5eS - Fundamental Rules - Dice Rolls - Ability Checks

Ability ChecksRule
8.12.2021

A character's ability modifiers determine their relative abilities in six domains. Read up on character creation to find out how they are generated.

Base Modifier and Skills

You have a base ability modifier (one for each ability). If it has decimal points, you always treat it rounded down. This is used in various scenarios, such as determining attack roll modifiers and skill modifiers. When asked for an ability modifier, you just read it off a character sheet or monster stat block.

Additionally, there are skills. By default, they are equal to their relevant base modifier. It is possible that you have proficiency in a skill, in which case you can add it to that modifier.

Ability Rolls

Ability rollscan be required by the DM to see whether you succeed in doing something: this can be an attempt to charm the waitress, or to jump outside the range of a fireball.

To make an ability roll, roll a d20 and add the relevant skill modifier. This total will be the result of your check. Usually, the total is compared to a Difficulty Class (DC), which represents the threshold you need to reach to succeed; if the total is equal to or greater than that number, your check succeeds. This is very rigid in situations like escaping a spell; other interactions, however, such as the success of a bard's tale, can be narrated more fluidly without a black-and-white "success" or "fail" by the DM.

There are two types of ability rolls: checks and saving throws. The distinction is made for situational effects, such as abilities granting you bonuses to saving throws only.

Ability Checks

Checks are required when you actively try to do something, such as seducing a waitress.

Saving Throws

Saving throws are made as a response to outside provocation, such as a fireball; i.e., to mitigate some effect outside your own control.

Setting DCs