Proficiency: Difference between revisions

'''Proficiency''' is a representation of a creature's familiarity with something. When a creature has proficiency in something, they may add their '''proficiency bonus''' to [[Dice rolls|dice rolls]] that involve it.

A creature can have proficiency in specific categories of [[Weapons|weapons]], [[Armour|armours]], and [[Shields|shields]], which is required to use them properly.  

A creature can also also have proficiency in [[Spells|spellcasting]], [[saving throw]]s, and [[Skills|skills]], but this is not required to attempt them.

The proficiency bonus is a modifier that increases with [[character level]] (not class level). It starts at ''+2'', increases to ''+3'' at level 5, and becomes ''+4'' at level 9.

The bonus is applied to the following rolls:

* [[Ability checks]] made using skills the creature has proficiency with. (Doubled if the creature has [[#Expertise|expertise]].)

* [[Attack rolls]] made with weapons the creature is proficient with.

* [[Saving throws]] (e.g. Strength saves, Dexterity saves, etc.) that the creature is proficient in.

Creatures with spellcasting proficiency also add the bonus to the saving throw [[difficulty class]] (DC) of spells they cast, for a total DC of:

 

{{InfoBlob|8 + spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency bonus}}

A creature can be proficient in entire categories of [[Weapons|weapons]] (martial or simple), or it can be proficient in specific weapon types such as Longswords, Shortbows, etc.  These proficiencies can be granted by the creature's [[Race|race]], [[Class|class]], or [[Feats|feats]] chosen when leveling up, and even by some equipment.

When a creature is proficient in a wielded weapon, they add their [[Proficiency bonus|proficiency bonus]] to [[Attack roll|attack rolls]] with that weapon. When the weapon is equipped in the main hand, it also enables special properties and actions of that weapon type, such as [[Tenacity]], [[Piercing Strike]], [[Flourish]], [[Lacerate]], [[Pommel Strike]], and so on.

A creature wearing armour with which it is not proficient will suffer [[Disadvantage|disadvantage]] on all of its [[Ability check|ability checks]], saving throws, and attack rolls, and will also be prevented from casting spells.

Shields are a piece of equipment wielded in the offhand weapon slot. Shield proficiency typically comes paired with Medium armour proficiency.

A creature wielding a shield without proficiency in Shields will suffer disadvantage on all of its ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls, and will also be prevented from casting spells.

=== Armour and shield proficiency by source ===

|+ Armour and shield proficiency by race and class

| {{Race|Shield Dwarf}} || ✅ || ✅ || ❌ || ❌

| {{Race|Githyanki}} || ✅ || ✅ || ❌ || ❌

| {{Race|Half-Elf}} || ✅ || ❌ || ❌ || ✅

| {{Race|Human}} || ✅ || ❌ || ❌ || ✅

| {{Class|Barbarian}} || ✅ || ✅ || ❌ || ✅

| {{Class|Bard}} || ✅ || ➰ || ❌ || ➰

| {{Class|Cleric}} || ✅ || ✅ || ➰ || ✅

| {{Class|Druid}} || ✅ || ✅ || ❌ || ✅

| {{Class|Fighter}} || ✅ || ✅ || ✅ || ✅

| {{Class|Monk}} || ❌ || ❌ || ❌ || ❌

| {{Class|Paladin}} || ✅ || ✅ || ✅ || ✅

| {{Class|Ranger}} || ✅ || ✅ || ➰ || ✅

| {{Class|Rogue}} || ✅ || ❌ || ❌ || ❌

|-

| {{Class|Sorcerer}} || ❌ || ❌ || ❌ || ❌

|-

| {{Class|Warlock}} || ✅ || ❌ || ❌ || ❌

|-

* ✅ = proficient

* ❌ = not proficient

* ➰ = some subclasses are proficient

 

All creatures in Baldur’s Gate 3 have proficiency in spellcasting. This means that the creature's proficiency bonus will always be added to the attack rolls of spells, and to the Difficulty Class of saving throws imposed on others via spells. More explanation under [[Spells#Spellcasting_ability|Spells]].

Creatures with proficiency in an ability-based saving throw (Strength save, Dexterity save, etc.) add their proficiency bonus to the results of respective saving throws. Each [[Class|class]] provides proficiency in two types of saving throw, and there are some [[List_of_features_and_items_that_affect_saving_throws#Proficiency_in_saving_throws|ways to get additional saving throw proficiencies]].

A creature proficient in a skill adds its proficiency bonus to any ability checks that use the respective skill. [[Background|Backgrounds]], races, classes, and some class features can grant proficiency in specific skills.

* [[Elf|Elves]] and [[Drow]] are proficient in [[Perception]].

* [[Elf#Wood Elves|Wood Elves]] and [[Half-Elf#Wood Half-Elves|Wood Half-Elves]] are proficient in [[Stealth]].

* [[Half-Orc|Half-Orcs]] are proficient in [[Intimidation]].

* [[Human|Humans]] can select any one free skill proficiency.

* [[Githyanki]] can temporarily gain Proficiency in all Skills corresponding to a chosen Ability by using [[Astral Knowledge]].

All classes give proficiency in two to four skills at level 1. Generally only the class taken at Character Level 1 gives skill proficiencies, but some classes also give proficiency in one skill when they are taken at a later level via multiclassing.

Skill proficiencies available to each class at Level 1:

* [[Barbarian]]: Any 2 from Animal Handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, and Survival.

* [[Bard]]: Any 3 skills.

* [[Cleric]]: Any 2 from History, Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, and Religion.

* [[Druid]]: Any 2 Animal Handling, Arcana, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion, and Survival.

* [[Fighter]]: Any 2 from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, and Survival.

* [[Monk]]: Any 2 from Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religon, and Stealth.

* [[Paladin]]: Any 2 from Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, and Religion.

* [[Ranger]]: Any 3 from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.

* [[Rogue]]: Any 4 from Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth.

* [[Sorcerer]]: Any 2 from Arcana, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Persuasion, and Religion.

* [[Warlock]]: Any 2 from Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, and Religion.

* [[Wizard]]: Any 2 from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, and Religion.

A [[Bard]] of the [[College of Lore]] subclass can choose any three additional Skills to gain proficiency in.

Expertise allows a creature to add {{em|double}} its proficiency bonus when making a corresponding ability check. While it is possible to have proficiency {{em|and}} expertise in a skill at the same time, they do not stack.

 

* [[Bard]]s gain expertise in any two skills they are proficient in at both level 3 and level 10.

Sources of expertise that {{em|do not}} require prior proficiency in the respective skill include:

* The [[Actor]] feat gives expertise in [[Deception]] and [[Performance]].

* [[Gnome#Rock Gnomes|Rock Gnomes]] have expertise in [[History]].

* The [[Illithid Expertise]] feature grants expertise in [[Persuasion]], [[Deception]], and [[Intimidation]].  

[[Instrument|Instruments]] can be used to entertain and distract crowds. When a character proficient in an instrument plays one, nearby people might approach and gather to listen. If they perform well on a [[Performance]] check, those gathered might toss gold to the performer as well.

 

 

This proficiency is listed as "Musical Instrument" in a character's Detailed View information box.