How to Calculate Skills and Saving Throws in 5e

To calculate skills and saving throws in 5e, you roll a d20 and add your character’s ability score modifier to the result, then add your proficiency bonus if you are proficient in that skill or saving throw. This calculation is crucial for determining the success or failure of various actions and challenges in the game, making understanding ability scores, proficiency bonuses, and how they apply to skills and saving throws essential for players and Dungeon Masters alike.

Understanding the Basics

Ability Scores and Modifiers

In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), ability scores are the foundation for determining how proficient your character is in various skills and saving throws. Each ability score (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) has a modifier that is used in calculations. The modifier is +1 for every 2 points above 10 and -1 for every 2 points below 10. For example, if your character has a Dexterity score of 14, the Dexterity modifier would be +2.

Proficiency Bonus

The proficiency bonus is another critical component in calculating skills and saving throws. It increases as your character gains levels, reflecting their growing expertise. The bonus starts at +2 at level 1 and increases to +3 at level 5, +4 at level 9, +5 at level 13, and +6 at level 17. This bonus is added to the roll when your character is proficient in the relevant skill or saving throw.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you calculate ability scores in 5e? Ability scores are calculated by rolling 4d6, dropping the lowest number, and adding the remaining total. This process is repeated six times, with each result assigned to one of the six abilities.

2. What is the difference between a saving throw and an ability check? A saving throw is a roll used to determine if a character resists or is affected by something, such as magic or poison, whereas an ability check is used when a character takes an action to see how well they perform it.

3. Can you fail a saving throw intentionally? Generally, no, a character must attempt a saving throw when it is called for unless specifically allowed to choose otherwise by certain rules or spells.

4. Does a natural 20 automatically succeed on a saving throw in 5e? No, unlike some other editions, a natural 20 does not automatically succeed on a saving throw in 5e; the roll must still meet or exceed the Difficulty Class (DC).

5. How do you calculate the DC for a spell’s saving throw? The DC for a spell’s saving throw is calculated as 8 + the caster’s spellcasting ability modifier + their proficiency bonus, plus any special modifiers.

6. Can you add your proficiency bonus twice to a saving throw? No, you can only add your proficiency bonus once to a saving throw, even if you are proficient in the ability and the saving throw through different means.

7. How many saving throws can a character be proficient in? Characters typically start with proficiency in two saving throws based on their class and do not gain additional saving throw proficiencies from multiclassing.

8. How do you determine hit points (HP) in 5e? To calculate hit points, you find your character’s hit dice in the Player’s Handbook, add the Constitution modifier, and then follow specific level-based rules for calculating total HP.

9. What is the point buy system in 5e? The point buy system is an alternative method for determining ability scores, where players have a set number of points to spend on their abilities, allowing for more control over character creation.

10. Do rogues get more skill proficiencies than other classes? Yes, rogues start with double the number of skill proficiencies compared to most other classes, reflecting their versatile and skilled nature.

11. Can you use your proficiency bonus on damage rolls? No, the proficiency bonus cannot be added to damage rolls or healing throws; it is only used for ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws.

12. What is the formula for calculating proficiency bonus in 5e? The proficiency bonus can be calculated using the formula 1 + (level / 4), rounded up, or by referring to the character advancement table.

13. How do you choose your proficiencies? Proficiencies are chosen based on your character’s class, background, and sometimes race, with the player selecting from a list of available options within those categories.

14. Is a saving throw the same as a skill check? No, a saving throw is different from a skill check; saving throws are used to resist effects, while skill checks are used for actions like persuading someone or picking a lock.

15. What is the advantage on saving throws in 5e? Having advantage on a saving throw means rolling two d20s and taking the higher result, increasing the chance of success, while disadvantage requires taking the lower result, decreasing the chance of success.