Certain non-humanoid creatures might also be proficient in fighting with their specific weapons, or even master these.
Skill lists
Edit
| Proficiency | Excluded classes |
|---|---|
| Bow |
|
| Spiked Weapons | |
| Small Sword |
|
| Large Sword |
|
| Axe |
|
| Blunt Weapons | –
|
| Missile Weapons | –
|
| Spear |
|
Baldur's Gate & Tales of the Sword CoastEdit
- For Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition and Siege of Dragonspear, see further below.
The original Baldur's Gate groups certain, "similar" weapons together and offers only a few categories of weapon proficiencies: eight in number.
- See the table to the right for a listing and forbidden classes.
This makes characters more versatile, and they can quickly switch to a different weapon of the same category – e.g. if the one used suddenly breaks – without having to deal with penalties during combat.
Icewind DaleEdit
- Main article: Weapon Proficiency on the Icewind Dale Wiki.
Icewind Dale, a "sister" game of Baldur's Gate, which was developed and published between the first and the second part of the Bhaalspawn saga, has a more specialized system of weapon proficiencies, splitting the Baldur's Gate I categories up into many more single weapon types, and keeping only very few weapons within one category.
- See the table below for a listing and comparison with Baldur's Gate I and II.
Class restrictions are also handled slightly different from the Baldur's Gate games:
Baldur's Gate II & Enhanced EditionsEdit
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn further cuts down the weapon proficiencies and binds most of them to a single weapon, following even closer the underlying Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset, documented e.g. in the Player's Handbook. Remaining exceptions are:
- the grouping of scimitars, wakizashis and ninjatōs – mostly new weapons in Part II;
- no difference between Flail and Morning Star – formerly the "Spiked Weapons";
- no difference between light and heavy crossbows;
- and throwing variants of otherwise melee weapons – axes and daggers – don't need an own proficiency, either.
Also, so-called "weapon classes" are introduced: proficiencies that add bonuses to certain fighting styles, such as using a two- or a one-handed weapon, a shield or two weapons simultaneously.
- See the table below for a listing, forbidden classes and the Baldur's Gate I proficiencies for a comparison.
These expansions of the weapon proficiency system were carried over into and are still valid for the Enhanced Editions of the games.
- ↑ Incl. Broad Swords
- ↑ Incl. Throwing Axe
- ↑ Katanas don't exist in the original Baldur's Gate and its Tales of the Sword Coast expansion, but if, they would be assigned to the weapon proficiency "Large Sword".
- ↑ Incl. Wakizashi and Ninjatō
- ↑ Incl. Throwing Dagger
- ↑ Incl. Mauls
- ↑ Incl. Morning Star
- ↑ For Morning Stars, see Maces
- ↑ Incl. Morning Stars
Technical noteEdit
The old Baldur's Gate & Tales of the Sword Coast proficiencies are still existent and active in the game files of the newer games, though without any effect on combat abilities, bonuses, attack or damage. Due to game engine mechanics, creatures with inherited classic proficiencies need extra effect scripts attached, that transform the old into the new system. Creatures without these scripts, however, will suffer from all disadvantages and penalties of wielding a weapon they are not proficient with.
Effects Edit
| Proficiency (Slots spent) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled (0) | Proficient (1) | Specialized (2) | Master (3) | High Master (4) | Grand Master (5) | ||
| Weapon Type | Melee weapon APR bonus (warriors only) | +0.5 | +0.5 | +0.5 | +0.5 | ||
+1  This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign.  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. | |||||||
| THAC0 Modifier | +2 (warriors, monks) +3 (priests, most rogues) +5 (mages, mage/thief, sorcerers, shadowdancer) | 0 | -1 | -3   This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast campaign. -2  This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign.  This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign. -3  This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. | -3 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast campaign. -2 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign. This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign. -3 This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. | -3 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast campaign. -2 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign. This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign. -3 This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. | |
| Damage modifier | 0 | 0 | +2 | +3 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast campaign. +2 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign. This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign. +3 This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. | +5 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast campaign. +3 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign. This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign. +4 This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. | +5 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast campaign. +4 This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign. This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign. +5 This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. | |
| Speed Factor bonus | -1 | -3 | |||||
| Fighting Style | Two-Handed Weapon | +1 damage, -2 Speed Factor, Crit on 19 & 20 roll | +1 damage, -4 Speed Factor, Crit on 19 & 20 roll | ||||
| Sword and Shield | -2 AC vs. missile | -4 AC vs. missile | |||||
| Single-Weapon | -1 AC, Crit on 19 & 20 roll | -2 AC, Crit on 19 & 20 roll | |||||
| Two-Weapon | +4 THAC0 to main weapon, +8 THAC0 to offhand weapon | +2 THAC0 to main weapon, +6 THAC0 to offhand weapon | +4 THAC0 to offhand weapon | +2 THAC0 to offhand weapon | |||
1) No thrown weapon gets any weapon style bonus when in "ranged" mode and equipped as such
2) For thrown weapons that can be switched between ranged/mode and melee mode (some throwing axes/daggers/hammers), when in "melee" mode and equipped as such they can benefit from the single weapon style (if the character has points in this and no shield equipped) or the sword and shield style (if the character has points in this and a shield *is* equipped, even a buckler)
3) Thrown weapons in "melee" mode use the Str bonus to hit, not Dex
4) Thrown weapons in "ranged" mode use the Dex bonus to hit, not Str
5) In BG:EE the following "hurled" weapons also get the strength *damage* bonus, *even in ranged mode*: throwing axes/daggers/hammers; slings (but not darts).
Slots gained with level by class group Edit
Growth rate differs based on class group, multi-classes use only the class of the fastest progression; dual-classes only gain slots from the current active class.
| Level | Warrior group | Priest & Rogue group | Wizard group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | |||
| 3 | 1 | ||
| 4 | 1 | ||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | 1 | 1 | |
| 7 | |||
| 8 | 1 | ||
| 9 | 1 | ||
| 10 | |||
| 11 | |||
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | |||
| 14 | |||
| 15 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 1 | ||
| 17 | |||
| 18 | 1 (Max for triple multi-classes) | 1 | |
| 19 | |||
| 20 | 1 | ||
| 21 | 1 (Max for cleric/ranger) | ||
| 22 | |||
| 23 | |||
| 24 | 1 (Max for fighter multi-classes) | 1 (Max for cleric/mage) | 1 |
| 25 | |||
| 26 | |||
| 27 | 1 | ||
| 28 | 1 (Max for thief multi-classes, druid) | ||
| 29 | |||
| 30 | 1 | 1 (Max for wizard) | |
| 31 | |||
| 32 | 1 | ||
| 33 | 1 (Max for ranger, paladin) | ||
| 34 | |||
| 35 | |||
| 36 | 1 | 1 | |
| 37 | |||
| 38 | |||
| 39 | 1 | ||
| 40 | 1 | ||
| Total | 17 for fighter, barbarian 15 for ranger, paladin 12 for fighter multi-classes 11 for cleric/ranger 10 for triple multi-classes | 12 for cleric, thief, bard, monk 9 for thief multi-classes, druid 8 for cleric/mage | 6 for all wizards |
Allowed slots investments by class kit Edit
Max slots per weapon differs based on class kit, fighter, ranger multi-classes may specialize (2 slots), other combinations may only be proficient (1 slot); dual-classes gives the better of the two caps, with fighter dualing are allowed up to 5 slots, but beware of risking wasting and permanently losing any duplicate slot expenditure, as the slots spent are not combined, only chosen the better value if you take the same proficiency in both classes, so keep track of what you have spent. Fighting styles have different investment values.
| Class | Class kit | Max slots allowed | Exceptions / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fighter | Berserker | 5 | Limited to Proficient in ranged weapons |
| Kensai | 5 | Cannot use ranged weapons | |
| Barbarian | 2 | Mastery in Two Weapon Style | |
| Dwarven DefenderEE | 2 | High Mastery in Axes and Warhammers Mastery in Two Weapon Style | |
| Other fighter kits | 5 | ||
| Fighter multi-classes | 2 | Restricted to cleric or druid weapon selection if using respective class Mastery in Two Weapon Style | |
| Ranger | Archer | 1 | Grand Mastery in Crossbow, Longbows, and Shortbows Mastery in Two Weapon Style (starts Specialized) |
| Beast Master | 2 | Cannot use metal weapons (Club and Quarterstaff are only melee options) Mastery in Two Weapon Style (starts Specialized) | |
| Other ranger kits | 2 | Mastery in Two Weapon Style (starts Specialized) | |
| Paladin | Cavalier | 2 | Cannot use ranged weapons Mastery in Two Weapon Style |
| Other paladin kits | 2 | Mastery in Two Weapon Style | |
| Cleric | 1 | Weapons limited to: War Hammer, Club, Flail, Morningstar, Mace, Quarterstaff, and Sling | |
| Druid | 1 | Weapons limited to: Scimitar, Dagger, Club, Spear, Quarterstaff, Dart, and Sling | |
| Thief | Swashbuckler | 1 | Specialized in Thief melee weapons (no extra APR) Mastery in Two Weapon Style SpecializedCE / ProficientEE in other fighting styles |
| Other thief kits | 1 | Weapons limited to: Long Sword, Short Sword, Katana, Wakizashi, Ninja-To, Scimitar, Dagger, Club, Quarterstaff, Crossbow, Shortbow, Dart, and Sling | |
| Bard | Blade | 1 | Mastery in Two Weapon Style |
| Other bard kit | 1 | ||
| Mage, Sorcerer | 1 | Can only use certain weapons: Dagger, Quarterstaff, Dart, and Sling Cannot use fighting styles | |
| Monk | 1 | Weapons limited to: Long Sword, Short Sword, Katana, Wakizashi, Ninja-To, Scimitar, Dagger, Club, Dart, and Sling Cannot use fighting styles other than Single Weapon Style | |
| Shaman | 1 | Weapons limited to: Dagger, Club, Spear, Axe, Quarterstaff, Dart, Sling, and Shortbow | |
External linksEdit
- Weapon Proficiency on the Icewind Dale Wiki, a wiki for the first Icewind Dale game.
