How Many Skills Can You Have in D&D?

The short answer is: there isn’t a hard limit on the number of skills you can have in D&D 5th Edition, but the practical number is heavily influenced by your class, race, background, and level. Unlike some previous editions, 5e doesn’t impose a cap on the number of skills your character can be proficient in. However, the method of acquiring these skills and the bonuses they provide are key to understanding how this system works. Let’s dive deeper into the mechanics and practicalities of skill acquisition in D&D 5e.

Skill Proficiency: The Key to Success

In D&D, skills represent a character’s trained abilities and are linked to the six ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. When you attempt an action that relies on a skill, you roll a d20, add your relevant ability score modifier, and, if proficient, add your proficiency bonus.

Proficiency is the crucial element here. If you are not proficient in a particular skill, you only add your ability modifier to the roll. Being proficient, on the other hand, significantly increases your likelihood of success. The number of skills you’re proficient in directly correlates with your character’s expertise and versatility.

How Characters Gain Skill Proficiencies

Class Proficiencies

Your class is the primary source of your skill proficiencies. Each class grants a specific number of proficiencies at level 1. For example:

• Fighters typically get 2 skill proficiencies from a limited list.
• Rogues are the masters of skills and receive 4 skill proficiencies, along with the option to double their proficiency bonus for certain skills later on.
• Bards start with 3 skill proficiencies and musical instrument proficiency, showcasing their versatility.
• Wizards typically get to choose 2 skills from a list of mental-focused ones such as Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, and Religion.

These numbers are usually set at level 1 but may be added to throughout the class levelling. For instance, Rogue gain ‘Expertise’ at level 6, doubling their proficiency bonus in chosen skills, which further enhances their existing skills, rather than granting them new ones.

Racial Proficiencies

Some races provide additional skill proficiencies at character creation, adding to your class proficiencies. For example, Elves often gain proficiency in Perception, and some other races might grant proficiency in specific skills relevant to their culture or traits. These racial bonuses are typically limited to one or two additional skills.

Background Proficiencies

Your character’s background provides another two skill proficiencies. This gives you a flavor of your past before beginning your adventuring career and allows for some customization outside of race and class. These backgrounds range from the common folk to the erudite, offering proficiencies in skills such as Athletics, Acrobatics, Insight, Intimidation, and Stealth, just to name a few.

Multiclassing

Multiclassing (taking levels in more than one class) can also grant additional skill proficiencies. When you multiclass, you gain some of the new class’ proficiencies. These are different from when you begin with that class as they are generally a smaller list, usually between one and three proficiencies. For example, if a Fighter multiclasses into a Rogue, they would gain one proficiency from a short list.

Feats

Certain feats can also grant you skill proficiencies. Feats are optional rules that can be chosen when you gain an Ability Score Increase, allowing players to personalize their characters. Skills gained through Feats tend to be more specialized.

Practical Considerations

While you can theoretically acquire proficiencies from multiple sources, you are limited in how many skills you can take, especially at low levels. Typically, a starting character will have anywhere between 4 to 6 skill proficiencies, depending on class, race, and background. Even with multiclassing and feats, it is not common for a player to become proficient in more than 10 or so skills.

It’s important to note that while you can take an additional proficiency when multiclassing into some classes, you can’t just choose one you already have to receive an extra benefit. Skill proficiencies do not stack, and you can not gain the same proficiency twice.

The Value of Expertise

Beyond simple proficiency, some classes, like the rogue and bard, can enhance specific skills through Expertise. This feature doubles your proficiency bonus for certain skills, making you exceptionally good in them. Expertise is a good example of not necessarily needing a larger breadth of skills, but instead focusing on what you are already proficient in.

Ability Scores and Skills

Your ability scores are crucial as they provide the base modifier for your skills. Each skill is associated with one of the six ability scores, and you use the modifier of that score to determine your skill bonus. An ability score of 18 will give you a modifier of +4, while an 8 will give you a modifier of -1. Therefore, having a high ability score in a skill’s linked ability is just as important as having proficiency in that skill.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum number of skill proficiencies a character can realistically have?

While there isn’t an absolute maximum, it’s rare to see a character with more than 10-12 skill proficiencies, even with multiclassing and feats. Most characters will focus on having a smaller set of skills that they excel in, rather than having proficiency in every skill.

2. Can you be proficient in the same skill multiple times?

No. Skill proficiencies do not stack. If you gain proficiency in a skill from multiple sources, you do not gain an extra bonus. You only apply your proficiency bonus once.

3. What happens if you are not proficient in a skill?

If you aren’t proficient, you only add your ability modifier to the roll. You do not add your proficiency bonus. This makes the test much more difficult.

4. How do you calculate a skill check?

You roll a d20, add your relevant ability modifier, and if you are proficient in that skill, add your proficiency bonus. Your total is compared to a difficulty class (DC) to determine success or failure.

5. What is the proficiency bonus?

Your proficiency bonus is a modifier added to skill checks, saving throws, attack rolls, and other relevant actions when you are proficient. It scales with your character level. At levels 1-4 it is a +2, then at levels 5-8 it’s a +3, etcetera.

6. Are there any skills that don’t use ability scores?

No. All skills are linked to one of the six ability scores, whether it’s Strength for Athletics, Dexterity for Stealth, or Intelligence for Arcana. Your ability score is an essential component of skill checks.

7. Can you change your skill proficiencies after character creation?

Generally no. Skill proficiencies are chosen at character creation or when gaining levels. Once selected, they are usually permanent unless your DM allows a specific in-game event to allow a change.

8. What is Expertise, and how does it affect skills?

Expertise, typically available to Rogues and Bards, allows you to double your proficiency bonus for specific skills, making you extremely good in those areas. It doesn’t grant proficiency in new skills but enhances existing ones.

9. Can a character ever get a skill score of 0?

No. The base of any skill check is the associated ability modifier. So, it is not possible to have a skill score of 0, and it would only ever be a negative score if your ability modifier was a negative number. However, if you are proficient in a skill, even with a poor ability score modifier, you will likely have a positive skill score.

10. Are skills more important than ability scores?

Neither is more important. Both are critical. Ability scores provide the base modifier for a skill check, while proficiency represents your character’s training and expertise. Ideally, you’ll have high ability scores in skills you’re proficient with.

11. What are some examples of skills and their related ability scores?

• Strength: Athletics
• Dexterity: Acrobatics, Stealth, Sleight of Hand
• Constitution: There is no associated skill.
• Intelligence: Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion
• Wisdom: Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival
• Charisma: Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion

12. How do backgrounds influence skill selection?

Backgrounds provide two skill proficiencies, giving you a foundation of knowledge and abilities specific to your character’s backstory. It is separate to any choices you make from your class or race, allowing for some customization and variation.

13. Can Magic Items give skill proficiency?

Most magic items do not give new skill proficiencies. However, some items might provide an additional bonus to certain skill checks, if not direct skill proficiencies.

14. How do you rate your own skill level in D&D?

Your skill level is based on whether or not you are proficient. However, if you wanted to give your skills a more descriptive level you could use terms like “novice”, “intermediate”, and “expert” to better describe your skill levels. For example, you might say “I am a novice in Stealth, but an expert in Performance”.

15. Does a “dirty 20” exist for skills in D&D?

There is no official rule for a “dirty 20” (a roll of 20 that isn’t from the die face) with skills. A natural 20 on a skill check is not an automatic success, only on attack rolls.