Advantage & Disadvantage in D&D 5e
One of the most elegant mechanics in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, advantage and disadvantage replace most situational modifiers with a simple, intuitive system.
How It Works
When you have advantage, you roll two d20s and keep the higher result. When you have disadvantage, you roll two d20s and keep the lower result.
If you have both advantage and disadvantage at the same time — regardless of how many sources of each — they cancel out and you roll normally.
Probability Impact
| Target DC | Normal | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC 5 | 80% | 96% | 64% |
| DC 10 | 55% | 79.75% | 30.25% |
| DC 15 | 30% | 51% | 9% |
| DC 20 | 5% | 9.75% | 0.25% |
Advantage has the biggest impact on mid-range DCs. At DC 10, advantage nearly doubles your chance from 55% to ~80%.
Common Sources of Advantage
- ✓ Attacking an unseen target (attacker is hidden)
- ✓ Attacking a prone target from within 5 feet
- ✓ Reckless Attack (Barbarian feature)
- ✓ Flanking (optional rule)
- ✓ Pack Tactics (wolf, kobold, etc.)
- ✓ Faerie Fire and Guiding Bolt spells
- ✓ Help action by an ally
Common Sources of Disadvantage
- ✗ Attacking while prone
- ✗ Ranged attacks at long range
- ✗ Attacking an unseen target (you can't see them)
- ✗ Dodge action by the target
- ✗ Poisoned condition
- ✗ Wearing armor you're not proficient with
💡 Pro Tip
Advantage is roughly equivalent to a +5 bonus on average, making it one of the most powerful effects in the game. Always look for ways to gain advantage before attacking!