Best way to calculate proficiency bonus 5e?
You can find it in the description of each class. The Proficiency Bonus is your experience as a roleplayer and your power curve as a game designer. It is added to any skills, weapons, or spell attacks you are proficient in. Each class has the same procedure.
Proficiency Bonus Formula
How much is a proficiency bonus DND?
The proficiency bonus begins at +2 and increases by four levels until it reaches a maximum of +6. Monsters also have a proficiency bonus. The +0 refers to the ability tied to the check. It is either 10 or 11 and has a modifier of 0, or it is negative. The proficiency bonus is bringing it back down to 0.
Do proficiency bonus increases due to leveling apply to skills gained from the background?
Proficiency isn’t tied to anything except your character level. (i.e., if you are multiclass, for example, Rogue 3 / Cleric 2, your character level is 5, which means your proficiency bonus is +3).
Your proficiency bonus will increase your Proficiency in all areas. That includes attacks with weapons that you are proficient with, saving throws in which you are proficient, and skills you are proficient in.
From the Basic Rules, p. 7:
What is Proficiency Bonus in dnd 5e?
Your proficiency bonus is the table in your class description. It is +2 for 1st-level characters. Your proficiency bonus applies to many numbers that you will be recording on your character sheets:
- Attack rolls using weapons you’re proficient with
- Attack rolls with spells you cast
- Ability checks using skills you’re proficient in
- Ability checks using tools you’re proficient with
- Saving throws, you’re proficient in
- Saving throw DCs for spells you cast (explained in each spellcasting class)
Character Advancement | ||
Experience Points | Level | Proficiency Bonus |
0 | 1 | +2 |
300 | 2 | +2 |
900 | 3 | +2 |
2,700 | 4 | +2 |
6,500 | 5 | +3 |
14,000 | 6 | +3 |
23,000 | 7 | +3 |
34,000 | 8 | +3 |
48,000 | 9 | +4 |
64,000 | 10 | +4 |
85,000 | 11 | +4 |
100,000 | 12 | +4 |
120,000 | 13 | +5 |
140,000 | 14 | +5 |
165,000 | 15 | +5 |
195,000 | 16 | +5 |
225,000 | 17 | +6 |
265,000 | 18 | +6 |
305,000 | 19 | +6 |
355,000 | 20 | +6 |
Do I add my proficiency bonus to damage?
Attack Bonus
Four parts get added together:
- Your Ability Modifier
- For most Melee weapons, this is Strength; for most Ranged weapons, this is Dexterity; for attack-roll spells, this is your Spellcasting Ability (typically Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma)
- One exception is Finesse, which allows you to choose between Strength or Dexterity when you make an attack. You can also use the same modifier to the Damage roll. This property is only available on Melee Weapons in the core game.
- Thrown weapons are considered melee weapons even though they can be useful at close range. Check the statblock to see if there are any exceptions.
- One exception to this rule is the ability to modify your abilities with special class features and spells. A Druid who casts Shillelagh [Player’s Guide, 275] can use Wisdom to increase their attack and damage. However, Wisdom is only available on certain weapons.
- Similarly, a Hexblade Warlock [Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, 55] uses Charisma instead of Strength or Dexterity. It is for their weapon attack and damage rolls, provided the weapon they’re using matches the requirements of their Patron.
- Your Proficiency Bonus
- If you are proficient in the weapon, this applies. It’s that simple. You gain Proficiency in all weapons in the game for Martial classes such as Fighters, Barbarians, or Paladins. That means they get their Proficiency bonus. You will need to verify the proficiencies granted by other types.
- Theoretically, there are “Exotic Weapons,” which no class gains Proficiency in by default. And a character would not receive their proficiency bonus unless they gain Proficiency in it through some means. The core game does not contain any such weapons, though.
- You almost always have Proficiency with spellcasting, and this bonus is yours. __S.50__
- Special modifiers on the weapon itself
- Some magic weapons grant bonuses to the Attack Roll, Damage Roll, or Both. For example, a +1 Weapon [DMG 213] confers a bonus of +1 to both rolls.
- Buffs/Other Effects
- For example, the spell Bless [PHB 219] adds a bonus d4 roll to any attack roll that the target makes.
For example, a Level 5 Fighter with a +1 Rapier (has Finesse property), a Strength Score 16, and a Dexterity 18 would get the following bonus on their Attack Roll:
- Ability Modifier:+3 if they are using Strength or +4 if Dexterity
- Proficiency: Fighters can gain Proficiency in Rapiers.
- Magic Weapon: The weapon is a +1 Rapier, so +1.
- Total:+7 for Strength; +8 for Dexterity
Damage Bonus
- Your Ability Modifier
- Same as above: Strength for melee, Dexterity for Ranged, Strength or Dexterity for weapons that have the Finesse property (though it must be the same ability that was used to make the attack roll), Intelligence/Wisdom/Charisma for features that allow this modifier to be replaced by a different stat.
- NOT your Proficiency Bonus
- Your Proficiency Bonus is not added to damage rolls. That applies even if the weapon or spell you are proficient in is the weapon. The only exceptions are if you have a specific class feature or a feature obtained from another source. Necromancy wizards, for example, have Undead Thralls [PHB 118] as a class feature that allows them to add the wizard’s proficiency bonus to damage rolls.
- Special Modifiers
- Some magic weapons grant bonuses to the Attack Roll, Damage Roll, or Both. For example, a +1 Weapon [DMG 213] confers a bonus of +1 to both rolls.
- Buffs/Other Effects
- The spell Divine Favor [PHB], 234] allows the target, for example, to increase 1d4 Radiant damage to all Damage Rolls they have been subject to from Weapon Attacks.
As an example, let’s say they take the Dueling Fighting Style. That gives them a +2 bonus on Damage rolls if they don’t wield more than one weapon. They can only use one weapon at a time. Their Damage Bonus would then be:
- Ability Modifier:+3 if they are using Strength or +4 if Dexterity
- Magic Weapon:+1
- Buffs/Other Effects: The Dueling Fighting Style increases damage rolls for one-handed weapons by +2 if the character does not have another weapon.
- Total:+6 for Strength, +7 for Dexterity
Notably, Proficiency was not explicitly added to damage rolls. Unless a feature specifically states otherwise, Proficiency is not usually added to damage rolls.
It is also important to remember that Finesse weapons allow fighters to choose which modifier they want to use. Still, they must use the same modifier for attack and defense. For instance, they cannot use Strength to roll the Attack roll and Dexterity to roll the Damage roll.
A few other Examples
- Level 5 Wizard casting Fire Bolt. Intelligence 18
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 (Intelligence) + 3 (Proficiency) == 1d20 + 7
- Damage Roll: 2d10 (Firebolt)
- Level 10 Evocation Wizard casting the Fire Bolt, Intelligence 20,
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 (Intelligence) + 4 (Proficiency) == 1d20 + 9
- Damage Roll: 2d10 (Firebolt) + 5 (Intelligence, Empowered Evocation [PHB, 117])
- Level 13 Rogue wielding a Longsword, Dexterity 20, Strength 10
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 0 (Strength) + 0 (Non-Proficiency) == 1d20
- Damage Roll: 1d8 (or 1d10 if wielding with two hands) + 0 (Strength) == 1d8 or 1d10
- Level 13 Rogue wielding a Rapier, Dexterity 20, Strength 10
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 (Dexterity) + 5 (Proficiency) == 1d20 + 10
- Damage Roll: 1d8 + 5 (Dexterity) + 7d6 (Sneak Attack for Finesse Weapon and having an adjacent ally) == 1d8 + 5 + 7d6
Summary: Calculation of proficiency Bonus
Proficiency bonuses are determined by character level and not class level. You move one step closer towards a higher proficiency bonus every time you reach a certain level.
That applies to all classes, multiclassing options, and characters. A Fighter and a Rogue can both swing a Dagger at their enemies, adding the same Proficiency bonus. Both a level 13 wizard and a level 13 cleric add the same Proficiency bonus to their spell DCs. Only the bonus application is what changes with Proficiency Bonbon.
Is This as High as Proficiency Gets?
Although Proficiency is very simple, some mechanics let you change the amount of a proficiency bonus.
Expertise abilities are the most popular and widely used. Expertise is available to the Bard and Rogue classes. That allows them to increase their Proficiency for selected skill checks. It means that for those with 2 (or 4) skills, their ranges will change.
Bards and Rogues get crazy with skill checks.
They are not the only ones! Other classes can also double their proficiency bonus (usually for select skill checks). These make it possible for characters to move up the Skill-check race. A higher stat can’t beat doubling a proficiency bonus. To keep up with someone who adds double Proficiency, you’d need magic objects!
Half proficiency is another effect that could alter Proficiency. The Bard can slide in again with their Jack of All Trades ability. It allows them to add half of their proficiency bonus to any skill they aren’t proficient in. The Champion Fighter gives half the proficiency bonus to Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity checks. However, you also get the bonus to Initiative! ).
That is often to improve abilities you don’t have. This little boost might help you get over DCs, but it is not something to care about.
Suppose your class is about to get half Proficiency, and your party doesn’t need a specific skill check. Maybe let half Proficiency be “enough.”
Although Proficiency is not difficult, it can be complicated if you have many classes or subclasses that change how it works. Multiclassing is a great way to get thrown for a loop. You’ll be fine if you remember Proficiency is tied to character level and increases the same.
Remember, however, that your proficiency bonus will not be reduced if your class doesn’t agree. There is no limit to the number of skills you can master.
Proficiency Bonus | Level |
1-4 | +2 |
5-8 | +3 |
9-12 | +4 |
13-16 | +5 |
17-20 | +6 |
Expertise Proficiency Bonus | Level |
1-4 | +4 |
5-8 | +6 |
9-12 | +8 |
13-16 | +10 |
17-20 | +12 |
Half Proficiency Bonus | Level |
1-4 | +1 |
5-8 | +1 |
9-12 | +2 |
13-16 | +2 |
17-20 | +3 |
Best way to calculate proficiency bonus 5e?
You can find it in the description of each class. The Proficiency Bonus is your experience as a roleplayer and your power curve as a game designer. It is added to any skills, weapons, or spell attacks you are proficient in. Each class has the same procedure.
Proficiency Bonus Formula
How much is a proficiency bonus DND?
The proficiency bonus begins at +2 and increases by four levels until it reaches a maximum of +6. Monsters also have a proficiency bonus. The +0 refers to the ability tied to the check. It is either 10 or 11 and has a modifier of 0, or it is negative. The proficiency bonus is bringing it back down to 0.
Do proficiency bonus increases due to leveling apply to skills gained from the background?
Proficiency isn’t tied to anything except your character level. (i.e., if you are multiclass, for example, Rogue 3 / Cleric 2, your character level is 5, which means your proficiency bonus is +3).
Your proficiency bonus will increase your Proficiency in all areas. That includes attacks with weapons that you are proficient with, saving throws in which you are proficient, and skills you are proficient in.
From the Basic Rules, p. 7:
What is Proficiency Bonus in dnd 5e?
Your proficiency bonus is the table in your class description. It is +2 for 1st-level characters. Your proficiency bonus applies to many numbers that you will be recording on your character sheets:
- Attack rolls using weapons you’re proficient with
- Attack rolls with spells you cast
- Ability checks using skills you’re proficient in
- Ability checks using tools you’re proficient with
- Saving throws, you’re proficient in
- Saving throw DCs for spells you cast (explained in each spellcasting class)
Character Advancement | ||
Experience Points | Level | Proficiency Bonus |
0 | 1 | +2 |
300 | 2 | +2 |
900 | 3 | +2 |
2,700 | 4 | +2 |
6,500 | 5 | +3 |
14,000 | 6 | +3 |
23,000 | 7 | +3 |
34,000 | 8 | +3 |
48,000 | 9 | +4 |
64,000 | 10 | +4 |
85,000 | 11 | +4 |
100,000 | 12 | +4 |
120,000 | 13 | +5 |
140,000 | 14 | +5 |
165,000 | 15 | +5 |
195,000 | 16 | +5 |
225,000 | 17 | +6 |
265,000 | 18 | +6 |
305,000 | 19 | +6 |
355,000 | 20 | +6 |
Do I add my proficiency bonus to damage?
Attack Bonus
Four parts get added together:
- Your Ability Modifier
- For most Melee weapons, this is Strength; for most Ranged weapons, this is Dexterity; for attack-roll spells, this is your Spellcasting Ability (typically Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma)
- One exception is Finesse, which allows you to choose between Strength or Dexterity when you make an attack. You can also use the same modifier to the Damage roll. This property is only available on Melee Weapons in the core game.
- Thrown weapons are considered melee weapons even though they can be useful at close range. Check the statblock to see if there are any exceptions.
- One exception to this rule is the ability to modify your abilities with special class features and spells. A Druid who casts Shillelagh [Player’s Guide, 275] can use Wisdom to increase their attack and damage. However, Wisdom is only available on certain weapons.
- Similarly, a Hexblade Warlock [Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, 55] uses Charisma instead of Strength or Dexterity. It is for their weapon attack and damage rolls, provided the weapon they’re using matches the requirements of their Patron.
- Your Proficiency Bonus
- If you are proficient in the weapon, this applies. It’s that simple. You gain Proficiency in all weapons in the game for Martial classes such as Fighters, Barbarians, or Paladins. That means they get their Proficiency bonus. You will need to verify the proficiencies granted by other types.
- Theoretically, there are “Exotic Weapons,” which no class gains Proficiency in by default. And a character would not receive their proficiency bonus unless they gain Proficiency in it through some means. The core game does not contain any such weapons, though.
- You almost always have Proficiency with spellcasting, and this bonus is yours. __S.50__
- Special modifiers on the weapon itself
- Some magic weapons grant bonuses to the Attack Roll, Damage Roll, or Both. For example, a +1 Weapon [DMG 213] confers a bonus of +1 to both rolls.
- Buffs/Other Effects
- For example, the spell Bless [PHB 219] adds a bonus d4 roll to any attack roll that the target makes.
For example, a Level 5 Fighter with a +1 Rapier (has Finesse property), a Strength Score 16, and a Dexterity 18 would get the following bonus on their Attack Roll:
- Ability Modifier:+3 if they are using Strength or +4 if Dexterity
- Proficiency: Fighters can gain Proficiency in Rapiers.
- Magic Weapon: The weapon is a +1 Rapier, so +1.
- Total:+7 for Strength; +8 for Dexterity
Damage Bonus
- Your Ability Modifier
- Same as above: Strength for melee, Dexterity for Ranged, Strength or Dexterity for weapons that have the Finesse property (though it must be the same ability that was used to make the attack roll), Intelligence/Wisdom/Charisma for features that allow this modifier to be replaced by a different stat.
- NOT your Proficiency Bonus
- Your Proficiency Bonus is not added to damage rolls. That applies even if the weapon or spell you are proficient in is the weapon. The only exceptions are if you have a specific class feature or a feature obtained from another source. Necromancy wizards, for example, have Undead Thralls [PHB 118] as a class feature that allows them to add the wizard’s proficiency bonus to damage rolls.
- Special Modifiers
- Some magic weapons grant bonuses to the Attack Roll, Damage Roll, or Both. For example, a +1 Weapon [DMG 213] confers a bonus of +1 to both rolls.
- Buffs/Other Effects
- The spell Divine Favor [PHB], 234] allows the target, for example, to increase 1d4 Radiant damage to all Damage Rolls they have been subject to from Weapon Attacks.
As an example, let’s say they take the Dueling Fighting Style. That gives them a +2 bonus on Damage rolls if they don’t wield more than one weapon. They can only use one weapon at a time. Their Damage Bonus would then be:
- Ability Modifier:+3 if they are using Strength or +4 if Dexterity
- Magic Weapon:+1
- Buffs/Other Effects: The Dueling Fighting Style increases damage rolls for one-handed weapons by +2 if the character does not have another weapon.
- Total:+6 for Strength, +7 for Dexterity
Notably, Proficiency was not explicitly added to damage rolls. Unless a feature specifically states otherwise, Proficiency is not usually added to damage rolls.
It is also important to remember that Finesse weapons allow fighters to choose which modifier they want to use. Still, they must use the same modifier for attack and defense. For instance, they cannot use Strength to roll the Attack roll and Dexterity to roll the Damage roll.
A few other Examples
- Level 5 Wizard casting Fire Bolt. Intelligence 18
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 (Intelligence) + 3 (Proficiency) == 1d20 + 7
- Damage Roll: 2d10 (Firebolt)
- Level 10 Evocation Wizard casting the Fire Bolt, Intelligence 20,
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 (Intelligence) + 4 (Proficiency) == 1d20 + 9
- Damage Roll: 2d10 (Firebolt) + 5 (Intelligence, Empowered Evocation [PHB, 117])
- Level 13 Rogue wielding a Longsword, Dexterity 20, Strength 10
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 0 (Strength) + 0 (Non-Proficiency) == 1d20
- Damage Roll: 1d8 (or 1d10 if wielding with two hands) + 0 (Strength) == 1d8 or 1d10
- Level 13 Rogue wielding a Rapier, Dexterity 20, Strength 10
- Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 (Dexterity) + 5 (Proficiency) == 1d20 + 10
- Damage Roll: 1d8 + 5 (Dexterity) + 7d6 (Sneak Attack for Finesse Weapon and having an adjacent ally) == 1d8 + 5 + 7d6
Summary: Calculation of proficiency Bonus
Proficiency bonuses are determined by character level and not class level. You move one step closer towards a higher proficiency bonus every time you reach a certain level.
That applies to all classes, multiclassing options, and characters. A Fighter and a Rogue can both swing a Dagger at their enemies, adding the same Proficiency bonus. Both a level 13 wizard and a level 13 cleric add the same Proficiency bonus to their spell DCs. Only the bonus application is what changes with Proficiency Bonbon.
Is This as High as Proficiency Gets?
Although Proficiency is very simple, some mechanics let you change the amount of a proficiency bonus.
Expertise abilities are the most popular and widely used. Expertise is available to the Bard and Rogue classes. That allows them to increase their Proficiency for selected skill checks. It means that for those with 2 (or 4) skills, their ranges will change.
Bards and Rogues get crazy with skill checks.
They are not the only ones! Other classes can also double their proficiency bonus (usually for select skill checks). These make it possible for characters to move up the Skill-check race. A higher stat can’t beat doubling a proficiency bonus. To keep up with someone who adds double Proficiency, you’d need magic objects!
Half proficiency is another effect that could alter Proficiency. The Bard can slide in again with their Jack of All Trades ability. It allows them to add half of their proficiency bonus to any skill they aren’t proficient in. The Champion Fighter gives half the proficiency bonus to Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity checks. However, you also get the bonus to Initiative! ).
That is often to improve abilities you don’t have. This little boost might help you get over DCs, but it is not something to care about.
Suppose your class is about to get half Proficiency, and your party doesn’t need a specific skill check. Maybe let half Proficiency be “enough.”
Although Proficiency is not difficult, it can be complicated if you have many classes or subclasses that change how it works. Multiclassing is a great way to get thrown for a loop. You’ll be fine if you remember Proficiency is tied to character level and increases the same.
Remember, however, that your proficiency bonus will not be reduced if your class doesn’t agree. There is no limit to the number of skills you can master.
Proficiency Bonus | Level |
1-4 | +2 |
5-8 | +3 |
9-12 | +4 |
13-16 | +5 |
17-20 | +6 |
Expertise Proficiency Bonus | Level |
1-4 | +4 |
5-8 | +6 |
9-12 | +8 |
13-16 | +10 |
17-20 | +12 |
Half Proficiency Bonus | Level |
1-4 | +1 |
5-8 | +1 |
9-12 | +2 |
13-16 | +2 |
17-20 | +3 |