Dungeons & Dragons gameplay

In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, game mechanics and dice rolls determine much of what happens. These mechanics include:

• Ability scores, the most basic statistics of a character, which influence all other statistics
• Armor class, how well-protected a character is against physical attack
• Hit points, how much punishment a character can take before falling unconscious or dying
• Saving throws, a character's defenses against nonphysical or area attacks (like poisons, fireballs, and enchantments)
• Attack rolls and damage rolls, how effectively a character can score hits against, and inflict damage on, another character
• Skills, how competent a character is in various areas of expertise
• Feats, what special advantages a character has through natural aptitude or training