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What’s a dirty 20?

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What’s a Dirty 20?

A dirty 20 refers to a score of 20 achieved in a game, particularly in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), where the total score of 20 is obtained not by rolling a natural 20 on a 20-sided die (d20), but by adding modifiers or bonuses to a lower roll, resulting in a total of 20. This term is used to distinguish it from a natural 20, which is when the d20 lands on the 20 face, indicating a perfect or critical hit without the need for additional modifiers or bonuses.

Understanding Dirty 20 and Related Concepts

To dive deeper into what a dirty 20 means and its implications in gaming, let’s address some frequently asked questions that can provide a clearer understanding of this concept and its applications in gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What does dirty 20 mean? A dirty 20 is scored when a player’s roll, after adding modifiers or bonuses, equals 20, as opposed to rolling a natural 20 directly on the d20.

  2. What is the difference between a NAT 20 and a dirty 20? The key difference lies in how the score of 20 is achieved: a NAT 20 is when the d20 shows 20, while a dirty 20 is when modifiers bring the total to 20.

  3. What is the opposite of a NAT 20? The opposite, in terms of outcome, could be considered a dirty 20 or any score that does not automatically succeed due to the absence of a natural 20 roll.

  4. Is a NAT 20 good? Yes, a NAT 20 is generally advantageous, often resulting in an auto-success for attack rolls and critical hits.

  5. Can a NAT 20 not hit? In most cases, a NAT 20 on an attack roll results in a hit, but the context of the game and specific rules can influence the outcome.

  6. Can you fail with a NAT 20? Outside of combat, if the required score to succeed is higher than 20, a NAT 20 might not be enough for auto-success.

  7. Does a NAT 20 bypass AC? Yes, in D&D, rolling a NAT 20 on an attack roll typically hits regardless of the target’s Armor Class (AC).

  8. Why do people say NAT 20? The term NAT 20 denotes a natural roll of 20 on the d20, signifying a perfect roll without the need for additional modifiers.

  9. What does a NAT 20 do to damage? In D&D, a NAT 20 on an attack roll usually results in double damage and is considered a critical hit.

  10. What is a critical fail? A critical failure occurs when a roll not only fails to achieve its intended goal but also results in an additional negative consequence.

  11. What happens if you roll a natural 20? Rolling a natural 20 often leads to a critical success or critical hit, with specific outcomes depending on the game’s context.

  12. Does a NAT 20 death save? In D&D, rolling a NAT 20 on a Death Saving Throw stabilizes the character and restores 1 hit point.

  13. What does 64 mean in a dirty mind? The term 64 can refer to specific sexual acts, particularly those involving oral stimulation, though its use can vary widely.

  14. Does armor class increase with level? In D&D 5e, Armor Class (AC) does not typically increase with level due to the concept of Bounded Accuracy.

  15. How do you make a death saving throw? A Death Saving Throw is made by rolling a d20; a roll of 1-9 is a failure, and 10-20 is a success, with a NAT 20 stabilizing the character and restoring health.

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