The act of performing a Sleight of Hand check in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition involves rolling a twenty-sided die (d20). This roll is then modified by the character’s Dexterity modifier and any applicable proficiency bonus if the character is proficient in the Sleight of Hand skill. For example, a character with a Dexterity modifier of +3 and proficiency in Sleight of Hand (adding +2 to the roll) would roll a d20 and add +5 to the result. This total is then compared to a Difficulty Class (DC) set by the Dungeon Master to determine the success or failure of the attempted action.
The Dexterity-based skill check is fundamental to numerous scenarios within the game. Successfully executing this check allows characters to pick pockets, plant objects, perform quick palmistry tricks, or manipulate small objects discreetly. Proficiency in this skill is a significant advantage, enabling characters to contribute to the party’s success in both social and combat situations by creating distractions, acquiring necessary items, or bypassing security measures. The outcome of such rolls can drastically alter the course of the game’s narrative and character interactions.
