A Question of Narration in Combat

[Olgar Shiverstone]

They don't even tell us that, do they? For instance, we don't know whether a "miss" in the mechanical sense was a blow that was dodged or parried (ie in a certain sense hit). We don't know whether a "hit" in the mechanical sense caused a cut, or a bruise, or was a blow that was parried (ie in a certain sense missed) but nevertheless cause hurt or distress due to its force.

My point. D&D defines a hit in the mechanical sense -- as your roll equaled or exceeded the opponent's AC, and you can now roll damage. Whether it was a cut, bruise, parry, or disembowelment is narrative that is added through imagination. Similarly with a miss.

Other games may provide greater degrees of simulation; D&D goes with more abstraction.