Ability checks refer to the roll of a die in order to determine the success or failure of a character's attempt to perform a certain action or task in a game. These checks take into account a character's abilities, skills, and attributes in order to determine the outcome. Common ability checks include strength checks for feats of strength, dexterity checks for nimble movements, intelligence checks for intricate puzzles or logic problems, wisdom checks for intuition or perception, and charisma checks for interactions with other characters. These checks are a crucial part of many tabletop games and can add an element of unpredictability and excitement to gameplay.