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Lore gives a character a 'natural' insight into discerning masked item properties. This insight continues to grow each time a character levels but at a rate determined by its class.

Introduction[]

Candidate items requiring identification usually possess some sort of magical enhancement or property, but not always. Some books, potions and scrolls may also need to be identified using the Lore rating of the examining character. Cursed items are always very difficult to detect. The bard class, as part of their innate bardic lore background, are ideally suited for deciphering the hidden treasures that are unearthed.

To compare for a moment, "classic" D&D uses the Lore function (sometimes implemented as a character "skill") to help solve puzzles, determine the characteristics of creatures, discern the terrain or interact with NPCs through conversation, among many other uses. The expanded use is not, however, the case in the Baldur's Gate game mechanics. It just identifies.

Description, from the manual:

"Each character has a lore rating. Every item has a lore value. If a character's lore rating is equivalent or higher than an item's lore value, then that character may identify that item. As characters gain levels, they are able to identify items based on their experience.

A character receives bonuses (and penalties) to their lore rating based on their Intelligence and Wisdom. The modifier is not cumulative with each level, but each ability bonus is applied separately. It is a "one-time" bonus at character creation."

In fact, what this means is that it's a flat bonus based only on your Intelligence and Wisdom scores. It is, in fact, recalculated if your Wisdom or Intelligence change, or are buffed or debuffed (contrary to what is stated above): so potions that give temporary bonuses to your Int and Wis will give a bonus to your Lore rating for their duration.

Character lore charts[]

Attribute bonuses[1]
Int and Wis Lore
1 – 6 -20
7 – 9 -10
10 – 14 ±0
15 +3n1
16 +5
17 +7
18 +10
19 +12
20 +15
21 +20
22 +25
23 +30
24 +35
25 +40
Lore increase rate
Class Per level
Bard, Jester, Skald +10
Blade +5
Thief, Mage +3
Others +1

Lore tweaking[]

Lore affecting items
Item Lore
Brevin's Quarterstaff

Siege of Dragonspear LOGOSOD00001 Icon SoDBaldur's Gate:
Siege of Dragonspear
(2016)
This icon indicates content from the Siege of Dragonspear campaign of the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.

+10
Cloak of Minor Arcana

Siege of Dragonspear LOGOSOD00001 Icon SoDBaldur's Gate:
Siege of Dragonspear
(2016)
This icon indicates content from the Siege of Dragonspear campaign of the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.

+10
Crown of Lies

Siege of Dragonspear LOGOSOD00001 Icon SoDBaldur's Gate:
Siege of Dragonspear
(2016)
This icon indicates content from the Siege of Dragonspear campaign of the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.

-30
Sword of Balduran

Shadows of Amn LOADCNTR00004 Icon SoAShadows of Amn (2000)
Content from the original Baldur's Gate II campaign Shadows of Amn
Shadows of Amn LOGOSOA00001 Icon BG2EEBaldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
Shadows of Amn
(2013)
Content from the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition campaign Shadows of Amn

+10

The character with the maximum possible lore, through use of the Export feature or Console, is a level 40 non-Blade bard (base 400), with 25 in both intelligence and wisdom (+80), dual-wielding Balduran's long swords (+20) and using the High Level Ability "Use Any Item" to equip the Cloak of Minor Arcana for a total of 510.

Without cheating, the Cloak of Minor Arcana cannot carry through from BG1:SoD to BG2:SoA, and has to be cheated in via the console: the Sword of Balduran is a unique item, so a second cannot be obtained without the console: and the maximum Wisdom attainable is 23 (18 to start BG1, +3 from tomes during BG1, +1 from Tear of Bhaal in BG2:SoA, +1 from Machine of Lum in BG2:ToB). Thus, the maximum legitimate Lore is base 400 (L40 Bard) +40 (25 Int is temporarily possible from stacked Potions of Genius and Mind Focusing, regardless of starting Int) +30 (23 Wis) +10 (1 Sword of Balduran) = 480.

Assessing lore's in-game impact and utility[]

In Baldur's Gate, an unidentified item which possesses one or more magical properties does not necessarily need to be identified (via Lore or by a merchant) to be used.

As a few examples: an unidentified Algernon's Cloak will still charm creatures and an unidentified Ring of Wizardry will still double the number of Level 1 mage spells. Also, the character screen will display any item's magical influence regardless of its ID status and the character animation will reflect the item's properties in the same manner (eg. an unidentified pair of Boots of Speed will still increase travel speed of its wearer). Notable exceptions to this game idiosyncrasy are the types of items which must be placed into Quick Item Slots (like wands), items which are not equip-able in those slots until identified.

The key, potential hazard of equipping unidentified items is the possibility of being cursed or poly-morphed. In a single-player environment, the danger is less critical since a preemptive save/reload can "undo" a player's hasty action. However, in a multi-player game, only a priest with at least 5 levels (or a visit to a temple) can restore a character's well-being. Resting will end the poly-morph effect unless the effect has been combined into a curse.

Generally-speaking, identifying every magical item can be expedited inexpensively with either a bard or mage who can write the Identify spell into their spellbook (with the exception of Conjurers like Edwin). An Identify scroll costs approximately the same as the merchant fee for identifying a single item so is economical for any arcanist member to have in their spell repertoire to use on demand.

Imoen, with her uncharacteristic thief INT level (17) is ideal for identifying low Lore value items like magical ammo and most +1 equipment using her Lore rating alone... with her seldom-enlisted roguish cousin, the bard, still better. Mages identify well with the initial Lore boost at character creation due to high INT level but level-up slower than thieves. In Baldur's Gate, Garrick is a reliable, early-accessible bard to intermittently enlist for his utility Lore potential since he will readily dispatch and rejoin parties with just about any reputation... a boon of his neutral alignment. Evil Eldoth's membership may not be as easy to manipulate, depending on the party reputation. All bards can learn the Identify spell.

Item lore values[]

The following table displays the minimum Lore ratings needed to identify items. In the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, several values were raised.

Item Lore
Dart +1 6
Dart of Fire +1 6
Dart of Ice +1 6
Dart of Acid +1 6
Throwing Axe +1 10
Dagger of Troll-fighting +1 10
Bullet +1 10
Periapt of Proof Against Poison 10
Sunstone Bullet +1 10
Dagger +1 10
Bag of Plenty +1 10
Buckler +1 10
Kendra's Chain 15
Throwing Dagger +1 15
Throwing Hammer +1 15
House Catanzaro Insignia 15
House Ryrrl Insignia 15
Bullet of Fire +1 15
Bullet of Ice +1 15
Bullet of Electricity +1 15
Red Potion 15
Violet Potion 15
Bullet +2 18
The Eyes of Truth 18
Arrow +1 20
Arrow of Dispelling 20
Short Sword +1 20
Battle Axe +1 20
Golden Axe +1 20
Ghost Locket 20
Dagger +2 20
Agathor's Near-Universal Solvent 20
Flail +1 20
Club +1 20
The Thresher +2 20
Bolt +1 20
Spellbook 20
Short Sword +1 20
Mage Robe of Cold Resistance 20
Mage Robe of Fire Resistance 20
Mage Robe of Electrical Resistance 20
Heart of the Golem +2 20
Dagger +2 20
Dart of Stunning 20
Drow Bolt of Sleep +1 20
Drow Bolt of Stunning +1 20
Drow Bolt +1 20
Drow Dart of Sleep +1 20
Small Shield +1 20
The Claw of Kazgaroth 20
Dagger of Venom +2 20
Quiver of Plenty +1 20
Case of Plenty +1 20
Topsider's Crutch 20
Paralytic Bolt +1 20
Small Shield +1 20
Small Shield +1 20
Quarterstaff +1 20
Neera's Staff +1 20
Short Sword +1 20
Short Sword +1 20
Katana +1 20
Drusus +1 20
Short Sword +1 20
Dart of Wounding 21
Sling +1 21
Arrow of Fire +2 25
Acid Arrow +1 25
Arrow of Fire +2 25
Arrow of Ice 25
Arrow of Ice 25
Arrow of Ice 25
Arrow of Fire +2 25
Arrow of Fire +2 25
Arrow of Antimagic +1 25
Bullet +3 25
Gemblade +1 25
Ring of Fire Resistance 25
Bolt of Biting 25
Senses of the Cat 25
Shortbow +1 25
Shortbow +1 25
Arrow of Ice 25
Leather Armor +1 25
Batalista's Passport 25
Batalista's Passport 25
Staff Mace +2 25
Wakizashi +1 25
Ninjatō +1 25
The Amplifier 30
Arrow of Biting 30
Arrow of Piercing +1 30
Arrow of Biting 30
Beruel's Retort +1 30
Bolt of Ice +1 30
Ostentatious Boots 30
Boots of Speed 30
The Paws of the Cheetah 30
Helm of Equus 30
Hide Armor +1 30
Ring of Free Action 30
Mace +1 30
Morning Star +1 30
The Stupefier +1 30
The Paws of the Cheetah 30
Protection From Acid 30 / 85

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Enhanced Edition
(2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign.

Protection From Cold 30 / 85

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Enhanced Edition
(2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign.

Protection From Electricity 30 / 85

Baldur's Gate LOGOBG00001 Icon SoDBaldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition
(2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign.

Protection From Fire 30 / 85

Baldur's Gate LOGOBG00001 Icon SoDBaldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition
(2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign.

Longbow +1 30
Bracers of Defense AC 8 30
Gift of Peace 30
Chain Mail +1 30
Relair's Mistake 30
Cloak of Reflection 30
Edventar's Gift 30
Halberd +1 30
War Hammer +1 30
Hammer of Dawn +1 30
Gift of Peace 30
Edventar's Gift 30
Studded Leather Armor +1 30
The Horn of Kazgaroth 30
Druid's Ring 30
Edventar's Gift 30
Honorary Ring of Sune 30
Medium Shield +1 30
Medium Shield +1 30
Corvyr's Blessing 30
Redshield +1, +4 vs. monstrous 30
Tarloc's Contingency +1 30
Sling of Unerring Accuracy +1 30
Long Sword +1 30
Long Sword +1 30
Harrower +1, +3 vs. undead 30
The Paws of the Cheetah 30
Wand of Sleep 30
Wand of Polymorphing 30
Heavy Crossbow +1 30
Light Crossbow +1 30
The Iron Thorn 32
The Protector +1 35
Amulet of Abnormally Awesome Ankheg Summoning 35
Amulet of Protection +1 35
Belt of the Cunning Rogue 35
Golden Girdle 35
Girdle of Bluntness 35
Girdle of Piercing 35
Bolt of Fire +1 35
Ettin Club +1 35
Battle Tankard 35
Ring of Protection +1 35
Brevin's Quarterstaff +1 35
Golden Girdle of Urnst 35
Destroyer of the Hills 35
Elves' Bane 35
Belt of Antipode 35
Bolt of Lightning 35
The Frost's Embrace 35
Talos's Gift 35
Composite Longbow +1 35
Longbow +2 35
Shortbow +2 35
Splint Mail +1 35
Whispers of Silence 35
Knave's Robe 35
Traveler's Robe 35
Adventurer's Robe 35
Knave's Robe 35
Cloak of the Shield 35
Shortbow +2 35
Bastard Sword +2 35
Drow Scimitar +3 35
Adoy's Belt 35
Ring of the Princes +1 35
Koveras's Ring of Protection +1 35
Medium Shield +2 35
Sling +2 35
Quarterstaff +2 35
Scimitar +1 35
Bastard Sword +2 35
Shield Amulet 40
Arrow +2 40
Silver Circlet 40
Clasp of Helm 40
Cudgel of Montgomer +1 40
The Uncursed Staff +1 40
Sidestep Slippers 40
Cloak of Minor Arcana 40
Cloak of the Strange Beast 40
Steadfast +2 40
Eadro's Blade +1 40
Bartleby's Wakizashi +1 40
Short Sword 40
Sword of Troll Decapitation +1 40
Wand of Water Elemental Summoning 40
Krotan's Skullcrusher +2 40
Morning Star +2 40
Mace +2 40
Krotan's Skullcrusher +2 40
Bolt of Polymorphing 40
Bracers of Defense AC 7 40
The Dale's Protector 40
Gloves of Missile Snaring 40
Gauntlets of Crushing 40
Gloves of Healing 40
The Shadow's Blade +3 40
Cloak of Displacement 40
Algernon's Cloak 40
Cloak of Bravery 40
Bastard Sword +1 40
Drow Crossbow of Speed +3 40
Ashideena +2 40
Battle Axe of Mauletar +2 40
Helm of the Noble +1 40
Helmet of Charm Protection 40
Two-handed Sword +1 40
Lock of Hair from Kirinhale 40
Dart +2 40
Buckler +2 40
Ninjatō +2 40
Fallorain's Plate +1 40
Plate Mail +1 40
The Victor 40
Bastard Sword +1 40
Large Shield +1 40
Buckley's Buckler 40
Two-handed Sword +1 40
Spear +1 40
Bastard Sword +1 40
The Shadow's Blade +3 40
Two-handed Sword +1 40
Spider's Bane +2 40
Two-handed Sword +2 40
Wand of Fear 40
Wand of Paralyzation 40
Wand of Monster Summoning 40
The Army Scythe +1 40
Light Crossbow +2 40
Arrow of Detonation 45
Lon's Amulet 45
Star-Strewn Boots 45
Bracers of the Shuttered Lid 45
Flute of the Immaculate Breeze 45
Acid-Etched Dagger +2 45
Festering Spear +1 45
Peacock Cap 45
Medal of Valor 45
Lucky Boots 45
Stone Ally 45
Ring of the Tiny Fiend 45
Buckler of the Fist +2 45
Firefly +2 45
Pritchard's Family Stiletto +2 45
Ring 45
Flail +2 45
Worn Whispers 45
Composite Longbow +2 45
Shadow Armor +3 45
Wakizashi +2 45
Ring of Regeneration 45
Moonlight Walkers 45
Small Shield +2 45
Arla's Dragonbane +3 45
Sling +3 45
Katana +2 45
Rancor +1 45
Ring 45
Heavy Crossbow +2 45
The One Gift Lost 50
Wolfsbane Charm 50
Necklace of Form Stability 50
Arrow of Slaying 50
Battle Axe of Mauletar +2 50
Battle Axe +2 50
Amulet of Whispers 50
Locket of Embracing 50
Arrow +3 50
Bolt +3 50
Fleshripper +2 50
Bracers of Defense AC 6 50
Tangled Strings 50
Stalwart Scales +2 50
Biter +2 50
Helm of Unwavering Purpose 50
Bard Hat 50
Myconid Bloom-Sac 50
Ring of Wizardry 50
Ring of Purity 50
Short Sword +2 50
Vexation +2 50
Short Sword +2 50
Girdle of Hill Giant Strength 50
Big-Fisted Belt 50
Mighty Oak +2 50
Bolt +2 50
Manual of Bodily Health 50
Manual of Gainful Exercise 50
Manual of Quickness of Action 50
The Dead Shot +2 50
Protector of the Dryads +2 50
Bracers to the Death 50
Protector of the Dryads +2 50
Asp's Nest +1 50
Drow Piwafwi Cloak 50
Golden Pantaloons 50
Evermemory 50
Ring of Spell Turning 50
Ring of Acuity 50
Spear +2 50
The Whistling Sword +2 50
The World's Edge +3 50
Wand of the Heavens 50
Wand of Fire 50
Wand of the Heavens 50
Wand of Cloudkill 50
Wand of Spell Striking 50
The Guide +2 50
Periapt of Life Protection 55
Belt of the Skillful Blade 55
Backwhacker +2 55
Glimmer of Hope +2 55
Soft Feet 55
Blightbringer +1 55
Corinth's Bow +2 55
Savage Shortbow +2 55
Nimblefinger Gloves 55
Bracers of Defense AC 5 55
Screaming Bagpipes 55
Crommus's Capelet 55
Dread Hammer +2 55
The Guardian Devil 55
Circlet of Lost Souls 55
Blood Red Ioun Stone 55
Cornugon's Revenge +2 55
Goblin Hide Armor +2 55
Shield of Egons +2 55
Severance +2 55
Astral Crossbow +2 55
Harold +2 55
The Root of the Problem +1, +3 vs. unnatural 55
Boots of Phasing 55
Boots of Etherealness 55
Elven Chain +1 55
Cloak of Protection +1 55
Werebane +1 55
Kiel's Helmet 55
Durlag's Goblet 55
Plate Mail +2 55
Scimitar +2 55
The Magma Bulwark +2 55
Ring of Fire Control 55
Ring of Lock Picks 55
Ring of Danger Sense 55
Kiel's Buckler 55
Spear +3 55
Aule's Staff +3 55
Battle Axe +3 60
Modron Heart 60
Chill Axe +2 60
Cloverleaf 60
Mosela's Cudgel +2 60
The Hydra +2 60
Gauntlets of Weapon Skill 60
The Forest Queen's Benediction 60
Sable Cloak 60
Cloak of the Beluir Watch 60
Elements' Fury +2 60
Cold Fury +2 60
Shadowed Spear +2 60
Scimitar +2 60
Sword of Ruin +2 60
Magical Book 60
Tome of Clear Thought 60
Tome of Leadership and Influence 60
Tome of Understanding 60
Hands of Takkok 60
Xarrnous's Second Sword Arm 60
Kondar +1 60
Longtooth: The Grave Binder +2 60
Boomerang Dagger +2 60
Drow Flail +3 60
Drow Shield +3 60
Drow Lance +3 60
Drow Long Sword +3 60
Suryris's Blade +2 60
Halberd +2 60
Ashideena +2 60
War Hammer +2 60
Protector of the Second +2 60
Leather Armor +2 60
Rugged Leathers +2 60
Pellan's Shield +2 60
Large Shield +2 60
Backbiter +3 60
Kondar +1 60
Varscona +2 60
Rashad's Talon +2 60
Long Sword +2 60
Two-handed Sword, Cursed Berserking +3 60
Leather Armor +1 60
Medium Shield +1 60
Long Sword +1 60
Wand of Frost 60
Wand of Lightning 60
Wand of Magic Missiles 60
Lilarcor 60
Greenstone Amulet 65
Throwing Axe +2 65
Bala's Axe, Wizard Slayer 65
K'logarath +4 65
Axe of Kruntur +2 65
Martyr's Morningstar +2 65
Bracers of Perseverance 65
Commander's Chain Mail +3 65
Cloak of the Gargoyle 65
Storm Pike +2 65
Trollblood Ioun Stone 65
Purification Stone 65
Ring of the Crusade 65
The Ghostdreamers' Robe 65
Crimson Dawn +2 65
Herdrin's Short Sword +2 65
Ophyllis's Short Sword +2 65
Girdle of Stone Giant Strength 65
Kiel's Morning Star +3 65
Greenstone Amulet 65
Mail of the Dead +2 65
Mithral Chain Mail +4 65
Chain Mail +2 65
Robe of the Good Archmagi 65
Robe of the Neutral Archmagi 65
Robe of the Evil Archmagi 65
Pearly White Ioun Stone 65
Dusty Rose Ioun Stone 65
Pale Green Ioun Stone 65
Robe of the Good Archmagi 65
Greenstone Amulet 65
Doppelganger Wardstone 65
Level 1 Exit Wardstone 65
Islanne Wardstone 65
Kiel Wardstone 65
Fuernebol Wardstone 65
Teleportation Wardstone 65
Level 2 Exit Wardstone 65
Compass Wardstone 65
Bone Wardstone 65
Dwarven Rune Wardstone 65
Methild's Harp 65
Splint Mail +2 65
Sandthief's Ring 65
Shield of Devotion +1 65
Staff of Striking +3 65
Staff Spear +2 65
Short Sword +3 65
Rhyte's Last Arrow +2 70
Amulet of Protection +2 70
Stalker Gauntlets 70
Kruntur's Armor +3 70
Wizzard Hat 70
Raconteur's Regalia +2 70
Changeling's Vest 70
Bloody Bone Plate +2 70
Ring of Protection +2 70
Robe of Netheril 70
The Suncatcher +2 70
Dervish Crescent +2 70
Girdle of Masculinity/Femininity 70
Belt of Inertial Barrier 70
Chanserv's Fish +2 70
The Brawling Hands 70
Elander's Gloves of Misplacement 70
The Chesley Crusher +2 70
The Kneecapper +1 70
Telbar's Studded Leather +2 70
Studded Leather Armor +2 70
Plate of the Dark +1 70
The Practical Defense +3 70
Full Plate Armor +1 70
The Guard's Ring +2 70
Ring of Djinni Summoning 70
Shield of the Falling Stars +1 70
The Burning Earth +1 70
Albruin +1 70
Wand of Cursing 70
Amulet of Spell Warding 75
Archer's Eyes 75
The Protector of the Unworthy 75
Bow of the Banshee +2 75
Jester's Bracers 75
Headband of Focus 75
The Night's Embrace +3 75
Reed of Echoes 75
Daeros's Full Plate +1 75
Robe of Red Flames 75
The Soulherder's Staff +2 75
Fractal Blade +3 75
Spell Breaker +2 75
Bracers of Defense AC 3 75
Chain Mail +3 75
Drow Elven Chain +3 75
Drow Adamantine Chain +5 75
Drow Full Plate +3 75
Karajah's Life and Death +3 75
Leather Armor +3 75
The Captive Audience 75
Narbucchad's Demise +5 75
Icingdeath +3 75
Scimitar +3 75
Arbane's Sword of Agility 75
Staff of Curing 75
Amulet of Power 80
Heart of the Mountain 80
Sundermaul +3 80
Helmet of Dumathoin 80
The Bloodied Guardian +2 80
Echo of the Fiend +3 80
Tongue of Acid +3 80
Dragon Blade +3 80
Night Club +1 80
Gargoyle Boots 80
Sword of Balduran (BG1) 80
Gorm's Arm +3 80
Twinkle +3 80
Sword of Balduran (BG2) 80
The Vampire's Revenge +1 80
Durlag's Pride +2 80
Namarra 80
Eilistraee's Boon +1 85
Circlet of the Archmagi 85
Crown of Lies 85
Protection From Magic 85
Protection From Poison 85
Protection From Undead 85
Cursed Scroll of Weakness 85
Cursed Scroll of Clumsiness 85
Cursed Scroll of Foolishness 85
Cursed Scroll of Ugliness 85
Cursed Scroll of Summon Monster 85
Protection From Petrification 85
Cursed Scroll of Petrification 85
Cursed Scroll of Ailment 85
Cursed Scroll of Stupidity 85
Robe of Arcane Aptitude 90
Gift of the Demon +5 90
Shandalar's Wardstone 90
Wardstone Forgery 90
Wardstone Forgery 90
Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise 100
History of the Nether Scrolls 100
Legacy of the Masters 100
Bracers of Binding 100
Tzu-Zan's Bracers 100
The Spirit's Shield +2 100
Cloak of Balduran 100
Improved Cloak of Protection +2 100
Helmet of Opposite Alignment 100
Helm of Balduran 100
Armor of Missile Attraction +2 100
The Jester's Folly 100
Discipliner 100
Glimmering Bands 100
Sartessa's Vengeance +1 100
The Ossifier 100
Gold Digger +1 100
Sensate Amulet 100
Viper's Edge +2 170

Notes[]

  • In the original games, the lore bonus given by an intelligence or wisdom score of 15 is 5, rather than 3, the same as for a score of 16. This is changed in the Enhanced Editions.


Achievements[]

Main article: Achievements
Loremaster Achievement icon BG1EE

Loremaster BG1[]

Have a Lore skill of 100 or more during Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition or Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear.

Loremaster Achievement icon BG2EE

Loremaster BG2[]

Have a Lore skill of 100 or more during Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition.

References[]

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