Whether you’re playing your very first session or finally asking, “Wait, what is an ability check, anyway?”—you’re not alone. Learning how to make an ability check in D&D 5e can feel confusing at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s break it down together, tavern-style.
What Is an Ability Check in D&D 5e?
An ability check is when your Dungeon Master (DM) asks you to roll a d20 (that’s the 20-sided die) to see if your character succeeds at something that isn’t automatic. Climbing a slippery wall, persuading a merchant, or noticing a hidden door—these all call for checks.
The DM chooses which of the six abilities (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma) applies to the task, and you roll to see if your character can pull it off.
Example: Your rogue wants to sneak past a guard. That’s a Dexterity check. You roll a d20, then add your Dexterity modifier.
How to Roll an Ability Check in D&D 5e
- Roll a d20
- Add your relevant ability modifier (found on your character sheet)
- Add your proficiency bonus if you’re proficient in the related skill
- Tell the DM your total
The DM compares your result to a Difficulty Class (DC). If you meet or beat it, you succeed. That’s it!
What Modifiers Do I Use?
Each ability score (like Dexterity or Charisma) has a modifier based on the number you rolled during character creation. You can usually find it next to the big number on your sheet in parentheses.
| Score | Modifier |
|---|---|
| 8–9 | -1 |
| 10–11 | +0 |
| 12–13 | +1 |
| 14–15 | +2 |
| 16–17 | +3 |
| 18–19 | +4 |
If you’re trained in a skill (like Stealth or Persuasion), you also add your proficiency bonus to the roll. At level 1, that’s usually +2.
Quick Tip: Just look at the Skills section on your character sheet. If the skill is bolded or has a dot next to it, you’re proficient.
Ability Checks vs Saving Throws vs Attack Rolls
These three rolls are easy to mix up. Here’s a quick tavern-friendly cheat:
- Ability Check: You try something challenging.
- Saving Throw: You react to something dangerous.
- Attack Roll: You try to hit something.
Common Ability Check Examples
| Task | Ability | Skill (if applicable) |
| Jumping over a chasm | Strength | Athletics |
| Sneaking past a guard | Dexterity | Stealth |
| Reading ancient texts | Intelligence | Arcana or History |
| Spotting an ambush | Wisdom | Perception |
| Convincing a noble to help | Charisma | Persuasion |
Final Advice for New Players
Don’t stress if you forget when to roll an ability check in D&D 5e—your DM will guide you. What matters most is describing what your character does in the world. The dice come in to see how well you do it.
And remember: even a failed roll can lead to fun, unexpected outcomes. Embrace the chaos!
Want to go deeper? Learn how to roll your ability scores here and check out our post on saving throws in D&D 5e.
