Biggest Rules Changes From Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition

The Biggest Rule Changes in Baldur's Gate 3

The most impactful changes that Larian Studios has made to the Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition system can be found in the game's core rules and mechanics:

• The maximum level is 12
• Multiclassing ignores Ability Score requirements
• In Act 1, players will meet an NPC that can respec their characters
• HP gained when leveling up uses the average result of the class' Hit Die
• There is no cover system
• When a character makes a ranged attack at a target at least 10ft lower than them, they get a +2 bonus. If the target is at least 10ft higher than them, they instead take a -2 penalty
• Player characters with shared initiatives can act simultaneously
• There are no Tool or Language Proficiencies
• There are no Hit Dice, but Short Rests restore half of each character's HP
• The party can only Short Rest twice between each Long Rest
• Long Rests require Camp Supplies
• Each Weapon type has a set of Weapon Actions that can be used once per Short Rest
• Characters earn Inspiration based on their Background, and can only use it to reroll Ability Checks
• Shoving, Jumping, and drinking a Potion are all Bonus Actions
• Players cannot ready actions or grapple
• Characters can throw other characters that are at least one size smaller than them
• Bonus Action attacks, such as offhand attacks, do not require a main hand attack to be made first

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The Biggest Spellcasting Changes in Baldur's Gate 3

Along with tweaks to individual spells, there have also been several major changes to the spellcasting system:

• Characters can cast both an Action Spell and a Bonus Action Spell on the same turn
• Clerics, Druids, and Wizards can change their prepared spells at any time outside of combat
• There is no Verbal, Somatic, and Material Components system, and spells can be cast with both hands full
• Some spells can be cast when Silenced or Hidden
• Longer duration spells now last until the next Long Rest
• Any character can cast a Spell Scroll, but only spellcasters get to add their Proficiency Bonus
• Ritual Casting spells takes no additional time

The Biggest Race Changes in Baldur's Gate 3

The 11 Races of Baldur's Gate 3 can all be played in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, though some have received fairly major changes:

• All races get +2 and +1 to two Ability Scores of their choice, rather than their racial bonuses
• All races with Darkvision have a reduced range to compensate for the smaller maps in Baldur's Gate 3. Races with Superior Darkvision, like the Drow, also have a reduced range, but it's still double basic Darkvision
• Elves and Drow don't have the ability to Trance instead of sleeping
• Drow are no longer weaker in sunlight
• Half-Elves don't get additional Skill Proficiencies
• High and Wood Half-Elves can't take Elf Weapon Training
• Halflings can't pass through other creatures' spaces
• There is no Variant Human option
• Forest Gnomes have permanent Speak with Animals
• Deep Gnomes' Advantage on Stealth checks doesn't require rocky terrain

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The Biggest Class Changes in Baldur's Gate 3

The 12 Classes in Baldur's Gate 3 have all been tweaked extensively, but here's the most impactful changes for each class:

• The Barbarian's Rage and Reckless Attack features work with Finesse weapons and thrown weapons/objects
• The Bard's Song of Rest allows the party to take an additional Short Rest per Long Rest
• The Cleric's Turn Undead can no longer instantly kill weaker undead
• Druids can wear metal armor but can't alter their concentration spells while in Wild Shape form. Additionally, Wild Shape no longer has a fixed duration
• Monks receive their Ki feature at 1st level and gain more Ki points overall
• Paladins select their Oath at first level, and can lose their powers if they break the tenets of their Oath
• The Ranger's Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer features are greatly expanded with new and more powerful options
• Rogues no longer gain Thieves' Tools Proficiency as the Sleight of Hand skill is used to pick locks instead
• Sorcerers gain Metamagic at level 2 and get a third Metamagic option at level 3
• The Warlock's Pact of the Blade feature now allows characters to use their Charisma for attacks and damage with weapons
• The Wizard can instantly learn a spell scroll but still must pay a gold price per spell level

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC. The PlayStation 5 version will be available on September 6th, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is still in development.

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