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When making your rolls in Baldur's Gate 3, you'll want an edge on everything you can. Proficiencies are one of many paths to success. Much like Pokemon, you're going to want to collect them all - or at least as many as you reasonably can. If we can't become dice hoarders in Baldur's Gate, we can at least be Proficiency hoarders.
Of course, that's all well and good if you know how to get those proficiencies. With proficiencies available from races to classes and everything in-between, planning a well-balanced character will take some planning, a whole mess of tables, and a healthy amount of chaos - like every Dungeons & Dragons adventure.
Saving Throw Proficiencies
Saving throw proficiencies come in a pair from the class you choose. You get both of them, and you can't earn any more unless you multiclass.
There is one exception: the feat "Resilient." Resilient allows you to gain +1 point to an Ability Score of your choice and Proficiency with that Ability Score's saving throw. This feat can be taken at any Ability Score Improvement level-up.
Skill Proficiencies
Skill proficiencies come from various sources and are the most flexible of the proficiencies. You can gain them from classes, backgrounds, feats, and (in rare circumstances) races. Each is tied to their respective Ability Score, meaning you'll get bonuses from both your Ability Modifier and Proficiency when making rolls with a proficient skill.
Sounds great, right? But some skills are a little trickier to gain proficiency with than others. Skills like Sleight of Hand or Performance are relatively rare, so if you want them, you'll have to remember the few options in earning them.
Equipment Proficiencies
Most equipment proficiencies are gifted through the classes you choose. While there are a few exceptions, you can suspect that most of your equipment proficiencies will be available to you from the start of your game.
However, if you're hoping to get a proficiency for that one weapon you really, really want, you'll need to plan ahead or spend a level-up choosing a specific feat that allows you to wield or wear it. If you're not sure what you need, go on and take a look below.
Weapons
Weapons are perhaps the most complicated of the proficiencies. This is because some classes allow for using all weapons of a certain type, and other classes and races get down to the nitty-gritty specifics of select weapons.
If you're hoping for a certain weapon to be used in your game, look at its item description and then compare it to the table below. The first two categories are grouped, and if you don't spy your class listed, try looking down at the more specific entries below them.
Armor
Armor proficiencies are, thankfully, very straightforward. There aren't many, and you gain a proficiency for one or multiple armors when choosing your class.
To expand your repertoire of proficiencies, you can choose your race wisely or take one of the feats offered at one of the Ability Score Improvement level-ups.
Tool And Miscellaneous Proficiencies
The only applicable tools for proficiencies in Baldur's Gate 3 for the time being are the Thieves' Tools and Trap Disarming Kit. Having Proficiency in Thieves' Tools will mean you are proficient in both. You can gain Proficiency in them through:
- Being a Rogue
- Ranger's Urban Tracker Feat
Beyond these useful tools, you can also become proficient with Musical Instruments. Bards receive Musical Instrument Proficiency, but you can also select the "Performer" feat during an Ability Improvement level-up.
By selecting Proficiency in Musical Instruments, you'll be able to play the:
- Hand Drum
- Flute
- Lyre
- Violin
There are no other notable Proficiencies for the time being. Languages are technically known and are race-locked, but their impact does not seem to hold any significant impact on gameplay. Additionally, there appears to be no Vehicle or notable Game proficiencies as there are in base Dungeons & Dragons.
In short, the proficiencies you'll want to collect (and can collect) mostly pertain to your active, common-use skills. Whether equipment or Ability-related skills, whatever proficiencies you invest in will likely see enough use to be worth the investment.