ProficiencyRule
24.11.2021

Proficiency describes a creature's extraordinary or specialized capabilities in a certain skill.

Proficiency Bonus

Proficiency bonuses are the mechanical expression of extraordinary ability. They are determined by your character level; find the bonus in your class table. On the character sheet, you have a special field for this number.

A proficiency bonus is usually only used to calculate other numbers, such as skill modifiers, and not as a modifier in and of itself.

Skills

Skill proficiencies are most commonly supplied by a character's class and race. If you are proficient in a skill, circle the little circle next to it on the character sheet.

Your skill modifier equals your relevant ability modifier + your proficiency bonus, if applicable.

You cannot choose to be proficient in the same skill multiple times: you are always proficient just once. It is possible to have double proficiency through special class features, however.

Weapons and Tools

A second type of proficiency is called item proficiency. This is given by your class and background.

Weapons

If you don't have proficiency in a weapon, you have disadvantage on all attacks made with that weapon, and don't add your proficiency bonus to attack rolls.

Note that attack rolls are compounded with your proficiency bonus.

Tools