When selecting Divine Order: Thaumaturge in the D&D Beyond character creator, the bonus to skill checks is being applied to both Intelligence (Arcana) and Intelligence (Religion).
However, the feature text states that the player should receive the bonus to only one of those skills (player choice):
“You know one extra cantrip from the Cleric spell list. In addition, your mystical connection to the divine gives you a bonus to your Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) checks. The bonus equals your Wisdom modifier (minimum of +1).”
Expected behavior: The character creator should prompt the user to choose either Arcana or Religion to receive the bonus.
Actual behavior: Both Arcana and Religion checks receive the Wisdom-based bonus automatically, with no option to choose between them.
This appears to be a rules implementation issue in the character builder rather than a rules interpretation question.
Applying the bonus to both skills is the correct behavior. The phrase "Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) checks" means "any Intelligence checks that use Arcana or Religion". It is intended for the bonus to apply to all checks that use either of those skills.
If it were intended that the player should choose one or the other when acquiring the feature, the feature would say that. It does not.
Thanks — that explanation helped it click for me. Looking at it that way, the same Ability (Skill or Skill) phrasing works consistently across the PHB:
Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) — PHB Ch. 1 “If a rule allows you to make a Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check…” → a Charisma check that uses Deception or Persuasion
Strength (Acrobatics or Athletics) — PHB Ch. 1 “If a rule refers to a Strength (Acrobatics or Athletics) check…” → a Strength check that uses Acrobatics or Athletics
Intelligence (History or Investigation) — PHB Ch. 3 “When you make an Intelligence (History or Investigation) check…” → an Intelligence check that uses History or Investigation
Seeing those side by side makes it clearer that the parenthetical is identifying which checks qualify, not granting multiple skills or a permanent choice.
Appreciate you taking the time to walk through it.
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When selecting Divine Order: Thaumaturge in the D&D Beyond character creator, the bonus to skill checks is being applied to both Intelligence (Arcana) and Intelligence (Religion).
However, the feature text states that the player should receive the bonus to only one of those skills (player choice):
Expected behavior:
The character creator should prompt the user to choose either Arcana or Religion to receive the bonus.
Actual behavior:
Both Arcana and Religion checks receive the Wisdom-based bonus automatically, with no option to choose between them.
This appears to be a rules implementation issue in the character builder rather than a rules interpretation question.
Applying the bonus to both skills is the correct behavior. The phrase "Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) checks" means "any Intelligence checks that use Arcana or Religion". It is intended for the bonus to apply to all checks that use either of those skills.
If it were intended that the player should choose one or the other when acquiring the feature, the feature would say that. It does not.
pronouns: he/she/they
Thanks — that explanation helped it click for me. Looking at it that way, the same Ability (Skill or Skill) phrasing works consistently across the PHB:
“If a rule allows you to make a Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check…” → a Charisma check that uses Deception or Persuasion
“If a rule refers to a Strength (Acrobatics or Athletics) check…” → a Strength check that uses Acrobatics or Athletics
“When you make an Intelligence (History or Investigation) check…” → an Intelligence check that uses History or Investigation
Seeing those side by side makes it clearer that the parenthetical is identifying which checks qualify, not granting multiple skills or a permanent choice.
Appreciate you taking the time to walk through it.