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=== Skills ===
=== Skills ===
{{see also|Skills}}
Ability checks are usually made using a specified skill. Skills  are specific areas of expertise, each associated with an ability, that characters can be [[Proficiency|proficient]] in.{{note|Ability checks made using skills are often referred to as ''skill checks'' by the community, although they are not referred to as such in-game.}}
Ability checks are usually made using a specified skill. If a creature is proficient with an ability check's associated skill, they may add their proficiency bonus to the results of that roll, in addition to the relevant ability score modifier. These rolls are often referred to as ''skill checks'' by the community, although they are not referred to as such in-game.
 
Character add their proficiency bonus to any ability checks they make using skills they are proficient in.


{{SkillsTable}}
{{SkillsTable}}
==== Skill proficiencies ====
All characters gain proficiency in two skills based on their chosen [[background]] during character creation, and can choose 2-4 more skills to be proficient in from a list of skills determined by their class.
Additionally, some [[races]], subclasses and [[feats]] also give proficiency in specific skills, and [[bards]] receive the class feature {{SAI|Jack of All Trades}} at level 2, allowing them to add {{em|half}} their proficiency bonus to ability checks they make using skills they {{em|are not}} proficient in.
{{BackgroundSkillsTable}}
==== Expertise ====
Characters can also have expertise in a skill, which allows them to add {{em|double}} their proficiency bonus:
* [[Rogue|Rogues]] gain expertise in two skills they are proficient in at both level 1 and level 6.
* [[Bard|Bards]] gain expertise in two skills they are proficient in at both level 3 and level 10
* [[Knowledge Domain|Knowledge Domain clerics]] gain expertise in two skills, from a choice of Arcana, History, Nature and Religion, at level 1.
* The [[Actor]] feat gives expertise in Deception and Performance.
* [[Gnome#Rock gnomes]] have both expertise in History.
==== Multiple sources of skill proficiency ====
Neither proficiency nor expertise stack: there is no special benefit to having multiple sources of proficiency on a single character, nor is there any benefit to having both proficiency {{em|and}} expertise at the same time. Some sources of expertise do, however, require the character to already be proficient in a skill in order to gain expertise in it.


=== Common scenarios ===
=== Common scenarios ===

Revision as of 14:03, 22 December 2023

Abilites are representations of a creature's physical and mental attributes. There are six abilities in Baldur's Gate 3, and every creature has a set of six ability scores, numerical values which repdesent how well they perform at each ability.

Each ability score translate directly into an ability score modifier – modifiers which function as bonuses or penalties that are added to (or subtracted from) most dice rolls in the game.

Overview

Each ability describes a creature's capability in a different area.

Strength Score Icon.png Strength (STR)
Physical power
  • Creatures add their Strength modifier to the results of attack and damage rolls for melee weapons.
  • Increases carrying capacity and jump distance.
  • Improves chances of success of shoving or resisting being shoved.
  • The primary ability of fighters and barbarians.
Associated skills
Athletics
Dexterity Score Icon.png Dexterity (DEX)
Agility and finesse
  • Creatures add their Dexterity modifier to to the results of attack and damage rolls of ranged weapons and, when the creature's Dexterity score is higher than their Strength score, melee weapons with the Finesse property.
  • Creatures also add their Dexterity modifier to their AC, up to a maximum of +2 when wearing medium armour. The bonus is ignored when wearing heavy armour.
  • The primary ability of monks, rangers and rogues.
Associated skills
Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth
Constitution Score Icon.png Constitution (CON)
Overall health and endurance
  • Creatures add their Constitution modifier to the amount of hit points they gain on level up. This increase is applied retroactively.
Associated skills
None
Intelligence Score Icon.png Intelligence (INT)
Rational reasoning and memory
  • The primary ability of wizards.
Associated skills
Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion
Wisdom Score Icon.png Wisdom (WIS)
Common sense and insight
  • The primary ability for clerics and druids
  • An important ability for monks, as several of their class features depend on it.
Associated skills
Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival
Charisma Score Icon.png Charisma (CHA)
Charm or force of character
  • The primary ability for bards, sorcerers, warlocks and paladins.
Associated skills
Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion

Character creation

Ability scores are bought with points during character creation. The minimum ability score during character creation is 8, and the maximum is 15, before any of the ability score increases are applied.

Each class has designated primary and secondary abilities. While these have no particular mechanical significance, they are mentioned in the character creator, and serve as recommendations for players unfamiliar with the rules of the game.

Ability score modifiers

Each ability has an ability score modifier, which is derived from its respective ability score. These modifiers are added to various dice rolls in the game, including attack rolls, damage rolls, ability checks and saving throws.

Ability score modifiers are decreased by 1 for every odd ability score below 10, and are increased by 1 for every even ability score above 10.[note 1]

The formula used for calculation an ability score's modifier is Modifier = (Score − 10) ÷ 2 (rounded down).

Ability score modifier chart
Ability score Modifier value Ability score Modifier value
1 -5 16-17 +3
2-3 -4 18-19 +4
4-5 -3 20-21 +5
6-7 -2 22-23 +6
8-9 -1 24-25 +7
10-11 +0 26-27 +8
12-13 +1 28-29 +9
14-15 +2 30 +10

Spellcasting ability

For more information, see Spellcasting ability and proficiency.

Every class has an ability that affects their spellcasting, and they add its respective ability score modifier to the attack rolls and Difficulty Class of their spells.[note 2][note 3]

Intelligence
Fighter, Rogue, Wizard.
Wisdom
Cleric, Druid, Monk, Ranger.
Charisma
Barbarian, Bard, Paladin, Sorcerer, Warlock.

Saving throws

See also: Saving throws

Each saving throw has an associated ability, and creatures can have proficiency with or advantage on saves that use a specific ability, usually granted by clads and race, respectively.

  • Dexterity is a common ability used for saves against spells that deal area of effect damage, often halving the damage rolls of those spells.
  • Constitution saves are used is used to maintain concentration on long-duration spells, and are used when saving against poisons or spells that test a target's endurance or resilience.
  • Intelligence saves are used against psionic spells and features, such as those used by illithids.
  • Wisdom is a commonly used ability for saves against spells that test a creature's composure, willpower or self control.

Ability checks

Ability checks are dice rolls made to determine whether a creature succeeds or fails at a task. When attempting an ability check, a creature rolls a d20, and then adds the relevant ability score modifier and, if applicable, proficiency bonus to the results of the roll. If the final results equal or exceeds a target Difficulty Class (DC), specific to that task, it is considered as success.

Formula: D20.png d20 + Ability Score Modifier + (when applicable) proficiency Bonus

Skills

Ability checks are usually made using a specified skill. Skills are specific areas of expertise, each associated with an ability, that characters can be proficient in.[note 4]

Character add their proficiency bonus to any ability checks they make using skills they are proficient in.

Strength icon.png
Strength

Athletics

Dexterity icon.png
Dexterity

Acrobatics
Sleight of Hand
Stealth

Intelligence icon.png
Intelligence

Arcana
History
Investigation
Nature
Religion

Wisdom icon.png
Wisdom

Animal Handling
Insight
Medicine
Perception
Survival

Charisma icon.png
Charisma

Deception
Intimidation
Performance
Persuasion

List of skills, sorted by ability
Ability Score Skills
Strength Strength
Dexterity Dexterity
Intelligence Intelligence
Wisdom Wisdom
Charisma Charisma

Skill proficiencies

All characters gain proficiency in two skills based on their chosen background during character creation, and can choose 2-4 more skills to be proficient in from a list of skills determined by their class.

Additionally, some races, subclasses and feats also give proficiency in specific skills, and bards receive the class feature Jack of All Trades Jack of All Trades at level 2, allowing them to add half their proficiency bonus to ability checks they make using skills they are not proficient in.

Skill proficiencies granted by each background
Background Skills
Acolyte Acolyte Insight Insight Religion Religion
Charlatan Charlatan Deception Deception Sleight of Hand Sleight of Hand
Criminal Criminal Deception Deception Stealth Stealth
Entertainer Entertainer Acrobatics Acrobatics Performance Performance
Folk Hero Folk Hero Animal Handling Animal Handling Survival Survival
Guild Artisan Guild Artisan Insight Insight Persuasion Persuasion
Noble Noble History History Persuasion Persuasion
Outlander Outlander Athletics Athletics Survival Survival
Sage Sage Arcana Arcana History History
Soldier Soldier Athletics Athletics Intimidation Intimidation
Urchin Urchin Sleight of Hand Sleight of Hand Stealth Stealth

Expertise

Characters can also have expertise in a skill, which allows them to add double their proficiency bonus:

  • Rogues gain expertise in two skills they are proficient in at both level 1 and level 6.
  • Bards gain expertise in two skills they are proficient in at both level 3 and level 10
  • Knowledge Domain clerics gain expertise in two skills, from a choice of Arcana, History, Nature and Religion, at level 1.
  • The Actor feat gives expertise in Deception and Performance.
  • Gnome#Rock gnomes have both expertise in History.

Multiple sources of skill proficiency

Neither proficiency nor expertise stack: there is no special benefit to having multiple sources of proficiency on a single character, nor is there any benefit to having both proficiency and expertise at the same time. Some sources of expertise do, however, require the character to already be proficient in a skill in order to gain expertise in it.

Common scenarios

Automatic rolls

Some ability checks are automatic. For example, when a creature approaches an unactivated trap, the game rolls a Perception ability check to determine whether the creation notices the trap. Perception is a Wisdom Skill, so the character adds their Wisdom modifier and, if proficient in Perception, their proficiency bonus to the ability check. Once the trap is discovered, the character can interact with it to attempt to Disarm it, which requires a successful Sleight of Hand check, a Dexterity Skill.

During dialogue

Ability checks are also common during dialogue, where some responses require a ability check to determine the outcome. Examples include using Charisma-based skills like Persuasion, Deception or Intimidation to influence others, or Intelligence-based Skills like Investigation, History or Religion to determine or remember facts.

Contests

A contest is a special type of ability check in which two creatures both roll an ability check to oppose each other, and one wins over the other. The creatures don't necessarily roll the same type of check.

An example of this is the Shove Shove action. The creature attempting the Shove rolls Athletics, and the defending creature rolls either Athletics or Acrobatics (the game chooses the Skill with the highest bonus) to contest the Shove. If the attacker's roll is higher than the defender's, the Shove succeeds; otherwise it fails.

Improving or reducing ability scores

There are multiple ways of improving or reducing ability scores, either permanently or temporarily.

Permanently

Ability scores can be permanently improved through the Ability Improvement feat, though this cannot raise a score above 20.

There are also several ways of permanently improving ability scores by through quests and interactions, which can raise ability scores over 20.[note 5]

Temporarily

Ability scores may be temporarily increased above 20 through various enhancements, such as magical spells, elixirs, or special equipment.[note 5]

Ability score reduction

Some supernatural or magical effects (like Devour Intellect) can temporarily drain abilities, reducing one or more of the target's ability scores, potentially to zero. If any score is reduced to zero, the target dies instantly.

Footnotes

  1. Ability score modifiera cannot be increased beyond +10, even if their respective ability scores are increased further.
  2. The primary ability of casters classes always corresponds to their spellcasting ability, with the exception of rangers and classes that gain spellcasting via a subclass class feature.
  3. Racial spells may use their own designated ability. For example, the cantrip granted during character creation by the elf or half-elf race always uses Intelligence, regardless of the creature's class.
  4. Ability checks made using skills are often referred to as skill checks by the community, although they are not referred to as such in-game.
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Mirror of Loss can both permanently improve and temporarily reduce ability scores.