Proficiency

Weapons and armor require a certain level of knowledge of their proper use in order to utilize them correctly. When a character attempts to use these items without said proficiency, they can suffer steep penalties.

Non-Proficiency Penalties

• Armor: Wearing armor you are not proficient in inhibits your ability to maneuver and fight effectively. You take a penalty equal to the armor's Armor Check Penalty to all attack rolls, as well as any skill checks that rely on movement.
  
• Weapons: You take a -4 penalty to attack rolls for any weapon with which you are not proficient.

Gaining Proficiency

There are several ways a character can gain proficiency with a weapon or armor type.

• Class: Each class gives proficiency in a selection of weapons and armor by default. These are the eqiupment that are core to that class, and is most commonly used amongst those who belong to it.
  
• Feats: There are several feats, namely: Light Armor Proficiency, Medium Armor Proficiency, and Heavy Armor Proficiency for armor, and Simple Weapon Proficiency, Martial Weapon Proficiency, and Exotic Weapon Proficiency for weapons that give a character proficiency with more weapons and armor.
  
• Race: Many weapons are considered racial weapons (usually preceeded by the race's name, such as Dwarven Waraxe). Characters of the relevant race are able to use these weapons more easily than others, and may have proficiency when others would need a feat.
  
• Spells: Bestow Weapon Proficiency can temporarily grant a character proficiency with a held weapon.