WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

The mechanics behind Baldur’sGate look a little obtuse in this day and age. Based around the Second Edition ruleset of Dungeons & Dragons, it contains all sorts of quirks and curiosities. Here’s what’s going on behind the scenes

1 ArmorClass

Bafflingly, having a lower AC score is actually better. It represents both the hardness of your equipment, and also your ability to avoid attacks. Yes, this is completely different to how it works in subsequent editions of D&D, and yes, this does mean that you can have a negative AC and that this is terrific. AC minus five? Great stuff. Good job.

2 THAC0

Short for To Hit Armor Class Zero, this provides the reference number from which all your to-hit rolls are calculated. If you hit Armor Class 0 on a roll of 17, it means you hit Armor Class -1 on an 18, Armor Class 1 on a 16, and so on. Think of two rows of numbers stretching out in two different directions, anchored at this point.

3 Thief Skills

While Second Edition D&D expressed most skills as a number to roll under, someone decided Thief-related skills had to be expressed as a percentage instead. If you want to move soundlessly, spot a trap or pilfer a purse, you roll under the relevant percentage, which you can gradually increase each level.

4 Saving Throws

Are you used to rolling under your Thief skills? Great! Now it’s time to try and roll over your Saving Throws. The lower these numbers, the better, and they’ll drop every few levels. They’re divided into some strange categories, too, meaning your save against a wand is different to that against death magic or petrification. Let us know if you ever find out why.