A tool helps you to do something you couldn't otherwise do, such as craft or repair an item, forge a document, or pick a lock. Your race, class,
BACKGROUND, or feats give you
Proficiency with certain tools.
Proficiency with a tool allows you to add your
proficiency bonus to any
ability check you make using that tool. Tool use is not tied to a single ability, since
Proficiency with a tool represents broader knowledge of its use. For example, the GM might ask you to make a
Dexterity check to carve a fine detail with your woodcarver’s tools, or a
Strength check to make something out of particularly hard wood.
Artisan’s Tools: These
Special tools include the
items needed to pursue a craft or trade. The table shows examples of the most
Common types of tools, each providing
items related to a single craft.
Proficiency with a set of artisan’s tools lets you add your
proficiency bonus to any
ability checks you make using the tools in your craft. Each type of artisan’s tools requires a separate
Proficiency.
Disguise kit: This pouch of cosmetics, hair dye, and small props lets you create disguises that change your physical
Appearance.
Proficiency with this kit lets you add your
Proficiency bonus to any
Ability Checks you make to create a visual disguise.
Forgery kit: This small box contains a variety of papers and parchments, pens and inks, seals and
Sealing wax, gold and silver leaf, and other supplies necessary to create convincing forgeries of physical documents.
Proficiency with this kit lets you add your
Proficiency bonus to any
Ability Checks you make to create a physical forgery of a document.
Gaming Set: This item encompasses a wide range of game pieces, including dice and decks of cards (for games such as Three-Dragon Ante). A few
Common examples appear on the
Tools table, but other kinds of
Gaming Sets exist. If you are proficient with a
Gaming Set, you can add your
proficiency bonus to
ability checks you make to play a game with that set. Each type of
Gaming Set requires a separate
Proficiency.
Herbalism kit: This kit contains a variety of
Instruments such as clippers, mortar and pestle, and pouches and
vials used by herbalists to create remedies and
Potions.
Proficiency with this kit lets you add your
Proficiency bonus to any
Ability Checks you make to
Identify or apply herbs. Also,
Proficiency with this kit is required to create
Antitoxin and
Potions of
Healing.
Musical Instrument: Several of the most
Common types of musical
Instruments are shown on the table as examples. If you have
Proficiency with a given musical
Instrument, you can add your
Proficiency bonus to any
Ability Checks you make to play music with the
Instrument. A
bard can use a musical
Instrument as a
Spellcasting focus. Each type of musical
Instrument requires a separate
Proficiency.
Navigator’s Tools: This set of
Instruments is used for
Navigation at sea.
Proficiency with
Navigator's Tools lets you chart a ship's course and follow
Navigation charts. In addition, these tools allow you to add your
proficiency bonus to any
ability check you make to avoid
Getting Lost at sea.
Poisoner’s Kit: A poisoner’s kit includes the vials, chemicals, and other
Equipment necessary for the
Creation of
poisons.
Proficiency with this kit lets you add your
Proficiency bonus to any
Ability Checks you make to craft or use
Poisons.
Thieves’ Tools: This set of tools includes a small file, a set of lock picks, a small mirror mounted on a metal handle, a set of narrow-bladed scissors, and a pair of pliers.
Proficiency with these tools lets you add your
Proficiency bonus to any
Ability Checks you make to
disarm traps or open
locks.