Perception

Perception is a Wisdom-based Skill.

The higher a creature's Wisdom Score, the more likely it will succeed on Perception Checks to spot hidden objects or creatures.

“

Observe your environment. Spot hidden details.

„

— In-game skill description

Proficiency

Characters who are proficient in Perception can add their Proficiency Bonus when making  Ability checks.

The following classes can choose to select Perception as a proficient skill at Level 1:

•  Barbarian
•  Bard
•  Druid
•  Fighter
•  Ranger
•  Rogue

The following races are proficient in Perception:

•  Elf
•  Drow

Uses

World perception

World or environment perception checks are used to determine whether a player character successfully detects traps, hidden containers or mechanisms, ambushes, or other details in their environment. These are regular skill checks that are performed automatically when the player character is close enough to the thing that can be detected.

Characters with  Dungeon Delver: Perception from the Dungeon Delver feat have  Advantage on these checks.

Note: These are sometimes erroneously referred to as passive perception checks, which they typically are in D&D tabletop, but in Baldur's Gate 3 they are instead implemented as automatic rolls. In the game engine, they are referred to as KnowledgeCheck.

When a roll of this nature is made, a dice roll audio effect is played and a small indicator in the corner of the screen displays success or failure.

Passive perception

Passive checks are ability or skill checks that don't involve an active d20 roll. Instead, the result is determined directly by a formula. In the case of passive Perception checks:

10 + Wisdom modifier + proficiency bonus (if proficient) + advantage modifier + (any other modifiers)

In Baldur's Gate 3, passive perception is mostly used by non-player creatures to determine the Difficulty Class of the Stealth check that a player character needs to make to remain hidden. The roll made by the player character is listed as a Hiding Check in the combat log.

Many creatures also have unlisted flat bonuses to their perception. For example, owlbears have a +5 bonus and worgs have a +4 bonus. However, since skills are not shown when inspecting an enemy, this information is not readily available in game.

Stealth perception

When a player character performs a stealth attack, they roll a Stealth check to remain undetected. Though not shown explicitly, the Difficulty Class of the Stealth Check displayed in the combat log is determined by an active Perception check made by the target or a witness. The creature-specific flat bonuses mentioned in the previous section apply.

Related Items

+2 to Skill Checks

•  Mask of Soul Perception

+1d4 to All Skill Checks

•  Shapeshifter's Boon Ring while Shapeshifted or Disguised

Advantage on Skill Checks

•  Ambusher
•  Halberd of Vigilance
•  Hellrider Longbow
•  Justiciar's Greatshield
•  Selûne's Spear of Night
•  Sentinel Shield
•  Watcher's Shield

Related Spells

•  Astral Knowledge - grants Proficiency in all Skills of a chosen Ability
•  Bardic Inspiration - grants a +1d6 / +1d8 / +1d10 bonus on the next Skill Check
•  Bend Luck: Ability Check Bonus - grants a +1d4 bonus on all Skill Checks
•  Bend Luck: Ability Check Penalty - grants a +1d4 penalty on all Skill Checks
•  Bolstering Magic: Boon - grants a +1d4 bonus on all Skill Checks
•  Cosmic Omen: Ability Check - grants a +1d6 bonus on all Skill Checks
•  Guidance - grants a +1d4 bonus on all Skill Checks
•  Hex (Wisdom) - grants Disadvantage on all Wisdom Checks
•  Knowledge of the Ages: Wisdom - grants Proficiency in all Wisdom Skills
•  Owl's Wisdom - grants Advantage on all Wisdom Checks