I'm still new to D&D and was wondering if players are limited to only using what skills they're proficient at or if they can use any of them. For example, if a character is proficient at deception and intimidation, could it also use animal handling or religion?
You can use any skill, you're just better at the ones you're proficient in. Also, a player can try and reason with a DM why either a certain skill that they are proficient in might apply more than the obvious one that they're not, or to use a different stat for that skill -- like if you're trying to identify a poison and aren't proficient in medicine, you could either ask to do a Nature check instead, or to use your INT knowledge of plants for the check so you can apply your +4 INT mod instead of your +0 WIS mod.
I'm still new to D&D and was wondering if players are limited to only using what skills they're proficient at or if they can use any of them. For example, if a character is proficient at deception and intimidation, could it also use animal handling or religion?
You can use any skill, you're just better at the ones you're proficient in. Also, a player can try and reason with a DM why either a certain skill that they are proficient in might apply more than the obvious one that they're not, or to use a different stat for that skill -- like if you're trying to identify a poison and aren't proficient in medicine, you could either ask to do a Nature check instead, or to use your INT knowledge of plants for the check so you can apply your +4 INT mod instead of your +0 WIS mod.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Bit like asking if a person who is not a practiced liar can lie.
Characters can use any skill they need to, proficiency just means they practiced and are good at it, while ability indicates base talent.