Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Why has Expertise not been implemented?

I keep wondering about why the Rogue class doesn't have Expertise in BG3. I... doubt it would be because of the difficulty of implementation, but of course I may be wrong. So is this a game design decision? Does someone think that Expertise is overpowered?

Is it possible that they are merely waiting to add it with the Bard class, and then they will give it to Rogues too?

If someone on the design team has some kind of issue with Expertise, what are they going to do with Jack of All Trades (Bard lvl 2 feature) or Reliable Talent (Rogue lvl 11 feature)?

My personal take on the matter is this: Rogue is my most favourite class to play in D&D and Expertise is a major reason for why that is the case. I love having the ability to be really good at some skills, and I particularly love putting Expertise into skills that aren't completely expected from a Rogue to create interesting builds and niches for my characters. I have had great fun with Rogues with Expertise in skills such as Animal Handling, Arcana or History (these weren't all on a single character).

I have never felt like Expertise is overpowered. The D&D ruleset is usually somewhat generous when it comes to possible bonuses to your ability (skill) checks through other means. Guidance, for instance, is on average stronger than Expertise at low levels. Bardic Inspiration is a very strong bonus to skills at all levels. Also, Reliable Talent is an amazing Rogue feature and I would be quite dissatisfied if it ended up being changed or not implemented.

Is this something that is going to be added later, or am I just gonna have to download a mod that adds it? By the way, I am aware that there already are mods that add Expertise, but I would prefer if this was in the game baseline.

Nobody knows really ...
Expertise was as far as i know never part of BG3, nor it was ever mentioned by Swen in any interview i have seen or heared ... many people are complaining about its absence, but Larian seem completely oblivious to them. :-/

Expertise is one of the CORE features of a rogue and a HUGE reason to even play one. Same with Bard.

Its also apart of the prodigy feat for Humans, Half-Elves, and Half-Orcs. Its not even broken since all it does is make you really good at a skill, compared to Rogue's Evasion and Uncanny Dodge. I really hope they add it in with Bard, and give it to Rogue, because I would like to eventually stop having to bring Shadowheart just for a bonus.

I agree wholeheartedly with most of the above responses. I tend to use it on perception with my rogues as I tend to use wisdom as my dump stat for most characters that don't use wisdom as a requirement. This is especially true of this thrice damned point buy, but that is entirely different issue

After full release: to use mods, or not to use mods, that is the question!

I think it needs to be in the game, but I wouldn’t be upset if it was handled differently. It doesn’t make sense to me that a rogue can be an expert in Arcana but a wizard can’t (without feats). Same with druids and Nature, clerics and Religion etc. Perhaps you should be able to combine background and class skills into expertise, you’d have fewer overall but be better at something.

Bring back skill point allocation! Or at least something that allows us to change and/or improve our skills as we level up without taking a feat.

Maybe at level 5 or 6, each class should be able to get expertise in one of a few possible class skills. Then at level 13-15 you can get another expertise. E.g., wizards might get Arcana, Investigation, and Sleight of Hand (repeated casting of spells improves hand dexterity) as possible options.

And fyi neither feats that give expertise - Skill Expert and Prodigy - are in the PHB, so likely won't be implemented in BG3.

Because D&D in this game is a joke and salad dressing. But hey, Larian can wave a shiny D&D flag for PR. Just like the name <Baldurs gate>.

Expertise will be installed on Tuesday.

-Captain Kirk


This game is far away from release. I was at first very disappointed that Larian didn't strait away commit to the RAW, as well as frustrated for them that they were creating so much work for themselves by not trusting the tried and true.

I have to say that I am impressed with their steadfast dedication to make this game work. As they cross some important progress lines...like level 5...moders will be able to polish their class mods.

My guess would be that the programmers simple haven't tackled expertise yet...or how to give double advantage (Elvin accuracy)...or any number of things.