Saving throws vs ability checks in Baldur’s Gate 3 | All differences, explained

Anyone who decides to play Baldur’s Gate 3 before they know D&D may find themselves confused. Many of the mechanics from the beloved TTRPG are also in Larian Studios’ latest title. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll need to know the differences between saving throws vs ability checks. We’ll explain what these two mechanics are below.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Saving throws vs ability checks, explained

Both these mechanics are pulled right from the D&D 5e rulebook, but if you don’t have experience with that game, not to worry. In Baldur’s Gate 3, saving throws are dice rolls you make if you’re trying to resist an effect, and ability checks are dice rolls you make to see if you succeed at something. These two mechanics are used in a variety of settings, both in and out of combat.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Saving throws – Baldur’s Gate 3

Let’s say an enemy is trying to cast a spell on your that has a nasty effect, like poison. Instead of that enemy making an attack roll to see if they hit you, you have to make a saving throw roll yourself. The dice outcome will tell you whether or not you resist the poison effect. Saving throws have to have an ability tied to it, so for poison, it would probably be a Constitution saving throw. It adds your CON bonus to your dice roll to see if you avoid the effect.

There are different types of saving throws for each ability. You may have to make a Dexterity saving throw to see if you avoid getting caught in a trap. Perhaps you make a Wisdom saving throw to stop yourself from being charmed. Also, you may have advantage on certain saving throws, depending on your race or class.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Ability checks – Baldur’s Gate 3

While you’ll most likely be making skill checks throughout the game, there are also ability checks. You have six main abilities,—Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma—and each ability has a few different skills connected to those abilities. You’ll need to make ability checks to see if you succeed at a task that isn’t tied to a specific skill. In Baldur’s Gate 3, most of your ability checks happen during dialogue.

For example, there will be times when multiple choice options appear during dialogue and cutscene moments. Sometimes they’re skill checks, like a Persuasion or Insight check. Other times they just require a straight Strength check, which is an ability check. If a check doesn’t conform exactly to a skill, it’ll simply be an ability check.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Steam.