Proficiency

The Proficiency system is how the game determines whether to add a creature's Proficiency Bonus to a Die Roll. One can have Proficiency in Weapons, Spellcasting, Saving Throws, and Skills.

Weapon Proficiency

A creature can be proficient in entire categories of Weapons (Martial, Simple, Improvised), or it can be proficient in specific types of weapons such as Longswords, Longbows, etc. These proficiencies can be granted by the creature's Race, Class, or Feats chosen when leveling up. Having proficiency in the weapon one is using means that the Proficiency Bonus will be added to the Attack Roll. When the weapon is equipped in the main hand, it also enables special properties and actions of that weapon type, such as Tenacity, Piercing Strike, Flourish, Lacerate, Pommel Strike, and so on.

Weapon Proficiencies granted by Race and Class

Racial Weapon Proficiencies
Drow	Rapiers,  Shortswords,  Hand Crossbows
Dwarf	Battleaxes,  Handaxes,  Light Hammers,  Warhammers
Elf	Longswords,  Shortswords,  Longbows,  Shortbows
Githyanki	Greatswords,  Longswords,  Shortswords
Class Weapon Proficiencies
Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger	Martial Weapons, Simple Weapons (In effect, all weapons except Improvised.)
Bard	Simple Weapons,  Hand Crossbows,  Longswords,  Rapiers,  Shortswords
Cleric, Warlock	Simple Weapons
Druid	Clubs,  Daggers,  Javelins,  Maces,  Quarterstaves,  Scimitars,  Sickles,  Spears
Rogue	Simple Weapons,  Hand Crossbows,  Longswords,  Rapiers,  Shortswords
Sorcerer, Wizard	Daggers,  Quarterstaves,  Light Crossbows

Spellcasting Proficiency

All creatures capable of spellcasting on the regular (i.e., without the use of magical items or scrolls) have proficiency in spellcasting. This means that the creature's Proficiency Bonus will be added to the Attack Rolls of spells, and to the Difficulty Class of Saving Throws imposed on others via spells. Although all spellcasters have it, the lack of spellcasting proficiency can nevertheless become apparent, when a creature not regularly capable of casting spells does so through the use of a magical item or scroll.

Saving Throw Proficiency

Having proficiency in a type of Saving Throw such as Strength Save, Dexterity Save, and so on, means that the creature making the save can add its Proficiency Bonus to the result. Each Class provides proficiency in two types of saving throw.

Saving Throw Proficiencies by Class

Barbarian	Bard	Cleric
Strength  Constitution	Dexterity  Charisma	Wisdom  Charisma
Druid	Fighter	Monk
Intelligence  Wisdom	Strength  Constitution	Strength  Dexterity
Paladin	Ranger	Rogue
Wisdom  Charisma	Strength  Dexterity	Dexterity  Intelligence
Sorcerer	Warlock	Wizard
Constitution  Charisma	Wisdom  Charisma	Intelligence  Wisdom

Skill Proficiency

Being proficient in a Skill means that a creature adds its Proficiency Bonus when making a corresponding Skill Check. Skill proficiency can be granted by a creature's Background or Class.

Skill proficiencies granted by each background

Background	Skills
Acolyte	Insight	Religion
Charlatan	Deception	Sleight of Hand
Criminal	Deception	Stealth
Entertainer	Acrobatics	Performance
Folk Hero	Animal Handling	Survival
Guild Artisan	Insight	Persuasion
Noble	History	Persuasion
Outlander	Athletics	Survival
Sage	Arcana	History
Soldier	Athletics	Intimidation
Urchin	Sleight of Hand	Stealth