To give characters a more unique set of stats, Skill Points will used in place of Proficiency Bonus for skills, tools, and languages. ## Skill Points at 1st level: Count the number of proficiencies in a tool, language, or skill you would get from your class, background, race, and other sources at 1st level. These represent your 'Proficiency Pool' and help to determine the number of Skill Points you receive. It's important make a note of how many proficiencies are in your Proficiency Pool as it will be added to in later levels. After you determine your Proficiency Pool, refer to the table below to determine how many Skill Points you begin with. For example, a half-elf (+2 skill proficiencies, +3 language proficiencies) rogue (+4 skill proficiencies, +1 tool proficiency) with the criminal background (+2 skill proficiencies, +2 tool proficiencies) has 14 skill proficiencies. This gives a total of 28 Skill Points based on the table. You then assign your skill points to your choice of any combination of tools, skills, and languages regardless of the proficiencies listed in your race, class, background, and other sources. Assigned points give the following benefits: * Adding a Skill Point to a skill gives a +1 bonus to rolls made using that skill. * Adding a Skill Point to a tool proficiency gives a +1 bonus to rolls made using that tool. * Learning a language requires 1, 2, or 3 Skill Points. * Adding 1 point to a Language allows you to read the language and understand spoken word when given enough time. Trying to read an ancient Draconic tome wouldn't be possible in the midst of battle, but with a few minutes back at camp, you could probably translate it. * Adding 2 points to a language allows you to read the language and understand spoken word under pressure as well as write the language. You can also speak bits of the language, though it's obvious that it is not your native language. * Adding 3 points to a language means you are fluent in the language on all fronts. You can read, understand, write, and speak the language with easy. ## Skill Points at Higher Levels: Every time you gain a level, find the corresponding number of Skill Points on the table by comparing your level to your Proficiency Pool. Distribute the new skill points to your character's skills, languages, and tools. Some features will give you additional proficiencies when you level up or gain an ability. These proficiencies get added to your Proficiency Pool and will change the number of Skill Points you have available. Find the corresponding number of Skill Points on the table by comparing your level to your updated Proficiency Pool. Distribute the new skill points to your character's skills, languages, and tools. To add to our example from before, if the rogue multiclasses to become a Lore Bard and continues to gain experience to level 4, they can pick up another skill proficiency from multiclassing plus another 3 from the Lore Bard’s 3rd level feature – which gives them a total of 18 skill proficiencies – or a whopping 50 skill points at 4th level! ![[5e Skill Points 1.png]] ## Other Rules - **Skill Point Cap.** The number of Skill Points assigned to a specific skill can’t exceed the regular proficiency bonus +2 (which means a maximum of 4 at 1st level, 5 at 5th level, 6 at 9th level, and so on). - **Saving Skill Points.** You can ‘save’ Skill Points until you decide which skill you want to spend them on, or until the cap (see ‘Skill Point Cap’) on maximum Skill Points per skill increases with your proficiency bonus. (It’s helpful to keep track of total skill points and spent skill points somewhere on your character sheet). - **Expertise.** As usual, your bonus in a skill you have Expertise in is doubled. - **Reliable Talent.** Reliable Talent (and similar features) applies only to skills that you have assigned at least amount of Skill Points to match the RAW proficiency bonus. (see ‘Skill Point Cap’). - **Jack-of-All-Trades**. Jack-of-all-Trades (and similar features) allows you to add half your Skill Point Cap, rounded down, to any skill check you make that doesn’t already include your proficiency bonus, or the difference between the two, if the number of skill points assigned to the skill is less than half your Skill Point Cap, rounded down. - **Reassigning Skill Points.** You can reassign one already assigned Skill Point every time you level up. This rule allows characters to ‘unlearn’ certain skills and reinvest in other skills, which seems both realistic and allows characters to progress and adapt faster. - **Bonus Intelligence Skill Points.** You gain a flat bonus to your total Skill Points equal to your Intelligence Modifier. Intelligence is widely regarded as one of the weaker ability scores in the game. Giving characters a bonus to Skill Points (as opposed to full Skill Proficiencies, which would be too strong) equal to their Intelligence Modifier helps make Intelligence more attractive. This rule can only be used if all members of the party are using it, otherwise it breaks the math.