Baldur’s Gate 3adapts the rules ofDungeons & Dragons Fifth Editioninto a CRPG system, allowing players to embark on an adventure in the world ofD&Dwith familiar races, classes, and mechanics. For the most part,Baldur’s Gate 3remains faithful to theDungeons & Dragonsrules, with only a few additions and changes to better suit a video game.
OneclassicDungeons & Dragons Fifth Editionrulethat many players didn’t expect to see inBaldur’s Gate 3is Inspiration. On the tabletop, Inspiration is only ever awarded by the DM, mostly when they feel a player has made a choice that is faithful to their character, particularly when that choice isn’t optimal from a gameplay perspective. However, despite lacking a DM inBaldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios has still found a way to integrate this roleplay-based feature.
Updated July 13, 2025, by John Higgs:This Inspiration guide has been updated for the full release of Baldur’s Gate 3, removing the Hermit and Sailor Backgrounds and adding the Haunted One, a Background exclusive to the Dark Urge Origin.
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What is Inspiration in Baldur’s Gate 3
Inspiration inBaldur’s Gate 3works slightly differently from Inspiration inFifth Edition. When tabletop players have earned Inspiration, they can use it anytime to gainAdvantage on an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. However, inBaldur’s Gate 3,Inspiration can only be used on ability checks, and instead of providing Advantage (which allows players to roll twice and pick the higher result), it offers an option to reroll a failed ability check.
Additionally, tabletop players can only ever have one Inspiration Point at a time, while inBaldur’s Gate 3,up to four can be earned, allowing players to save more for vital rolls. It’s important to note that these Inspiration Points are shared in multiplayer, with all players drawing from the same pool, and that any Inspiration Points earned while the pool is full will be converted into XP instead. The finaldifference between tabletop andBaldur’s Gate 3Inspiration is how they’re earned. While inFifth Edition,a DM uses their judgment to hand out Inspiration when appropriate, inBaldur’s Gate 3,players earn Inspiration when living up to their Background.
How to Get Inspiration in Baldur’s Gate 3
There are 12 Backgrounds forcustom characters inBaldur’s Gate 3, each offering a pair of Skill Proficiencies, unique options in dialogue, and different ways of earning Inspiration:
By playing to their Background throughoutBaldur’s Gate 3’s story, players will be able to regularly earn Inspiration Points. These Points can then be spent to protect against unlucky rolls during important checks, allowing the player to tip the odds in their favor when necessary.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available for PC. It launches for PS5 on September 6.
