Arcana

Arcana is an Intelligence-based skill.

It represents an academic understanding of arcane magic and the Weave, but it is not required to cast spells. The higher a creature's Intelligence Score, the more likely they will succeed on Arcana Checks.

“

Recognise magic. Interact with enchanted items.

„

— In-game skill description

Proficiency

Characters who are proficient in Arcana can add their Proficiency Bonus when making  Ability Checks.

The following backgrounds grant proficiency in Arcana:

•  Sage

The following classes can choose to select Arcana as a proficient skill at Level 1:

•  Bard
•  Druid
•  Ranger - via the Favoured Enemy option  Keeper of the Veil or  Mage Breaker
•  Sorcerer
•  Warlock
•  Wizard

Knowledge domain Clerics can choose to gain proficiency in Arcana at Level 1 through  Blessings of Knowledge. If they choose Arcana, they gain Expertise in the skill, allowing them to add double their proficiency bonus to Arcana checks.

Uses

• Used in dialogue.
• Used to identify or reveal information about magical items and some supernatural creatures, especially those from other planes.

Ways to boost or penalize

Raising or lowering Intelligence will also boost/penalize the Intelligence modifier (and therefore Arcana) by 1 every even number, up or down.

Equipment and items

Name	Bonus or Penalty	Notes
Elixir of Halfling Luck	Advantage	All ability checks
Elixir of Human Versatility	Proficiency	All skills
Mage's Friend	+1
Shapeshifter's Boon Ring	+1d4	All ability checks while shapeshifted/disguised
Spoiled Treacle Tart	Disadvantage	All Intelligence/Wisdom ability checks

Actions and spells

Name	Bonus or Penalty	Notes
Ascendant Bite	-1 (target) +1 (user)	All ability checks
Astral Knowledge: Intelligence	Proficiency
Bardic Inspiration  Combat Inspiration	+1d6 +1d8 +1d10	Next ability check
Bend Luck: Ability Check Bonus	+1d4	All ability checks
Bestow Curse: Intelligence Disadvantage	Disadvantage	All Intelligence ability checks
Bolstering Magic: Boon	+1d4	All ability checks
Contagion: Mindfire	Disadvantage	All Intelligence ability checks
Cosmic Omen: Ability Check	+1d6	All ability checks
Cutting Words	-1d6	All ability checks
Fox's Cunning	Advantage	All Intelligence ability checks
Guidance	+1d4	All ability checks
Hex (Intelligence)	Disadvantage	All Intelligence ability checks
Improved Bardic Inspiration	+1d12	Next ability check
Knowledge of the Ages: Intelligence	Proficiency
Psychic Rend	Disadvantage	All Intelligence/Wisdom ability checks
Vampire Bite	-1 (target) +1 (user)	All ability checks

Other sources

Name	Bonus or Penalty	Notes
Aura of Possibility	+10	All ability checks
Bliss Spores	+1d6	All ability checks
Blood-draw Sickness	-1	All ability checks
Dark One's Own Luck	+1d10	All ability checks once per short rest
Jack of All Trades	Proficiency bonus/2	All skills not proficient in