How to Play Dungeons and Dragons 5e - Abilities and Skills

This is the second video in the How to Play Dungeons and Dragons 5E series. In this video, I explains how ability checks work, the related mechanics and skills.
Here is the link to the full How to Play Dungeons and Dragons 5E playlist:
• How to Play Dungeons a...
Link to the D&D 5E Class Guide playlist:
• Dungeons and Dragons 5...
How to Dungeon Master playlist:
• How to Dungeon Master ...
Website:
dontstopthinking.com/how-to-pl...
Facebook: / cjleungdst
Twitter: / cjleung_dst
Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=4787242
Minds: www.minds.com/CJLeung_DST
You can download the character sheets from the Don’t Stop Thinking website or from the link below.
Serio Custode (1 page)
goo.gl/LZX4vm
Leraline Quralyn (2 pages)
goo.gl/7l4dal
goo.gl/v0qpe6
imgur alternative:
Serio Custode (1 page)
imgur.com/a/gXNTQ
Leraline Quralyn (2 pages)
imgur.com/a/3liN7
Get the blank character sheets from Wizards of the Coast’s site:
dnd.wizards.com/articles/featu...

[@ricepatty5258]

Yea, one of my friends was a paladin, and rolled a critical success and caught a cannonball during a city siege

[@thegreatkingdedede7391]

Paladin: *fucking catches a cannonball* The guy who fired it: "Why do I hear crusade music?"

[@itshanari6329]

@@thegreatkingdedede7391 Paladin: *catch a cannonball* Oh this? This but a scratch!

[@mrspiffy8587]

Skadoosh

[@bluehyper2692]

You did a what?

[@solalabell9674]

now that's a power move right there sounds like something from anime

[@morganath]

Was playing d&d today, our fighter (yes, fighter) tried to pick pocket someone. They rolled a natural 1, and instead of pickpocketing someone, they slapped their ass. The fighter failed the pick pocket, and as our DM put it, they aroused their target.

[@TaylorRhodesShay]

Elvenwarior That is the greatest thing ever

[@kylezimmerman5953]

I had my characters search a tied up person for money an he rolled a one so I said he cut his hand on a coin and minus one health

[@TheFrio937]

@@kylezimmerman5953 if there is no challenge to a task there shouldn't have even been a roll. SMH

[@kylezimmerman5953]

TheFrio937 just the rules in my house (my friends idea)

[@TheFrio937]

@@kylezimmerman5953 If its established house rule then fine. Lol GMs word is ¤☆€¥£¥ LAW!!~▪

[@stiaansmith7448]

Holyshit this beats all the other videos trying to explain dnd. I have been searching for so long. Very clear and concise. Thanks man, can't wait for more!

[@DontStopThinking]

Thanks Stiaan. More episodes are in production.

[@britomicgamer922]

I agree

[@ciaareinthecommentssection9575]

Its hard to believe how other channels make [something so simple] x [hard to understand]

[@stijn49]

Sooooo true

[@person7748]

Same

[@ASquared544]

This series is really good at teaching me the rules, because it actually captivates my baby like attention span.

[@corvividart4745]

same

[@user-kx8pu6ys5i]

Music and fun sound effects give my child like mind enjoyment

[@cpt11morgan57]

One time I was playing with some friends and We were fighting a giant snowman, it brought it's fist down to smash me, but I decided to dig a hole to protect myself,I roll and get a 20 and We decided that meant I dug the sh*t out of the snow so it ended up as a labyrinth that I got lost in.

[@kamalsantra4433]

Cpt11 Morgan 😁😋😶😑😗

[@r.r815]

Cpt11 Morgan i just imagine a character building a labyrinth at the speed of light that slowly becomes a dungeon over time as monsters begin to inhabit it

[@darensomintegillardig20]

I played a... thing with my grandma using a D6, and she had come to a frozen underwater lake. She decided to cross it, an rolled a one. She fell into the water, and had a gun with three bullets, a knife, two ice-prods and some dried meat. She tried using the knife, but got two. Then she tried using the prods, and failed miserably. Then she tried the meat, and got a critical success. When I tried to make sense of it, I said the meat inflated when getting wet, and is floaty.

[@mwithchrist]

Wow, (that’s all I have to say) WOW!!!

[@Davidow1]

It's baffling that there haven't been ANY other good videos explaining this! Almost all other videos are with several different narrators/hosts who keeps bringing up out out-of-context jokes or ramble about useless anecdotes. *Thanks a lot!*

[@DontStopThinking]

You're welcome, Davidow.

[@blackdiablos105]

Strength 1 (-5): Morbidly weak, has significant trouble lifting own limbs 2-3 (-4): Needs help to stand, can be knocked over by strong breezes 4-5 (-3): Knocked off balance by swinging something dense 6-7 (-2): Difficulty pushing an object of their weight 8-9 (-1): Has trouble even lifting heavy objects 10-11 (0): Can literally pull their own weight 12-13 (1): Carries heavy objects for short distances 14-15 (2): Visibly toned, throws small objects for long distances 16-17 (3): Carries heavy objects with one arm 18-19 (4): Can break objects like wood with bare hands 20-21 (5): Able to out-wrestle a work animal or catch a falling person 22-23 (6): Can pull very heavy objects at appreciable speeds 24-25 (7): Pinnacle of brawn, able to out-lift several people Dexterity 1 (-5): Barely mobile, probably significantly paralyzed 2-3 (-4): Incapable of moving without noticeable effort or pain 4-5 (-3): Visible paralysis or physical difficulty 6-7 (-2): Significant klutz or very slow to react 8-9 (-1): Somewhat slow, occasionally trips over own feet 10-11 (0): Capable of usually catching a small tossed object 12-13 (1): Able to often hit large targets 14-15 (2): Can catch or dodge a medium-speed surprise projectile 16-17 (3): Able to often hit small targets 18-19 (4): Light on feet, able to often hit small moving targets 20-21 (5): Graceful, able to flow from one action into another easily 22-23 (6): Very graceful, capable of dodging a number of thrown objects 24-25 (7): Moves like water, reacting to all situations with almost no effort Constitution 1 (-5): Minimal immune system, body reacts violently to anything foreign 2-3 (-4): Frail, suffers frequent broken bones 4-5 (-3): Bruises very easily, knocked out by a light punch 6-7 (-2): Unusually prone to disease and infection 8-9 (-1): Easily winded, incapable of a full day’s hard labor 10-11 (0): Occasionally contracts mild sicknesses 12-13 (1): Can take a few hits before being knocked unconscious 14-15 (2): Able to labor for twelve hours most days 16-17 (3): Easily shrugs off most illnesses 18-19 (4): Able to stay awake for days on end 20-21 (5): Very difficult to wear down, almost never feels fatigue 22-23 (6): Never gets sick, even to the most virulent diseases 24-25 (7): Tireless paragon of physical endurance Intelligence 1 (-5): Animalistic, no longer capable of logic or reason 2-3 (-4): Barely able to function, very limited speech and knowledge 4-5 (-3): Often resorts to charades to express thoughts 6-7 (-2): Often misuses and mispronounces words 8-9 (-1): Has trouble following trains of thought, forgets most unimportant things 10-11 (0): Knows what they need to know to get by 12-13 (1): Knows a bit more than is necessary, fairly logical 14-15 (2): Able to do math or solve logic puzzles mentally with reasonable accuracy 16-17 (3): Fairly intelligent, able to understand new tasks quickly 18-19 (4): Very intelligent, may invent new processes or uses for knowledge 20-21 (5): Highly knowledgeable, probably the smartest person many people know 22-23 (6): Able to make Holmesian leaps of logic 24-25 (7): Famous as a sage and genius Wisdom 1 (-5): Seemingly incapable of thought, barely aware 2-3 (-4): Rarely notices important or prominent items, people, or occurrences 4-5 (-3): Seemingly incapable of forethought 6-7 (-2): Often fails to exert common sense 8-9 (-1): Forgets or opts not to consider options before taking action 10-11 (0): Makes reasoned decisions most of the time 12-13 (1): Able to tell when a person is upset 14-15 (2): Can get hunches about a situation that doesn’t feel right 16-17 (3): Reads people and situations fairly well 18-19 (4): Often used as a source of wisdom or decider of actions 20-21 (5): Reads people and situations very well, almost unconsciously 22-23 (6): Can tell minute differences among many situations 24-25 (7): Nearly prescient, able to reason far beyond logic Charisma 1 (-5): Barely conscious, probably acts heavily autistic 2-3 (-4): Minimal independent thought, relies heavily on others to think instead 4-5 (-3): Has trouble thinking of others as people 6-7 (-2): Terribly reticent, uninteresting, or rude 8-9 (-1): Something of a bore or makes people mildly uncomfortable 10-11 (0): Capable of polite conversation 12-13 (1): Mildly interesting, knows what to say to the right people 14-15 (2): Interesting, knows what to say to most people 16-17 (3): Popular, receives greetings and conversations on the street 18-19 (4): Immediately likeable by many people, subject of favorable talk 20-21 (5): Life of the party, able to keep people entertained for hours 22-23 (6): Immediately likeable by almost everybody 24-25 (7): Renowned for wit, personality, and/or looks

[@shanerooney7288]

All great _except for Charisma._ * Player with 18-19 Charisma Player ~ I try to scare away the crowd. DM ~ okay, roll for intimidation. Player ~ Nat 20 !! DM ~ The crowd are awestruck by your rugged good looks and beg to join you on your adventure.

[@snowrhodes9176]

@@shanerooney7288 unless your a bard

[@ed_iz_ed]

Me, charisma = 1

[@bonthebunnycat667]

I'm -1 xD

[@dayalasingh5853]

For intelligence I match both -1 and anything between +2-+5. Yay.

[@tapelegs]

These are masterfully produced, and deserve far more attention. Wizards of the Coast or Pazio needs to hire you.

[@DontStopThinking]

Wouldn't that be great, LOL!

[@AngelSaintCloud]

I would like to breathe some oxygen .... Rolls a 1 -1

[@Talostoro]

you forget how to breath

[@vilehartebeest3734]

*holds breath until they pass out* The rest of the party:....well fu-

[@cpt.mystic_stirling]

with a -5 modifier...

[@vilehartebeest3734]

@@cpt.mystic_stirling FREAKING TURNS LUNGS INSIDE OUT AND DIES.

[@cpt.mystic_stirling]

@@vilehartebeest3734 Is basically Darth Vader upon death

[@VelocitasEradicato]

Serio confirmed as Chin-Chin's underling.

[@PsyCronox]

People looking for a good dnd guide: follow this guy. I've been through several channels such as dnd dudes, etc and so far this is the best explanation I've heard. This guy is good at teaching.

[@Tsuki_Konbu]

The "Don't roll to enter unlocked doors" part reminded me of my first game. Our warrior decided that he didn't want to open a door normally, and instead kick it down. He got a natural 1, and got his leg stuck in the door. He never learnt from this, and would still get nat 1 when busting down a door. I swear he was the most unlucky guy out there.

[@FlintlockYT]

I laughed out loud at the trampoline and "weird guy" examples. Enjoying this series so far!

[@Alyenbird]

My homebrew roleplaying group loves crits. We apply crits to everything that can be rolled for.

[@the_cone_man1465]

When ur trying to jump a pit but pink guy is distracting you

[@majkeli]

I'm just now teaching my boy to play and these videos are perfect. Thank you.

[@DontStopThinking]

And thank YOU for keeping the hobby alive.

[@KrackerJak]

As a man who breaks sticks with his head for a living in the real world, you're dead wrong about it not being an athletic pursuit (although it feels more like a CON check, especially if you have someone else swing the stick for you.) Otherwise, this video is perfect. ALL of your videos are super helpful, dude. Thanks!

[@NolaGamer]

Late to this party. I haven't played D&D since 2nd edition and I decided to get back into it. The game has changed so much since the last I played it over 25 years ago. Paladins no longer has to be lawful good? *mind blown* Your guides explain everything so easily and well put together. Probably one of the best beginner D&D guides. It helped me out greatly.

[@shawnames6832]

I loved it, as always! I don't think you should have said Charisma is "ridiculous" though because it's going to make the impression to new players that they shouldn't try to use it.

[@DontStopThinking]

It can be ridiculously "awesome" too.

[@MoonbornUwU]

If you're a barbarian berserker werewolf who's chaotic neutral charisma is pretty useless. But that is a super specific scenario/example. It just depends on the character and how you play.

[@Horusbonrea]

my first character parachuted off an exploding sky ship after taking a barrel of rum loosing his pants button landing on another ship now with his junk hanging out in front on their captain requesting permission to come abord. and that was how i joined ghe campaign xD

[@DontStopThinking]

Epic entrance.

[@Horusbonrea]

thanks, I really like your videos and as I've had some friends who want to learn to play and was checking out easy ways to give them the basic. keep up the good work :D. His name was Richard Nixon wheel but everyone just called him dick wheel instead.

[@novaraptorus6250]

I am all for having critical success's on skills, our groups most memorable moment was when our rouge was back up ageist a wall and he convinced an ENTIRE ARMY he he did-int exist!

[@missSmile.]

HAHA 😂😂😂

[@dudeguybro8304]

Was that Pink Guy

[@DontStopThinking]

B0ss!

[@niydfass1060]

GET BACK I'M NOT AFRAID TO KILL MYSELF

[@jaded151]

I did not know that was intentional.

[@kyjw10]

The Brutal Bros i have a sword and i'm not afraid to decapitate myself!

[@leem4386]

Is that a Stardew chicken

[@justaregulartoaster]

I... i freaking understand! I can actually follow! Thank you so much!

[@TheReelmer]

Hey do you think you can do a video on how to dm? Like reading and understanding the bestiary, and monster manual. Basic trap damaged and so on?

[@DontStopThinking]

It's on my list of things to do. But I will do the classes series first before I cover DMing.

[@whitecreamymilk8436]

Don't Stop Thinking be sure to give a update when it's done. you're doing pretty well. :)

[@joelwillin5582]

sub'd just for those 2 series. I love this series so much this will help give new players an easy introduction on how to play before hand.

[@OneCritWonder]

Awesome stuff. Only gripe is having the intro music at like 200% ... so I have to turn it down to get through the channel intro and then back up to hear you talking.

[@DontStopThinking]

Thanks for the input. I will do that for future videos.

[@kajoliloli]

My friend tried to teach me dnd, got super specific about the races I could choose from, and never explained this to me. I was so discouraged and confused, I gave up trying to learn. I really appreciate this series for walking through this so clearly and easy to understand.

[@danielbrown5166]

Just want to say that three years ago I used this video playlist to learn how to play D&D. Tonight I sent a group of new players this playlist in preparation for the Session 0 of a campaign I’m DM-ing. Thank you for this helpful and welcoming series! I see you have DM guides now. I’ll definitely check them out!

[@JW-fd8sh]

My D&D I.Q went up by a point after watching your videos. Thank you for making these videos, especially with captions available. Will watch the rest of the videos. I am yearning to play D&D.

[@DontStopThinking]

This is the best time to start playing (again). You're right in the wave of tabletop revival.

[@anyopenandroid]

Just when I was starting to think there were actually no straight forward tutorial vids out there, I find this. Great video, answered all my questions. Very clear and informative. Great job!

[@mwithchrist]

This was so helpful! I couldn’t make heads-or-tails of the rule book. Edit. Also, because of your character creation vid, I just started making a half-elf Monk, Martial artist. Thanks So much!!!!!!

[@violeteyez17]

Wow thanks so much for this! I was having a little trouble understandings some things and your video made it so easy :) I appreciate it.

[@sugoq4894]

your animations are perfect for this thx dude you have helped me understand this game so much

[@davidpotesta]

This is one of the best video series on how to play D&D I've ever seen. Top notch! I can't wait for more in this style.

[@Sundiny]

Wow these videos are so helpful I have never played D&D, but you explained it in a way that makes it easy to understand in such a short period. Thank you very much for making these videos.

[@ricardopanganiban7360]

This is the best d&d guideline on KZbin. Good job!

[@WannaComment2]

12:35 Charisma is not abusable if you rule it right as a DM. Deception/Intimidation/Persuasion is not mind control, even with a NAT 20. You won't be able to convince the blacksmith that 5 copper is a reasonable price for plate armor. Your gnome bard won't turn the tide of battle by "intimidating into submission" the 5 orcs that have him surrounded. You won't convince the guard that totally saw you steal something that you're innocent. No matter how charismatic you are or how eloquent you express yourself or how straight faced you tell a lie, there are things you can't accomplish with words alone.

[@justjoking5252]

Well the only thing I'd like to argue is being surrounded by orcs, but everything else seems reasonable. ( it is possible to intimidate a group.)

[@HMASbogan]

i mean you could intimidate a blacksmith into giving 5 copper for plate armour but other than that

[@katiukulele]

This needs more subs. This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for! Thank you!

[@kattn8349]

Very clear and informative. The animation helps a lot. Thank you for breaking it down into 15 minute segments for each topic. Super helpful video. Thanks!

[@TwinZip]

wow the work you put into this..why does this not pop up first thing when searching "how to play d and d" this is hands down the best love the skill tree you made for this

[@SoulScribbler]

This was amazing, best video I"ve ever seen to explain D&D. Thank you!

[@TheJaimeGamingShow]

This series of videos have inspired me to start playing again. Thanks! Awesome content.

[@gregarmstrong3496]

These are probably the best "D&D Explained" videos on KZbin. Thank you!

[@crashtest_crashtest]

me and my friends recently got into dnd and these videos helped me a lot. Thank you CJ

[@everettbithell6912]

Wow this was really helpful I just bought the core rulebooks and these were really helpful in understanding some of the rules.

[@jasongardner9279]

Well done Cj.thank you for your informative videos!

[@Australalien89]

Thanks for such an easy and clarifying explanation of what is one of my first ever tabletops!

[@elizabethgall5327]

These videos are so amazing! Thank you so much for putting these up!!

[@jamescarnes2586]

We just started playing for family game night, and these videos have been very helpful. Thank you!

[@ozzymoto27]

These videos are all great. I have suggested to all my players to watch this whole series. Keep them coming!

[@davidkelly4937]

Great Videos, thank you. Most youtubers concerned with D&D teach a lot of things, but they don't teach how the mechanics of the game are. Thank you for that kind of videos, now I understand the mechanics and can start playing

[@tjnanimations3728]

I just have to say this. This video helped me so much. I didn't understand what skills were. So many other tutorials and videos were more confusing, but this one wasn't. Thanks so much.

[@maxamillion6042]

Can you not be so good at everything? It's gonna tear this world apart... Of sadness and bring joy and happiness. Thanks for the help you're great!

[@ronjalounio7491]

Your videos are awesome! I have been struggling with the character sheets and just couldn't wrap my head around the numbers. Now it clicked for me and I'm feeling ecstatic that I'm learning this game. I have watched your other videos and will watch all DnD related content for sure! With your help, I hope to be a great DM for my daughter once she is older. So so many hugs and thanks

[@user-nw7hl2nc6l]

I just cant believe that i have finally found THE best tutorial guide for DnD . ( Is the editor feeling ok ? )

[@lukaivankovic1241]

Dude, this was so helpfull, deffinately best D&D tutorial ever. Keep up the good work!

[@lordocasl7366]

Thank you so much, you answered so many of my newbie questions in a very understandable way. Awesome video.

[@ollerehnquist5561]

You explain everything really good!

[@Tricrosis]

This is very helpful and giving me more confidence to play D&D with my cousin who is also curious about this beast, thank you sir!

[@gabirusama3072]

Like many before me have said, your videos are teaching me way more in the last 20 minutes than literal hours of watching others

[@johneyisntcool1581]

im glad i found this channel because i just started my first dnd game and we ended off with me having fallen into a pit trap and taking quite some damage whilst runnng from a weird worm creature with like four mouths or something so im trying to learn as much as i can in order to somehow survive when we start back from where we left off

[@jesseolson7445]

Finally! I had watched so many videos trying to clarify the difference of when and how to use ability modifier vs proficiency bonus in said ability. Such a simply informative video. Thank you so much! :)

[@CameronLaRue]

These videos are fantastic! I'm really impressed! Thank you!

[@kaihowery3421]

This has been very helpful! I am dm-ing players who have never played dnd before, and having someone explain the basics in a clear concise way has been a real time saver

[@WilhelmvonBosch]

Thank you! I've been a player since 1E, but I'm now finding myself the dm of a large 5e open group! Very good, straight-forward advice, with a nice dose of humor!

[@wojtulinus8581]

thank you so, SO much for making such an understanable and overall nice video. I only had 1 session of d&d (as I'm writing this) and I'm really nervous thinking that I'm just bringing the group and campaign down, that I'm being stupid and don't understand such simple things. I came there quite unprepared, but this video made me understand this stuff more, so thank you!

[@lilpoggaming]

These are terrific videos, well explained and exactly what i've been looking for to explain DnD to my friends :)

[@Crazy-rq8wh]

Thank you so much. These videos have helped me so much. Please keep them coming.

[@DHTheAlaskan]

Been playing since 3.5 and recently picked up 5e after a long pathfinder stint. These videos have been very helpful. I'll have to recommend them to the new guy we picked up.

[@CeresMike]

So thankful for this video series! Can’t wait to play my first game next week!

[@meganocm7292]

These are great videos, great job! Keep them coming :)

[@endergoldman9965]

This series has been very helpful. Thank you.

[@kikiyoinuyasha]

Oh my gosh, this helped me so much thank you! First time ever DMing this is a live saver I am definitely subscribing to you.

[@JoeStoryteller]

Brilliant videos, definitely sharing these with my new players and potential players

[@ZyroShadowPony]

This is helping me a lot. Recently my friend invited me to watch a session this upcoming week as i told him im trying to get into dnd. Just watching these videos already help me enough to understand the basics

[@OldMovieRob]

Very thankful for these helpful videos. As a GM who is just getting started these have been beneficial.

[@Pre-Modernist]

Excellent videos! Thank you!

[@TheJan]

thanks for this guide. its REALLY clear

[@AshunshwgarsBlade]

Fantastic video series!! Thank You! XD

[@bryan539]

VERY well done PowerPoint/Camptasia/Audio overlay. Love it!! Crystal Clear explanation too!!

[@martinmyggestik292]

These videos are ridiculously good!

[@visualvexation]

thanks for explaining it! Me and my friends are completely new to this, and even as the DM, I couldn't figure out how skill check bonuses worked, since we had never played before!

[@leviw.martell5262]

This was super useful to use as a Refresher course for an upcoming game, good job

[@withitstudios]

I have not played in over 30 years, but with teen son who is interested in role playing, I thought this would be a great way to bond. Thank you for these videos, some other videos I have watched I couldn’t even understand what they were talking about.

[@samuelwilks5873]

Thanks a lot CJ. This was very helpful

[@TRA25]

Thanks for the video, my group have been having difficulties in playing the game.

[@grimsladeleviathan3958]

Going through the comments reading these stories about rolling natural 1 or 20 is hilarious and I love it

[@danieltourre6639]

Crystal clear ! Thank you from France !

[@cleemckinnis]

Great video! Keep up the good work and thank you!

[@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice]

I've been playing D&D for years and I always get bogged down in character creation and I have to get 1-on-1 time with the DM to actually make a character. This helps me consolidate what I've tried to learn over the years so I know I'm getting the whole picture. Thanks!

[@SomeJustice19k]

Such an inviting and informative way to introduce people to DnD. These videos are the perfect tool to explain this game to my wife!

[@superoriginalhandle]

8:32 Just to spite you, I’m going to make a campaign based around the fact that this is a sport. Your videos are insanely helpful! Thanks a lot.

[@wombatwad]

frigging amazing work. love this

[@thisguy9534]

You explained proficiency so well! Thanks

[@Malachi57]

Great job! realy explains the system well.

[@saxonmartinez1461]

Super helpful video.

[@cereilsilvaire9605]

I love these :o quite high qual, like the bgm and explanation

[@TetoNinegrean]

Im in the begining of learning about D&D thank you for your good video again :))

[@Octopoe]

Hello! Thank you for making these videos! So far, I am finding them very clear and helpful.

[@desireeohrbeck2282]

Thank you - completely new to this game and trying to find out if this is something for our family to start playing together during these isolated Covid-times...

[@cinesoundasia]

Great work mate. Funny and very helpful You rock.