Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I'm assuming that you've already figured out your Ability Scores (strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, charisma) and your Ability Score Modifiers (ASM), which is (at this point) a number between -5 and +5 and is dictated by your Ability Scores (eg an Ability Score of 1 gives you an ASM of -5, 10 give 0 and 20 gives you +5). If you haven't done this, give me a shout.
Calculating Skills
Next to each skill, there is a reference to the root Ability Score. For example, for Religion, it is Intelligence. For Animal Handling, it is Wisdom. To calculate each skill, it is the same as your ASM for its root Ability Score. So, for example, if your Intelligence Ability Score were 18, your ASM would be +4, so your Religion Skill would be +4.
If you are proficient in that skill, like my Druid, then add your proficiency bonus. I believe it's +2 for all on level 1 (I might be wrong there, but it's true for all classes that I've looked at). So my Druid, having an Intelligence of 18 and there for an ASM of +4, being proficient in Animal Handling and having a proficiency bonus of +2, would have am Animal Handling score of +4+2=+6.
Recap
It's the same as its Ability Score Modifer (ASM) if you're not proficient in it.
It's your Ability Score Modifier plus your proficiency bonus if you are proficient in it.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
In addition to what's been said already, there are also modifiers like Jack of All Trades and Remarkable Athlete (proficiency x 0.5) and Expertise (proficiency x 2). If in doubt, you can always just create a character on D&D beyond, and it will automatically generate the right skill bonus score. If you dummy up a level three Bard, for instance, you'll have half proficiency, proficiency, and expertise, so you can see the difference in calculations.
If you are proficient in that skill, like my Druid, then add your proficiency bonus. I believe it's +2 for all on level 1 (I might be wrong there, but it's true for all classes that I've looked at).
It's based on character level rather than class, so every level 1 character would have the same proficiency bonus regardless of class. The chart is available here for quick reference.
Thanks, I thought it was but I only have PHB so I couldn't be sure that there weren't exceptions etc.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Almost all rolls to determine success or failure follow the same pattern - 1d20 + applicable ability modifier + proficiency bonus if proficient. A DM might occasionally call for a straight ability check (1d20 + applicable ability modifier, no proficiency bonus since there's nothing to be proficient with), but that is/should be rare. In combat it's always straightforward which proficiency is the relevant one (the one corresponding with the weapon you're using, or it's simply your magic which you're proficient in casting); with skills there are standard pairings between ability and skill which will be what the DM calls for usually, but sometimes a different one might be more appropriate - up to the DM at all times.
Other than that, I'll echo Cyb3rM1nd's suggestion to go through chapter 7 of the Basic Rules/PHB; it's not very long and covers pretty much all the essentials.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Is there anything you have to add for race proficiencies?
The source of a proficiency doesn’t matter: whether you gain it from your race, background, class, subclass or a feat, it’s the same calculation. Ability check = d20 + ability score modifier + proficiency bonus.
I mean things like Religion and Animal Handling. I know it works with the ability score, but I don't know how. Thank you in advance.
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roll 1d20 (or two picking highest if you have advantage or lowest if you have disadvantage).
add relevant ability score modifier
add proficiency bonus if you are proficient.
Chapter 7 of the Basic Rules or PHB explains in more detail. Please do give the rules a read - it will save a lot of time. Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/using-ability-scores
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Preparation
I'm assuming that you've already figured out your Ability Scores (strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, charisma) and your Ability Score Modifiers (ASM), which is (at this point) a number between -5 and +5 and is dictated by your Ability Scores (eg an Ability Score of 1 gives you an ASM of -5, 10 give 0 and 20 gives you +5). If you haven't done this, give me a shout.
Calculating Skills
Next to each skill, there is a reference to the root Ability Score. For example, for Religion, it is Intelligence. For Animal Handling, it is Wisdom. To calculate each skill, it is the same as your ASM for its root Ability Score. So, for example, if your Intelligence Ability Score were 18, your ASM would be +4, so your Religion Skill would be +4.
If you are proficient in that skill, like my Druid, then add your proficiency bonus. I believe it's +2 for all on level 1 (I might be wrong there, but it's true for all classes that I've looked at). So my Druid, having an Intelligence of 18 and there for an ASM of +4, being proficient in Animal Handling and having a proficiency bonus of +2, would have am Animal Handling score of +4+2=+6.
Recap
It's the same as its Ability Score Modifer (ASM) if you're not proficient in it.
It's your Ability Score Modifier plus your proficiency bonus if you are proficient in it.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Thanks, I thought it was but I only have PHB so I couldn't be sure that there weren't exceptions etc.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Almost all rolls to determine success or failure follow the same pattern - 1d20 + applicable ability modifier + proficiency bonus if proficient. A DM might occasionally call for a straight ability check (1d20 + applicable ability modifier, no proficiency bonus since there's nothing to be proficient with), but that is/should be rare. In combat it's always straightforward which proficiency is the relevant one (the one corresponding with the weapon you're using, or it's simply your magic which you're proficient in casting); with skills there are standard pairings between ability and skill which will be what the DM calls for usually, but sometimes a different one might be more appropriate - up to the DM at all times.
Other than that, I'll echo Cyb3rM1nd's suggestion to go through chapter 7 of the Basic Rules/PHB; it's not very long and covers pretty much all the essentials.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Agreed, chapter 7 will sort you out.
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Ah thank you all!
Check out my Homebrew.
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Backgrounds, Feats, Races, and Subclasses
Thank you so much! This helped me out immensely!
Or use the beyond app :D unfortunet you will need the books on the app
Is there anything you have to add for race proficiencies?
The source of a proficiency doesn’t matter: whether you gain it from your race, background, class, subclass or a feat, it’s the same calculation. Ability check = d20 + ability score modifier + proficiency bonus.
Thank you
This was the most helpful thign here, as I am trying to figure out how to calculate proficiency on paper, youre a godsend lmao