D&D 5E Is there a handy table for average damage?

[UngainlyTitan]

Yes, the average is always the same for a given set of dice. Each N-sided dice has an average of (N/2 + 0.5), so - for example - 3d10 + 6, have an average of 24.5. Probably, I'm not actually understating the question, though.

Of one could input the above formula into a spreadsheet and replace N with a cell reference, use that to generate the averages for all the dice.

I know I can calculate this myself, but it would make my life easier if there was such a table.

I'm referring to when a monster's stat block or similar says X (YdZ+W) damage. So if I know I need in the region of 17 average damage, or 35 average damage, or whatever, I can just lo9k at the table and see what's closest.

I figured someone on the internet must have made one but my google fu is weak. I'd like to make a little web app to do it, if I can find somebody who's done the tedious work first.

Then use the base average damage for each dice to generate tables or divide the target number by the expected damage for a die or subtract the bonus and divide the remainder by the average damage.

 

[Guest 7037866]

Here is the table from FoF:

 

[Morrus]

I just made this up in case it fits the bill. Number of Dice are yellow, die type is along the top, and modifier to the total is along the left side. It is also colour-coded by result range.

Here is an image of the attached pdf. Hope it helps.
View attachment 364893

EDIT: I've attached the excel file with inputs available.

View attachment 364897

Now that is very, very cool. Thank you!

 

[Quickleaf]

Ah, does it? Awesome. Never need much excuse to buy one of Mike's books!

*trots off to DTRPG

Yep yep the preview shows the table Michael, Teos, and Scott created (which is similar to the 5e DMG)

 

[Morrus]

Yep yep the preview shows the table Michael, Teos, and Scott created (which is similar to the 5e DMG)

I bought the book. All good!

 

[Guest 7037866]

Now that is very, very cool. Thank you!

LOL NP. I whipped it up while watching TV this morning. Glad you like it and I hope it helps.

I thought of color-coding the damage ranges since you can achieve the same value obviously using different number of different dice, etc.

 

[overgeeked]

[Average damage] - 7 = X. Then roll 2d6 + X. This gives you a high modifier, low variable amount damage which smooths things out and makes damage more consistent.

 

[Charlaquin]

So, just a table that lists, for example, 1d6: 3, 2d6: 7, 3d6: 10, ..., 2d8: 9, etc.?

No, a table that lists
3: 1d6, 1d4+1
4: 1d8, 1d6+1, 1d4+2
5: 1d10, 1d8+1, 1d6+2, 1d4+3, 2d4
etc…

The idea is not to figure out the average damage of a given dice code, but to quickly figure out what dice code(s) to use to get the average damage you want a monster’s attack to deal.

 

[Nikosandros]

No, a table that lists
3: 1d6, 1d4+1
4: 1d8, 1d6+1, 1d4+2
5: 1d10, 1d8+1, 1d6+2, 1d4+3, 2d4
etc…

The idea is not to figure out the average damage of a given dice code, but to quickly figure out what dice code(s) to use to get the average damage you want a monster’s attack to deal.

OK, that makes more sense.

 

[Morrus]

So, just a table that lists, for example, 1d6: 3, 2d6: 7, 3d6: 10, ..., 2d8: 9, etc.?

No.

What dice do I roll if I want the average damage to be 35?