Please forgive another newbie question. I see that characters automatically gain specific skill and tool proficiencies from their race, background and class. Then the class allows for a set number of additional skill proficiencies by choice. Can any of these chosen proficiencies be tools rather than skills, and if not, how does a character gain additional tool proficiencies (outside of multi-classing)? Thanks for your patience!
So, typically Tool proficiencies are tied to class/background/race choices and under normal circumstances you wouldn't get more, but there are three ways to try and do so that I can think of.
1. Some classes will give players additional options for tool proficiences when they reach certain levels with a sub-spec.
2. You can gain proficiencies with feats as I recall.
3. As a down time activity you can study/apprentice to try and learn how to do it.
beyond that, it may be worth your time to talk to the GM if there is something specific you're looking for :)
When I customized the background for my current character, I took tools in lieu of extra languages, as is allowed, because it suited that particular character better.
Please forgive another newbie question. I see that characters automatically gain specific skill and tool proficiencies from their race, background and class. Then the class allows for a set number of additional skill proficiencies by choice. Can any of these chosen proficiencies be tools rather than skills, and if not, how does a character gain additional tool proficiencies (outside of multi-classing)? Thanks for your patience!
Tools (and languages) can be learned later simply by finding somewhere to learn and putting in the time (and possibly money, if the teacher is not willing to teach for free).
Skills cannot.
So it is very inadvisable to swap skills out for tools even if allowed. If a PC wants to start with a tool proficiency, pick a background that provides a tool proficiency.
Please forgive another newbie question. I see that characters automatically gain specific skill and tool proficiencies from their race, background and class. Then the class allows for a set number of additional skill proficiencies by choice. Can any of these chosen proficiencies be tools rather than skills, and if not, how does a character gain additional tool proficiencies (outside of multi-classing)? Thanks for your patience!
Tools (and languages) can be learned later simply by finding somewhere to learn and putting in the time (and possibly money, if the teacher is not willing to teach for free).
Skills cannot.
So it is very inadvisable to swap skills out for tools even if allowed. If a PC wants to start with a tool proficiency, pick a background that provides a tool proficiency.
Definitely +1 to that caveat. In 5e, outside of thieves tools, or a game where the DM puts a particular emphasis on equipment maintenance so some of the smith and crafting tools etc are of use, tools just aren't used as often as skills. The best guide to using tools isn't even in the core rules, but an expansion book, Xanathar's Guide to Everything and those rules are optional.
If you really want a PC to have a tool proficiency and you're not seeing a path through class/race/background selection, talk to your DM, they may just give it to you or create or modify a background so you have it. Keep in mind, the DM's game will determine how useful or extraneous the tool proficiency actually is in the game. No tool makes a PC MacGuyver able to tailor proficiency their way out of any problem.
Please forgive another newbie question. I see that characters automatically gain specific skill and tool proficiencies from their race, background and class. Then the class allows for a set number of additional skill proficiencies by choice. Can any of these chosen proficiencies be tools rather than skills, and if not, how does a character gain additional tool proficiencies (outside of multi-classing)? Thanks for your patience!
Tools (and languages) can be learned later simply by finding somewhere to learn and putting in the time (and possibly money, if the teacher is not willing to teach for free).
Skills cannot.
So it is very inadvisable to swap skills out for tools even if allowed. If a PC wants to start with a tool proficiency, pick a background that provides a tool proficiency.
This is purely homebrew so ...that out of the way. But, within any campaign; if there is enough downtime, I see no reason why a PC cannot slowly gain proficiency in a skill. Or, if they already have proficiency in it; get a small {misc} bonus to it.
Downtime can be used for all sorts of things and as long as you balance it, it's really just a reward to your players for immersing themselves in what their characters would do in their off-time.
Some build castles. Some learn trades. Others like to play with animals and improve their handling. :)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Please forgive another newbie question. I see that characters automatically gain specific skill and tool proficiencies from their race, background and class. Then the class allows for a set number of additional skill proficiencies by choice. Can any of these chosen proficiencies be tools rather than skills, and if not, how does a character gain additional tool proficiencies (outside of multi-classing)? Thanks for your patience!
So, typically Tool proficiencies are tied to class/background/race choices and under normal circumstances you wouldn't get more, but there are three ways to try and do so that I can think of.
1. Some classes will give players additional options for tool proficiences when they reach certain levels with a sub-spec.
2. You can gain proficiencies with feats as I recall.
3. As a down time activity you can study/apprentice to try and learn how to do it.
beyond that, it may be worth your time to talk to the GM if there is something specific you're looking for :)
When I customized the background for my current character, I took tools in lieu of extra languages, as is allowed, because it suited that particular character better.
Tools (and languages) can be learned later simply by finding somewhere to learn and putting in the time (and possibly money, if the teacher is not willing to teach for free).
Skills cannot.
So it is very inadvisable to swap skills out for tools even if allowed. If a PC wants to start with a tool proficiency, pick a background that provides a tool proficiency.
Definitely +1 to that caveat. In 5e, outside of thieves tools, or a game where the DM puts a particular emphasis on equipment maintenance so some of the smith and crafting tools etc are of use, tools just aren't used as often as skills. The best guide to using tools isn't even in the core rules, but an expansion book, Xanathar's Guide to Everything and those rules are optional.
If you really want a PC to have a tool proficiency and you're not seeing a path through class/race/background selection, talk to your DM, they may just give it to you or create or modify a background so you have it. Keep in mind, the DM's game will determine how useful or extraneous the tool proficiency actually is in the game. No tool makes a PC MacGuyver able to tailor proficiency their way out of any problem.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Drat! Foiled again! But seriously... Thanks for the replies. I'm slowly catching on. Still, more questions likely to come.
This is purely homebrew so ...that out of the way. But, within any campaign; if there is enough downtime, I see no reason why a PC cannot slowly gain proficiency in a skill. Or, if they already have proficiency in it; get a small {misc} bonus to it.
Downtime can be used for all sorts of things and as long as you balance it, it's really just a reward to your players for immersing themselves in what their characters would do in their off-time.
Some build castles. Some learn trades. Others like to play with animals and improve their handling. :)