Arcana
Full rules text, use cases, and edge-case handling for this skill.
Description
Arcana represents your knowledge of magic — spells, magic items, eldritch symbols, magical traditions, the planes of existence, and the creatures that inhabit them. It is the academic and theoretical side of magic, distinct from the practical ability to cast spells.
A high Arcana score means your character has studied magic deeply, even if they cannot cast a single spell.
Check
The GM calls for an Arcana check when you try to recall or deduce information about magical phenomena.
| Difficulty | DC |
|---|---|
| Easy | 10 |
| Medium | 15 |
| Hard | 20 |
| Very Hard | 25 |
| Nearly Impossible | 30 |
Common Uses
- Identifying a spell being cast or its effects
- Recognizing a magic item and recalling its general properties
- Deciphering arcane writing, glyphs, or sigils
- Recalling lore about a magical creature (its resistances, weaknesses, abilities)
- Understanding how a magical trap or ward functions
- Identifying a planar location or extraplanar creature
Arcana vs. Investigation: Arcana recalls known magical lore. Investigation pieces together clues to deduce something new. Examining a ritual circle: Arcana tells you what type of magic it represents; Investigation tells you what the ritual was trying to accomplish.
Passive Score
Passive Arcana (10 + modifier) may be used when the GM wants to determine whether a character automatically recognizes a common magical phenomenon — a standard teleportation circle, a well-known school symbol, or a frequently encountered spell effect — without requiring a roll.
Proficiency
Arcana proficiency is common among Wizards, Artificers, and Warlocks. Many Intelligence-primary characters invest here as their primary knowledge skill. It is one of the four knowledge skills (alongside History, Nature, and Religion) that govern recall of lore.
Special
- Wizard: Arcana is a class skill; high-Intelligence Wizards often have the best Arcana in the party and serve as the primary magical lore resource.
- Identify (spell): Does not require an Arcana check — it automatically reveals a magic item's properties. Arcana checks are for when you don't have Identify available.
- Detect Magic (spell): Reveals the presence and school of magic. Arcana may then be called to interpret what you detect.
- Sage background: Grants proficiency in Arcana and History — the quintessential magical scholar background.
- Eldritch Knight / Arcane Trickster: These subclasses gain access to arcane magic but may not have Arcana proficiency — a notable gap for roleplay purposes.