My concern is with casting a scroll spell that is normally beyond the PC's capacity, e.g., a ninth level sorcerer casting a 6th level spell. As I understand it, the ability check does not include the proficiency bonus; it's simply a d20 + ability modifier. This, however, would allow a first level character with a high ability score to have a better chance of success than a 9th level caster with a more modest ability. This unpalatable consequence of my interpretation has me second-guessing myself. So, is the proficiency bonus added or not? Thank you.
If the spell is on your spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast the spell. The DC equals 10 plus the spell’s level. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
I've emphasized the key points:
It's only if the scroll is of a higher level than you could normally cast, which is less of an issue for higher level casters than lower level casters
It's based on your spellcasting ability, which is the primary ability for spellcasters so notion of a "first level character with a high ability score....[vs]..a 9th level caster with a more modest ability" is so unlikely as to be moot.
A situation where you have a level 1 spellcaster character with a higher spellcasting ability than a level 9 spellcaster is absurdly unlikely, and if it did occur, that'd be on the player for their decisions in how they progress their character, not the game mechanics. Assuming standard array, a level 1 spellcaster would be looking at a +3 in their spellcasting ability. However a level 9 caster with two feat choices could be looking at a solid +5 having taken 1 ASI feat and 1 half feat.
I agree with Post #2 -- the rule calls for an ability check using your spellcasting ability.
Generally speaking, an ability check does not include the application of the proficiency bonus. This bonus would be applied to an ability check only if it is determined that a particular skill is relevant to the check and the creature who is making that check is proficient in that skill:
Add your Proficiency Bonus to an ability check when the DM determines that a skill or tool proficiency is relevant to the check and you have that proficiency.
Typically, the rule itself which calls for the ability check would explicitly mention which skill applies to the check if one is meant to apply:
The descriptions of the actions you take (see “Actions” later in this chapter) specify which skill applies if you make an ability check for that action, and many other rules note when a skill is relevant. The DM has the ultimate say on whether a skill is relevant in a situation.
However, as seen here, the DM can always situationally determine that a particular skill can be applied to a particular ability check. For example, it's not too unreasonable for a DM to allow the Arcana skill to be applied to this ability check for casting from a Spell Scroll. But such a ruling would not be the default rule that is given by the text for the Spell Scroll -- it would be applied at the DM's discretion.
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My concern is with casting a scroll spell that is normally beyond the PC's capacity, e.g., a ninth level sorcerer casting a 6th level spell. As I understand it, the ability check does not include the proficiency bonus; it's simply a d20 + ability modifier. This, however, would allow a first level character with a high ability score to have a better chance of success than a 9th level caster with a more modest ability. This unpalatable consequence of my interpretation has me second-guessing myself. So, is the proficiency bonus added or not? Thank you.
You're correct, no proficiency bonus is made
I've emphasized the key points:
A situation where you have a level 1 spellcaster character with a higher spellcasting ability than a level 9 spellcaster is absurdly unlikely, and if it did occur, that'd be on the player for their decisions in how they progress their character, not the game mechanics. Assuming standard array, a level 1 spellcaster would be looking at a +3 in their spellcasting ability. However a level 9 caster with two feat choices could be looking at a solid +5 having taken 1 ASI feat and 1 half feat.
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I agree with Post #2 -- the rule calls for an ability check using your spellcasting ability.
Generally speaking, an ability check does not include the application of the proficiency bonus. This bonus would be applied to an ability check only if it is determined that a particular skill is relevant to the check and the creature who is making that check is proficient in that skill:
Typically, the rule itself which calls for the ability check would explicitly mention which skill applies to the check if one is meant to apply:
However, as seen here, the DM can always situationally determine that a particular skill can be applied to a particular ability check. For example, it's not too unreasonable for a DM to allow the Arcana skill to be applied to this ability check for casting from a Spell Scroll. But such a ruling would not be the default rule that is given by the text for the Spell Scroll -- it would be applied at the DM's discretion.