In the 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, game mechanics and die rolls determine much of what happens. These include: * ability scores, the most basic statistics of a character, which influence all other statistics * special qualities, what innately superhuman characteristics a character has * armor class, how well-protected a character is against physical attack * hit points, how much punishment a character can take before going unconscious or dying * saving throws, a character's defenses against nonphysical or area attacks (like poisons, fireballs, and enchantments) * attack rolls and attacks, how effectively a character can score hits against, and inflict damage to, another character * skills, how competent a character is in various areas of expe