Dexterity is one of the six ability scores, a minimum natural score of 15 or 17 is required for ranger and thief dual-class combinations.
The scores adjust missile weapon THAC0, including throwing daggers, hammers and axes, it also modifies Armor Class, making a character with a high score more difficult to be hit by physical attacks.
Dexterity has a factor in thieving skills as well, the effects don't limit to thief class.
Scores table
Negative thieving skill values after the adjustments do not inflect penalties - they act as 0, but you do need to overcome them to get positive values.
| Dexterity | Ranged THAC0 adj[1] | Armor Class adj | Pick Pockets adj | Open Locks adj | Find/Disarm Traps adj | Move Silently adj | Hide In Shadows adj | Set Traps adj | Initiative | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +6 | +5 | -15 | -10 | -10 | -20 | -10 | -10 | -6 | ||
| 2 | +4 | +4 | -4 | ||||||||
| 3 | +3 | +3 | -3 | ||||||||
| 4 | +2 | +2 | -2 | ||||||||
| 5 | +1 | +1 | -1 | ||||||||
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| 7 | |||||||||||
| 8 | |||||||||||
| 9 | |||||||||||
| 10 | -10 | -5 | -15 | -5 | |||||||
| 11 | -5 | 0 | -5 | -10 | 0 | -5 | |||||
| 12 | 0 | 0 | -5 | 0 | |||||||
| 13 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 14 | |||||||||||
| 15 | -1 | ||||||||||
| 16 | -1 | -2 | +5 | 1 | |||||||
| 17 | -2 | -3 | +5 | +10 | +5 | 2 | |||||
| 18 | -2 | -4 | +10 | +15 | +5 | +10 | +5 | 2 | |||
| 19 | -3 | -4 | +15 | +20 | +10 | +15 | +10 | 3 | |||
| 20 | -3 | -4 | +20 | +25 | +15 | +18 | +15 | 3 | |||
| 21 | -4 | -5 | +25 | +30 | +20 | +20 | +20 | 4 | |||
| 22 | -4 | -5 | +30 | +35 | +25 | +23 | +25 | 4 | |||
| 23 | -4 | -5 | +35 | +40 | +30 | +25 | +30 | 4 | |||
| 24 | -5 | -6 | +40 | +45 | +35 | +30 | +35 | 5 | |||
| 25 | -5 | -6 | +45 | +50 | +40 | +35 | +40 | 5 | |||
- ↑ For scaling of each weapon type, refer to Weapon Class
Dexterity score altering
Permanent boosts
Baldur's Gate (1998)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate campaign.
Baldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition (2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign. - Manual of Quickness of Action
Baldur's Gate II:
Throne of Bhaal (2001)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign.
Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Throne of Bhaal (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Throne of Bhaal campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. - STAR card from Deck of Many Things, granting +1 dexterity if qualified. (Requires either EE or a BG2fixpatch, otherwise will receive +1 strength instead due to a coding error)- Baldur's Gate II:
Throne of Bhaal (2001)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign.Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Throne of Bhaal (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Throne of Bhaal campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. - Machine of Lum the Mad
Permanent penalties
- Baldur's Gate II:
Shadows of Amn (2000)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign.Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. - while in Hell, may lose 1 point in dexterity in the test of Selfishness - Baldur's Gate II:
Throne of Bhaal (2001)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign.Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Throne of Bhaal (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Throne of Bhaal campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. - Machine of Lum the Mad, entering the wrong code may result in a loss of 1 dexterity point
Temporary boosts
Potions
Equipment
- Gauntlets of Dexterity - they raise dexterity to 18, may reduce dexterity of characters with a higher score
- Kiel's Buckler
- Malla's Soul Stone
- Shuruppak's Plate
- Baldur's Gate:
Siege of Dragonspear (2016)
This icon indicates content from the Siege of Dragonspear campaign of the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition. - Blood Red Ioun Stone - Baldur's Gate:
Siege of Dragonspear (2016)
This icon indicates content from the Siege of Dragonspear campaign of the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. - Archer's Eyes - Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. - Hawksight - Chaos Blade (penalty when hit)
Spells
- Draw Upon Holy Might - increases dexterity as well as strength and constitution by 1 per 3 character's level. The spell is in cleric's lv2 spellbook, also available as a "good" Bhaal power through dreams
- Contagion (penalty)