Athletics

Key facts

Ability

STR

Overview

Athletics is the Strength skill for brute physical effort: scaling a cliff, swimming a river in armor, leaping a gap, or wrestling an enemy to the ground. It is one of the most used skills in combat because grapples and shoves run through it. Outside combat it drives exploration, from forcing through rubble to hauling a companion up a rope.

How it works

Ability: Strength Common checks: Difficult climbs, swimming in rough water, jumping farther than your normal distance, pushing or lifting heavy objects. Jumping baseline: With a 10 foot running start you long jump a number of feet equal to your Strength score and high jump 3 plus your Strength modifier feet; a check is only needed to exceed that. Contests: Grappling and shoving are Strength (Athletics) checks against the target's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics). Escaping a grapple uses the same contest. Typical DCs: 10 for a rough rock face, 15 for a wet or overhanging climb, 20 for swimming against a strong current.

Tips and playstyle

Best for: Barbarians, Fighters, and Paladins, plus any melee character who wants control effects without spells. Character concepts: Wrestler, mountaineer, dock worker, soldier, tomb raider. Synergies: Grappling a caster shuts down movement and pairs well with a party that deals area damage. Expertise in Athletics makes a Rogue a surprisingly good grappler.

Frequently asked questions