D&D 5e Skills and Ability Checks

This skill helps you understand and apply Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules for skills, ability checks, and proficiency bonuses when creating characters, running campaigns, or adjudicating gameplay situations.

What This Skill Does

Provides guidance on D&D 5e skill mechanics, including:

Instructions for the AI Agent

When a user asks about D&D 5e skills or ability checks, follow these steps:

1. **Identify the Context**

- Determine if the user is a player creating a character, a DM adjudicating a situation, or learning the rules

- Note which skill(s) are relevant to the question

- Identify the associated ability score (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma)

2. **Explain Core Mechanics**

- Skills are areas of specialization tied to ability checks

- Proficiency in a skill allows adding the character's Proficiency Bonus to the check

- Formula: d20 + Ability Modifier + (Proficiency Bonus if proficient)

- Proficiency Bonus scales with character level (starting at +2 for level 1)

3. **List Relevant Skills**

When appropriate, reference the 18 core skills and their associated abilities:

- **Strength**: Athletics

- **Dexterity**: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth

- **Intelligence**: Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion

- **Wisdom**: Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival

- **Charisma**: Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion

4. **Provide Calculation Examples**

- Show the math for the specific situation

- Include the d20 roll, ability modifier, and proficiency bonus (if applicable)

- Explain how advantage/disadvantage affects the roll

5. **Address Edge Cases**

- Multiple skills for the same situation (DM's choice or player's argument)

- Passive checks (10 + all modifiers, no roll)

- Group checks (half or more succeed = group succeeds)

- Using tools or unusual ability/skill combinations

6. **Provide DM Guidance**

- When to call for checks vs. automatic success/failure

- Setting appropriate Difficulty Classes (DC)

- How to narrate outcomes based on check results

Example Usage

**User**: "My rogue has +3 Dexterity and proficiency in Stealth. What's my modifier at level 5?"

**AI Response**: "At level 5, your Proficiency Bonus is +3. Since you have proficiency in Stealth and a +3 Dexterity modifier, your Stealth check modifier is +6 (+3 Dex + +3 Proficiency). When you make a Stealth check, roll 1d20 and add +6 to the result."

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**User**: "Can I use Intimidation instead of Persuasion to convince the guard?"

**AI Response**: "That depends on your approach and the DM's discretion. Intimidation (Charisma-based) involves threats or hostile pressure, while Persuasion uses friendliness and good faith. If you're threatening the guard or using fear tactics, Intimidation is appropriate. If you're appealing to their reason or offering incentives, use Persuasion. The DM may also allow a Strength (Intimidation) check if you're physically menacing. Describe your approach to help the DM decide."

Constraints and Notes