Mastering D&D Skill Checks: The Ultimate Ranking Guide

Dungeons & Dragons goes beyond mere combat tactics. Players are not solely focused on wielding their weapons and casting spells; they spend most of their time exploring the world, seeking treasure, and conversing with non-playable characters. Their success or failure in these endeavors is determined by d20 skill checks.

While all skills can prove useful, some are more commonly utilized than others. Furthermore, certain checks may not arise frequently, but when they do, they are crucial. Thus, it is advantageous to have at least one party member who excels in these skills.

Updated as of May 22, 2023, the release of the Dungeons & Dragons film, Honor Among Thieves, has attracted even more players to this beloved tabletop RPG. The allure of immersing oneself in a fantastical realm is undeniable, and creating a character for a new campaign presents an exciting journey.

One essential aspect of character creation entails selecting Proficiencies, which are special abilities that grant a bonus to a character's skills. For novice players, it may be challenging to determine which Proficiencies are worth investing in. While some abilities may be more advantageous than others, all of them have their uses, including the lesser-known ones. This list provides a ranking of all ability skills in D&D 5th Edition, based on their usefulness, from least to most effective.

16 Religion (Intelligence)

This skill focuses on understanding the gods and their worship, including their representations, worshippers, and beliefs. While Religion checks can be useful in certain situations in D&D, they are not commonly used and are considered a lower priority skill.

Typically, only Clerics and Paladins use Religion checks regularly, and the information they provide is usually not essential to the game. In some cases, the information gained from a Religion check can be obtained through other skills such as History or Arcana. However, it may be beneficial to have a party member with a strong Religion skill if the adventure involves exploring ancient temples or confronting cults.

15Survival (Wisdom)

Survival skills are essential for staying alive in the wilderness. However, some of the actions covered by a Survival check, such as assessing potential dangers or scanning the area for dangerous animals, can also fall under other skill checks like Nature or Perception, making it somewhat redundant.

Despite this, it's still important to have at least one party member with proficiency in Survival, such as a Druid or Ranger, in case the party finds themselves in a dangerous wilderness. This player can take charge of important tasks like building fires, finding clean water, and identifying potential threats.

Animal Handling, which falls under Wisdom, is a useful skill for those looking to interact with animals in the wild. Whether you're trying to befriend a hostile dog, catch a stray goose, or mount a wild horse, a successful Animal Handling check can make all the difference. However, it's worth noting that Animal Handling checks don't come up very often compared to other skills on this list.

Medicine may appear useful for first aid, but compared to other Wisdom skills, it falls short. Typically, characters only require a healing spell to stop bleeding, and don't need to understand the cause. However, Medicine could prove valuable in identifying ailments, discovering cures, or gathering information about local narcotics for a quest. Although it can contribute to the party's safety, it's a more specialized skill than those higher on this list.

Trying to persuade NPCs to cooperate can be a challenge in D&D. Luckily, there are various ways characters can make it easier, and Intimidation is one of them. This skill allows characters to scare or bully others into submission, making it useful for obtaining information or items. However, using Intimidation can have consequences. Depending on how the party wants to be perceived by NPCs, it may not always be the best approach. It's best to reserve Intimidation for enemies rather than innocent townspeople unless a character wants to cultivate a reputation for intimidation.

Knowing the active spells in a specific area can be crucial in saving the party. By performing an Arcana check, the school of magic can be identified along with the potential caster or enchanter. Not only can Arcana checks identify magical objects, but they can also provide valuable information for taking preventative measures against potential threats. Although not as frequently rolled as Perception or Investigation, a successful Arcana roll can offer essential insights.

Nature checks are crucial in D&D campaigns that involve traversing different terrains. Whether it's a snowy wasteland, a hostile wood, or a blistering desert, players will inevitably have to rely on their knowledge of nature to survive. These checks enable players to navigate themselves by the stars, predict incoming storms, and find secure campsites for the night.

Sleight Of Hand (Dexterity)

Sleight of Hand is a rogueish skill that goes beyond mere pickpocketing and shoplifting. It requires deft, silent hand movements, and can come in handy throughout a campaign. From jimmying a lock to forging a signature, or trying to pocket a valuable magic item before the party's sorcerer sees, this skill can be incredibly versatile.

In essence, Sleight Of Hand measures one's ability to use their hands without being noticed. This makes it useful for casting spells with somatic components without NPCs noticing, or communicating with other characters through hand gestures. A successful Sleight Of Hand check can indicate how subtly a character can perform these actions.

Throughout the Forgotten Realms, adventurers often encounter obstacles such as cliffs, boulders, sinkholes, and more. To overcome these challenges, characters rely on their physical abilities, either through their strength or flexibility. The Athletics skill, which is governed by Strength, is useful for tasks such as climbing or moving heavy objects. On the other hand, Acrobatics, which is governed by Dexterity, is useful for balancing on narrow bridges or vaulting over fallen trees.

Both skills cover similar scenarios and provide players with a choice between Athletics or Acrobatics, depending on which skill is higher or what makes more sense for their character. For example, characters may choose to climb down a rocky cliff or dive gracefully into the water below. Ultimately, Dungeons and Dragons is all about making choices and using your skills to navigate the world around you.

Deception is a crucial skill for TTRPG characters who often find themselves in trouble. It involves the ability to convincingly lie and bluff. A successful roll for this skill can determine how well a character can hide their tells when trying to sell a story. Characters can use Deception to gain access to opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them, such as pretending to be someone else, selling counterfeit goods, or providing a false alibi. While it may not sit well with Lawful Good members of the party, they will ultimately appreciate the tricks of their resident tricksters.

Insight (Wisdom)

Not all NPCs can be trusted, and some may have hidden agendas or information they're not sharing with the party. A quest-giver might downplay the dangers of a given location, or townsfolk might avoid discussing their tyrannical ruler out of fear. Insight is a character's ability to read others and determine their true motives.

No matter what the Barbarian says, charging headfirst into battle is not always the best idea. The success or failure of a Stealth check can make or break an encounter, whether the party is storming a castle, sneaking through caves full of hostile creatures, or just trying not to wake a sleeping bear.

By successfully sneaking, the party may gain the element of surprise when attacking a foe. Additionally, a character can gather intelligence in enemy territory without being spotted. As any Rogue will tell you, Stealth is always a smart approach when executed successfully.

A smooth talker is essential in any party. From gaining access to restricted areas to convincing NPCs to agree to a plan, or even haggling with shopkeepers, persuasion is a valuable skill that comes in handy frequently throughout the game.

While the Intimidation skill can also be useful in similar circumstances, it's important to remember that it's easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar. NPCs may not take kindly to threats and scare tactics from a party member. A persuasive character can use their words to get what they want while maintaining a positive relationship with others.

For successful completion of quests, one must pay attention to the small details in their surroundings. Dungeon Masters are well aware of this and often hide crucial information that players might overlook. Perception checks test the sharpness of a character's senses, while Insight involves interpreting another's behavior.

A player who succeeds in a Perception check might detect the sound of footsteps indicating they are being followed, or sense an ominous presence signaling the presence of dangerous magic. With a character skilled in Perception, players can gather vital clues and gain a strategic advantage over their adversaries. A high Perception roll can uncover valuable information in any scenario, be it combat or exploration. This versatile skill is the most valuable ability in D&D.