If you’re looking to bolster your wealth and enhance your party’s capability in Baldur’s Gate 3, mastering pickpocketing is essential. This skill not only allows you to gather significant amounts of gold but also provides crucial crafting materials and powerful weapons. However, the art of stealing comes with risks; failing a pickpocket attempt could lead to negative outcomes such as hostile merchants, decreased faction attitudes, or even guard alerts that may escalate into combat.
Success in pickpocketing hinges on a well-thought-out strategy encompassing a robust character build, careful skill selection, and optimized gear choices. This guide serves to design a sharp pickpocketing character for both new and experienced players, maximizing the high-risk, high-reward nature of this gameplay mechanic.
Understanding Pickpocketing in Baldur’s Gate 3
When you attempt to pickpocket in Baldur’s Gate 3, the game presents a Roll Target, defined as a numerical value that must be achieved with a 20-sided die roll for a successful theft. This target considers your Dexterity modifier and Sleight of Hand proficiency.
While the Roll Target may not appear to include additional bonuses from your class or equipment, these modifiers do enhance your overall Sleight of Hand check, which is calculated behind the scenes, thus improving your chances of success.
It’s important to note that the most challenging Sleight of Hand difficulty class in the game is DC 30; therefore, creating a character capable of consistently rolling 30 or higher is crucial for mastering pickpocketing.
Optimal Race, Skills, and Class for Pickpocketing
The Halfling race stands out as the best choice for aspiring pickpockets in Baldur’s Gate 3. Their unique ability, Halfling Luck, lets them reroll a critical failure, while the Lightfoot Halfling subrace provides the Naturally Stealthy feature, granting an advantage on Stealth checks.
For a targeted pickpocket build, the Arcane Trickster Rogue class—particularly a single-class variant—emerges as an ideal choice. At level 11, this class gains the Reliable Talent feature, which ensures that rolls for proficient skills never fall below 10.
Combining Halfling Luck with Reliable Talent creates a solid foundation for a successful pickpocketing setup, allowing you to effectively manage failures. Additionally, selecting appropriate spells, enhancing skill expertise, and acquiring useful gear will elevate your Arcane Trickster Rogue to new heights throughout the game.
Another tip for your pickpocketing adventures is to recruit a hireling known as Brinna Brightsong from Withers. Being a Halfling, she can be respecced into an Arcane Trickster Rogue to further bolster your pickpocketing abilities.
Optimal Ability Scores & Skill Proficiencies for Arcane Trickster Rogue
To thrive as a pickpocketing Arcane Trickster Rogue, selecting the right ability scores and skill proficiencies is vital. Below is a recommended configuration that provides a solid basis for your character’s growth:
|
Ability |
Score |
Bonus |
|---|---|---|
|
Strength |
15 |
|
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Dexterity |
16 |
+1 |
|
Constitution |
8 |
|
|
Intelligence |
8 |
|
|
Wisdom |
8 |
|
|
Charisma |
17 |
+2 |
Skill Proficiencies:
- Sleight of Hand: X2
- Stealth: X2
- Intimidation
- Persuasion
Level Progression for Arcane Trickster Rogue
Below is the suggested level path for the Arcane Trickster Rogue from levels 2 to 12, involving optimal selections for cantrips, spells, and feats:
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Levels |
Choices |
|---|---|
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Level 2 |
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Level 3 |
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Level 4 |
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Level 5 |
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Level 6 |
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Level 7 |
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Level 8 |
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Level 9 |
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Level 10 |
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Level 11 |
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Level 12 |
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Suggested Gear for Arcane Trickster Rogue Pickpocketing
No build can thrive without the right items, and the Arcane Trickster pickpocketing setup is no exception. Below is a list of recommended gear that enhances your character’s Dexterity, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth capabilities:
|
Item Name |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Shadow Of Menzoberranzan (Helmet) |
Found in Act 1 within the Underdark, this item allows the wearer to cast |
|
Cloak of Cunning Brume (Cloak) |
Creates Fog Cloud for 1 turn upon the wearer Disengaging. Available for purchase from Mattis in Act 3. |
|
Graceful Cloth (Armor) |
This armor grants advantage on Dexterity checks and enhances Dexterity by +2 (max 20). Can be obtained or purchased from Lady Esther in Act 1. |
|
Nimblefinger Gloves |
Provides +1 to Sleight of Hand and +2 to Dexterity if the wearer is a Gnome. Available from Bumpnagel, the Ironhand Gnome merchant, in Act 3. |
|
Silver Pendant (Amulet) |
This allows the wearer to cast Guidance, found on a skeleton near Emerald Grove in Act 1. |
|
Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring |
This ring grants a +1d4 bonus to all checks while disguised. Obtainable by defeating or trading with the Strange Ox. |
|
Smuggler’s Ring |
Enhances Stealth and Sleight of Hand checks by +2, while decreasing Charisma by -1. Found near Risen Road in Act 1 on a skeleton. |
(for 2 turns, once per short rest), beneficial for rogues with limited spell slots.Playing the Arcane Trickster Rogue for Pickpocketing
The Arcane Trickster Rogue is equipped with various abilities and tools necessary to execute successful heists. This character excels at using spells like Invisibility or cantrips such as Find Familiar to distract targets while picking their pockets. If a pickpocketing attempt fails, their high Charisma can help smooth things over.
To optimize your pickpocketing gameplay, follow these guidelines:
- Begin by casting Disguise Self for an added +1d4 bonus from your Shapeshifter’s Boon ring.
- Identify your target NPC and use Minor Illusion or Find Familiar: Cat to distract nearby onlookers.
- Crouch and switch to turn-based mode before attempting the pickpocket action.
- Once successful, exit turn-based mode and either use fast travel to return to camp or cast Invisibility to escape unnoticed.