D&D 5E How many skills?

[SilverBulletKY]

Doesn't most classes get at least 4 skills? 2 or more from the class and/or race and 2 from background? I was looking at something that made me second guess myself and appeared you only got your class/race skills but could change those to whatever skills your background allowed, just giving your more options, but not more skills.

 

[Tormyr]

You get any skills given by your race, class and background. What were you looking at that made you think differently?

 

[77IM]

Your initial interpretation was correct: background skills are in addition to class skills, so all characters get at least 4 skills (2 from class + 2 from background).

 

[SilverBulletKY]

You get any skills given by your race, class and background. What were you looking at that made you think differently?

Actually the Dungeonscape beta. It's only giving the skills from race and class. It's not working in a lot of areas though.

 

[Tormyr]

Actually the Dungeonscape beta. It's only giving the skills from race and class. It's not working in a lot of areas though.

Don't base any rule decisions on the beta. Even after Dungeonscape is released, the core books should generally have final say in case of bugs.

 

[mcbobbo]

I still don't comprehend where people are 'getting' that characters get any skills at all. Everyone gets all the skills now. Some you get a modest bonus with, but you have them all.

 

[Boarstorm]

"Getting a skill" is shorthand for "getting your proficiency bonus with a skill."

 

[mcbobbo]

Sort of how "sleeping" is short for "sleeping with my boss's wife"...

 

[Boarstorm]

Sort of how "sleeping" is short for "sleeping with my boss's wife"...

Kind of like that, yes, except not at all.

 

[mcbobbo]

It goes to the point. The important part is whether you can make the check at all, not necessarily whether or not you get a 10% bonus to that check. In this edition you can always try, and with good stats you are likely to succeed. There's no 'untrained' penalty. There's no downside to 'not getting' a skill.