Expertise in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e) is a powerful mechanic that allows characters to double their proficiency bonus for selected skills or tools. Primarily available to Rogues and Bards, this feature can significantly enhance a character’s success rate in ability checks, making them masters in their chosen fields. This guide breaks down how Expertise works, which classes can access it, and the best skills to optimize for maximum effectiveness.


Understanding Expertise Basics

What Is Expertise?

Expertise is a game mechanic in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e) that allows a character to double their proficiency bonus for specific skills or tools, significantly enhancing their effectiveness in related checks. Unlike standard proficiency, which grants a static bonus based on level, Expertise amplifies a character's skill potential, making them exceptionally capable in chosen areas.

How Expertise Works

When a character gains Expertise in a skill or tool, their proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check that uses that proficiency. This means that as the character levels up and their proficiency bonus increases, their Expertise-enhanced skills grow even stronger.

For example, if a character has a proficiency bonus of +3 and chooses Expertise in Stealth, their total Stealth proficiency bonus would be +6 instead of +3. This makes Expertise one of the most powerful ways to specialize in a skill.

Key Benefits of Expertise

  • Increased Skill Success Rate – With Expertise, a character has a significantly higher chance of succeeding in skill checks tied to their chosen proficiencies.
  • Greater Specialization – Expertise allows characters to stand out in specific areas, such as stealth, persuasion, or investigation.
  • Synergy with Other Features – Expertise pairs well with abilities that rely on skill checks, such as a Bard’s Jack of All Trades or a Rogue’s Reliable Talent.

Who Can Gain Expertise?

Expertise is primarily granted by class features, but it can also be obtained through feats or multiclassing. The main sources of Expertise include:

  • Rogue Class: Gains Expertise at 1st level and again at 6th level, choosing two skills each time.
  • Bard Class: Gains Expertise at 3rd level and again at 10th level, selecting two skills each time.
  • Feats: Some feats, such as Skill Expert, provide Expertise in a chosen skill.
  • Background and Multiclassing: Certain character builds or homebrew options may grant access to Expertise.

Expertise is a crucial tool for players looking to create highly specialized characters capable of excelling in key skill-based situations.

Classes with Expertise Access

Certain classes in Dungeons & Dragons 5e have built-in access to Expertise, allowing them to double their proficiency bonus in selected skills. These classes tend to emphasize skill versatility, making them particularly effective in non-combat scenarios and ability checks.

Primary Classes with Expertise

Rogue

The Rogue class is the quintessential expert in skill usage. At 1st level, Rogues gain the Expertise feature, allowing them to choose two skill proficiencies (or one skill and thieves' tools) to double their proficiency bonus. At 6th level, they can select two additional proficiencies for Expertise. This feature enhances their ability to excel in stealth, deception, and other critical skills.

Bard

Bards also gain the Expertise feature at 3rd level, selecting two skill proficiencies to apply double their proficiency bonus. At 10th level, they can choose two additional skills for Expertise. This allows Bards to tailor their skillset to suit their role, whether as a performer, negotiator, or knowledge expert.

Class-Specific Variations

While Rogues and Bards are the primary classes with built-in Expertise, other classes can gain similar benefits through subclass choices.

Knowledge Domain Cleric

Clerics who follow the Knowledge Domain gain a form of temporary Expertise. At 1st level, their Blessings of Knowledge feature allows them to choose two knowledge-based skills (such as Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion) and add double their proficiency bonus when making checks with those skills. Unlike standard Expertise, this selection is fixed and does not expand at later levels.

Skill Expert Feat

Although not tied to a specific class, the Skill Expert feat (introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything) allows any character to gain Expertise in one skill of their choice. This makes it an accessible option for classes that do not naturally receive the feature.

Optimal Timing for Gaining Expertise

The timing of gaining Expertise can heavily impact a character’s effectiveness.

  • Rogues benefit immediately at 1st level, making them strong skill users from the start.
  • Bards gain Expertise at 3rd level, which aligns with their subclass selection and can influence their playstyle.
  • Knowledge Clerics receive their bonus immediately at 1st level, but it is limited to knowledge-based skills.
  • Multiclassing into Rogue or Bard can provide Expertise early, though it requires careful planning to avoid slowing down other class progression.

Synergies with Class Features

Certain class abilities pair exceptionally well with Expertise, further enhancing a character’s skill-based capabilities.

  • Reliable Talent (Rogue, 11th level): Ensures that any ability check using Expertise does not roll below 10, making skill checks consistently high.
  • Jack of All Trades (Bard, 2nd level): While not directly related to Expertise, this feature boosts all non-proficient skill checks, making Expertise choices even more impactful.
  • Guidance (Cleric and Druid spell): This cantrip adds a d4 to ability checks, further boosting skills enhanced by Expertise.
  • Bardic Inspiration (Bard, various levels): Can be used on ability checks, providing extra bonuses on top of Expertise.

Expertise is a powerful feature that significantly boosts skill checks, making Rogues, Bards, and certain subclasses or feat users some of the strongest non-combat specialists in D&D 5e. Understanding when and how to apply Expertise can greatly enhance a character’s role in the party, whether in exploration, social encounters, or problem-solving scenarios.

Skill Selection and Optimization

Choosing the right skills and optimizing them through Expertise is a crucial part of character development in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. With the 2024 Player’s Handbook update, players have more tools than ever to enhance their characters' effectiveness in and out of combat.

Choosing the Right Skills for Expertise

When selecting skills for Expertise, consider the following factors:

  • Character Role – A Rogue or Bard focused on social interactions benefits from Expertise in Persuasion or Deception, while an explorer-type character may prioritize Stealth or Perception.
  • Class and Background Synergies – Many backgrounds provide useful skill proficiencies that can later be enhanced with Expertise. Choosing complementary proficiencies ensures well-rounded competency.
  • Campaign Relevance – A character in an intrigue-heavy campaign benefits more from Insight or Investigation than Athletics or Survival. Understanding the campaign’s themes helps in optimizing skill choices.
  • Skill Check Frequency – Prioritizing commonly used skills such as Perception, Stealth, and Persuasion maximizes the utility of Expertise.

Best Skills for Expertise

Certain skills stand out as optimal choices for Expertise based on their frequent use and impact:

  • Perception – One of the most commonly rolled skills, useful for detecting hidden threats and traps.
  • Stealth – Essential for sneaky characters, allowing for better infiltration and surprise attacks.
  • Persuasion – A must-have for characters engaged in diplomacy, negotiation, or deception.
  • Athletics – Beneficial for grappling-focused builds and physical challenges.
  • Insight – Useful for detecting lies and reading opponents in social encounters.
  • Investigation – Helps with solving puzzles, finding clues, and analyzing environments.

Combining Expertise with Other Features

Expertise works best when combined with other class features and abilities:

  • Reliable Talent (Rogue, Level 11) – Ensures minimum rolls of 10 or higher, making skill checks nearly guaranteed successes.
  • Bardic Inspiration (Bard) – Can be used in conjunction with Expertise to further boost skill check results.
  • Guidance (Cleric/Druid Cantrip) – Grants an extra d4 to skill checks, stacking with Expertise for even higher rolls.
  • Feats and Magical Items – Feats like Skill Expert and items like the Headband of Intellect can significantly enhance skill effectiveness.

Skill Optimization Strategies

To maximize the benefits of Expertise, consider these optimization strategies:

  • Multi-Classing for Additional Expertise – A Rogue/Bard combination gains multiple instances of Expertise, allowing for superior skill specialization.
  • Enhancing with Ability Score Increases – Prioritizing high ability scores in key skills ensures maximum effectiveness.
  • Leveraging Advantage – Using spells, abilities, or environmental factors to gain advantage on skill checks further increases success rates.
  • Situational Awareness – Knowing when to apply Expertise ensures that skill checks are used in high-impact situations.

By carefully selecting and optimizing skills with Expertise, players can create highly specialized characters that excel in their chosen roles, whether it be stealth, persuasion, or investigation.

Advanced Applications

Maximizing Expertise in Skill Challenges

Expertise excels in non-combat scenarios where skill checks determine success or failure. Players who understand how to leverage Expertise in these situations can significantly influence the game.

  • Social Encounters: Characters with Expertise in Persuasion, Deception, or Insight can manipulate conversations, detect lies, or sway NPCs with remarkable ease.
  • Exploration Challenges: Expertise in Perception or Survival helps spot hidden dangers, track creatures, or navigate difficult terrain.
  • Puzzle Solving and Traps: Expertise in Investigation or Sleight of Hand can be crucial when deciphering clues or disarming intricate mechanisms.

Combining Expertise with Advantage and Other Bonuses

One of the most powerful aspects of Expertise is its ability to stack with other mechanics that improve skill checks.

  • Advantage and Expertise: When rolling with advantage, a character takes the higher of two rolls. If they also have Expertise, their modified result is even higher, making failures much less likely.
  • Guidance and Bardic Inspiration: Spells like Guidance and class features like Bardic Inspiration add additional dice to skill checks, further enhancing the effectiveness of Expertise.
  • Magic Items and Expertise: Some magic items provide bonuses to skill checks, such as the Cloak of Elvenkind for Stealth or the Headband of Intellect for Intelligence-based skills. When combined with Expertise, these items make skill checks nearly unbeatable.

Expertise in Multiclassing Strategies

Multiclassing can provide additional ways to gain Expertise or enhance its effects.

  • Rogue/Bard Multiclass: Since both classes grant Expertise, a character who takes levels in both can gain multiple instances of the feature.
  • Artificer and Expertise: The Artificer’s Tool Expertise feature applies double proficiency to tool checks, which can be useful for crafting and invention-focused characters.
  • Cleric (Knowledge Domain): Knowledge Clerics gain Expertise-like benefits in two skills of their choice for a limited time, making them excellent for lore-based skill checks.

Expertise in Combat Scenarios

Though often associated with non-combat skills, Expertise can play a significant role in battle.

  • Grappling and Shoving: Expertise in Athletics can make a character nearly unstoppable when attempting to grapple or shove opponents.
  • Stealth in Combat: Expertise in Stealth allows characters to hide consistently, gaining favorable positioning or avoiding detection entirely.
  • Insight and Tactical Play: Expertise in Insight can help a character read an opponent’s intentions, potentially foreseeing upcoming attacks or social manipulation.

Roleplaying with Expertise

Beyond mechanics, Expertise can define a character’s role in the party and their interactions with the world.

  • Character Identity: A character with Expertise in specific skills might be renowned as a master of their craft, such as a legendary thief or a famed diplomat.
  • Narrative Impact: DMs can incorporate a character’s Expertise into the story, creating moments where their skills are the key to overcoming challenges.
  • Party Balance: Understanding which skills each party member has Expertise in ensures that roles are well-distributed, preventing redundancy and maximizing efficiency.

By fully utilizing Expertise, players can create characters who excel in their chosen areas, enhancing both mechanics and roleplay in meaningful ways.

Building Around Expertise

Selecting the Right Class for Expertise

When building a character around Expertise, choosing the right class is essential. The Rogue and Bard are the primary classes that gain Expertise as a class feature, making them natural choices for skill-focused builds. However, multiclassing or selecting particular feats can allow other classes to access Expertise as well.

  • Rogue: Gains Expertise at 1st level and again at 6th level, allowing them to double their proficiency bonus in four skills by mid-level play.
  • Bard: The College of Lore subclass gains Expertise at 3rd level, while all Bards receive another Expertise selection at 10th level.
  • Multiclassing: A character taking at least one level in Rogue or three levels in a Bard subclass with Expertise gains access to this feature.

Choosing the Right Skills

Expertise is most effective when applied to skills that are frequently used in gameplay. Consider the following:

  • Stealth (Dexterity): Essential for sneaky characters, particularly Rogues.
  • Persuasion (Charisma): Ideal for face characters who engage in social interactions.
  • Perception (Wisdom): Often the most rolled skill in the game, useful for spotting hidden dangers.
  • Sleight of Hand (Dexterity): Great for pickpocketing or manipulating small objects unnoticed.
  • Athletics (Strength): Beneficial for grappling-focused builds or high-mobility characters.

Feats and Backgrounds That Enhance Expertise

While Expertise is primarily a class feature, certain feats and backgrounds can supplement or grant access to it.

  • Skill Expert (Feat): Allows a character to gain proficiency in one skill and apply Expertise to another, broadening skill mastery.
  • Prodigy (Feat, Half-Elf/Human/Variant Human): Grants Expertise in one skill, along with proficiency in a tool and a language.
  • Background Selection: Some backgrounds grant useful skill proficiencies, which can later be enhanced by Expertise.

Synergizing Expertise with Other Abilities

To maximize Expertise, consider how it interacts with other class features, spells, or mechanics:

  • Reliable Talent (Rogue, Level 11): Ensures any roll with Expertise is at least 10 + modifiers, making skill checks nearly guaranteed successes.
  • Guidance (Cantrip): A Cleric or Druid can provide a +1d4 bonus to skill checks, further enhancing Expertise.
  • Jack of All Trades (Bard, Level 2): While not Expertise, this ability grants half-proficiency in all untrained skills, making Bards versatile skill users.
  • Inspiration (DM Mechanic): A well-timed Inspiration die can push an Expertise-based skill check to incredible heights.

Optimizing Expertise for Combat and Roleplay

Expertise isn’t just for non-combat situations—it can be leveraged in combat scenarios as well.

  • Grapple Builds: A character with Expertise in Athletics can dominate grappling opponents.
  • Disarm and Trip Tactics: Certain optional rules allow for skill checks in combat, where Expertise can be decisive.
  • Social Manipulation in Combat: Persuasion, Deception, and Intimidation can be used creatively to influence enemy actions.

For roleplay, Expertise creates memorable moments where characters can showcase their mastery in a skill, whether they are uncovering secrets, negotiating tense diplomatic situations, or performing legendary feats of agility.

By carefully selecting class features, feats, and skills, a character built around Expertise can become a true master in their chosen fields, ensuring success in nearly any challenge they face.

Expertise is a powerhouse feature in D&D 5e, enabling characters to excel at their chosen skills. Whether optimizing for combat, exploration, or roleplay, selecting the right skills for Expertise can make a character remarkably effective. By pairing it with class features, feats, and advantageous playstyles, players can maximize its potential to create memorable and skillful adventurers.