Intelligence Explained in Baldur's Gate 3

Understand Intelligence in baldurs gate 3: how it affects skills like Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion, and Wizard spellcasting.

Skills Affected by Intelligence:

• Arcana
• History
• Investigation
• Nature
• Religion

Intelligence also adds your Intelligence modifier to Intelligence Saving Throws.

Wizard Spellcasting Benefits:

• Spell Saving Throws: Your Intelligence modifier increases the difficulty for enemies to resist your spells (8 + Proficiency + Intelligence modifier).
• Spell Attack Rolls: Your Intelligence modifier boosts the chance for your spells to hit (10 + Proficiency + Intelligence modifier).
• Prepared Spells: The number of spells you can prepare is equal to your character level plus your Intelligence modifier. A 1st-level Wizard with a specific Intelligence modifier can prepare a number of spells equal to 1 + their Intelligence modifier.

While Intelligence was more critical in older editions for determining Skill Points, in baldurs gate 3, its importance is primarily tied to the Wizard class. If you are not playing a Wizard, investing heavily in Intelligence may not be necessary, as it contributes to about a third of the game's skills, many of which are situational.

Intelligence Score to Modifier Chart:

Intelligence Score | Intelligence Modifier
1 | -5
2-3 | -4
4-5 | -3
6-7 | -2
8-9 | -1
10-11 | 0
12-13 | +1
14-15 | +2
16-17 | +3
18-19 | +4
20-21 | +5
22-23 | +6
24-25 | +7
26-27 | +8
28-29 | +9
30 | +10