Are there mistakes on the pre-rolled Basic Set wizard and ranger character sheets?
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
I am returning to D&D having not played since first edition and am trying to get my head around the character building process before I try and explain it to some new players.
I have been reading through the PHB and working through the pre-rolled character sheets from the Basic Set to help me understand everything, and have been confused by the skills/proficienies for the Wizard and Ranger.
Short version - I feel like I am missing something, but am wondering if there are errors on the sheets.
The Wizard gets proficiency for Insight and Religion from Acolyte background, and Arcana and Investigation for being a Wizard, but why does he also have Perception? [Also - there is no Passive wisdom (perception) score?]
The Ranger gets proficiency for Athletics and Survival from Outlander background, but then has four additional proficiencies (Insight, Nature, Perception, Stealth), but is only supposed to get three for being a Ranger.
Is there a simple explanation?
dnd-5e character-creation skills proficiency
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
I am returning to D&D having not played since first edition and am trying to get my head around the character building process before I try and explain it to some new players.
I have been reading through the PHB and working through the pre-rolled character sheets from the Basic Set to help me understand everything, and have been confused by the skills/proficienies for the Wizard and Ranger.
Short version - I feel like I am missing something, but am wondering if there are errors on the sheets.
The Wizard gets proficiency for Insight and Religion from Acolyte background, and Arcana and Investigation for being a Wizard, but why does he also have Perception? [Also - there is no Passive wisdom (perception) score?]
The Ranger gets proficiency for Athletics and Survival from Outlander background, but then has four additional proficiencies (Insight, Nature, Perception, Stealth), but is only supposed to get three for being a Ranger.
Is there a simple explanation?
dnd-5e character-creation skills proficiency
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
what race are they?
– ravery
16 hours ago
The Wizard is a high elf, and the ranger is a wood elf - I checked the race descriptions, but they don't seem to get any extra skill proficiencies
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
1
Really since first edition? Note that elf is a race now, not a profession :)
– JollyJoker
11 hours ago
1
I assume you're referring to the Starter Set? (Since I don't know of any 5e product called the "Basic Set".) Though it doesn't have a pregen ranger that comes with it (though there are a number of pregen character sheets on WotC's website); the pregens are 2 human fighters (noble and folk hero backgrounds), a dwarf cleric, an elf wizard, and a halfling rogue.
– V2Blast
6 hours ago
"Basic set" is a term from the 1e age back when D&D was two different gaming systems. It is the simplified D&D, fairly characterized as a starter set, IIRC it came in a 6x9" white box all-inclusive including (lousy) dice. The other system was AD&D (A=Advanced), the one with the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, DM's Guide, etc. and you had to buy your own dice. I could totally understand calling the Starter Set the basic set.
– Harper
59 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
I am returning to D&D having not played since first edition and am trying to get my head around the character building process before I try and explain it to some new players.
I have been reading through the PHB and working through the pre-rolled character sheets from the Basic Set to help me understand everything, and have been confused by the skills/proficienies for the Wizard and Ranger.
Short version - I feel like I am missing something, but am wondering if there are errors on the sheets.
The Wizard gets proficiency for Insight and Religion from Acolyte background, and Arcana and Investigation for being a Wizard, but why does he also have Perception? [Also - there is no Passive wisdom (perception) score?]
The Ranger gets proficiency for Athletics and Survival from Outlander background, but then has four additional proficiencies (Insight, Nature, Perception, Stealth), but is only supposed to get three for being a Ranger.
Is there a simple explanation?
dnd-5e character-creation skills proficiency
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I am returning to D&D having not played since first edition and am trying to get my head around the character building process before I try and explain it to some new players.
I have been reading through the PHB and working through the pre-rolled character sheets from the Basic Set to help me understand everything, and have been confused by the skills/proficienies for the Wizard and Ranger.
Short version - I feel like I am missing something, but am wondering if there are errors on the sheets.
The Wizard gets proficiency for Insight and Religion from Acolyte background, and Arcana and Investigation for being a Wizard, but why does he also have Perception? [Also - there is no Passive wisdom (perception) score?]
The Ranger gets proficiency for Athletics and Survival from Outlander background, but then has four additional proficiencies (Insight, Nature, Perception, Stealth), but is only supposed to get three for being a Ranger.
Is there a simple explanation?
dnd-5e character-creation skills proficiency
dnd-5e character-creation skills proficiency
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
edited 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
7,65043469
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
asked 16 hours ago
canis-minor
714
714
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
canis-minor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
what race are they?
– ravery
16 hours ago
The Wizard is a high elf, and the ranger is a wood elf - I checked the race descriptions, but they don't seem to get any extra skill proficiencies
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
1
Really since first edition? Note that elf is a race now, not a profession :)
– JollyJoker
11 hours ago
1
I assume you're referring to the Starter Set? (Since I don't know of any 5e product called the "Basic Set".) Though it doesn't have a pregen ranger that comes with it (though there are a number of pregen character sheets on WotC's website); the pregens are 2 human fighters (noble and folk hero backgrounds), a dwarf cleric, an elf wizard, and a halfling rogue.
– V2Blast
6 hours ago
"Basic set" is a term from the 1e age back when D&D was two different gaming systems. It is the simplified D&D, fairly characterized as a starter set, IIRC it came in a 6x9" white box all-inclusive including (lousy) dice. The other system was AD&D (A=Advanced), the one with the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, DM's Guide, etc. and you had to buy your own dice. I could totally understand calling the Starter Set the basic set.
– Harper
59 mins ago
add a comment |
what race are they?
– ravery
16 hours ago
The Wizard is a high elf, and the ranger is a wood elf - I checked the race descriptions, but they don't seem to get any extra skill proficiencies
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
1
Really since first edition? Note that elf is a race now, not a profession :)
– JollyJoker
11 hours ago
1
I assume you're referring to the Starter Set? (Since I don't know of any 5e product called the "Basic Set".) Though it doesn't have a pregen ranger that comes with it (though there are a number of pregen character sheets on WotC's website); the pregens are 2 human fighters (noble and folk hero backgrounds), a dwarf cleric, an elf wizard, and a halfling rogue.
– V2Blast
6 hours ago
"Basic set" is a term from the 1e age back when D&D was two different gaming systems. It is the simplified D&D, fairly characterized as a starter set, IIRC it came in a 6x9" white box all-inclusive including (lousy) dice. The other system was AD&D (A=Advanced), the one with the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, DM's Guide, etc. and you had to buy your own dice. I could totally understand calling the Starter Set the basic set.
– Harper
59 mins ago
what race are they?
– ravery
16 hours ago
what race are they?
– ravery
16 hours ago
The Wizard is a high elf, and the ranger is a wood elf - I checked the race descriptions, but they don't seem to get any extra skill proficiencies
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
The Wizard is a high elf, and the ranger is a wood elf - I checked the race descriptions, but they don't seem to get any extra skill proficiencies
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
1
1
Really since first edition? Note that elf is a race now, not a profession :)
– JollyJoker
11 hours ago
Really since first edition? Note that elf is a race now, not a profession :)
– JollyJoker
11 hours ago
1
1
I assume you're referring to the Starter Set? (Since I don't know of any 5e product called the "Basic Set".) Though it doesn't have a pregen ranger that comes with it (though there are a number of pregen character sheets on WotC's website); the pregens are 2 human fighters (noble and folk hero backgrounds), a dwarf cleric, an elf wizard, and a halfling rogue.
– V2Blast
6 hours ago
I assume you're referring to the Starter Set? (Since I don't know of any 5e product called the "Basic Set".) Though it doesn't have a pregen ranger that comes with it (though there are a number of pregen character sheets on WotC's website); the pregens are 2 human fighters (noble and folk hero backgrounds), a dwarf cleric, an elf wizard, and a halfling rogue.
– V2Blast
6 hours ago
"Basic set" is a term from the 1e age back when D&D was two different gaming systems. It is the simplified D&D, fairly characterized as a starter set, IIRC it came in a 6x9" white box all-inclusive including (lousy) dice. The other system was AD&D (A=Advanced), the one with the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, DM's Guide, etc. and you had to buy your own dice. I could totally understand calling the Starter Set the basic set.
– Harper
59 mins ago
"Basic set" is a term from the 1e age back when D&D was two different gaming systems. It is the simplified D&D, fairly characterized as a starter set, IIRC it came in a 6x9" white box all-inclusive including (lousy) dice. The other system was AD&D (A=Advanced), the one with the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, DM's Guide, etc. and you had to buy your own dice. I could totally understand calling the Starter Set the basic set.
– Harper
59 mins ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
29
down vote
The omission of passive perception is a mistake - nothing else is wrong here.
The Wizard gets proficiency in Perception from being an elf. All elves get the following:
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. SRD p. 4
All characters should have a Passive Perception, whether it's good or bad, so the fact that it's missing from the Wizard's sheet is an oversight. Passive Perception can be calculated as:
10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check SRD p. 78
So in this instance the Wizards Passive Perception should be 10 + 3 = 13. Feel free to just write that in yourself.
The Wood Elf Ranger is not from the starter set but one of the pregenerated characters available online. However, the extra proficiency in Perception once again comes from the fact that they are an elf - as listed above.
Note The reason that Keen Senses is not mentioned on either of these character sheets (the bonus from it is just already applied) is that these sheets are not attempting to help you learn how to build a character. There are other resources in fifth edition that can do this. These sheets are simply providing players who want to get started quickly with a readymade character - they're not showing their working at all.
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
1
Thanks - for the fullsome answer - I just (finally) found it on p.23 of the PHB
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
29
down vote
The omission of passive perception is a mistake - nothing else is wrong here.
The Wizard gets proficiency in Perception from being an elf. All elves get the following:
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. SRD p. 4
All characters should have a Passive Perception, whether it's good or bad, so the fact that it's missing from the Wizard's sheet is an oversight. Passive Perception can be calculated as:
10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check SRD p. 78
So in this instance the Wizards Passive Perception should be 10 + 3 = 13. Feel free to just write that in yourself.
The Wood Elf Ranger is not from the starter set but one of the pregenerated characters available online. However, the extra proficiency in Perception once again comes from the fact that they are an elf - as listed above.
Note The reason that Keen Senses is not mentioned on either of these character sheets (the bonus from it is just already applied) is that these sheets are not attempting to help you learn how to build a character. There are other resources in fifth edition that can do this. These sheets are simply providing players who want to get started quickly with a readymade character - they're not showing their working at all.
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
1
Thanks - for the fullsome answer - I just (finally) found it on p.23 of the PHB
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
29
down vote
The omission of passive perception is a mistake - nothing else is wrong here.
The Wizard gets proficiency in Perception from being an elf. All elves get the following:
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. SRD p. 4
All characters should have a Passive Perception, whether it's good or bad, so the fact that it's missing from the Wizard's sheet is an oversight. Passive Perception can be calculated as:
10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check SRD p. 78
So in this instance the Wizards Passive Perception should be 10 + 3 = 13. Feel free to just write that in yourself.
The Wood Elf Ranger is not from the starter set but one of the pregenerated characters available online. However, the extra proficiency in Perception once again comes from the fact that they are an elf - as listed above.
Note The reason that Keen Senses is not mentioned on either of these character sheets (the bonus from it is just already applied) is that these sheets are not attempting to help you learn how to build a character. There are other resources in fifth edition that can do this. These sheets are simply providing players who want to get started quickly with a readymade character - they're not showing their working at all.
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
1
Thanks - for the fullsome answer - I just (finally) found it on p.23 of the PHB
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
29
down vote
up vote
29
down vote
The omission of passive perception is a mistake - nothing else is wrong here.
The Wizard gets proficiency in Perception from being an elf. All elves get the following:
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. SRD p. 4
All characters should have a Passive Perception, whether it's good or bad, so the fact that it's missing from the Wizard's sheet is an oversight. Passive Perception can be calculated as:
10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check SRD p. 78
So in this instance the Wizards Passive Perception should be 10 + 3 = 13. Feel free to just write that in yourself.
The Wood Elf Ranger is not from the starter set but one of the pregenerated characters available online. However, the extra proficiency in Perception once again comes from the fact that they are an elf - as listed above.
Note The reason that Keen Senses is not mentioned on either of these character sheets (the bonus from it is just already applied) is that these sheets are not attempting to help you learn how to build a character. There are other resources in fifth edition that can do this. These sheets are simply providing players who want to get started quickly with a readymade character - they're not showing their working at all.
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
The omission of passive perception is a mistake - nothing else is wrong here.
The Wizard gets proficiency in Perception from being an elf. All elves get the following:
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. SRD p. 4
All characters should have a Passive Perception, whether it's good or bad, so the fact that it's missing from the Wizard's sheet is an oversight. Passive Perception can be calculated as:
10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check SRD p. 78
So in this instance the Wizards Passive Perception should be 10 + 3 = 13. Feel free to just write that in yourself.
The Wood Elf Ranger is not from the starter set but one of the pregenerated characters available online. However, the extra proficiency in Perception once again comes from the fact that they are an elf - as listed above.
Note The reason that Keen Senses is not mentioned on either of these character sheets (the bonus from it is just already applied) is that these sheets are not attempting to help you learn how to build a character. There are other resources in fifth edition that can do this. These sheets are simply providing players who want to get started quickly with a readymade character - they're not showing their working at all.
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
edited 15 hours ago
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
answered 16 hours ago
Tiggerous
7,65043469
7,65043469
1
Thanks - for the fullsome answer - I just (finally) found it on p.23 of the PHB
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Thanks - for the fullsome answer - I just (finally) found it on p.23 of the PHB
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
1
1
Thanks - for the fullsome answer - I just (finally) found it on p.23 of the PHB
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
Thanks - for the fullsome answer - I just (finally) found it on p.23 of the PHB
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
add a comment |
canis-minor is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
canis-minor is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
canis-minor is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
canis-minor is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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what race are they?
– ravery
16 hours ago
The Wizard is a high elf, and the ranger is a wood elf - I checked the race descriptions, but they don't seem to get any extra skill proficiencies
– canis-minor
15 hours ago
1
Really since first edition? Note that elf is a race now, not a profession :)
– JollyJoker
11 hours ago
1
I assume you're referring to the Starter Set? (Since I don't know of any 5e product called the "Basic Set".) Though it doesn't have a pregen ranger that comes with it (though there are a number of pregen character sheets on WotC's website); the pregens are 2 human fighters (noble and folk hero backgrounds), a dwarf cleric, an elf wizard, and a halfling rogue.
– V2Blast
6 hours ago
"Basic set" is a term from the 1e age back when D&D was two different gaming systems. It is the simplified D&D, fairly characterized as a starter set, IIRC it came in a 6x9" white box all-inclusive including (lousy) dice. The other system was AD&D (A=Advanced), the one with the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, DM's Guide, etc. and you had to buy your own dice. I could totally understand calling the Starter Set the basic set.
– Harper
59 mins ago