Hi I´m new to the game and trying to setup a group with the new 5th edition Starter Set.
So I´m training a bit, with watching the official Lost Mine Of Phandelver Playthrough on Twitch, and looking up myself on the rules and premade characters how the fightig works.
And this works quite well for understanding, there is only one thing I don´t understand that well. And this is the Proficiency Bonus.
So in the rules its written that proficiency bonuses work on everything your proficient with, and these are all written down on the premade character.
So I give 2 examples and maybe with these you can exmplain me how it works.
Example one:
A normal fight with my proficient weapon.
Lets say I´m a fighter using a greatsword and i´m proficient with marcial weapons(and greatsword should be one of them if I see it right).
So the stats are "Greatsword | +4(atk bonus) | 2d6 + 2 slashing dmg"
First question, does the proficiency bonus add with every attack i do every round? (Because it seems a bit strong)
And second to which roll does the proficiency bonus add?
To the Hit roll(like lets say I roll a 14 against a goblin with 15 AC, does it add to the hit roll and get to 16, so that I hit?)
Or does it add to the damage roll of 2d6 + 2 (and again +2 for proficiency?)
Or does it add to both?
How does it work?
And example number two:
Hiding,
the rules describe it with an example:
"For example, if a 1st level character (with proficiency bonus of +2) has a Wisdom of 15 (a +2 modifier) and proficiency in Perception, he or she has a passive wisdom(perception) of 14"
First, how do I know what attributes I´m proficient with? (Are these the ones marked with black dots instead of white ones?)
And second do I even have to add it manually anywhere? Or is it already added to everything. Because the premade characters already have the skills and passive wisdom perceptions written on the sheet.
So I just want to now as a new player, who will use the premade characters, where/when do I have to use the preception bonus.
Thanks for the help. Gonna ask more questions when I stumble over more.
1.) Your attack rolls are a combination of your attack stat, and your proficiency bonus if you are proficient with that weapon, or you are casting a spell. So your fighter example, attacking with a greatsword, would be using his strength to attack (it is a melee attack, and not using a finesse weapon)
So your +4 to hit is your strength modifier (+2) and your proficiency bonus (+2). When attacking with a weapon you apply your attack stat's ability modifier to the damage. So the +2 is your strength
modifier. If the fighter has a 16 or 17 Strength, your strength mod will be +3, and your attack will be +5, and your damage would be +3.
This applies to every attack you make
The numbers listed: +4 hit, 2d6+2 damage already incorporate your proficiency bonus.
2.) The black dots are for skills or saves you are proficient with. If you have a pregen character, they should already be incorporated and you do not need to ever add your proficiency bonus. If you are rolling from scratch, you calculate your total roll (stat modifier + prof bonus) and put it on the relevant line, then just add that value to your rolls.
If you look at all of your skills and saves, you will see they should all be the Ability Modifier for that stat + your prof bonus, if you are proficient.
Got it,
thanks for the nice and easy explanation.
Also, Welcome to the Game. Glad to have you join us.
The easy way I remember the Proficiency modifier:
Is it a d20 roll? Are you "good" at it because you chose it at character creation/your premade character is trained in it?
Then you add it.
Don't forget that the rogue can sometimes add double their proficiency bonus to a dice roll. That's always fun. 