spell to that slot if he wants to use it)

5) Things that set your AC or an attribute are not additive - they set it to the stated value. The most common one I see here is people thinking unarmored defense "stacks" with Mage Armor - it doesn't.

6) Flanking does not exist (yet). It will be an optional rule in the DMG. My players still constantly try to move to flank before I remind them that it doesn't get them anything and they should probably stick together.

7) Spell slots and prepared spells work differently than previous vancian systems.
Partial credit to cobaltstarfire:
A) Known Spells/Spellbook are all the spells you know. For many casters, they do not need to prepare spells and can use their spell slots to cast from these. Paladins, Clerics, and Druids know their entire class spell list, but must prepare spells. Wizards also prepare spells from their spellbook. For clerics, Domain spells do not count against your limit of prepared spells.
B) Prepared Spells are the spells you can choose from to cast using your slots. You usually prepare a total number of spells equal to class level+ability modifier.
C) Spell Slots are how many spells you can cast before needing a rest. You can cast any of your prepared/known spells by using an appropriate level slot, or a higher level slot (which will sometimes enhance lower level spells).
Video guide here (not me)

8) Sneak attack applies to only one attack on your turn. It has been pointed out that they can still get sneak attack damage on someone else's turn if they can make an attack at that time (from Commander's Strike or an opportunity attack, for instance).

9) Critical Hits cause you to double the number of damage dice you roll for the attack. They do not deal maximum damage plus a die as in the playtest, and they do not double static modifiers to damage like 3.x critical hits. For example, an attack that normally did 1d8+1d6+3 would deal 2d8+2d6+3 on a critical hit.

10) Proficiency is determined by your character level, and cannot apply to the same roll more than once. It can be doubled or halved one time, but it still only applies to the roll once. See Proficiency Bonus on p. 173-174.

[hymer]

You could add reactions to 2.

[akaddk]

Also that reactions cannot be used on your turn.

Oh, and halfling rogues don't get advantage with peek-a-boo tactics in melee.

[Giant2005]

Rather than simply state things baselessly, it might be a better idea to support these things with quotes from the book. Already I'm seeing statements that I am kind of dubious about.

[ambartanen]

I am still a little confused about the first one. Do skill checks count as ability checks or are they also a separate thing?

[Grynning]

I am still a little confused about the first one. Do skill checks count as ability checks or are they also a separate thing?

There is technically no such thing as a "skill check." Having a skill (or tool proficiency) instead lets you add your proficiency bonus to an ability check in certain circumstances.

[Grynning]

Oh, and halfling rogues don't get advantage with peek-a-boo tactics in melee.

By RAW, they technically do. If they use the Hide action and their Stealth check is greater than the enemies Perception check, they become unseen and unheard, and they gain the benefits listed under Unseen Attackers and Targets on p. 194-95, which includes advantage on attack roles.
Common sense says that the attacker would still know they were there and be ready for them, but common sense =/= RAW

[Giant2005]

Also that reactions cannot be used on your turn.

Yes they can:

Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else’s.

[Grynning]

See we're all learning things already. Fixed the top post.

[Giant2005]

You might want to write something on there only being one initiative per combat or something. On many occasions I have seen people over-valuing the +2/4 class powers abilities when you roll Initiative with 0.

[Grynning]

You might want to write something on there only being one initiative per combat or something. On many occasions I have seen people over-valuing the +2/4 class powers abilities when you roll Initiative with 0.

I haven't seen anyone thinking you roll initiative multiple times per combat - initiative hasn't really changed since 3.0. That may be people remembering the playtest versions of the abilities, which were usually "if you start your turn with 0."

[Giant2005]

I haven't seen anyone thinking you roll initiative multiple times per combat - initiative hasn't really changed since 3.0. That may be people remembering the playtest versions of the abilities, which were usually "if you start your turn with 0."

That could be it.

[akaddk]

By RAW, they technically do.

Yes they can:

LIES! ALL LIES!

Actually, I was sure about the reaction thing. That makes several things more powerful than I thought they were.

[Soras Teva Gee]

By RAW, they technically do. If they use the Hide action and their Stealth check is greater than the enemies Perception check, they become unseen and unheard, and they gain the benefits listed under Unseen Attackers and Targets on p. 194-95, which includes advantage on attack roles.
Common sense says that the attacker would still know they were there and be ready for them, but common sense =/= RAW

Well the Hide action says:

When you take the Hide action, you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check in an attempt to hide, following the rules in chapter 7 for hiding. If you succeed, you gain certain benefits, as described in the “Unseen Attackers and Targets” section later in this chapter

Emphasis mine because in the sidebar its referring to:

Hiding
When you try to hide, make a Dexterity (Stealth) check. Until you are discovered or you stop hiding, that check’s total is contested by the Wisdom (Perception) check of any creature that actively searches for signs of your presence. You can’t hide from a creature that can see you, and if you make noise (such as shouting a warning or knocking over a vase), you give away your position. An invisible creature can’t be seen, so it can always try to hide. Signs of its passage might still be noticed, however, and it still has to stay quiet. In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs of danger all around, so if you come out of hiding and approach a creature, it usually sees you. However, under certain circumstances, the Dungeon Master might allow you to stay hidden as you approach a creature that is distracted, allowing you to gain advantage on an attack before you are seen.

So because you need to clear these rules before you can gain advantage... so well you only can if the DM allows it as some special circumstance.

So for a Lightfoot Halfling well its a bit vague since Naturally Stealthy is allows you to Hide "when you are obscured" by a Medium or larger creature... well only thing I can find Ctrl+Fing the Basic rules that actively obscures anything is the invisibility condition and Web's AoE, neither would apply, ergo its entirely in improvised discretionary territory.

Looks to me like its only when the DM allows and they may not agree that a halfling say standing behind a party member even meets the first hurdle of being able to Hide, or the second that they can attack from that position without breaking Hiding.

Now maybe said party member makes a particular show of themselves and we get a sort of SEP Field like effect going on where the halfling is "seen" but just not noticed....

[1of3]

Stun implies Incapcacitated which ends Concentration.

You could also add the rule about bonus action spells.

[Callin]

page 196 under Cover

A target with half cover has a +2 bonus to AC and Dexterity Saving throws. A target has half cover if an obstacle blocks at least half of its body. The obstacle might be a low wall, a large piece of furnature, a narrow tree trunk, or a creature, whether that creature is an enemy or friend.

emphasis mine. So NOW not only do your friends give your enemies AC by ganging up on them and blocking sight, you can hide behind enemies if you are a Lightfoot Halfling.

[cobaltstarfire]

Have you had players getting confused by how spell slots work (the difference between the spells you know, the spells you prepared, and the slots?)

Or how domain spells interact with that? (I was confused by those things at first, and had to do a lot of internet digging to find an explanation I understood properly).

It seems like something that could confuse a lot of people, but I wouldn't know (my local game store doesn't start games until this upcoming Wednesday) I may secretly be hoping I wasn't confused by something that was simple to everyone else.

[Cibulan]

Have you had players getting confused by how spell slots work (the difference between the spells you know, the spells you prepared, and the slots?)

Or how domain spells interact with that? (I was confused by those things at first, and had to do a lot of internet digging to find an explanation I understood properly).

It seems like something that could confuse a lot of people, but I wouldn't know (my local game store doesn't start games until this upcoming Wednesday) I may secretly be hoping I wasn't confused by something that was simple to everyone else.

Yes, one of my older players is having a hard time with this concept. He reads the "prepared" language the same way he did in AD&D because preparing expended slots.

[rlc]

i think that's one of the main issues. people are so used to convoluted rules that it's hard for them to relearn the simpler ones.

[Soras Teva Gee]

emphasis mine. So NOW not only do your friends give your enemies AC by ganging up on them and blocking sight, you can hide behind enemies if you are a Lightfoot Halfling.

Well no... you have half-cover, a +2 to AC.

Nothing there automatically says hostiles automatically can't see you or obviates the rules governing hiding. Imagine someone legs as the thin tree example, you could still see them easily (they're fatter then the tree say) its just harder to attack because there's a tree in your way.

DM agrees that the cover is sufficient to hide behind you can Hide behind it.
Which is not unreasonable but still their explicit option.

DM then further agrees you get to attack from their such that you don't break Hide you only then get advantage on the attack. Especially if you don't want the opposition to have half-cover because big stupid fighter is in your way. And the advantage was the point under contention.

[Shadow]

Read this thread. It may or may not help you to decide where you stand on the 'hidden' issue.

But beyond that, I think the rules on stealth were left intentionally vague. Intentionally being the key word there. 5e places the power back into the hands of the DM (like in 1e or 2e) rather than attempting to set hard and fast rules for every situation (like in 3.x or 4e). This is the one singular thing that I absolutely adore about 5e. DM fiat rules the game, as well it should.
There will almost undoubtedly be a section in the DMG about options for a DM to choose between, or examples for him to base rulings off of.

[Shadow]

Emphasis mine on the emphasis yours:

Well the Hide action says:

Emphasis mine because in the sidebar its referring to:

Hiding
When you try to hide, make a Dexterity (Stealth) check. Until you are discovered or you stop hiding, that check’s total is contested by the Wisdom (Perception) check of any creature that actively searches for signs of your presence. You can’t hide from a creature that can see you, and if you make noise (such as shouting a warning or knocking over a vase), you give away your position. An invisible creature can’t be seen, so it can always try to hide. Signs of its passage might still be noticed, however, and it still has to stay quiet. In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs of danger all around, so if you come out of hiding and approach a creature, it usually sees you. However, under certain circumstances, the Dungeon Master might allow you to stay hidden as you approach a creature that is distracted, allowing you to gain advantage on an attack before you are seen.

People seem to be ignoring that both of those statements include phrasing which assumes a player approaches the target. And even then, it only usually sees you, even when not distracted.
If you don't approach, that rule doesn't appply.
If you're sniping from cover/obscurement and hiding, the target may know where you are, but he can't see you (advantage) and he doesn't know when you're going to pop out and shoot at him so he can't defend himself properly (sneak attack).
In this case I would rule that a readied action on his part would negate the sneak attack, but it would apply in other circumstances.
In some cases I would allow a stealth check, and in others I would not, situationally.

[Callin]

Lightfoot Halflings may hide when obscured by a creature that is larger than them.
Half Cover is when Half of your body can not be seen.

This specific rule bypasses the general rule of Stealth for getting into stealth.

Same as a wild elf in underbrush.

No DM special ruling needed. Its in the rules.

[HorridElemental]

Group checks and Jump rules.

I've seen so many DMs screw this up so far.

When you have group checks if half the party passes then they all pass. This allows 4 sneaky PCs to bring along a clunker.

Move 10' and you may jump your strength score... No damn athletics check needed unless you want to go further or you want to do a stunt.

[Shadow]

Just saw a post with a link that answers ALL of your questions an concerns.

Thanks for the vigorous debate. Mike Mearls explores this issue just a little here, about 11 minutes in.

Like I said, DM fiat.

[Callin]

well then... I accept that its DM fiat.

(so much for attempting to discuss rules now... lol)

[Shadow]

I don't know how much of that you watched, but you should watch it all. If not all of it, then start at around 4 minutes and watch until after the stealth discussion.

[Callin]

yea I skipped to the stealth part. I will go back and watch it while eating dinner.. which should be done in just a few mins.

[Sartharina]

Read this thread. It may or may not help you to decide where you stand on the 'hidden' issue.

But beyond that, I think the rules on stealth were left intentionally vague. Intentionally being the key word there. 5e places the power back into the hands of the DM (like in 1e or 2e) rather than attempting to set hard and fast rules for every situation (like in 3.x or 4e). This is the one singular thing that I absolutely adore about 5e. DM fiat rules the game, as well it should.
There will almost undoubtedly be a section in the DMG about options for a DM to choose between, or examples for him to base rulings off of.

I'm not quite sure if it's absolutely with the DM, but it's true that the game's in the players, not the papers. The narrative of the game world comes before "What the (arbitrary and convoluted) printed rules". Rules are guidelines for adjudicating situations.

[Shadow]

I'm not quite sure if it's absolutely with the DM, but it's true that the game's in the players, not the papers. The narrative of the game world comes before "What the (arbitrary and convoluted) printed rules". Rules are guidelines for adjudicating situations.

And in this edition many upon many of the rules are left intentionally vague and/or simplistic so that the DM is the final arbiter. Stealth is the most obvious of these examples, but it's not anywhere near the only one.