This thread will serve as a consolidation point for questions about Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition rules.

Sometimes players have a quick simple question that can easily be answered and wouldn't require an entire thread to do so. This thread will hopefully not only reduce redundant topics but also consolidate a lot of the rules questions that have been popping up across several of the D&D 5e threads.

Procedures

• Please label questions with a bold number, for example [Q1], at the beginning of your post.
• Ask your question as clearly as possible. Referencing source material, giving page numbers, or quoting excepts when possible will help others immensely.
• Questions in this thread are for published D&D 5th Edition rules only. Please refrain from asking about custom rules, homebrew, or flavor.
• Please label questions with a bold number, for example [A1], at the beginning of your post. ((A2 for Q2, A3 for Q3, and so on))
• Once a question is answered, if you wish to dispute or elaborate an answer please label your answer with [A1. Dispute] or [A1. Additional]
• When answering, if able, please cite your sources with either direct quotes and include the source and page number.
• Please do not post a "trick" question to try and stump the panel. That's a fine topic, but not for this thread.

Example Good Questions

• I only have the Basic Rules PDF, what are the Variant Human Traits found in the Player's Handbook?
• Does casting a spell on a target that threatens you no longer provoke an attack of opportunity?
• As a sorcerer / rogue, can I add sneak attack damage to my spells?

Example Off-Topic Questions

• What is the largest city in Faerûn? (This is a flavor question)
• What is the best race for a sorcerer? (This question is asking for an opinion, not a RAW answer)
• How do I play? (A great question, but not "simple." Feel free to start a thread on this one.)

Example Formatting:


[Q0]
Can you use Sneak Attack with a spell? For example Shocking Grasp?


[A0]
You cannot use Sneak Attack while using a spell. The attack must be one that uses a ranged or finesse weapon. Shocking Grasp may be a melee spell, but the attack is not made using your equipped weapon.

Alright, I've got one. I've seen this question asked on WotC, GitP, and now here. So lets see what the consensus is.

[Q1]
If you decide not to take your class gear and instead take your average wealth, do you still receive your background gear? Or do you give up both class and background when you roll for wealth?

Here are a few quotes from the D&D 5e PHB :

5e PHB - Page 143


5e PHB - Page 125

[Q2] Does "Flanking" still exist in 5th Edition?

[Q3] Does "Charge" still exist in 5th Edition?

[A2]

No, there is no 'Flanking' in D&D 5e.

The only similar mechanic exists in the rules for the rogue Sneak Attack feature:

5e PHB - Page 96

[A3]

There is no charge mechanic in 5th Edition but there is a feat that allows you to do something similar:

[Q4] Does casting a spell while adjacent to a foe no longer provoke?

[A5] Apparently It doesn't. Or at least I can't find anything saying it does. That's actually really interesting.

[Q6]

Do your allies provide cover for your enemies? If I were a ranger and were shooting at a goblin, would the fighter being between my target and I matter?

[A6]

Derp. Must have read over it at least three times but I just found the answer to my own question.

5e PHB - Page 196

[Q7] What happens if i have both Advantage and Disadvantage? Or two Advantages and only one Disadvantage?

[A7]

They will cancel each other, an advantage is cancelled by a disadvantage. As you cannot stack advantages and disadvantages, two advantages and one disadvantage will cancel each other too. This is also valid for any other combination.

[Q8]

Does a bard have to be using it's instrument in order to cast spells? Or can it cast spells as long as it simply has it's instrument?

[A8]

A bard can use a musical instrument in place of a spellcasting focus (PHB 53). A spellcasting focus may be used in place of the material components of a spell (PHB 203). A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these components. Essentially, a bard simply needs to access an instrument with a free hand to cast a spell with material components. By RAW, they do not need to be playing it.

[Q9]

When making unarmed attacks as a bonus action, the monk should add his dexterity bonus to the damage?

[A9]

"Yes. Martial Arts bonus attack has nothing to do with Two-Weapon Fighting." This is a quote from an answer I got from a playtester, and looking closely I believe that this would be the developers' intention since it is not guaranteed to activate every turn and it does not gain the magic weapon bonus. Still an answer not fully confirmed yet.

[Q10]

What is Bounded Accuracy? Where in the Rules might I find more information on it?

[A10]

WotC took down the original article, which is bizarre, but essentially, it means that the range of power within levels 1 to 20 is decreased (i.e., bound) but the granularity within that scale is increased. It is not in the rules explicitly because it is the philosophy behind the rules, specifically the scaling in numbers and power.

For example, in earlier editions, all numbers automatically increased with level which meant that it became increasingly impossible for a creature to hit a higher level creature. Bounded accuracy means this scaling up is kept so that a level 1 creature can still hit a level 20 creature, so for example, it is possible for an army of well-organized level 1 archers to fight off a dragon that chooses to attack them head-on, although it would take heavy casualty.

This also means that a CR 1 monster can still challenge level 10 PCs, if they are in a massive group. In earlier editions, CR 1/level 1 monsters simply can no longer hit level 10 PCs, but now, the CR 1 monster has a chance (in large groups).

[Q11]If I am an arcane trickster and i use the Find Familiar spell as my non-illusion/enchantment level 1 spell, can I place my familiar near an opponent to take advantage of the sneak attack bonus when an enemy is within 5 feet?

Thanks!

[A11] Yes you could. As of RAW there is no reason that your summoned familiar wouldn't count as an enemy of the target.