Passive checks

A passive check or passive skill check is an alternative ability check or skill check that does not involve a d20 roll, but rather uses a fixed formula to determine the result:

10 + advantage modifier + (normal modifiers that would apply)

The advantage modifier is a flat +5 bonus for  Advantage or a -5 penalty for  Disadvantage. It is handled in this way since regular advantage or disadvantage would require rolling the d20 twice, but passive checks do not involve any roll at all.

Other modifiers apply the usual way. For example, for a passive Athletics check, the creature's Strength modifier would be added, and its proficiency bonus if it has proficiency in Athletics. Other bonuses such as from Guidance or various equipment also apply to the result as if it were a d20 roll.

Common examples of passive checks in the game are:

Hiding

• When a hiding player character is in the line of sight of a non-allied creature, a Stealth check determines whether they are detected. This is a d20 roll, displayed as a Hiding Check in the combat log, but is contested with a passive Perception check by the other creature.

In other words, the Difficulty Class for the check is determined by the non-allied creature's passive perception score: 10 + Wisdom modifier + proficiency bonus (if proficient) + other bonuses

Shoving and Throwing

• Attempting to  Shove or  Throw another creature involves a contest where the creature making the attempt rolls an Athletics check, which is contested by the target's passive Acrobatics or Athletics score, whichever is higher.