Table of Contents
Introduction vii
Part 1 Character Creation and Combat Roles 1
Understanding Ability Scores 1
Understanding Ability Contours 4
Classes and Roles 7
Race Doesn't Matter (Much) 13
Identifying Combat Role: Examples 16
Feats and Roles 20
Part 2 Tactics in Action 25
Understanding Tactical Combinations 25
Understanding Action Economy 26
Understanding Opportunity Attacks 28
Understanding Advantage and Disadvantage 30
Understanding Conditions 35
Part 3 Playing Your Position 43
Party Composition and Positioning 43
Wait for It: The Ready Action 46
Sneaking: The Hide and Search Actions 48
"Plan B": The Dodge, Dash, and Disengage Actions 53
Managing Resources between Rests 56
Spells and Slots 60
Class Tactics 63
Feats and Choices 104
Mounted Combat 109
Part 4 Tactics in Practice 115
A Level 1 Party 116
A Level 5 Party 139
A Level 9 Party 159
A Level 15 Party 184
Acknowledgments 221
Reference Tables
Combat Role Reference 22
Advantage and Disadvantage Reference 34
Conditions and Combinations Reference 41
Retreat Actions Reference 55
Class Resource Reference 59