Proficiency Explained in Baldur's Gate 3

Learn what the Proficiency Bonus is in baldurs gate 3, how it increases with level, and what determines your proficiencies.

What is Proficiency Bonus?

Proficiency Bonus in baldurs gate 3 represents your character's aptitude in various tasks. It's an all-or-nothing system: you are either proficient, gaining the bonus, or not. This bonus is applied to:

• Attack rolls with spells and weapons you are proficient with.
• Ability checks, if you are proficient with a weapon, Saving Throw, Skill, or tool.
• Saving Throws.
• Saving Throw DCs for spells you cast.
• Skill checks.

Essentially, if a dice is rolled, your Proficiency Bonus might apply. While beneficial, it doesn't guarantee success; your Ability Scores and luck also play significant roles.

Proficiency Bonus Progression:

Every character begins baldurs gate 3 with a Proficiency Bonus of +2. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels:

• Levels 1-4: +2
• Levels 5-8: +3
• Levels 9-12: +4
• Levels 13-16: +5
• Levels 17+: +6

What Determines Proficiency?

While your character's level dictates the *amount* your Proficiency Bonus adds, your race, class(es), background, and personal choices determine *what* you are proficient in.

For example, High Elves inherently possess proficiencies with the Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, and Shortbow.

Your chosen class further expands these proficiencies. A Wizard, for instance, gains proficiency in Intelligence Saving Throws, Wisdom Saving Throws, and with weapons like the Dagger, Quarterstaff, and Light Crossbow, in addition to all known Wizard spells.

Depending on your class, you can select two to four skills from a curated list to become proficient in. Most classes offer a limited selection, but Bards and Rogues have more extensive lists. A Wizard can choose two proficiencies from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, or Religion.

Furthermore, your character's background grants two additional skill proficiencies. The Urchin background, for example, provides proficiency in Sleight of Hand and Stealth.

Example Combined Proficiencies:

A High Elf Wizard with the Urchin background would have the following proficiencies:

• Weapon Proficiencies: Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, Shortbow, Dagger, Quarterstaff, Light Crossbow.
• Saving Throw Proficiencies: Intelligence, Wisdom.
• Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and two chosen from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Religion.
• Spellcasting: All known Wizard spells.

When performing actions covered by these proficiencies, such as attacking with a proficient weapon, using a proficient skill, making a proficient Saving Throw, or casting a Wizard spell, your Proficiency Bonus will be applied.