There is no single proficiency total for every level 1 D&D 5e character. The answer depends on whether you mean skill proficiencies or all proficiencies, and on the character’s edition, class, background, and other choices. If you mean skills, every background grants two, with additional skill proficiencies determined by the class and other character options.
First, what counts as a proficiency?
In D&D, “proficiencies” can refer to several kinds of training, not just skills. A character may be proficient in skills, saving throws, weapons, armor, and tools. Those categories are listed separately on the character sheet; the 2024 sheet, for example, distinguishes skills and saving throws from equipment training and proficiencies.
So a question about how many skills a character is proficient in has a narrower answer than a question about every proficiency on the sheet. The broader total also depends on which categories you decide to count.
How many skill proficiencies does a level 1 character have?
Every background grants two skill proficiencies under both the 2014 and 2024 rules described here. Your class can provide additional skill proficiencies, so the final skill count depends on the class and the character options you choose. There is no one number that applies to all level 1 characters.
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For a specific character, read the skill-proficiency grant in the chosen class description, then add the two skills from the background. Check the rules for any other selected option that grants proficiencies.
How the 2014 and 2024 rules differ
Do not combine the two rule presentations when working out a character. D&D Beyond continues to make the 2014 rules available and marks them as Legacy where 2024 counterparts have been released.
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| Rules version | Background grants | Other sources to check |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Two skill proficiencies; most backgrounds also grant one or more tool proficiencies. | Class grants and, for applicable character options, race grants. The class also supplies saving-throw and weapon proficiencies, and may grant skill or tool proficiencies. |
| 2024 | Two skill proficiencies and one tool proficiency. | Class grants, which vary by class. Check the selected class description for its proficiencies. |
The 2014 rules also address duplicate proficiencies: if the same skill or tool proficiency comes from two sources, you can choose a different proficiency of the same kind. For a character using those rules, apply that rule rather than counting the duplicate twice.
What does the level 1 proficiency bonus mean?
In the 2024 rules, a level 1 character’s proficiency bonus is +2. That is a modifier added to eligible rolls when the character is proficient; it is not the number of proficiencies the character has.
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How to find your character’s total
- Choose the rules version. Use either the 2014 rules or the revised 2024 rules for the character.
- Count skill proficiencies separately. Start with the two skills granted by the background, then add any skill proficiencies granted by the class and other selected options.
- Count other categories only if you mean the full sheet. Check the class and background rules for saving throws, weapons, armor, and tools, as applicable. Under the 2014 rules, also check whether a race grants proficiencies.
- Resolve duplicates under the chosen rules. For 2014 skill or tool overlaps, select a different proficiency of the same kind as the rules allow.
For official references, see the 2014 character-creation rules and 2014 background rules, or the 2024 character-creation rules and character-origin rules. The 2024 character sheet shows how the categories are separated.
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