Baldur’s Gate 3 proficiency explained

Andrew Highton
baldur's gate 3 character cut scene

For those new to Dungeons and Dragons, the proficiency system in Baldur’s Gate 3 might seem daunting. Let us simplify it for you, explaining how proficiency impacts your gameplay.

Baldur’s Gate 3 was among the best titles of 2023, winning the prestigious Game of the Year award. The game extends a vast playground for players, teeming with opportunities for character creation and companion recruitment.

A core feature of the game that mixes things up is proficiency, which is a stat you’ll need to keep an eye on as you’re exploring the world and battling monsters. It’s particularly beneficial in combat situations so having a good understanding of it is extremely important.

If you want to brush up on exactly what proficiency is in Baldur’s Gate 3, we’ve got you covered.

character cut scene in baldur's gate 3

How proficiency works in Baldur’s Gate 3

Proficiency is a bonus that can increase the number added to the dice roll when a character rolls the skill that your BG3 character specializes in.

As an example, if a player is proficient at Stealth then any proficiency bonus that the player has in accordance with their level will automatically increase the player’s Stealth roll numbers. Meaning, if the character is proficient in stealth, then their original +2 stat will also factor in their player level – giving a greater proficiency bonus.

For example, if they’re level 7, this will add a +3 bonus to their roll, giving the player a +5 stat for stealth.

How to increase proficiency in Baldur’s Gate 3

If you want to increase their proficiency in Baldur’s Gate 3, they simply need to level up.

Progressing through the game, completing missions, and completing any activities that earn XP will contribute toward the player’s next level. Be warned though, proficiencies can be tied to certain classes, so make sure you know which areas you want to specialize in as you start your adventure.

To help you out even further, here’s a more detailed look at proficiency bonuses and what levels you need to reach to increase them:

  • Player Level 1-4: +2 proficiency
  • Player Level 5-8: +3 proficiency
  • Player Level 9-12: +4 proficiency
  • Player Level 13-16: +5 proficiency
  • Player Level 17-20: +6 proficiency

For more content on the game, check out our guides below:

Best Sorcerer build | Best Bard build | Best Rogue build | Best Fighter build | Best Ranger build | Best Barbarian build | Best Druid build | Best Warlock build | Best Wizard build | Baldur’s Gate 3: What’s the max level cap? | Best Baldur’s Gate 3 classes tier list | How to revive characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Can you multiclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Baldur’s Gate 3 Soul Coins: How to get them & what they are | Baldur’s Gate 3: Fastest ways to get XP & level up | Baldur’s Gate 3: How to respec your character | Baldur’s Gate 3 Karmic Dice: What are they?

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About The Author

Andrew Highton is a former Games Writer for Dexerto. He has a Creative Writing degree from Liverpool John Moores University and has previously written for games websites such as Twinfinite and Keengamer. With 13,000+ PlayStation Trophies to his name, Andrew is a fan of a huge variety of video games, his favourites being God of War and Metal Gear Solid. Contact him at andrew.highton@dexerto.com, on Twitter @AndyHighton8 or at www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-highton.