races
Race is the character’s species:
human, elf, dwarf, gnome, half-elf or halfling are the
most common choices. For Baldur's Gate II, the half-orc
has also been introduced. A character's race will affect
their ability scores upon creation and will limit the
choice of the character’s class.
Dwarf
Dwarves are short, stocky fellows, easily
identified by their size and shape. They average 4 to
4 1/2 feet tall and have ruddy cheeks, dark eyes, and
dark hair. Dwarves generally live for about 350 years.
They are a cunning race of sturdy workers and craftsmen,
especially resistant to magic and poison. During combat,
dwarves receive bonuses when attacking man-sized giant-class
creatures and are adept at dodging the attacks of larger
giant-class creatures. Infravision allows dwarves to see
heat emanations from objects up to 60' in the dark.
Elf
Elves tend to be somewhat shorter and
slimmer than normal humans. Their features are finely
chiseled and delicate, and they speak in melodic tones.
Although they appear fragile and weak, as a race they
are quick and strong. Elves often live as long as 1200
years. They are nearly immune to Sleep and Charm spells
and are adept at finding hidden objects. During combat,
elves receive +1 bonuses when attacking with swords and
bows. Elves also have infravision which allows them to
see up to 60' in darkness. In AD&D, they cannot be
raised from the dead, however, in BG they can be.
Gnome
Gnomes are shorter and slimmer than their
dwarven cousins, but have significantly larger noses.
Most gnomes have dark tan or brown skin and white hair.
A typical gnome lives for 350 years. They are especially
resistant to magic, and have a natural affinity to the
magic school of Illusion. During combat, gnomes receive
bonuses when attacking man-sized giant-class creatures
and are adept at dodging the attacks of larger giant-class
creatures.
Half-Elf
Half-elves are usually much like their
elven parent in appearance. They are handsome folk, with
the good features of both races. They mingle freely with
either race, being only slightly taller than the average
elf (5' 6" on average) and weighing about 150 pounds.
They typically live about 160 years. While they do not
have all the abilities of the elf, they are still somewhat
resistant to sleep and charm spells and are adept at finding
hidden objects. Half-elves also have infravision up to
60' from their elven parent. Of all the demi-human races,
half-elves have the greatest range of choices in character
class.
Halfling
Halflings are short, generally plump
people, very much like small humans. Their faces are round
and broad and often quite florid. Their hair is typically
curly and the tops of their feet are covered with coarse
hair. Their prefer not to wear shoes whenever possible.
Their typical life expectancy is approximately 150 years.
Halflings gain a +1 bonus to their attack rolls when using
thrown weapons or slings. Depending on lineage, certain
halflings have infravision, and all are especially resistant
to magic and poison.
Half-Orc
Another example of a hybrid, half-orcs
are products of human and orc parents. Of a height similar
to half-elves, half-orcs usually resemble their human
parent enough to pass for a human in public. Their skin
ranges from peach to olive to deep tan, and their hair
can be blond, red, brown, black, gray, and shades in between.
Half-orcs have infravision.
Human
Humans are the most common player race
in the Forgotten Realms. They suffer no level racial limitations
or ability modifiers. They can be any class including
all eight specialist mages or dual-classed.
Racial Ability Adjustments
Ability scores are modified based on
the character's race as described below. It is possible
to achieve a 19 in an ability by addition of these bonuses.
Race Adjustment
Dwarf +1 Constitution, -1 Charisma
Elf +1 Dexterity,
-1 Constitution
Gnome +1 Intelligence, -1 Wisdom
Halfling +1 Dexterity, -1 Strength
Half-Elf None
Half-Orc +1 Strength, +1 Constitution, -2 Charisma
Human None
Classes Permitted for Each Race
The table below lists the classes available
to each race. Only demihumans can be multiclassed while
only humans can be dual classed. There will be no level
limits because of race in Baldur's Gate II. The symbols
in the table refer to the following:
X Class permitted.
-- Class not permitted.
1 All gnome mages are illusionists and they are the only
specialist mages that can be multiclassed.
2 Elves can only specialize as a diviner or enchanter.
3 Half-elves can only specialize as a conjurer, diviner,
enchanter or transmuter.
Class
Human
Dwarf Gnome Halfling Elf Half-Elf Half-Orc
Fighter X
X X X
X X
X
Ranger X
-- -- --
X X
--
Paladin X
-- -- --
-- -- --
Cleric X
X X
X X
X X
Druid X
-- -- --
-- X --
Mage X
-- -- --
X X --
Specialist Mage X --
1 -- 2
3 --
Thief X
X X X
X X
X
Bard X
-- -- --
-- X --
Fighter/Mage --
-- 1 --
X X --
Fighter/Cleric --
X X --
-- X X
Fighter/Druid --
-- -- --
-- X
--
Fighter/Thief --
X X X
X X
X
Ranger/Cleric
-- -- -- --
-- X --
Fighter/Mage/Thief -- --
-- -- X
X --
Fighter/Mage/Cleric -- --
-- -- --
X --
Cleric/Mage --
-- 1 --
-- X --
Cleric/Thief --
-- X --
-- -- X
Mage/Thief --
-- 1 --
X X --
Dual-classed X
-- --
-- -- -- --
