Damage is calculated by multiplying the number of dice sides by the number of dice. For instance, d8 is a die with 8 sides. So d8 or 1d8 would give you a result of 1-8. 2d8 would give you a result of 2-16.
Added to that can be a strength bonus, a magic weapon's plus, etc. So 2d8+2 would give 4-18 damage. 2d4+2 would give 4-10 and so forth.
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