Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Instrument Proficiency

OK. So, I'm not particularly happy with the instrument proficiency thing. Who's going to waste a Feat on gaining the ability to play an instrument?

In 5e, many backgrounds and such provide instrument proficiencies. For example, my Ranger Ryth-Shan is an Outlander and has Lute proficiency at Level 1. He has 0 Performance skill, but he can play an instrument.

I'd like more ability to have other characters play instruments. Not just the bard or if I waste my Level 4 proficiency for it just so I can have my characters all playing like they're in a band. Either make it so that if someone picks the Performance skill they automatically gain a proficiency in 1 instrument, or make it so that certain backgrounds, like Entertainer especially but also Outlander (there really aren't that many backgrounds), provides instrument proficiency.

Don't worry, just because they are proficient in an instrument, it doesn't negate the Bard's class. The Bard is still WAY better with instruments because they cast spells with them and get way more perks and buffs with instruments. Those with Entertainer or Outlander backgrounds can just play them. Doesn't mean they're good at them, and they certainly don't cast spells with them.

Either way, it'd be nice to have.

https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=821047#Post821047

Edit: Sorry if just adding a link could be seen as rude. My idea was to show you that we already have a way to get the feat "for free"

I think that's a dumb reward that makes no sense. Suddenly, if you can play 1 song, you gain proficiency? I mean... I guess. Maybe. If you've been practicing it all Day, maybe you know the very basics.

But then, how'd you play the song to begin with if you aren't proficient? 2 Performance checks? Yeah. It's kinda weird.

5e has a few backgrounds that come with instrument proficiency. Why not simply add it to them?

I have toyed with picking up the performance feat at level 4 for my main character, but there is also something else quite important to pick up first and because we are capped at level 4 there is no second opportunity to pick it up Usually it is picking up a weapon proficiency.

This is why I prefer 3.5e - I could just drop a single skill point in lute and be done with it.

Yeah. That's why I suggested the potential of Performance skill. If you want to play an instrument, you have to pick it as a Proficiency. But, then again, having certain Backgrounds give it for free would make it so if you care about playing an instrument, you could just pick a background that gives it to you.

I think it's implied that Alfira gives you a few pointers afterwards, even though it isn't shown.

Either way I'm glad I can obtain it in some other way that doesn't require wasting a useful feat point on, otherwise I'd never even bother with it ^^

Well, that's true. At least it's something. I don't know who thought it was good to make it so you had to either be a bard or spend a feat on it, but I think limiting it like that really hinders the experience. I still think simply adding it to the appropriate backgrounds is the best way to go. Then you can have performers who aren't necessarily bards.

Yes! This would make addition to (at least) the entertainer background. (Maybe if you a Bard entertainer you get perfomance expertise at level 1).

I wonder what other background it would work for. Maybe Urchin?

Should the soldier background give a weapon proficiency, then?

That would be cool. It might be a balancing issue, but the Sanctum Stalker background already comes with a free cantrip. The cantrip kinda stinks (it’s Shadowheart’s damage cantrip - 1d8 on a dex save) but it’s not nothing.

I’d love any change that makes the backgrounds more unique and/or relevant in game.

Edit: I just booted BG3 to check the Sanctum Stalker background and saw that it went the way of the Hermit. Bring those back, you cowards!

Entertainer and Outlander give the instrument proficiency in 5e. So, if you are a Bard and Entertainer, you'd get 2 instrument proficiencies instead of 1.

But Performance Expertise makes sense as an alternative. I do like it.

I'm not sure about handing out proficiencies, though, like weapon Prof for soldier. Once you start doing that, it starts breaking the balance.

I just dont understand why cant we equip any instrumet we are not proficient with.
We can try with any weapon, armor and shield ... how is flute any different?

Meh. I can kinda see why. Playing an instrument is a bit harder than swinging a sword. You gotta at least have some proficiency or there would be no way to succeed in a Performance check.

Then again. One could say the same about thieves tools. They're not just things you can pick up and just know how to use to pick locks.

Fine by me.

I really want to make goblins Angry when my Barbarian start squeaking his Violin.

Lol. Yes. That would be awesome.