Proficiency: Difference between revisions

'''Proficiency''' is a representation of a creature's familiarity with something. When a creature has proficiency in something, they may add their '''proficiency bonus''' to [[Dice rolls|dice rolls]] that involve that proficiency.

A creature can have proficiency in specific categories of [[Weapons|weapons]], [[Armour|armours]] and [[Shield|shields]], which is required to use them properly.

A creature can also also be proficient in [[Spells|spellcasting]], [[Saving throw|saving throw]]s, and [[Skills|skills]].

A creature's proficiency bonus is a modifier that increases with their level. It starts at ''+2'' at level 1, and increases by 1 every four levels thereafter, increasing to ''+3'' at level 5, and to a total of ''+4'' at level 9.

A creature's proficiency bonus is applied to the following rolls:

* [[Ability checks]] made using skills the creature has proficiency with.

** Creature's with expertise in a skill adds their proficiency bonus {{em|twice}}.

* [[Attack rolls]] made with weapons the creature has proficiency with.

* Saving throws (ie. Strength saves, Dexterity saves) that the creature has proficiency in.

A creature with spellcasting proficiency also adds their proficiency bonus to the [[Difficulty Class]] (DC) of any spells they cast: {{InfoBlob|8 + spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency bonus}}

A creature can be proficient in entire categories of [[Weapons|weapons]] (martial or simple), or it can be proficient in specific weapon types such as Longswords, Longbows, etc.  These proficiencies can be granted by the creature's [[Race|race]], [[Class|class]], or [[Feats|feats]] chosen when leveling up.

When a creature is proficient in a wielded weapon, they add their [[Proficiency bonus|proficiency bonus]] to [[Attack roll|attack rolls]] with that weapon. When the weapon is equipped in the main hand, it also enables special properties and actions of that weapon type, such as [[Tenacity]], [[Piercing Strike]], [[Flourish]], [[Lacerate]], [[Pommel Strike]], and so on.

A creature may have proficiency in Light, Medium or Heavy armour. A creature with Heavy armour proficiency always has proficiency in Light and Medium armour, and a creature with Medium armour always has proficiency in Light armour.

Wearing armour without proficiency in that armour type will impose [[Disadvantage|disadvantage]] on all of the creature's [[Ability check|ability checks]], saving throws and attack rolls, and prevents the creature from casting spells.

Wielding a shield without proficiency in Shields will impose disadvantage on all of the creature's ability checks, saving throws and attack rolls, and prevents the creature from casting spells.

=== Armor and shield proficiency by source ===

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Armor and shield proficiency by race and class

| {{Race|Shield Dwarf}} || x || x || - || -

| {{Race|Githyanki}} || x || x || - || -

| {{Race|Half-Elf}} || x || - || - || x

| {{Race|Human}} || x || - || - || x

| {{Class|Barbarian}} || x || x || - || x

| {{Class|Bard}} || x || o || - || o

| {{Class|Cleric}} || x || x || o || x

| {{Class|Druid}} || x || x || - || x

| {{Class|Fighter}} || x || x || x || x

| {{Class|Paladin}} || x || x || x || x

| {{Class|Ranger}} || x || x || o || x

| {{Class|Rogue}} || x || - || - || -

| {{Class|Warlock}} || x || - || - || -

* x = proficient

* - = not proficient

* o = some subclasses are proficient

All creatures capable of spellcasting (i.e., without the use of magical items or scrolls) have proficiency in spellcasting. This means that the creature's proficiency bonus will be added to the attack rolls of spells, and to the Difficulty Class of saving throws imposed on others via spells. A creature without spellcasting proficiency cannot add its proficiency bonus to the attack rolls or DCs of any spells they cast via magical items or scrolls.

Creatures with proficiency in an ability-based saving throw (Strength save, Dexterity save etc) adds its proficiency bonus to the results of respective saving throws. Each [[Class|class]] provides proficiency in two types of saving throw.

A creature proficient in a skill adds its proficiency bonus to any ability checks that use the respective skill. [[Background|Backgrounds]], races, classes, as well as some class features, can give proficiency in specific skills.

* [[Elf|Elves]] and [[Drow]] are proficient in [[Perception]]

* [[Elf#Wood Elves|Wood Elves]], [[Half-Elf#Wood Half-Elves|Wood Half-Elves]], and [[Halfling#Lightfoot Halflings|Lightfoot Halflings]] are proficient in [[Stealth]]

* [[Half-Orc|Half-Orcs]] are proficient in [[Intimidation]]

* [[Human]] can select any one free skill proficiency

* [[Githyanki]] can gain Proficiency in all Skills corresponding to a chosen Ability (Recharge: Long Rest)

All classes give proficiency in two to four skills on level 1. While, generally speaking, only the first class taken gives skill proficiencies, some classes also give proficiency in one skill when they are taken via multiclassing.

* [[Barbarian]]: 2 from Animal Handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, Survival.

* [[Cleric]]: 2 from History, Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion.

* [[Druid]]: 2 Animal Handling, Arcana, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion, Survival.

* [[Fighter]]: 2 from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Survival.

* [[Monk]]: 2 from Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religon, Stealth.

* [[Paladin]]: 2 from Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion.

* [[Ranger]]: 3 from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Stealth, Survival.

* [[Rogue]]: 4 from Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth.

* [[Sorcerer]]: 2 from Arcana, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Persuasion, Religion.

* [[Warlock]]: 2 from Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, Religion.

* [[Wizard]]: 2 from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Religion.

A [[Bard]] of the [[College of Lore]] subclass can choose three additional Skills to gain proficiency in.

* [[Rogue]]s gain expertise in two skills they are proficient in at both level 1 and level 6.

* [[Bard]]s gain expertise in two skills they are proficient in at both level 3 and level 10.

Sources of expertise that {{em|do not}} require prior proficiency in the respective include:

* The feat '''Actor''' gives expertise in [[Deception]] and [[Performance]].

[[Instrument|Instruments]] can be used to entertain and distract crowds. When a character is proficient in an instrument plays one, nearby people might approach and gather to listen. If they perform well on a [[Performance]] check, those gathered might toss gold at to the performer as well.