The first order of business is making a character. You can always choose an Origin Character and go with the recommended specs to make this part easy, but you can also make a custom character (which you'll also need to do if you choose The Dark Urge Origin Character). Here are quick summaries of what each choice actually does, but click on each for more complete, thorough explanations. These pages also explain basics like how dice rolls work. You can also check out our comprehensive How to Build a Character in BG3 guide - or watch the video above!
Class: Your class is arguably the most important choice when building a character. It determines the Abilities you'll want to invest in and generally how you'll fight in combat, as each comes with a variety of weapon proficiencies, armor proficiencies, Spells, and other features. There are 12 Classes and 46 Subclasses in BG3 to choose from. You can always check out our Best Classes in BG3 guide for more advice, but they're all viable!
Race: Unlike traditional D&D 5e, your Race in BG3 does not affect your general stats. Instead, it provides special racial attributes, like Darkvision or special resistances; and of course, your appearance. Dialogue options may change depending on your Race as well, but don't worry, your Race won't disqualify you from any Romance in BG3! There are 11 Races in BG3 to choose from - and our Races and Subraces guide has a complete comparison chart.
Ability Scores: Essentially, Ability Scores are your stats! Every action you perform in Baldur's Gate 3--from attacking with a weapon to persuading an NPC--is modified by your Abilities. The higher your Ability score, the more likely you'll succeed with whatever you're trying to do. See our full BG3 Abilities Guide for explanations of how ability checks work, and what each ability affects.
Background: This is a bit of flavor that can change some dialogue and dictate what grants you "Inspiration" - a currency that essentially lets you try again if you fail. These 12 Backgrounds also provide two proficiencies in Skills.
Skills: Skills include things like Perception, which allows you to notice things around you; and Persuasion, which allows you to persuade an NPC. Any character can use any Skill, but having a Skill proficiency will add a bonus to your dice roll along with the usual Ability Score modifier, making you more likely to succeed with that Skill. There are 18 Skills in BG3 - and your choices of Class, Background, and sometimes Race or Feats will affect which skill proficiencies you can choose.
Cards are a main feature in the game that impact your abilities and give you incredible powers. There are two types of cards: Upgrade cards impact your abilities, such as increasing the area of effect or adding a new feature. Bullshit cards offer incredible powers that have limited uses. At the start of every run, there’s a Trial, where you select an upgrade and a Bullshit card to put into play. The enemy for that quest also plays cards while Butters, the rules lawyer, oversees the whole process.