My character is a high elf rogue with criminal background. I ended up with
proficiencies in acrobatics, deception, investigation, perception, performance, sleight of hand, and stealth.
This gives me 7 skill proficiencies which seems like too many. Did I make a mistake somewhere?
Do you gain additional skills proficiency from race and background? For example, do I get deception and stealth just because I chose criminal?
Do High-elves get perception from keen senses?
Or are these just additional choices I have to pick from?
Best Answer
You seem to have the correct amount. Here is a breakdown of why:
When starting off at level 1 as a Rogue you get to choose four from Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth, plus proficiency in Thieves' tools.
So far we're at four, plus one in tools.
Criminal background gives you proficiency in Deception, Stealth, a gaming set, and thieves' tools. When you get proficiency in a tool that you already have proficiency in, you can take proficiency in another tool.
That gives you six in skills, two in tools, one in gaming sets.
Then, at level one in Rogue you get to add expertise in two proficiencies, but this doesn't add more, this only doubles your proficiency bonus in one of the skills you are already proficient in.
As a High-elf you get proficiency in Perception from the Keen Senses trait, as you mentioned.
This adds up to seven, which is the exact amount you should have. Plus two tool proficiencies, and a gaming set.