D&D 5e rule changes: Difference between revisions

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This page and [[#Other Changes|related pages]] summarize rule changes from the implementation of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_5th_edition Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition] (D&D 5e) rules to [[Baldur's Gate 3]] (BG3).
This page and related pages summarise rule changes from the implementation of ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_5th_edition Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition]'' (D&D 5e) rules to ''[[Baldur's Gate 3]]'' (BG3).


The rule changes described on this page and [[#Other Changes|related pages]] are written with the assumption the reader understands the relevant D&D 5e rule. These pages will not explain what the D&D 5e rule is, only what the changed or altered BG3 rule is. These pages also include many BG3 features and abilities that are unchanged from D&D 5e to help a D&D 5e player quickly see which options have changed and which have not, and make decisions without having to do additional research. If the BG3 rule aligns with a OneD&D rule or other playtest material from D&D 5e, that is considered a rule change from D&D 5e.
The rule changes described on this page and [[#Other changes|related pages are written with the assumption the reader understands the relevant D&D 5e rule. These pages will not explain what the D&D 5e rule is, only what the changed or altered BG3 rule is. These pages also include many BG3 features and abilities that are unchanged from D&D 5e to help a D&D 5e player quickly see which options have changed and which have not, and make decisions without having to do additional research. If the BG3 rule aligns with a OneD&D rule or other playtest material from D&D 5e, that is considered a rule change from D&D 5e.
 
== Fundamental Changes ==


== Fundamental changes ==
=== Characters and companions ===
{{hatnote|See also: [[D&D 5e class changes|Class changes]] and [[D&D 5e race changes|Race Changes]]}}
* The level cap is 12.
* The level cap is 12.
* There is a weighted dice setting in the game called [[Die_Rolls#Karmic_Dice|Karmic Dice]] which is enabled by default.
** While enabled fights tend to be faster and deadlier than when fully random rolls are used.
* Characters must use 27 point buy. There is no rolling for [[Ability Scores|ability scores]].
* Characters must use 27 point buy. There is no rolling for [[Ability Scores|ability scores]].
* All [[Races|races]] have a +2/+1 flexible ability score bonus - similar to the alternate rules from ''Tasha's Cauldron of Everything'' - though the standard 5e racial ability score bonus and the +1/+1/+1 option do not exist. [[Half-Elf|Half-elves]] and [[Human|Humans]] have been granted additional features to make up for this change.
* All [[Races|races]] have a +2/+1 flexible ability score bonus - similar to the alternate rules from ''Tasha's Cauldron of Everything'' - though the standard 5e racial ability score bonus and the +1/+1/+1 option do not exist. [[Half-Elf|Half-elves]] and [[human]]s have been granted additional features to make up for this change.
* Multiclassing ignores [[Ability Scores|ability score]] requirements.
* Multiclassing ignores ability score requirements.
** This makes it possible to reach the level cap with one level from each of the 12 available classes, which grants an [[Achievements|achievement]].
** This makes it possible to reach the level cap with one level from each of the 12 available classes, which grants an [[Achievements|achievement]].
* You are able to respec your characters when you meet an NPC made available early in Act 1 of the game. You may respec your starting [[Classes|class]], subclass (when applicable), [[Ability Scores|ability scores]], [[Spells|spells]] (when applicable), and [[Skills|skill]] proficiencies gained from class. It is not possible to change a character's [[Races|race]] or [[background]].
** If you change an [[Origins|origin companion]] or [[Companions|traditional companion's]] starting [[Classes|class]] (or subclass when applicable), the game will still treat them as members of said class for their Origins-exclusive dialogue. They will gain dialogues from and reactions to their new class as appropriate.
* Hit points gained on level are always fixed values; there is no option to roll a hit die.
* Hit points gained on level are always fixed values; there is no option to roll a hit die.
* You are able to respec your characters when you meet an NPC made available early in Act 1 of the game. You may respec your starting [[Classes|class]], subclass (when applicable), ability scores, [[Spells|spells]] (when applicable), and [[Skills|skill]] proficiencies gained from class. It is not possible to change a character's [[Races|race]] or [[background]].
** If you change an [[Origins|origin companion]] or [[Companions|companion's]] starting class (or subclass when applicable), the game will still treat them as members of said class for their Origins-exclusive dialogue. They will gain dialogues from and reactions to their new class as appropriate.
* Tool, vehicle, and language proficiencies are not implemented, only proficiencies for weapons, armour, skills and musical instruments.
** As such, [[Backgrounds]] only provide proficiency in two [[Skills]].
** A single proficiency, granted by the [[Bard]] class, applies to all musical instruments. This is not part of any background.
* [[Inspiration]] is granted automatically when a character in the active party does or sees certain things associated with their background. If, for example, a character has the Charlatan background, they may gain inspiration if they deceive their way into a fortified enemy position. The party cannot have more than four inspiration uses stored up at a time, which can be applied to reroll a failed skill check or saving throw.
* Characters can carry a maximum 10 kg (20 lbs) of weight per point of Strength. If the character is carrying an amount of weight equal to '''7 kg (14 lbs) x Strength''', they are [[Encumbered (Condition)|encumbered]]. This becomes [[Heavily Encumbered (Condition)|heavily encumbered]] at '''9 kg (18 lbs) × Strength'''.
=== Death ===
* There is no instant death mechanic. A party member reduced to 0 hit points is knocked unconscious, regardless of whether the remaining damage exceeds their hit point maximum.
* There is no instant death mechanic. A party member reduced to 0 hit points is knocked unconscious, regardless of whether the remaining damage exceeds their hit point maximum.
** Only party members ever make death saving throws. Other characters, including important NPCs, are killed outright when their health is reduced to 0 by lethal damage, and cannot be resurrected.
** Only party members ever make death saving throws. Other characters, including important NPCs, are killed outright when their health is reduced to 0 by lethal damage, and cannot be resurrected.
=== Resting ===
* The party is limited to two [[Resting#Short_Rest|short rests]] per [[Resting#Long_Rest|long rest]]. Short rests restore each ally's hit points by an amount equal to half their maximum HP (rounded down). There is no hit die rolling.
* The party is limited to two [[Resting#Short_Rest|short rests]] per [[Resting#Long_Rest|long rest]]. Short rests restore each ally's hit points by an amount equal to half their maximum HP (rounded down). There is no hit die rolling.
** The [[Bard]] ability [[Song of Rest]] provides an additional short rest.
** The [[Bard]] ability [[Song of Rest]] provides an additional short rest.
* [[Resting#Long_Rest|Long rests]] require [[Camp Supplies|camp supplies]], which are food and drink items that must be looted or purchased. Taking a long rest without sufficient camp supplies results in only partial recovery of spell slots and hit points.
* Long rests require [[Camp Supplies|camp supplies]], which are food and drink items that must be looted or purchased. Taking a long rest without sufficient camp supplies results in only partial recovery of spell slots and hit points.
 
=== Dice rolls ===
* There is a weighted dice setting in the game called [[Die_Rolls#Karmic_Dice|Karmic Dice]] which is enabled by default.
** While enabled fights tend to be faster and deadlier than when fully random rolls are used.
* Rolling a natural 1 on an ability check always results in failure, even if modifiers would put you over the DC. Rolling a natural 20 on a skill check always results in success, even if modifiers would not put you over the DC. There are no additional fumble or critical success features besides an automatic failure or pass of the ability check.
* Rolling a natural 1 on an ability check always results in failure, even if modifiers would put you over the DC. Rolling a natural 20 on a skill check always results in success, even if modifiers would not put you over the DC. There are no additional fumble or critical success features besides an automatic failure or pass of the ability check.
*When [[Saving Throws]] are used in dialogue, rolling a natural 1 or natural 20 always results in failure or success regardless of the difficulty class of the saving throw or the characters modifiers. Regular saving throws work as expected when a 1 or 20 is rolled.
*When [[Saving Throws]] are used in dialogue, rolling a natural 1 or natural 20 always results in failure or success regardless of the difficulty class of the saving throw or the characters modifiers. Regular saving throws work as expected when a 1 or 20 is rolled.
** For [[Death Saving Throw|Death Saving Throws]], a roll of a 1 gives only one fail rather than 2. A roll of 20 results in a success, rather than restoring 1 HP.
** For [[Death Saving Throw|Death Saving Throws]], a roll of a 1 gives only one fail rather than 2. A roll of 20 results in a success, rather than restoring 1 HP.
=== Combat ===
* Combat areas tend to have a large amount of verticality, but are rather small in horizontal size. This has led to the following mechanical changes:
* Combat areas tend to have a large amount of verticality, but are rather small in horizontal size. This has led to the following mechanical changes:
** The ranges of [[Spells|spells]] are reduced as described on the [[Spells|spells]] page, often to 60 ft.
** The ranges of [[Spells|spells]] are reduced as described on the [[Spells|spells]] page, often to 60 ft.
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* Initiative is rolled with a d4 instead of a d20, and is not treated as a Dexterity Ability Check. Game effects that grant a bonus to initiative still apply, but most grant a flat +3 to the roll instead of advantage or a bonus based on an Ability Score.
* Initiative is rolled with a d4 instead of a d20, and is not treated as a Dexterity Ability Check. Game effects that grant a bonus to initiative still apply, but most grant a flat +3 to the roll instead of advantage or a bonus based on an Ability Score.
** This makes it more likely that multiple characters on the same side will roll identical or adjacent initiative values, allowing them to exploit the shared initiative feature described above.
** This makes it more likely that multiple characters on the same side will roll identical or adjacent initiative values, allowing them to exploit the shared initiative feature described above.
* Tool, vehicle, and language proficiencies are not implemented, only proficiencies for weapons, armour, skills and musical instruments.
* Rules for sound and hearing are not implemented and NPCs may only detect what they see. If you [[Hide|hide]] while not in a creature's sight cone, you automatically succeed. If you try to hide while in a creature's sight cone, or are already hidden and enter a creature's sight cone, you must roll stealth against the creature's passive perception. This may be a straight roll, advantage, or disadvantage, based on the creature's senses and the level of lighting. Some creatures with different senses such as blindsight may follow different rules.
** As such, [[Backgrounds]] only provide proficiency in two [[Skills]].
** A single proficiency, granted by the [[Bard]] class, applies to all musical instruments. This is not part of any background.
* Rules for sound and hearing are not implemented and NPCs may only detect what they see. If you [[Hide|hide]] while not in a creature's sight cone, you automatically succeed. If you try to hide while in a creature's sight cone, or are already hidden and enter a creature's sight cone, you must roll stealth against the creature's passive perception. This may be a straight roll, [[Advantage|advantage]], or [[Disadvantage|disadvantage]], based on the creature's senses and the level of lighting. Some creatures with different senses such as blindsight may follow different rules.
* [[Inspiration]] is granted automatically when a character in the active party does or sees certain things associated with their [[Backgrounds|background]]. If, for example, a character has the Charlatan background, they may gain inspiration if they deceive their way into a fortified enemy position. The party cannot have more than four inspiration uses stored up at a time, which can be applied to reroll a failed skill check or saving throw.
* Characters can carry a maximum 10 kg (20 lbs) of weight per point of Strength. If the character is carrying an amount of weight equal to '''14 lbs (7 kg) x Strength''', they are [[Encumbered (Condition)|encumbered]]. This becomes [[Heavily Encumbered (Condition)|heavily encumbered]] at '''18 lbs (9 kg) × Strength'''.


=== Spellcasting ===
=== Spellcasting ===
''See Also: [[D&D 5e Spell Changes]]''
{{see also|D&D 5e spell changes}}


* Prepared spell casters may change their prepared spells at any time out of combat.
* Prepared spell casters may change their prepared spells at any time out of combat.
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** The exceptions are a few spells that can only be used by NPCs that are technically classified as 9th level, and [[Power Word Kill]] being available as a one-time-use ability if a very specific set of plot choices are made.
** The exceptions are a few spells that can only be used by NPCs that are technically classified as 9th level, and [[Power Word Kill]] being available as a one-time-use ability if a very specific set of plot choices are made.


=== Action Economy ===
=== Action economy ===


* A character can have one ranged weapon set equipped and one melee weapon set equipped, and are able to freely switch between them as a free action an unlimited number of times per turn. This includes starting their turn with the melee weapon equipped, switching to a crossbow for free, shooting at targets, and switching back to the melee set to allow them to make opportunity attacks. A character able to make multiple attacks with one action can switch weapons between attacks. Equipping a weapon from the inventory costs an action.
* A character can have one ranged weapon set equipped and one melee weapon set equipped, and are able to freely switch between them as a free action an unlimited number of times per turn. This includes starting their turn with the melee weapon equipped, switching to a crossbow for free, shooting at targets, and switching back to the melee set to allow them to make opportunity attacks. A character able to make multiple attacks with one action can switch weapons between attacks. Equipping a weapon from the inventory costs an action.
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* The [[Haunted One]] background grants proficiency in [[Medicine]] and [[Intimidation]], neither of which is among the four skill options for the 5e version of this background as defined in ''Curse of Strahd''.
* The [[Haunted One]] background grants proficiency in [[Medicine]] and [[Intimidation]], neither of which is among the four skill options for the 5e version of this background as defined in ''Curse of Strahd''.


== Other Changes ==
== Other changes ==
See related pages for details on changes from the Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition rules specific to the [[classes]], [[races]], [[spells]] and [[feats]] available in Baldur's Gate 3.
See related pages for details on changes from the ''Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition'' rules specific to the [[classes]], [[races]], [[spells]] and [[feats]] available in ''Baldur's Gate 3''.
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{{ImageLink|Races-Main-Page.png|D&D 5e Race Changes|Race changes}}
{{ImageLink|Races-Main-Page.png|D&D 5e Race Changes|Race changes}}
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{{ImageLink|Passive_Feature_Generic_Icon.png|D&D 5e Feat Changes|Feat changes}}
{{ImageLink|Passive_Feature_Generic_Icon.png|D&D 5e Feat Changes|Feat changes}}
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==See also==
==See also==
* [https://5thsrd.org/ 5th Edition System Reference Document]
* [https://5thsrd.org/ 5th Edition System Reference Document]
* [https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf D&D System Reference Document 5.1]
* [https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf D&D System Reference Document 5.1]
Retrieved from "https://bg3.wiki/wiki/D%26D_5e_rule_changes"