you gain double proficiency in two knowledge skills (cool), and as a level 1 ability it makes sense to fudge the order of selection of class skills and knowledge skills so that the player gets double proficiency in the skills she wants. The only other situation I can see right now is the 'Blessings of Knowledge' (level 1 ability for Knowledge clerics), which is actually quite powerful. * Are there reasons to think the broad ruling is likely to be the intended result? * Am I missing obvious cases where this situation might arise? My sense is that the narrow reading is correct: that outside of multiclassing the situation doesn't arise often enough that the game worries about it, and in all of the examples I gave under the 'broad' reading, the player can lump it. Are there any other circumstances that this might arise? (Note it doesn't arise if you multiclass into bard, since even if you are already proficient in a musical instrument, there are always more available the same is true of artisan's tools for the Fighter's Student of War ability.)

at Rogue 3 (Assassin) If you multiclass into rogue, you would get Thieves' tools (which you might already have from your previously-chosen background) if you reincarnate into a half-orc (and already have intimidation) or and elf (and already have perception), you would get a skill you already have. The main case would be when you gain proficiencies from class levels: e.g. Broad reading: it applies in other contexts where you gain a skill or tool proficiency. Because character generation has players select backgrounds after class, this is a sensible rule that is in fact only a specific application of the 'customizing a background' rule on the same page.Ģ. Narrow reading: it applies only to backgrounds.

(I understand this is easily house ruled in any case but I'm trying to get a sense of the original intention.) I see two ways it can be read:ġ. This rule appears specifically in the context of backgrounds, but I am wondering about its general applicability. 'If a character would gain the same proficiency from two different sources, he or she can choose a different proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) instead' (PHB 125).

Assassin artisan tools 5e