An ability check tests a character’s or monster’s innate talent and training in an effort to overcome a challenge. The GM calls for an ability check when a character or monster attempts an action (other than an attack) that has a chance of failure.

Are ability checks and skill checks the same?

Ability Check vs Skill Check – Ability Check is a general term that includes dice rolls related to the player’s Ability Scores, and are not considered Attacks or Saving Throws. Skills are generalized areas study that players may specialize in, thus giving them a proficiency bonus to the roll.

Do ability checks include skill checks?

Long story short, no such a thing as “skill checks” exists in D&D 5E. There’s only ability checks. Many ability checks are tied to some proficiency, and some proficiencies are called “skill proficiencies”, but an ability check involving a skill proficiency is still not a “skill check”.

Ability checks are written like this: Ability (proficiency). For example, your Dungeon Master might call for a Dexterity (Stealth) check. The reason for this is Dexterity is the applicable ability score, while your Stealth proficiency allows you to further modify the skill check.