Does hex effect attack rolls?

Does Hex Effect Attack Rolls?

Hex, a powerful spell in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 5th edition, allows the caster to deal an additional 1d6 necrotic damage to a target when the target is hit with an attack. But what exactly does "attack" mean in this context? Does hex apply to all types of attacks, including melee and ranged attacks? Do we have to worry about saving throws, or will hex only affect attacks that actually hit? These are important questions to answer to maximize the effectiveness of this spell.

Answering the Question

First and foremost, let’s look directly at the text of the hex spell description: "You deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack." This sentence highlights the crucial role of the word "hit" in our question. Attacks, in this context, require a hit roll. The hex spell only applies when an attack, specifically an attack roll, hits its target.

Types of Attacks

Next, let’s consider what types of attacks qualify as "hitting" according to the rules of D&D 5e. Melee attacks use the attacker’s d20 + proficiency bonus + attack modifier rolled against the defender’s Armor Class (AC). If the total equals or exceeds the AC, the attack hits. Ranged attacks also use the same rolling mechanism, substituting the attacker’s attack bonus for their proficiency bonus.

Some special attacks, like area of effect (AoE) attacks or splash damage, don’t require a hit roll; instead, they affect a specific area or have effects that don’t require a precise target. Non-combat attacks, like disarm or trip maneuvers, also don’t have hit rolls. These types of attacks won’t trigger the hex spell, even if they damage or affect a creature.

Additional Clarification

Some confusion might arise from the language in the Player’s Handbook (PHB), which states: "Ability Checks, Saving Throws, and Attack Rolls. Sometimes a special ability or spell tells you that you have advantage or disadvantage on an ability check, saving throw, or an attack roll." This statement can lead readers to believe that hex only applies to ability checks, but a closer examination shows that it primarily refers to attack rolls, explicitly mentioning "or an attack roll" at the end of the sentence.

Hex and Combat Maneuvers

Finally, what happens when a combining arms situation arises? If multiple creatures attack a single target with melee attacks or make ranged attacks at the same creature, which attacks trigger hex? Each attack roll separately must succeed to trigger hex, since the spell description references a hit roll. Therefore, the answer is each separate attack roll, not the multiple attacks together.

Conclusion

To summarize: hex only effects attack rolls that hit the target, which applies to melee attacks and ranged attacks using the standard D20 mechanic. Non-combat attacks, AoE attacks, and splash damage won’t trigger hex. Make sure to keep this in mind to maximize your damage output with this spell, especially when navigating complex combat scenarios. By understanding when hex applies, you can plan your strategy effectively and take advantage of the spell’s incredible power.

Table 1: Summary of Hex

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