Skill Checks in D&D 5e: Complete Guide
D&D 5e skill checks explained. DC, proficiency, expertise, Passive checks, and when to use each skill.
Skill Checks in D&D 5e: Complete Guide
Skill checks are how you resolve uncertain actions outside of combat. Here's how they work.
The Core Mechanic
Roll 1d20 + ability modifier + proficiency bonus (if proficient in the skill). Compare to the DC.
- Equal or higher: Success.
- Lower: Failure.
Common DCs
- Very Easy: DC 5. Anyone can do it.
- Easy: DC 10.
- Medium: DC 15.
- Hard: DC 20.
- Very Hard: DC 25.
- Nearly Impossible: DC 30.
The 18 Skills
Strength
- Athletics. Climb, jump, swim, grapple.
Dexterity
- Acrobatics. Balance, avoid prone, escape grapples.
- Sleight of Hand. Pickpocket, conceal items.
- Stealth. Hide, sneak.
Intelligence
- Arcana. Magic lore.
- History. Historical events.
- Investigation. Find clues, research.
- Nature. Nature lore.
- Religion. Religious lore.
Wisdom
- Animal Handling. Calm animals.
- Insight. Read people.
- Medicine. Stabilize, heal non-magically.
- Perception. Notice things.
- Survival. Track, forage.
Charisma
- Deception. Lie convincingly.
- Intimidation. Threaten.
- Performance. Entertain.
- Persuasion. Convince sincerely.
Proficiency and Expertise
Proficiency
Add your proficiency bonus to the roll (+2 at level 1, +3 at 5, etc.).
Gained from: Class skills (2-4), background (2), race (some).
Expertise
Double proficiency bonus on a skill.
Gained from: Rogue, Bard (at levels 1 and 6 for some classes), Knowledge Cleric, others.
Passive Checks
Some checks are passive: your result is 10 + your modifier.
- Passive Perception. Determines what you notice without actively looking. Used for stealth-vs-perception automatic comparisons.
- Passive Insight. Determines what you pick up socially.
- Passive Investigation. Similar for searching.
When to Roll
- Active attempt with uncertainty. Roll.
- Automatic success. No roll.
- Automatic failure. No roll.
The AI decides when rolls are called for.
Advantage on Skill Checks
- Guidance spell. +1d4.
- Bardic Inspiration. +1d6+.
- Help action. Advantage.
- Tools or environmental bonuses.
In The Endlessness
Our AI Dungeon Master prompts for skill checks naturally. You roll, system applies modifiers.
For related reads, our advantage and disadvantage, character creation guide, and best backgrounds guide cover more.
Final Takeaway
Skill checks drive D&D outside combat. Know your skills. Leverage proficiency and Expertise.
Start a character at The Endlessness and roll some skills.
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