Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
In Dungeons & Dragons 5e, a natural 20 on an attack roll is an automatic hit and a critical hit. It hits regardless of the attacker’s modifiers or the target’s Armor Class (AC). That rule applies to attack rolls—not automatically to ability checks or saving throws.
What counts as a natural 20?
A natural 20 means the d20 itself shows 20. It does not mean that your total reaches 20 after adding modifiers. The distinction matters because the automatic-hit rule is triggered by the die result, not by the final total.
What happens when you roll a natural 20 on an attack?
The attack hits regardless of modifiers or the target’s AC, and the hit is a critical hit. The 2014 Basic Rules state that a 20 on the d20 for an attack hits regardless of those values. The 2024 Basic Rules retain the result and explicitly call it a “natural 20.”
How critical-hit damage works in the 2014 rules
For a critical hit, roll the attack’s damage dice twice and add them together, then add relevant modifiers normally. For example, if an attack normally deals 1d8 + 3 damage, the critical hit rolls 2d8 and adds 3—not 2d8 + 6. The 2014 Basic Rules describe this damage procedure. If you are using another edition or rules option, check its specific critical-hit rules.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- 🎲 5 Complete Dual-Color DND Dice Sets – 35 Pieces Total – Includes five full 7-piece dice sets (35 acrylic dice total). Each set comes with one d4, one d6, one d8, two d10s (standard 0–9 and percentile 00–90), one d12, and one d20. Perfect for D&D, Pathfinder, and other tabletop RPGs.
- 🎲 5 Unique Two-Tone Color Combinations – You get five striking dual-color sets: green/blue, blue/yellow, brown/blue, red/black, and purple/blue. Each set has a distinct swirl or marble pattern, making them easy to tell apart and fun to collect.
- 🎲 Durable Acrylic Build – Easy-to-Read Numbers – Made from high-quality acrylic that's waterproof, oxidation-proof, and built to last. The numbers are crisp, clear, and high-contrast for quick reading.
- 🎲 Well-Balanced & Precision-Molded – Ensures proper weight distribution and fair, random rolls every time. No bias, no wobble — just honest rolls you can trust. Standard size fits comfortably in any dice tray.
- 🎲 Includes 5 Black Velvet Drawstring Bags – Comes with five black velvet pouches — one for each dice set. Keeps your collection organized, quiet, and travel-ready. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Perfect for DMs, gaming groups, or as a thoughtful gift.
Does a natural 20 automatically succeed on a check or save?
No general automatic-success rule follows from the attack rule. The automatic hit and critical hit apply specifically to attack rolls. Ability checks and saving throws are resolved using their applicable rules and target numbers, unless a specific feature says otherwise.
The Sage Advice Compendium says ability checks do not score critical hits. It also clarifies that rolling a 1 on an ability check or saving throw is not generally an automatic failure. A natural 20 on a check or save is therefore not, by itself, a universal guarantee of success.
Rank #2
- 49PCS SET: Includes 49 polyhedral dice in 7 different color sets. Each 7-piece set contains D4, D6, D8, D10, percentile D10, D12 and D20, giving you plenty of options for characters, campaigns and tabletop play
- CLEAR NUMBERS: High-contrast numbers make each die quick and easy to read during gameplay. Different colors also help players distinguish their sets when sharing dice around the table
- ACRYLIC DICE: Made from lightweight acrylic with smooth polished surfaces and defined edges for a comfortable feel in hand, ideal for repeated rolling during RPG campaigns and game nights
- 7 COLOR SETS: Use different sets for characters, share them with friends or keep extras ready for larger gaming sessions. Seven complete sets offer more flexibility for RPGs, tabletop games and group play
- 7-POCKET BAG: The included drawstring bag features 7 separate compartments to keep each dice set sorted and organized, making all 49 dice easy to store and carry between gaming sessions
What does a natural 1 do?
Under the 2014 Basic Rules, a natural 1 on an attack roll automatically misses. That does not make a 1 an automatic failure on every kind of d20 roll: the general check-and-save guidance above distinguishes those rolls from attacks.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the rule differ between 2014 and 2024 5e?
Both the 2014 and 2024 Basic Rules make a natural 20 on an attack an automatic hit and a critical hit. The 2024 wording explicitly uses “natural 20”; the 2014 text describes a 20 on the d20 for an attack. For details beyond that shared outcome—especially critical-hit damage—use the rules for the edition your table is playing.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- 7-Die DND Dice Set - package include 7 pcs dnd dice full set, there are D4 x 1, D6 x 1, D8 x 1, D10(0-9) x 1, D12 x 1, D20 x 1 and D%(00-90) x 1, come with a foam lined PU storage box to display and store your polyhedral dice
- Sharp Edges - All of the sharp edge polyhedral dice with meticulously handmade mirror finished and polished, and the sharp edge dice create sharp corners and delicate edges, there is a gem like luxurious and eye-catching look
- High Quality Material - AUSTOR 7 die dice set is hand-cast with natural resin, environmental friendly, non-toxic, sturdy and wear-resistant, with moderate weight and good rolling feel
- Easy to Read - The numbers on each side of the polyhedral dice are large and deep enough, the numbers 6 and 9 are marked clearly for easy reading, gold foil is included, and each view show different colors and effects
- Wide Applications - The 7 die dice set is perfect for Dungeons and Dragons, RPG, MTG, Shadowrun, Pathfinder, Yahtzee, math games, and other table games etc
Rank #4
- 🎲Massive 26‑set DND dice bundle – perfect for game nights & gifting. Includes 182 total dice (26 complete 7‑piece sets: D4, D6, D8, 2 D10s, D12, and D20), Ideal for D&D(dungeons and dragons), Pathfinder, MTG, and all RPGs. Makes an awesome birthday or holiday gift.
- 🎲26 Vibrant Colorways – 20 solid‑color sets + 6 two‑tone mixed sets, most with a pearl‑textured surface. Each set is visually distinct – great for group play or collectors.
- 🎲Durable Acrylic Build – Easy-to-Read Numbers – Made from high-quality acrylic that's waterproof, oxidation-proof, and built to last. The numbers are crisp, clear, and high-contrast for quick reading.
- 🎲 Well-Balanced & Precision-Molded – Ensures proper weight distribution and fair, random rolls every time. No bias, no wobble — just honest rolls you can trust. Standard size fits comfortably in any dice tray.
- 🎲Bonus Velvet Dice Bag – Comes with a large black drawstring pouch featuring dragon & tiger. Keeps all 182 dice organized. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Perfect for beginners, DMs, or as a thoughtful gift for any tabletop gamer.
Rank #3
- 🎲CREEBUY 7Pcs Colorful Acrylic Game Dice: Acrylic dice as a traditional board game dice, the production technology is mature, it is durable and economical. Besides, the dice are colorful, and the styles are diverse, in any case, you can always find a dice that you like the most.
- 🎲Well Balanced, More Professional: Using precise dice mold production,only acrylic material, no other materials and decorations are added to the dice, well balance easy to roll, ensure professional and practicality of the table game dice.
- 🎲Easy to Read: The golden numbers on the surface of the dice, using underscoring to differentiate 6 and 9,no visual trouble,so you can focus more on your games. Now, pick your dice up as weapon, hold all the might in your hand, roll it! Fighting!
- 🎲Wide Compatibility: Can be used for role playing games, board games sach as Dungeons and Dragons 2/3/4/5e, Yahtzee, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, Savage World, Warhammer,RPGs,COC,MTG,tabletop,card gaming,math teaching or anything else you can think of.
- 🎲Easy to Collect and Carry: Set of 7 pcs dice, including D20 D12 D10 D% D8 D6 D4, equipped with a dice bag, convenient for you to store and carry these dices anywhere you like, no need to worry about losing.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
