Maximizing Your Skills in D&D 5e: How to Use the Proficiency Bonus Chart
Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a new player just starting out, understanding how to maximize your character’s skills in D&D 5e is essential to succeeding in any campaign. One of the most important tools in your arsenal is the proficiency bonus chart, which determines how good your character is at performing certain skills. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the proficiency bonus chart and how to use it to its full potential.
Understanding the Proficiency Bonus Chart
The proficiency bonus chart is a table that shows how your character’s proficiency bonus increases as they gain levels. In D&D 5e, the proficiency bonus starts at +2 and increases by 1 every four levels (5, 9, 13, and 17). This bonus is added to any ability check or saving throw that your character is proficient in, as well as any attack rolls using any weapon, spellcasting, and tool proficiency.
Maximizing Your Proficiency Bonus
To make the most of your proficiency bonus, it’s important to choose the right skills to become proficient in. At character creation, you’ll get to select a number of skills to be proficient in based on your class and background. Choose skills that complement your character’s strengths and abilities, and try to pick a mix of both combat and non-combat skills.
Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that your proficiency bonus applies to any saving throw that you’re proficient in. This means it’s worthwhile to invest in proficiency in certain saving throws that will come up frequently in your campaign. Dexterity and Wisdom saving throws are two examples of saving throws that come up frequently in combat and should be prioritized.
Using the Proficiency Bonus Chart in Combat
In combat situations, your proficiency bonus is applied to attack rolls made with weapons, spells, and even improvised weapons. Characters who are proficient in a particular weapon or spell will receive a higher bonus, making them more likely to hit their target. It’s important to choose weapons and spells that your character is proficient in, and to focus on a particular damage type (such as fire or cold) to maximize the damage dealt.
Conclusion
Understanding the proficiency bonus chart is crucial to maximizing your character’s skills in D&D 5e. By choosing the right skills to become proficient in, prioritizing important saving throws, and focusing on a particular weapon or spell type, you’ll be able to make the most of your proficiency bonus and increase your chances of success in any campaign. Remember to keep this chart in mind as you create your character and level up, and you’ll soon become a master of your skill set.
