dnd-5e – Standard Terminology for Proficiency

dnd-5eproficiencyterminology

I’ve seen a few things that say “you are proficient with X”, other things that say “you have proficiency with X”, and still others that say “you gain proficiency in X”. Is there a standard for these? For example, is one used for skills, one used for weapons, etc.?

Best Answer

There are some trends based on the slight differences in meaning.

The books use the different wordings based on when you would normally use them in the English language.

The official D&D Style Guide (p. 8 in v. 1.08a) addresses the difference between 'in' and 'with':

  • You are proficient or have/gain proficiency in a skill, language, or other activity that is learnable and repeatable.
  • You are proficient or have/gain proficiency with a tool, weapon, type of armor, or other object.

Looking through all the books there are some clear other trends too:

  • Racial features generally use 'have proficiency'. The features are picked at the start of character creation and don't generally change going forward, so you don't really 'gain' them as much as just have them from 'birth'.
  • Class features generally use 'gain proficiency'. Following the same reasoning as above but the other way around, class features are gained as your character grows.
  • Spells generally use 'have proficiency'. This is likely done because these effects are generally temporary, you have proficiency for a duration. It wouldn't be wrong to use 'gain' but there is a slight implication that once gained it has to be then ungained. The intent would obviously still be clear but using 'have' is ever so slightly clearer.
  • Magic items use both wordings but not at random. Generally they use 'gain', except for when the effect is either temporary or a restriction is specified in the description (like 'while wearing/wielding' or 'while attuned').
  • That leaves 'is/are proficient'. This is generally not used for features granting a proficiency, instead it is used in restrictions: 'if you are proficient with'.

In conclusion, there are clearly some preferred wordings used depending on the context. There are obviously exceptions, so it's best to always think for yourself which wording works best in your situation.

Related Topic