Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback XP should be earned regardless of combat

If you can resolve the situation without engaging in combat (persuasion, threats, or simply by stealth) - you would still earn full 'combat' xp, from enemies you would fight otherwise.
Of course would later decide to attack foes from which you already earned xp - you will gain no additional xp.