Dungeons & Dragons: Expertise, Explained

In Dungeons & Dragons, skill proficiencies are crucial for success outside of combat. A character's proficiency modifier significantly improves their chances in skill checks; for example, a ranger proficient in Survival excels in wilderness navigation. However, even proficiency doesn't guarantee success. For mastery, there's Expertise. This guide explores Expertise, its mechanics, and how to acquire it, updated to reflect the 2024 Player's Handbook.

Expertise Changes in the 2024 PHB

The 2024 Player's Handbook refined Expertise, but its core function remains unchanged. Key differences include:

1. New Feats Grant Expertise: Additional feats now grant Expertise, even if a character's class doesn't offer it.
2. Class Level Adjustments: The levels at which certain classes gain Expertise, and which classes have access, have been adjusted (detailed below).

Understanding Expertise

Expertise is a powerful feature that significantly enhances a character's skill in a specific area. Normally, a proficient character adds their proficiency bonus to their ability score modifier for skill checks. Expertise doubles this proficiency bonus.

Proficiency Bonus by Level:

Character Level	Proficiency Bonus
1-4	2
5-8	3
9-12	4
13-16	5
17-20	6

With Expertise, the bonus is doubled:

Character Level	Expertise Modifier
1-4	4
5-8	6
9-12	8
13-16	10
17-20	12

Expertise applies only to the specific skill, not all checks using the same ability score. For example, Expertise in Intimidation only affects Intimidation checks, not Persuasion. A level 5 character with Expertise could potentially roll a 30 or higher on a skill check.

Classes with Expertise

These classes gain Expertise: Artificer, Bard, Ranger, Rogue, and Wizard.

Class	Expertise Level(s)	Details
Artificer	6th	Expertise with any tools they are proficient with.
Bard	2nd, 9th	Expertise in two skills of their choice at 2nd and 9th level.
Ranger	2nd, 9th	One skill at 2nd level, two at 9th level.
Rogue	1st, 6th	Expertise in two skills of their choice at 1st and 6th level.
Wizard	2nd	Expertise in Arcana, History, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, or Religion (if proficient).

A one-level dip into Rogue provides early access to Expertise.

Feats Granting Expertise

Feats offer another path to Expertise:

Feat	Prerequisite(s)	Details
Keen Mind		Expertise in Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, or Religion (if proficient).
Observant		Expertise in Insight, Investigation, or Perception (if proficient).
Skill Expert		Expertise in any one proficient skill.
Boon of Skill		Expertise in any one proficient skill.

These feats provide additional benefits beyond Expertise. Consult the 2024 Player's Handbook for details.

Expertise in Combat

While most skills are used outside combat, Expertise can impact combat:

• Stealth Expertise helps with the Hide action.
• Athletics Expertise improves grappling success.

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