Abilities: Difference between revisions

'''Abilites''' are representations of a creature's physical and mental attributes. There are six abilities in ''Baldur's Gate 3'', and every creature has a set of six '''ability scores''', numerical values which repdesent how well they perform at each ability.

Each ability score translate directly into an '''ability score modifier''' – modifiers which function as bonuses or penalties that are added to (or subtracted from) most [[Dice rolls|dice rolls]] in the game.

 

Each ability describes a creature's capability in a different area:  

* [[Strength]]: Physical power.

* [[Dexterity]]: Agility and finesse.

* [[Constitution]]: Overall health and endurance.

* [[Intelligence]]: Rational reasoning and memory.

* [[Wisdom]]: Common sense and insight.

* [[Charisma]]: Charm or force of character.

Each ability has an ability score modifier, which is derived from its respective ability score. The modifier is added to dice rolls in the game, including [[Attack roll|attack rolls]], [[Damage rolls|damage rolls]], [[Ability check|ability checks]] and [[Saving throw|saving throws]].

Ability score modifiers are decreased by ''1'' for every odd ability score below 10, and are increased by ''1'' for every even ability score above 10.

For example, a Strength score of 8 or 9 has a Strength modifier of ''-1'', and a Strength score of 12 or 13 has a Strength modifier of ''+1''.

=== Overview of abilities ===

; Strength  : A creature's Strength score increases that creature's [[Carrying capacity|carrying capacity]] and jump distance. The Strength modifier improves chances of success of shoving or resisting being shoved. It is also added to the result of [[Attack Roll|attack]] and [[Damage Roll|damage]] rolls for melee weapons.

; Dexterity : A creature's Dexterity modifier is added to the results of attack and damage rolls of ranged weapons and, when the creature's Dexterity score is higher than their Strength score, melee weapons with the [[Finesse]] property.

: A creature's Dexterity modifier is also added to their [[AC]], up to a maximum of ''+2'' when wearing medium [[armour]]. The bonus is ignored when wearing heavy armour.

: Dexterity is a common ability used for saves against spells, often halving the damage rolls of those spells.

:; Associated skills : [[Acrobatics]], [[Sleight of Hand]], [[Stealth]]

; Constitution : A creature's Constitution modifier is added to the amount of [[Hit points|hit points]] it gains on level up. This increase is  applied retroactively.

: Constitution is commonly used for saves against [[Poisons|poisons]], and is a common ability used in saves against spells. It is also what is used to maintain [[Concentration]] on a long-duration spell and needing to roll saves against concentration being broken.

; Intelligence : Intelligence is the spellcasting ability of wizards, fighters and rogues.

:; Associated skills : [[Arcana]], [[History]], [[Investigation]], [[Nature]], [[Religion]]

; Wisdom : Wisdom is the spellcasting ability for clerics, druids and rangers, and is an important ability score for monks, as several of their class features depend on it.

: Wisdom is also a commonly used ability for saves against spells.

:; Associated skills : [[Animal Handling]], [[Insight]], [[Medicine]], [[Perception]], [[Survival]]

; Charisma : Charisma is the spellcasting ability for bards, sorcerers, warlocks and paladins.

:; Associated skills : [[Deception]], [[Intimidation]], [[Performance]], [[Persuasion]]

== Ability checks ==

Ability checks are dice rolls made to determine whether a creature succeeds or fails at a task. When attempting an ability check, a creature rolls a d20, and then adds the relevant [[Ability score#Ability score modifiers|ability score modifier]] and, if applicable, [[Proficiency bonus|proficiency bonus]] to the results of the roll. If the final results equal or exceeds a target [[Difficulty Class]] (DC), specific to that task, it is considered as success.

<div style="text-align: center;"> Formula: {{InfoBlob|{{D20}} + Ability Score Modifier + (when applicable) proficiency Bonus}}</div>

=== Skills ===

{{see also|Skills}}

Ability checks are usually made using a specified skill. If a creature is proficient with an ability check's associated skill, they may add their proficiency bonus to the results of that roll, in addition to the relevant ability score modifier. These rolls are often referred to as ''skill checks'' by the community, although they are not referred to as such in-game.

=== Common scenarios ===

==== Automatic rolls ====

Some ability checks are automatic. For example, when a creature approaches an unactivated trap, the game rolls a [[Perception]] ability check to determine whether the creation notices the trap. Perception is a Wisdom Skill, so the character adds their Wisdom modifier and, if proficient in Perception, their proficiency bonus to the ability check. Once the trap is discovered, the character can interact with it to attempt to [[Disarm]] it, which requires a successful [[Sleight of Hand]] check, a Dexterity Skill.

==== During dialogue ====

Ability checks are also common during dialogue, where some responses require a ability check to determine the outcome. Examples include using Charisma-based skills like [[Persuasion]], [[Deception]] or [[Intimidation]] to influence others, or Intelligence-based Skills like [[Investigation]], [[History]] or [[Religion]] to determine or remember facts.

==== Contests ====

A contest is a special type of ability check in which two creatures both roll an ability check to oppose each other, and one wins over the other. The creatures don't necessarily roll the same type of check.

An example of this is the {{SAI|Shove}} action. The creature attempting the Shove rolls Athletics, and the defending creature rolls either Athletics or Acrobatics (the game chooses the Skill with the highest bonus) to contest the Shove. If the attacker's roll is higher than the defender's, the Shove succeeds; otherwise it fails.

== Interactions with classes ==

Each class has designated primary and secondary abilities. While these have no particular mechanical significance, they are mentioned in the game's tooltips, and serve as recommendations for players unfamiliar with the rules of the game:

; Strength (STR) : [[Barbarian]], [[Fighter]]

; Dexterity (DEX) : [[Monk]], [[Ranger]], [[Rogue]]

; Intelligence (INT) : [[Wizard]]

; Wisdom (WIS) : [[Cleric]], [[Druid]]

; Charisma (CHA): [[Bard]], [[Paladin]], [[Sorcerer]], [[Warlock]]

{{hatnote|For more information, see [[Spells#Spellcasting_ability_and_proficiency|Spellcasting ability and proficiency]].}}

Every class has an ability that affects their spellcasting. These affect the attack rolls and [[Difficulty Class]] of their spells. The primary ability of casters classes always corresponds to their spellcasting ability, with the exception of rangers and classes that gain spellcasting via a subclass class feature.

Racial spells may use their own designated ability. For example, the [[cantrip]] granted during character creation by the [[Elf|elf]] or [[Half-Elf|half-elf]] race always uses Intelligence, regardless of the creature's class.

== Permanently increasing ability scores ==

Ability scores can be permanently increased through the [[Ability Improvement]] class feature (presented in the list of [[Feats|feats]]), though this cannot raise them above 20.

== Notes ==

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[[Category:Character Creation]]