Passive perception is an essential aspect of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 5th Edition. It helps determine a character’s ability to notice hidden or concealed dangers without actively looking for them. Passive perception comes into play when Dungeon Masters (DMs) decide if a character can spot a hidden enemy, notice a trap, or discover a secret door. This article will explain how to calculate passive perception in D&D 5e.

Step 1: Determine Your Base Passive Perception

The base passive perception for a character is equal to 10. This number assumes that the character is not at a disadvantage or benefiting from any bonuses.

Step 2: Add Your Perception Modifier

The perception modifier is derived from your character’s Wisdom (WIS) ability score. To find the perception modifier, subtract 10 from your WIS score, divide the result by two, and round down the result. For instance, if you have a WIS score of 14, your perception modifier would be 2.

Step 3: Add Proficiency Bonus (If Applicable)

If your character is proficient in Perception––a skill often chosen during character creation––you need to add your proficiency bonus to the equation. The proficiency bonus varies depending on the character’s level and can be found on your character class’s chart in its respective sourcebook.

For example, if your character is a level 5 Rogue proficient in Perception with a proficiency bonus of +3, you would add this bonus to the calculation.

Step 4: Factor in Other Bonuses or Penalties

Some race and class features provide additional bonuses or penalties to passive perception. Be sure to include these in your calculation. For instance, if playing a Wood Elf, your character might have received a +2 bonus on Wisdom-based checks while in natural terrain due to their Mask of the Wild trait.

Additionally, check for effects from spells or magical items that could affect your passive perception score. Some such items include the Cloak of Elvenkind, which adds a +5 bonus to the wearer’s stealth checks. Conversely, spells like Pass without Trace can negatively impact your passive perception.

Step 5: Calculate Your Total Passive Perception

Now that you have gathered all relevant modifiers and bonuses, add them together with the base passive perception of 10:

Passive Perception = Base Passive Perception (10) + Perception Modifier + Proficiency Bonus (If Applicable) + Other Bonuses/Penalties

For example, let’s say you have a level 5 Rogue with a Wisdom score of 14, a proficiency bonus of +3 in Perception, and a Cloak of Elvenkind equipped:

Passive Perception = 10 + 2 (Perception Modifier) + 3 (Proficiency Bonus) + 5 (Cloak of Elvenkind)

Passive Perception = 20

In conclusion, calculating passive perception is essential to ensure your character maximizes their ability to sense potential dangers or hidden elements in-game. Be sure to keep track of bonuses and penalties that may impact your passive perception as you continue adventuring in the realms of Dungeons & Dragons!