Player's handbook 5e pdf

For example, if a characler attempts lo climb up a

dangerous cliff, lhe Dungeon Masler mighl ask for a

Slrenglh (Alhlelics) check. lf lhe characler is proficienl

in Athletics, the characler's proficiency bonus is added

to lhe Slrenglh check. lf lhe characler lacks that

proficicncy, he or she JUSlmakes a Slrenglh check.

VARIANT: SKILLS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES

Normally, your proficiency in a skill applies only lo a

specific kind of abilily check. Proficiency in Alhlelics,

for example, usually applics lo Slrenglh checks. In some

situations, lhough, your proficiency mighl reasonably

apply lo a differenl kind of check. In such cases, lhe DM

mighl ask for a check using an unusual combinalion of

abilily and skill, or you mighl ask your DM ifyou can

applya proficiency to a differenl check. For example,

if you have lo swim from an offshore island to lhe

mainland, your DM mighl call for a Conslilulion check

lo see ifyou have the stamina lo make it that faroIn lhis

case, your DM mighl allow you to apply your proficiency

in Alhlelics and ask for a Constilulion (Alhlelics) check.

So ifyou're proficienl in Alhlelics, you apply your

proficiency honus to lhe Conslilulion checkjusl as you

would normally do for a Slrenglh (Alhlelics) check.

SimilarIy, when your half-orc barbarian uses a display

of raw slrenglh to inlimidale an enemy, your DM mighl

ask for a Strength (Inlimidalion) check, evenlhough

Intimidalion is normally associaled wilh Charisma.

PASSIVE CHECKS

A passive check is a special kind of abilily check lhal
doesn'l involve any die rolls. Such a check can represenl
lhe average resull for a task done repealedly, such as
searching for secrel doors over and over again. or can
be used when the DM wanls lo secretly determine
whelher lhe characters succeed at something wilholll
rolling dice, such as nOlicing a hidden monsler.
Here's how lo delermine a character's lolal for a
passive check:

10 +ali modifiers thal normally apply to the check

If the characler has advanlage on lhe check, add 5. For

disadvanlage, suhlract 5. The game refers lo a passive

check lotai as a score.

For example. if a 1st-levei character has a Wisdom of

15 and proficiency in Perceplion. he or she has a passive

Wisdom (Perceplion) score of 14.

The rules on hiding in lhe "Dexlerily" section below

rely on passive cbecks, as do lhe exploralion rules

in chapler 8.

WORKING TOGETHER

Some times lwo or more characlers leam up to allempt a
lask. The characler who's leading lhe effort-or lhe one
wilb lhe highesl abilily modifier-can make an ability
cbeck wilh advanlage, reflecling the help provided by
the olher characlers. In combal, lhis requires lhe Help
aclion (see chapler 9).
A character can only provide help if lhe lask is one lhat
he or she cOllldallempt alone. For example, trying lo
open a lock requires proficiency wilh lhieves' lools, so a

characler who lacks lhat proficiency can't help anolher

characler in lhal task. Moreover, a character can help

only when two or more individuais working logelher

would aclually be produclive. Some lasks, such as

lbreading a needle. are no easier with help.

GROUP CHECKS

When a number of individuais are lrying to accomplish

somelhing as a group, lhe DM mighl ask for a group

abilily check. In such a situalion, lhe characters who are

skilled ai a parlicular task help cover those who aren'l.

To make a group ability check. everyone in lbe group

makes lbe abilily check. lf alleasl half lhe group

sllcceeds, the wbole group succeeds. Otherwise,

lhe group fails.

Group checks don't come up very often. and lhey're

most useful wben ali lhe characlers succeed or

fail as a group. For example, when advenlurcrs arc

navigating a swamp, lbe DM mighl call for a group

Wisdom (Survival) check lo see if lhe characlers can

avoid lhe quicksand, sinkholcs, and other natural

hazards of lhe environmenl. If at least half the group

succeeds, lhe successful characlers are ablc to guide

lhcir companions oul of danger. Olherwise, lhe group

slumbles inlo one of lhese hazards.

Using Each Ability

Every lask lhal a characler or monsler mighl atlempt

in the game is covered by one of lhe six abililies. This

seclion explains in more delail wbal lhose abilities

mean and the ways lhey are used in lhe game.

STRENGTH

Slrenglh measures bodily power, athlelic training, and

the exlenllo which you can exert raw physical force.

STRENGTH CHECKS

A Slrenglh check can model any atlempllo lifl, p"sh,

pull, or break something, lo force your body lhrougb a

space, or lo otherwise apply brute force lo a silualion.

The Alhlelics skill reflecls aptitude in cerlain kinds of

Slrength checks.

Athletics. Your Strenglh (Alhlelics) check covers

difficult situations YOllencollnler while c1imbing,

jumping. or swimming. Examples include tbe

following aclivilies:

You attempt lo climh a sheer or slippery cliff, avoid

hazards while scaling a wall, or cling lo a surface

while something is lrying to knock you off.

You try lo jump an unuslIally long distance or pull

off a slunl midjump.

You slruggle lo swim or slay afloal in lreacherous cur-

renls, slorm-lossed waves, or areas of lhick seaweed.

Or anolher crealure lries lo push or pull you underwa-

ler or olherwise interfere with your swimming.

Other Strength Checks.The DM mighl also call for

a Slrcngtb check when you lry to accomplish tasks like

lhe following:

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