What Happens if You Have Double Proficiency in D&D?
The short answer is: you can’t have “double proficiency” in the way many players might initially imagine. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), proficiency represents a character’s expertise in a particular skill, tool, weapon, armor, or saving throw. It’s a binary state – either you are proficient, meaning you add your proficiency bonus to rolls related to that proficiency, or you are not, and you don’t. You cannot simply be “double proficient,” meaning, having two sources of proficiency that lead to adding your proficiency bonus twice. However, this doesn’t mean that having multiple sources of the same proficiency is completely useless. Let’s delve deeper into how proficiencies actually work and what happens when you encounter multiple sources of the same proficiency, as well as related concepts like expertise.
Understanding Proficiency in D&D
Proficiency in 5e is a core mechanic that separates skilled characters from the untrained. Your proficiency bonus is a value determined by your character level and starts at +2 at level 1, increasing to +3 at level 5, +4 at level 9, +5 at level 13, and finally reaching +6 at level 17. This bonus is added to ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws when you are proficient.
The No-Stacking Rule
The fundamental rule regarding proficiency is that your proficiency bonus can be added to a single roll only once. This applies even if you have multiple features that might seem like they should grant you proficiency in the same area.
Redundant Proficiencies
What happens if you gain the same proficiency from two different sources? The rules explicitly state that if a character would gain the same proficiency from two different sources, they choose a different proficiency of the same kind instead. So, for example, if you’re already proficient in the Stealth skill, and a new feature would grant you proficiency in Stealth again, you would choose to become proficient in another skill instead. This avoids having redundant proficiencies that don’t provide any added benefit.
The Exception: Expertise
The key exception to the “one proficiency bonus per roll” rule is a feature called “Expertise.” Expertise, often granted by the Rogue and Bard classes, allows you to double your proficiency bonus for specific skills or tools. This does not mean you are getting “double proficiency,” but rather a mechanic which doubles the bonus amount. It’s crucial to understand this distinction: you are still only adding a proficiency bonus once, but the value of that bonus is doubled by the Expertise feature. For example, if you are a level 5 character with +3 proficiency bonus and have expertise in Stealth, your proficiency bonus becomes +6 for stealth checks.
Proficiency Bonus and Multiclassing
When you multiclass (take levels in more than one class), your proficiency bonus is determined by your overall character level, not your class level. For example, a fighter 3/rogue 2 would have the same proficiency bonus (+3) as a single-class 5th-level character. However, multiclassing does not usually grant you all the proficiencies of your new class. Instead, you gain a subset of these proficiencies, as outlined in the multiclassing rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to proficiency in D&D 5e, aimed at clarifying any remaining confusion.
1. Can you double your proficiency bonus twice?
No. While Expertise doubles your proficiency bonus, that’s the extent of the doubling. You cannot double your proficiency bonus twice or more for a single roll. Only one instance of expertise applies.
2. Can you be double proficient in saving throws?
No. The general rule is that you do not multiply your proficiency bonus for saving throws. Expertise, which specifically doubles your proficiency bonus, only applies to skills and tools, not saving throws.
3. Does double proficiency stack?
No, multiple sources of proficiency never stack. It’s a binary state, you either have it, and add your proficiency bonus, or you don’t. The only way to receive a modifier that increases the proficiency bonus added to the check is by having the Expertise feature which doubles the amount.
4. What is the highest proficiency bonus in D&D 5e?
The highest proficiency bonus possible in 5e is +6 (at character level 17 and above). With Expertise, this can be doubled to +12 on skill and tool checks.
5. What happens when your proficiency bonus increases?
As your character levels up, your proficiency bonus increases. This makes your character more accurate in attacks, better at skills they are proficient in, and more resistant to saves they are proficient in.
6. Can you add your proficiency bonus multiple times to a roll?
No. You only add your proficiency bonus once to any roll, even if multiple aspects of a situation would normally grant you that bonus. The exception is Expertise which increases the amount of your bonus.
7. How do proficiencies work with multiclassing?
Multiclassing gives you some, but not all of the proficiencies of your second class. The new class proficiencies may provide redundant ones. When that happens, you can choose different proficiencies of the same type.
8. Does D&D Beyond automatically add proficiency bonus?
Yes, the D&D Beyond character sheet automatically adds proficiency bonuses to proficient skills, saving throws, and weapon attacks. This helps to streamline the game and reduce calculation errors.
9. How do you add extra proficiencies in D&D Beyond?
In the “Proficiencies and Languages” box, there is a cog wheel in the bottom right-hand corner. This will let you add new proficiencies directly to your character sheet.
10. What happens if you don’t have proficiency in something?
If you don’t have proficiency in an ability check, saving throw, or attack roll, you don’t add your proficiency bonus to the roll. Your chances of success are lower. For weapons and armor, not having proficiency can have more consequences such as disadvantage or inability to cast spells.
11. Can you build your own background in D&D?
Yes. You can create your own background by choosing two skills and two tool/language proficiencies, and a trait from existing backgrounds, and buying 175 gp worth of equipment.
12. What D&D class has the most proficiencies?
Classes like Lore Bards and Knowledge Clerics often get access to the most proficiencies. Lore Bards get additional skill proficiencies, and Knowledge Clerics can temporarily gain proficiency in any skill.
13. Does proficiency stack in D&D?
No. Proficiency does not stack. You only apply your proficiency bonus once. The only exception is skill expertise which doubles the amount of the bonus applied.
14. What is the most badass class in D&D?
While subjective, classes such as the Paladin, Fighter, and Cleric are often cited as the most “badass” due to their combat prowess and resilience. Ultimately, the most badass class is the one you find the most fun to play.
15. What is the hardest class in D&D?
Classes like the Sorcerer, Wizard, and Bard are sometimes considered more difficult to play due to their spellcasting complexity and reliance on resource management. However, any class can be challenging for new players.
Conclusion
While the concept of “double proficiency” might seem appealing, the rules of D&D 5e ensure a balanced system where proficiency bonuses do not stack. The focus is on being proficient in a variety of areas, making sure that characters are well-rounded and not overly specialized in one area. Expertise allows for a limited focus in particular areas, but that doesn’t mean gaining double proficiency. Understanding the fundamental rules, especially the no-stacking rule and the distinction between proficiency and expertise, is key to playing the game effectively and enjoying its diverse possibilities.