Implement proficiency allows a character to apply the benefits of a wielded implement to implement keyword powers.
Implement proficiency can be gained as a class trait:
- Dagger: sorcerers are proficient
- Heavy blade: swordmages are proficient
- Holy symbol: avengers, clerics, paladins, and vampires are proficient
- Ki focus: assassin, monk and Vampire are proficient
- Light blade: swordmages are proficient
- Orb: psions and wizards are proficient
- Rod: artificers, invokers and warlocks are proficient
- Staff: artificers, druids, invokers, psions, sorcerers and wizards are proficient
- Totem: druids and shamans are proficient
- Wand: artificers, bards, warlocks and wizards are proficient
- Weapon: Assassin and monks are proficient, if they have weapon proficiency with the weapon
Characters with multiple classes can use any implement with which they are proficient with any of their implement keyword powers. For example, a character who is both a cleric and a wizard can use a holy symbol, a cleric's implement, when using wizard powers, and vice versa.
Originally, 4th edition characters had to use implement powers of a class with an implement usable by the same class. The Essentials line of rulebooks simplified the use of implements such that a character can use any implement with which he or she is proficient for any implement power.