Lore

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 bonusesLOREBON.2da
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
== 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
Protection From Cold 	30 / 85
Protection From Electricity 	30 / 85
Protection From Fire 	30 / 85
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
== Lore tweaking ==
Lore affecting items
Item 	Lore
Brevin's Quarterstaff	+10
Cloak of Minor Arcana	+10
Crown of Lies 	-30
Sword of Balduran 	+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. 
However, 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 without replaying 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.
== 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 ==
=== Loremaster BG1 ===
Have a Lore skill of 100 or more during Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition or Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear.
=== Loremaster BG2 ===
Have a Lore skill of 100 or more during Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition.
== References ==
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