Editing Permanent bonus table

{{PageSeo
| title = Permanent bonuses
| description = There are many different permanent character enhancements that can be obtained in Baldur's Gate 3. See below for these bonuses and how to obtain them.}}
'''Permanent bonuses''' are special [[conditions]], character enhancements, or other abilities, which will generally remain permanently after obtaining them. Some permanent bonuses will, however, be removed if the character dies.

There are many different permanent character enhancements or bonuses that can be obtained throughout [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. See below for details on these bonuses and how they can be obtained.

{{SpoilerWarning}}


== Act One ==

The following permanent character bonuses can be obtained in [[Act One]] of the game's story.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Bonus !! Description !! How to Unlock
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Auntie Ethel's Hair]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain +1 to an [[Ability Scores|Ability Score]] of choice. Can be raised above 20.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Defeat [[Auntie Ethel]] during [[Save Mayrina]] and take her deal to spare her life.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Awakened}}
|| <!-- Description -->You can use all of your illithid powers as a [[Bonus Action]]
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Make the Zaith'isk in the infirmary of [[Crèche Y'llek]] explode and succeed at all three saving throws. The saves are significantly easier if you are in the device rather than Lae'zel. The person that gets the buff is always the player character.

Failing any of the saving throws for the Zaith'isk inflicts permanent, stacking penalties to the [[Ability Score]]s of the character inside it: each failure will, respectively, give -2 to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Constitution.
[[Partial-Illithid|Partial ceremorphosis]] will remove the ability debuff.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{Condition inline|BOOOAL's Blessing}}
|| <!-- Description -->Gain {{Advantage}} on [[attack rolls]] against {{cond|Bleeding}} targets.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Sacrifice a companion to [[BOOOAL]] in [[The Festering Cove]] ([[hirelings]] cannot be sacrificed).

The effect is granted to all present party members, and will stop working if all [[Kuo-toa]] in the Cove are killed.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Brand of the Absolute]]
|| <!-- Description -->Allows the benefits from [[:Category:Absolute_Equipment|Absolute Equipment]] and unlocks unique dialogue options when speaking to followers of the Absolute.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Agree to let a character be branded by [[Gut]] in the [[Goblin Camp]].

Multiple characters can receive the brand after the first character has been branded by [[Gut]] (by controlling them and speaking to [[Warlock Greez]]).
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Find Familiar: Scratch}}
|| <!-- Description -->Summon the best boy. Scratch's keen nose can discover many things hidden around the world.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Leave [[Scratch]] with your scent so he joins your camp, then later when he offers you a ball, throw it to play fetch with him. Having [[Scratch's Ball]] in your inventory allows you to use {{SAI|Find Familiar: Scratch}}.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Find Familiar: Cheeky Quasit}}
|| <!-- Description -->Summon [[Shovel_(Familiar)|Shovel]] (or Basket, or Fork), the Cheeky Quasit.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Find the unique {{SmItemIcon|Scroll of Summon Quasit}} in one of the coffins of the hidden area in the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] beneath the [[Blighted Village]]. Wizards can learn this spell, or after summoning talk to the Quasit and they will permanently teach you the spell under [[Find_Familiar#Shovel|certain conditions]].
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Proficiency#Instrument proficiency|Instrument proficiency]]
|| <!-- Description -->You know how to play a variety of musical instruments and are able to entertain a crowd with them.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Pass one of two Charisma (Performance) checks while helping [[Alfira]] with her song in the [[Druid Grove]].

[[Bard]]s have this automatically and this provides no additional benefit to them.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{cond|Loviatar's Love}}
|| <!-- Description -->When you have 30% Hit Points or less, you gain a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls and [[Wisdom]] saving throws.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Submit to [[Abdirak]] and put on a good performance for him in the [[Shattered Sanctum]].

Effect is permanently lost if the character dies and is revived.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Necromancy of Thay]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain the {{SAI|Forbidden Knowledge}} passive feature and {{SAI|Speak with Dead}} spell once per long rest.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Turn all three pages while reading [[Necromancy of Thay]], a [[Books|book]] found in a hidden area in the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] beneath the [[Blighted Village]].

Turning only 1 page will grant only [[Speak with Dead]]. The reader does not need to succeed on the Saving Throws associated with turning the pages.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{cond|Paid the Price}}
|| <!-- Description -->You have a +1 bonus to [[Intimidation]] checks, but {{Disadvantage}} on [[Perception]] checks. Additionally, you have {{Disadvantage}} when attacking Hags. Changes the chosen eye's appearance.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Accept [[Auntie Ethel]]'s deal to remove the parasite at the [[Riverside Teahouse]].
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Survival Instinct}}
|| <!-- Description -->Gain the additional [[Illithid Powers|illithid power]] {{Icon|Cleric Tadpole Survival Instinct.png|30|link=Survival Instinct}}[[Survival Instinct]].
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Complete the quest [[Help Omeluum investigate the parasite]] with [[Omeluum]] in the [[Underdark]].

This is an unique illithid power not obtainable through regular illithid power progression.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Volo's Ersatz Eye (passive feature)|Volo's Ersatz Eye]]
|| <!-- Description -->Grants a permanent {{cond|See Invisibility}} effect. Changes the right eye's appearance. The right eye's colour is changed to "Blue 3". This {{em|cannot}} be reversed using the [[Magic Mirror]].
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Rescue [[Volo]] from the [[Goblin Camp]]. When speaking to him in the [[Campsite]] afterwards, tell him about your Tadpole infection and agree to his experimental surgery.
|}



== Act Two ==

The following permanent character bonuses can be obtained in [[Act Two]] of the game's story.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Bonus !! Description !! How to Unlock
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->
|| <!-- Description -->
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Arabella's Shadow Entangle}}
|| <!-- Description -->Entangle an Undead or shadow creature until long rest.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Tell [[Arabella]] about her parents' fate during the quest [[Find Arabella's Parents]].
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Bardic Inspiration}}
|| <!-- Description -->Gain a charge of Bardic Inspiration that is stronger than usual (1d12). Usable once per long rest, and does not consume Bardic Inspiration charges.

This bonus does not strengthen existing Bardic Inspiration uses (if any); they will remain at the appropriate strength for the character's Bard level.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Available only to {{class|Bard}}s. At the end of Act 2, offer to play alongside [[Alfira]] to cheer up the children in [[Moonrise Towers]], then use the {{SAI|Perform}} action when next to her. Alfira will grant this bonus when talking to her after playing alongside her. You may need to pass the Performance check when using Perform.{{Verify}}
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{cond|Githzerai Mind Barrier}}
|| <!-- Description -->Gain {{Advantage}} on [[Intelligence]] [[Saving throw]]s.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Insert the [[Waking Mind]] (found at {{coords|750|-139}} after the brain connect puzzle in the [[Mind Flayer Colony]]) into the nearby Mind-Archive Interface. Speak to the Slack-Skinned Head, and agree to purge or consume its mind. 

Effect is permanently lost if the character dies and is revived (as of Hotfix #6).
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->Level 3 Shadow [[Spell Slot]]
|| <!-- Description -->An additional Level 3 Spell Slot, separate from normal Spell Slots.{{recharge|Long rest}}
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Only available to [[Gale]] while playing his [[Origins|Origin]], and {{em|not}} as a companion. 

Consume the Shadow Weave from the corpse of [[Gerringothe Thorm]], [[Malus Thorm]] or [[Thisobald Thorm]] after slaying them in combat. Cleansing the Shadow Weave grants [[Mystra's_Blessing_(Condition)|Mystra's Blessing]] until Long rest instead.

Defeating Malus or Thisobald via dialogue won't grant the option of consuming or cleansing the Shadow Weave (Bug as of Hotfix #16)
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Potion of Everlasting Vigour]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain +2 [[Strength]]. Can be used to raise Strength above 20, and will remain after respeccing character.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Convince [[Astarion]] to bite [[Araj Oblodra]] in Moonrise Towers.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[File:Slayer_Class_Action.webp|25px]][[Slayer (Class Action)|Slayer]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain the ability to transform into the [[Slayer]] once per Long Rest.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Only available while playing the [[Dark Urge]] Origin. 

{{SpoilerDurge|Kill [[Isobel]], your lover, or the companion with the highest approval toward you as part of [[The Urge]] [[Quests|quest]]. Alternatively, it can be acquired alongside the one-time-use spell [[Power Word Kill]] by accepting to become [[Bhaal|Bhaal's]] Chosen after defeating [[Orin]] in Act Three. 

Refusing to become Bhaal's Chosen will result in the permanent loss of the Slayer Form.
}}
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Summon Us]]
|| <!-- Description -->Allows you to summon [[Us]], an intellect devourer, as a familiar.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Prevent Us from dying on the Nautiloid during the [[Prologue]], then free it from its cage in the [[Mind Flayer Colony]].
|}



== Act Three ==

The following permanent character bonuses can be obtained in [[Act Three]] of the game's story.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Bonus !! Description !! How to Unlock
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Danse Macabre}}
|| <!-- Description -->Create 4 ghouls that fight alongside you. Comes with a curse that lowers Constitution by 5, but can be removed with the {{SAI|Remove Curse}} spell while keeping Danse Macabre
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Read The Tharchiate Codex (found at the end of the Vault puzzle in Ramazith's Tower), then read the last page of the [[Necromancy of Thay]] (from Act 1) and pass a DC 20 Wisdom Saving Throw.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Tasha's Hideous Laughter|Monk's Hideous Laughter]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain casting of {{SAI|Tasha's Hideous Laughter}} per long rest.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Carry the [[Sentient Amulet]] from [[Grymforge]] to a casket under the [[Open Hand Temple]] in [[Wyrm's Crossing]], completing [[Help the Cursed Monk]]. Must choose to accept the curse yourself.

Possible wisdom loss if you fail Constitution/Wisdom saves. The sentient amulet seems to lose all of its abilities after the quest completion.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Mirror of Loss]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain +2 to an [[Ability Score]] of your choice (and optionally +1 to Charisma).
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Successfully offer a prayer ({{Ability check|Religion|25}}) to the Mirror of Loss in the [[House of Grief]], then sacrifice one or more of your ability scores. You may receive the option to choose a permanent +2 bonus to any ability, and/or a +1 bonus to CHA. If you do not succeed on the DC 25 Religion check, the +2 buff is not available as a random reward. You can alternatively sacrifice your knowledge of the [[Necromancy of Thay]] to receive a guaranteed +2 of your choice, even without offering a prayer.

For each ability you sacrifice, you'll receive the ''Stolen Vigour'' curse, giving -2 to that Ability. This can be cured via {{SAI|Remove Curse}}, or (as of v4.1.1.4251417) performing a long rest. Either method of removing the curse allows you to retain the stat buff(s) you may have received.

Buffs granted by the Mirror can raise the affected ability score up to 24. 

As of v4.1.1.4251417, all bonuses from the Necromancy of Thay are retained when you sacrifice its knowledge, along with the Ability Score increase - this is likely a bug.

You will receive the ''Patriar's Memory'' (+1 CHA) if the Narrator tells you the following after sacrificing an ability score: "Disappointment floods your mind. You were sure to succeed Stelmane, but Lord Enver Gortash has stolen your support. All that charming and cajoling in the parlous of the Upper City, Wasted." You can continue to reload until you receive this specific memory, though be aware that this outcome becomes significantly less likely to occur for characters who have completed the DC 25 Religion check, due to the mechanics of how the various outcomes are chosen (described in detail on the Mirror of Loss page).
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Partial-illithid|Partial Ceremorphosis]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain access to [[Illithid_powers#Elite_Powers|tier 3 illithid Powers]], and automatically unlock all tier 1 illithid powers and the tier 3 illithid power Fly. This will cause a cosmetic change in the character.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Consume the [[Astral-Touched Tadpole]] offered by [[the Emperor]].
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[Slayer Knowledge]]
|| <!-- Description -->Grants {{Advantage}} against Slayer abilities.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Rescue [[Volo]] while he is tied up to explosives near the [[Steel Watch Foundry]]. Talk to him after the fight that ensues, and he will return to your camp.

Back at the camp, talk to him again and he will explain that he was targeted by the Lord of Murder [[Bhaal]] and his Chosen. You can then ask him about the [[Slayer]] and he will offer you a [[Regarding the Slayer|guidebook]] written by the wizard Irenicus. Read this book and you will gain a passive feature that gives you and your party an edge against any of Bhaal's Chosen.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{cond|Sweet Stone Features}} and [[True Hero of Baldur's Gate]]
|| <!-- Description -->Gain a {{DieIcon|d4|Slashing}} '''+1d4''' bonus to {{Attack Roll}}s and {{SavingThrow}}s.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Pay [[Boney]] in the [[Circus of the Last Days]] 5000 gold to construct a statue of yourself or a companion. The effect goes to whoever is depicted.

Can only construct a statue for a single character. The effect begins once you long rest.

This effect will be overwritten if the character is affected by {{SAI|Bless}} or is healed by a character wearing [[The Whispering Promise]]. Once the Bless effect expires, they will not regain Sweet Stone Features until completing another long rest.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[The Tharchiate Codex]]: Blessing
|| <!-- Description -->After a long rest, gain 20 temporary hit points. Remains active if [[The Tharchiate Codex]] is also used to obtain {{SAI|Danse Macabre}}.
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Read [[The Tharchiate Codex]] (found at the end of the Vault puzzle in [[Ramazith's Tower]]). 
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->{{SAI|Unstable Blood}}
|| <!-- Description -->Gain the passive {{SAI|Unstable Blood}}. Your blood is now highly flammable and will explode on contact with fire. 
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Give your blood to [[Araj Oblodra]] in [[Moonrise Towers]] in Act 2, then meet her again east of [[The Blushing Mermaid]] in Act 3 and help her again. She will give you a potion that grants this feature once drunk.

Tip: Give to a [[Tiefling]] or [[Dragonborn|Red/Gold/Brass Dragonborn]] or equip an item that grants [[Resistance|Fire Resistance]] to minimise the damage you yourself take from the explosions.
|-
| <!-- Bonus -->[[File:Bulette_Bite.webp|25px]][[Vampire Ascendant]]
||<!-- Description -->Gain class actions {{SAI|Ascendant Bite}} and {{SAI|Misty Escape (Vampire Ascendant)|Misty Escape}}, as well as an extra {{DamageText|1d10|Necrotic}} damage to weapon and unarmed attacks. 
|| <!-- How to Unlock -->Only available to [[Astarion]] (companion or origin).

Defeat [[Cazador]] without killing any of his [[vampire spawn|spawn]] whilst having [[Astarion]] in your party. Afterward, allow Astarion to complete the ascension ritual.
|}

{{gameplay}}
[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]