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 [[Shields|shields]], which is required to use them properly.

A creature can also also have proficiency in [[Spells|spellcasting]], [[Saving throw|saving throw]]s and [[Skills|skills]], but this is not required to attempt them.

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 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.

|+ x = Base feature, - = Not available, o = Subclass feature

Creatures with proficiency in an ability-based saving throw (Strength save, Dexterity save etc) add their 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]] and [[Half-Elf#Wood Half-Elves|Wood Half-Elves]] 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.

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