Editing Permanent bonuses

{{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.

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

=== Auntie Ethel's Hair ===
{{main|Auntie Ethel's Hair}}
Gain +1 to an [[abilities|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. 

=== Awakened ===
{{main|Awakened}}
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.

Failing any of the saving throws for the Zaith'isk inflicts permanent, stacking penalties to the ability scores 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.

=== BOOOAL's Blessing ===
{{main|BOOOAL's Blessing (Condition)}}
Gain advantage on [[attack rolls]] against [[Bleeding (Condition)|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.

=== Brand of the Absolute ===
{{main|Brand of the Absolute}}
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]].

=== Find Familiar: Scratch ===
{{main|Find Familiar: Scratch}}
Gain the ability to summon [[Scratch]] as a familiar while outside of camp. While summoned, Scratch will be able to uncover buried treasure.

==== 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 [[Find Familiar: Scratch]].

=== Find Familiar: Cheeky Quasit ===
{{main|Shovel (familiar)|Find Familiar: Cheeky Quasit}}
Summon [[Shovel (familiar)|Shovel]] (or Basket, or Fork), the Cheeky Quasit.

==== How to unlock ====
Find the unique [[Scroll of Summon Quasit]] in one of the coffins of the hidden area in the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] beneath the [[Blighted Village]]. Wizards can scribe this spell, or other classes can permanently acquire her through the [[Shovel_(familiar)#Permanently_acquiring_Shovel|correct dialogue options]].

=== Instrument proficiency ===
{{main|Instrument proficiency}}
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 [[Emerald Grove]].

[[Bard]]s have this automatically and this provides no additional benefit to them.

=== Loviatar's Love ===
{{main|Loviatar's Love (Condition)}}
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]].

=== Necromancy of Thay ===
{{main|Necromancy of Thay}}

Gain the passive feature [[Forbidden Knowledge]], which grants a +1 to Wisdom saving throws and ability checks. You can also cast [[Speak with Dead]] once per long rest.

==== How to unlock ====
Turn all three pages while reading ''[[Necromancy of Thay]]'', a 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.

=== Paid the Price ===
{{main|Paid the Price (Condition)}}
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. Mutually exclusive with Volo’s Ersatz Eye.

==== How to unlock ====
Accept [[Auntie Ethel]]'s deal to remove the parasite at the [[Riverside Teahouse]].

=== Survival Instinct ===
{{main|Survival Instinct}}
Gain the additional [[illithid power]] [[Survival Instinct]], which allows the user to infuse a creature with psionic force, healing them if they reach 0 hit points.

==== How to unlock ====
Complete the quest [[Help Omeluum investigate the parasite]] with [[Omeluum]] in the [[Underdark]].

This is a unique illithid power not obtainable through regular illithid power progression.

=== Volo's Ersatz Eye ===
{{main|Volo's Ersatz Eye (passive feature)}}
Grants a permanent [[See Invisibility (Condition)|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]]. Mutually exclusive with Paid the Price.

==== 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.

===Arabella's Shadow Entangle===
{{main|Arabella's Shadow Entangle}}
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]].

===Bardic inspiration===
{{main|Bardic Inspiration}}
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====
At the end of Act Two, if [[Alfira]] is still alive, she can be found at [[Moonrise Towers]]. Talking with her reveals that she wants to use music to cheer up the tiefing children in the room with her. If the active character is a [[Bard]], you can speak with her again to gain the bonus (you do not need to perform the song). 

===Githzerai Mind Barrier===
{{main|Githzerai Mind Barrier}}
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).

=== Level 3 Shadow Spell Slot ===
[[Gale]] gains an additional level three spell slot, separate from normal spell slots. Recharges per 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)

===Potion of Everlasting Vigour===
{{main|Potion of Everlasting Vigour}}
Gain +2 [[Strength]]. Can be used to raise Strength above 20, and will remain after respecing character.

====How to unlock====
Convince [[Astarion]] to bite [[Araj Oblodra]] in Moonrise Towers.

=== Slayer Form ===
{{main|Slayer|Slayer (Class Action)}} 
Gain the ability to transform into the [[Slayer]] once per long rest.

==== How to unlock ====
Only available while playing the [[Dark Urge]] Origin. 

Kill either [[Isobel]], or your lover, or the companion with the highest approval toward you, as part of [[The Urge]] 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.

===Summon Us===
{{main|Summon Us}}
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]] towards the end of Act Two.

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

=== Anointed in Splendour === 
{{main|Anointed in Splendour (Condition)}}
Character gains a +2 bonus to all {{SavingThrow}}s.

==== How to unlock ====
Offer enough gold to one of the [[deities]] in the [[Stormshore Tabernacle]] to gain the right to ask for a blessing. The exact amount of gold required depends on the [[character level|character's level]] and the [[difficulty]] settings. This can be done for every character but an offering will need to be made for each one.

Alternatively, [[Gale]] can get this permanent bonus through dialogue. If Gale chooses to ask for [[Mystra|Mystra's]] forgiveness during their meeting at the [[Stormshore Tabernacle]] in the [[Lower City]], she will grant him {{cond|Anointed in Splendour}}.

=== Danse Macabre === 
{{main|Danse Macabre}}
Create 4 ghouls that fight alongside you. Comes with a curse that lowers Constitution by 5, but can be removed with the [[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.
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=== Monk's Hideous Laughter ===
{{main|Tasha's Hideous Laughter}}
Gain casting of [[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.
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=== Mirror of Loss === 
{{main|Mirror of Loss}}
Gain +2 to an [[abilities|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 [[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 v4.1.1.4811634, the bonuses from the Necromancy of Thay are properly lost when you sacrifice its knowledge.

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).
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=== Partial ceremorphosis ===
{{main|Partial-illithid}}
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]].
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=== Slayer Knowledge ===
{{main|Slayer Knowledge}}
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.
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=== Sweet Stone Features ===
{{main|Sweet Stone Features (Condition)|True Hero of Baldur's Gate}}
Gain a {{damage colour|Slashing|+1d4 Slashing}} bonus to attack rolls and saving throws.

==== How to unlock ====
Pay [[Boney]] in the [[Circus of the Last Days]] 5000 gold for Stoney to construct a statue of yourself or a companion. The effect goes to whoever is depicted. Stony 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 [[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.

==== Astarion: Special interaction ====
If Astarion is the one depicted as a statue, the Sweet Stone Features condition overrules the Curse of the Sired condition that he would otherwise acquire in the [[Szarr Palace]]. The Curse of the Sired status gives Astarion disadvantage on all saving throws while in a place of trauma. With a statue of himself at camp, Astarion does not suffer that penalty and gets to keep the effect of the Sweet Stone Features condition instead, even while in the palace.{{HorizontalRuleImage}}

=== The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing ===
After a long rest, gain 20 temporary hit points. Remains active if ''[[The Tharchiate Codex]]'' is also used to obtain Danse Macabre.

==== How to unlock ====
Read ''The Tharchiate Codex'' (found at the end of the Vault puzzle in [[Ramazith's Tower]]). 
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=== Unstable Blood ===
{{main|Unstable Blood}}
Gain the passive [[Unstable Blood]]. Your blood is now highly flammable; if you bleed and create a blood surface, it 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 or brass dragonborn]], or equip an item that grants [[Resistance|Fire resistance]] to minimise the damage you yourself take from the explosions.
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=== Vampire Ascendant ===
{{main|Vampire Ascendant}}
[[Astarion]] gains class actions [[Ascendant Bite]] and [[Misty Escape (Vampire Ascendant)|Misty Escape]], as well as an extra {{damage colour|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.

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[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]