Baldur's Gate 3 follows a similar structure to its tabletop RPG counterpart Dungeons & Dragons. Players will find themselves proficient in certain skills. While some of these skills are used in combat, others will assist the player in dialogue interactions with NPCs.
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Some of the easiest classes in Baldur's Gate 3 will help players new to the series and genre have a leg up in the world.
Every choice players make during character customization, from the class to the background, will influence what skills the character has proficiency in. There are eighteen skills available, and each character can only be proficient in a few. With that in mind, these are by far the best skills a player should be proficient in that will help them in their future explorations.
Updated On November 10th, 2024 By Joshua Leeds: Baldur's Gate 3 is a long game, and every skill comes in handy at one point or another. This list has been updated to include additional entries, while also giving some best class options for each skill to make sure you get the most out of them. While most skills are good in just about any class, the listed best classes will get just a bit more use out of them depending on your build.
16 Nature
Know About The Wilds Of Faerun
- Applied stat modifier: Intelligence
- Best Classes: Druid & Ranger
Nature can be a fairly useful skill to get, though its uses do vary throughout the game. During Act 1 of the game, you'll be working alongside a tribe of Druids out in the wilds, while also delving into the Underdark. Both of these areas are rich with Nature and that skill comes in great use during these early sections.
While this skill isn't useless in later sections of the game, its uses do waver in favor of other skills found further on this list. Act 2 also takes decent advantage of this skill, though it's not as much of a skill that gets you out of bad situations as it is giving you more knowledge on a situation to approach a solution more knowledgeable.
15 Performance
Convicting Actions Speak Louder Than Words
- Applied stat modifier: Charisma
- Best Classes: Bard & Rogue
Performance can be seen as a bit of a silly skill used by Bards to distract people, and that's not always far from the truth. Performance has some checks that are mostly meant for humor, though it does have some situations where you'll need to convince someone with your actions over words, and that's where performance comes in.
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Performance can also be used by those who can play an instrument to make a crowd happy and make the party some gold safely in a town. There are also a few situations where a good performance check can help you avoid difficult combat encounters, making it a good option for those who like solving problems without fighting.
14 Religion
Know About The Gods & Goddesses Of The Land
- Applied stat modifier: Intelligence
- Best Classes: Cleric & Paladin
Religion plays a large role throughout Faerun, especially if you have Shadowheart in your party and are pursuing her storyline. Even avoiding Shadowheart's story, the game will bring you face to face with many aspects of religion, especially in Act 2, and having the Religion skills can be a huge benefit.
Unlike some skills on this list, Religion can be useful throughout the game, and can even be used to get details of later story elements by passing the right checks during Act 1.
13 Animal Handling
For Those Wanting To Befriend The Many Beasties, This Skill Is A Must
- Applied stat modifier: Wisdom
- Best Classes: Druid, Bard, Ranger
Faerun is home to many wonderful beasts and animals, such as Owlbears, Displacer Beasts, dogs, cats, bears, and plenty more. Animal lovers can befriend many of these adorable creatures, and those with Speak to Animals can even go a step further and speak to them.
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But for those unable to communicate, the Animal Handling skill is the next best thing. It is a judge of how well they can communicate to animals with gestures and actions rather than words, and how well the animals will receive this method of communication. Clever use of this skill allows players to recruit animals such as Scratch or the Owlbear cub to their camp.
12 History
Shines Light On Some Ancient Secrets Of The World
- Applied stat modifier: Intelligence
- Best Classes: Bard, Cleric, Monk, Wizard
While some players may consider History boring or lackluster in the real world, History in Baldur's Gate 3 can give players much-needed context when exploring the world around them. Characters that are proficient in History, an Intelligence-based skill, are more likely to recall events from the past that they have learned about.
This can help a player understand some encounters that can occur. For example, in Act One, the player can step foot into a ruined temple. With proficiency in History, the player is likely to learn that this temple was once for a god that is no longer worshiped in BG3.
11 Investigation
Discover Clues Of Their Surroundings To Uncover Possible Ambushes
- Applied stat modifier: Intelligence
- Best Classes: Wizard, Warlock, Bard, Rogue
While exploring in BG3, players are likely to encounter various mysteries they may need to look into. Being proficient in Investigation will help players when they are searching for clues in these situations. A player may still be able to come to a solution without this Intelligence-based skill, but they are far more likely to succeed if they are proficient.
Investigation may appear that it wouldn't be used very often, but like History, it can add context to certain scenarios. Uncovering clues before reaching danger is sure to make some players feel as if they have prepared themselves for the possible fight ahead.
10 Medicine
Help The Wounded Or Infirm
- Applied stat modifier: Wisdom
- Best Classes: Cleric, Bard, Druid, Paladin
Throughout their travels, players might meet many people wounded or sick, as the world of myth and magic is not immune to everyday mundanities such as illnesses. This is where the Medicine skill will find most of its uses, as it aids players in diagnosing and treating.
This can result in saving the lives of others in more drastic scenarios, such as companions who have fallen in battle. Companions who have been downed can be stabilized with a good enough Medicine skill check, allowing players to bring them back into the fight at a more appropriate time.
9 Stealth
Sneak Past Enemies To Gain An Advantage In Battle
- Applied stat modifier: Dexterity
- Best Classes: Rogue, Monk, Bard
Any player can crouch and try to stay hidden, but those who are proficient in Stealth can even hide in plain sight. Stealth, which is connected to the Dexterity attribute, is arguably one of the best skills for a player to be proficient in as it goes a lot further than being used for criminal means.
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Players can ambush their opponents by sneaking into the room they find themselves in and getting to the upper ground. Like Persuasion, being skilled in Stealth can also allow the player to avoid fights entirely as they easily sneak past dangerous foes that may easily dispatch the player and their party.
8 Acrobatics
Players Are More Agile And Sure On Their Feet
- Applied stat modifier: Dexterity
- Best Classes: Fighter, Monk, Rogue
Dexterity is an attribute that many classes are likely to have a high score in, especially those that take part in ranged combat such as Rangers. When it comes to skills governed by Dexterity, players should focus their proficiency on Acrobatics. Characters that are proficient in this are likely to land on their feet during agile moments. What's more, it is incredibly useful in combat.
An aspect of Baldur's Gate 3 is being shoved while in a battle. If a player leaves themselves open to this, they are likely to fall to their death. Thankfully, those proficient in Acrobatics are less likely to be pushed over as they remain steadfast.
7 Insight
See Through Another's Lies
- Applied stat modifier: Wisdom
- Best Classes: Paladin, Cleric, Bard
Combat isn't the only place where proficiencies are important, and this Wisdom-based skill is a prime example. When engaging in conversations with NPCs, a player may find themselves listening to a lie. With a high score in Insight, the game's narrator will let the player know if the individual they are talking to appears nervous, or seems as if they are hiding something.
Moments like this can open more options in the dialogue that players may have never encountered otherwise. This can go even further than conversations. In certain situations, the Insight skill can, for example, alert the player that they are about to walk into a trap.