Baldur's Gate II Expansion Throne of Bhaal Game Guides
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Introduction
For years now, you've battled across the Sword Coast to discover your destiny. Are you, in fact, destined to ascend mortality and succeed Bhaal as the new God of Murder? Or is it your fate to finally put an end to the machinations of the dead deity and his offspring? In Throne of Bhaal, the final chapter in the Bhaal saga, you'll finally realize your full potential and determine your own future. It won't be easy.
To survive Throne of Bhaal, you must learn how to master the ferocious battles that await you. No Dungeons & Dragons game has ever assembled a more intimidating horde of enemies to prevent you from succeeding in your quest. Elemental princes, demon lords, and even the gods themselves will plot against you. Ancient dragons, liches, and wizards have become adept in the spell-casting arts in ways you've never seen before, and to survive these spell-casting duals, you must be prepared with the information contained in this guide. Learn the best counters for all the deadly offensive and frustrating defensive spells and improve your own spell-casting effectiveness to survive the toughest battles you've ever faced in a role-playing game.
Assembled against you are hordes of powerful demons, dragons, and demigods, equipped with more powerful weaponry than even you and your companions possess. This guide will help you prepare for the upcoming challenges and teach you how to exploit the weaknesses of your foes and garner fame, fortune, and power. In this guide, you'll find a comprehensive listing of the locations of all the magic items in Throne of Bhaal, so you can equip your characters with the best weapons and armor available. For each new area of the game, you'll be provided with a detailed description of the monsters, treasure, traps, and encounters that await. Comprehensive charts will not only let you know where and how you can obtain each of the game's quests, but also where and how to solve them and the reward you'll receive for completing the tasks.
Your destiny is finally within your grasp... -
Chapter 1: Reforming the Party
It's tempting to keep your party of adventurers intact when traveling into the new Throne of Bhaal areas. After all, it's difficult to conceive of abandoning Minsc and his miniature giant space hamster behind when they've been your loyal companions since your party began its adventures through the Sword Coast of Faerun. But it's not always prudent to value historical companionship over immediate needs. A party of characters that was effective in Baldur's Gate II may not be as adept in Throne of Bhaal because of the different nature of the challenges you'll face in the new expansion. You must choose your companions wisely to survive the toughest battles in the expansion. First, however, you have an even more rudimentary decision to make...
Preparing the Main Character
Since you've already played Shadows of Amn, your main character should already be ready to go. You're definitely better off continuing or importing a Baldur's Gate II saved game than starting a new game for the expansion pack, since you'll start off with better equipment and have a more experienced party. While your party will come equipped with some powerful magic items even if you start a new game for the expansion pack areas (as detailed further along in this guide), you won't have access to some of the best items in the game, such as the Carsomyr holy avenger sword, and you can't romance your companions. In Baldur's Gate II, it was possible for your character to become amorous with Jaheira, Viconia, Aerie, or Anomen, and you can only advance relationships that you sparked in the original game. If you didn't get to first base in the original game, you're going to be a lonely demigod through the expansion pack.
For those reasons, most players should continue the adventures of the characters they previously generated for Shadows of Amn or the original Baldur's Gate. However, if you were disappointed with your character or would like to try a character of the opposite alignment, or you just no longer have access to your saved games, you should consider the information in the following sections.
Starting Magic Items
All new characters start out with some formidable magic equipment, but the exact equipment a character receives depends upon character class and whether or not you imported one of the four pre-generated expansion pack characters (a generic fighter, mage, cleric, or thief are available). The following chart details the magic items that will be available to new characters: -
Available to these Character Classes:
Name or Type of Magic Item (full descriptions of each magic item are given in the magic item section of this guide)
Druid
Aeger's hide +3
Cleric, fighter, barbarian, paladin
Darkmail +3
Bard
Elven chain mail
Thief, ranger
The night's gift +5
Thief, druid, mage, sorcerer, bard
Shield of harmony +2
Cleric, fighter, barbarian, thief, paladin, druid, bard
Shield of the lost +2
Cleric, fighter, barbarian, ranger, paladin
Helm of Balduran
All
40 to 80 arrows +2
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, paladin, cleric, druid, ranger, monk
Arbane's sword +2
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, thief, paladin, cleric, druid, bard, monk
Battle axe +3, stonefire
All
Blade of searing +3
All
40 bolts +2
All
40 to 120 bullets +2
All
Club +2, gnasher
Thief, bard
Cutthroat +4
Cleric, fighter, mage, thief (only the pre-generated characters, not new ones)
40 darts +1
Mage, sorcerer
Darts of wounding
Thief, bard
Fire tooth +3 (dagger)
All
Flail of ages +3
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, thief, paladin, cleric, druid, bard, monk
Halberd +3: Dragon's Bane
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, paladin, cleric, druid, mage, sorcerer, monk
Hammer of thunderbolts +3
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, thief, paladin, cleric, druid, mage, sorcerer, monk
Katana +2: Malakar
All
Light crossbow +2
All
Long sword +2: Varscona
Fighter, barbarian
Mace +3: Skullcrusher
Paladin, cleric
Mauler's arm +2
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, thief, paladin, cleric, druid, bard, monk
Martial staff +3
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, thief, paladin, druid, bard, monk
Ripper +2 (longbow)
All
Scimitar of speed +2: Belm
All
Short bow +2
Paladin, cleric
Sling of seeking +2
Mage, sorcerer, fighter, barbarian, thief
Sling +3: Arla's Dragonbane
All
Spear +3: Impaler
Mage, sorcerer
Staff of Rynn +4
All
Two-handed sword +3: Harbinger
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, thief, druid, bard, monk
Amulet of 5 percent magic resistance
Paladin, cleric
Kaligun's amulet of magic resistance
All
Amulet of Seldarine
All
Bag of holding
Mage, sorcerer, bard
Belt of inertial barrier
Ranger, fighter, barbarian, thief, paladin, druid mage, sorcerer
Black spider figurine
Cleric, fighter, barbarian, mage, sorcerer, ranger, paladin, druid, bard, monk
Boots of speed
Thief
Boots of stealth
Fighter, barbarian, thief, ranger, bard
Bracers of blinding strike
Mage, sorcerer
Bracers of defense, armor class 3
Druid
Bracers of defense, armor class 4
All
Cloak of protection +2: The Spirit's Shield
Cleric, paladin
Gauntlets of weapon expertise
Cleric, fighter, barbarian, thief, ranger, paladin, druid, monk
Girdle of hill giant strength
Thief, druid, bard
Golden lion figurine
Bard
Harp of discord
Druid, monk
Ioun stone (Dusty Rose)
Mage, sorcerer
Ring of acuity
Mage, thief, bard
Ring of danger sense
Monk
Ring of earth control
All
Ring of invisibility
Thief, mage, sorcerer, bard
Ring of lock picks
All
Ring of protection +1: Ring of the Princes
Cleric, fighter, barbarian, ranger, paladin, druid
Ring of regeneration
Bard
Ring of spell turning
All
Silver horn of Valhalla
All
Five potions of extra healing
All
Two potions of frost giant strength
All
Five oil of speed
Cleric, fighter, mage, thief (only the pre-generated characters, not new ones)
Mage scrolls of haste, flame arrow, stoneskin, ghost armor, shadow door, chain lightning, breach
The amount of gold a new character starts the expansion pack with also varies, but that shouldn't influence your decision, since you can sell the magic weapons and other items that you don't need to get quite a cache to start adventuring. Full descriptions of each magic item in the expansion pack are given in the magic item section of this guide. -
Alignment and Reputation
As in the original game, throughout the expansion pack, it's possible to play as an evil character, a good character, or a complex character of mixed motivations. Gameplay is more linear, however, with fewer branching plot developments, so character alignment is less relevant in the expansion pack than in the original game. While there may be fewer opportunities to role-play different characters, it's now easier to manage a party of characters with differing alignments, so don't hesitate to pair cynical and evil Viconia with good and name Aerie if you want some entertaining banter. Alignment is now less of a consideration when designing your main character and choosing your companions. Similarly, while there are still quests that will increase or lower your reputation, you won't gain or be denied any meaningful gameplay based upon your reputation score. If it matters to you at all, you can always raise your party's reputation by donating at a temple or lower it by getting medieval on the local peasants.
If you had a character of good alignment in the original game and discover that the character's alignment has changed to evil when you start the expansion pack, the change in moral aptitude was caused by certain choices you made at the end of the original game. For example, if you elected to keep blackrazor, accept the nymph coat, sacrifice a member of your party, or kill the non-evil dragon or Sarevok in anger, you'll find that your main character has changed alignment. To regain your good alignment, you must either replay that section of the original game or just import the character, instead of the saved game, into the new expansion pack territories. Importing just the character will prevent you from continuing a romantic relationship with a companion, however, and you also won't retain all the items you acquired during the course of the game.
Experience Levels and the New High-level Abilities
Devas are powerful allies, as the slain dragon behind this one found out. Summon deva is one of the best high-level abilities a paladin can choose. Greater whirlwind, hardiness and critical strike are other good abilities for fighter classes.
The experience point cap in the expansion pack is high enough that it isn't meaningful for most players, so you don't need to factor in the cap when determining your character class. The number of available experience points is still relevant when deciding whether or not to dual-class your characters, however, since you want to ensure that you can gain enough experience points in your new class to gain a level higher than your old class. Dual-classed characters are the most powerful characters in the game, but it's risky to wait to dual class a character in the expansion pack, since you'll temporarily be stuck with a weakened character and won't gain access to your old abilities until very late in the game. The great advantage of characters that have already dual-classed, such as your companion Imoen, is that they can have some decent abilities in their original class and still attain all the high-level abilities of their new class. Sarevok is one of the best companions to dual-class, either to a thief or a mage, but you should do so immediately. You can only gain about 3.5 million experience points in the expansion pack, and you'll want to ensure that you get your old abilities back in time to use them during the tougher parts of the expansion pack.
Multiclass characters cannot attain all the high-level abilities of their different classes, although they can become quite powerful. Normally, multiclassed mages can just barely start casting ninth-level mage spells near the end of the expansion pack, so you shouldn't rely on one as your primary caster. They can, however, be strong supporting casters, assisting in a variety of roles. Multiclass characters gain access to the new high-level abilities earlier than single- or dual-classed characters. While the game's manual details the experience levels at which single- and dual-classed characters start acquiring the new high-level abilities, multiclassed characters will actually start gaining the new abilities at the following experience levels:
Character Class
Experience Level at Which High-level Abilities Become Available:
Fighters
14th (12th if the character has three classes)
Clerics
15th (13th if the character has three classes)
Druids
14th
Mages
14th (13th if the character has three classes)
Thieves
17th (15th if the character has three classes)
Rangers
13th
The game's manual also doesn't disclose that paladins can choose the powerful summon deva special ability and cast it once per day (for each time the paladin has selected the skill when gaining an experience level). -
Choosing Your Companions
All the available companions are immediately accessible at the start of the expansion pack, but there's a number of factors you should consider when assembling your party. While you can switch companions during the course of the expansion pack, they'll never start with more than their initial number of experience points (2.5 million for new characters), making it less and less viable to switch companions as you progress into the game because the substitutes will be increasingly underpowered.
The Importance of Certain Companions and Classes
If you initiated a romance in the original game and want to continue it, you'll naturally have to add your mate to the party. It's also more important to have strong melee fighters in your party than it was in the original game. Since most enemies in the expansion pack are strongly resistant to magic, you must have a number of characters in your party who can deliver devastating physical attacks. The ability to wear armor is less important than the ability to mete out melee damage.
In fact, armor class is almost irrelevant in the expansion pack, since most of the enemies you'll meet will be equipped with magical weapons or be high enough in level to easily hit even the most heavily armored character. You'll have great problems getting through the expansion pack, however, without having at least three fighter-class characters (fighter, paladin, or ranger) and one other character that is at least a decent hand-to-hand fighter (a cleric or a well-equipped druid or thief). Mages can rout a battle in seconds, but you must consistently rely upon your fighters to bludgeon opponents.
You also need at least one, and preferably two, characters capable of casting mage spells. Even if one of those characters is a multiclassed character or a bard and therefore can't cast the most powerful mage spells, you must have party members that can cast breach and pierce magic spells (or use wands of spell-striking) to handle the high-level enemy mages you'll frequently encounter.
You'll also need at least one cleric or druid for access to healing spells, although there are plenty of potions of healing available for purchase or that can be acquired as booty from your fallen opponents. While many players rely on clerics and druids primarily for their healing spells, both character classes have useful offensive capabilities in the expansion pack. Druids can summon elemental princes, which are incredibly powerful allies, as well as cast insect swarm spells to confound enemy spell-casters. Clerics have access to holy smite, one of the best spells in the game, in addition to a variety of useful summoning spells and can instantly destroy some of the powerful undead creatures you'll meet in the game.
Thieves are surprisingly badly represented among your available companions. Only three possible companions have thief abilities: Jan, Imoen, and Nalia. Nalia's skills are too limited to be relied upon without magical assistance, and Imoen's aren't significantly better. Jan is the only companion that can gain additional thieving skills and yet, as a multiclassed character, Jan will never be as formidable a spellcaster as Imoen or Nalia. Of those three, unless your main character has thieving abilities, Imoen is the best choice, since her abilities will be sufficient with a little magical assistance. Since you should have plenty of characters with second-level priest spells, you can consistently cast find traps and use Imoen to disarm them with her skills supplemented by potions of perception if needed. While you need a character with at least rudimentary thieving skills, and thieves can be very powerful with their new ability to set enhanced traps, they are probably the least necessary character class for the expansion pack. -
Chart of Companion Abilities and Starting Magic Items
The following chart sets out the name, sex, race, character class, starting level and magic items (for new characters), alignment, and other noteworthy traits for each potential companion:
Name, Race, and Sex
Character Class and Level
Alignment
Starting Magic Items or Other Noteworthy Traits
Aerie, winged elf female
Cleric/mage
13/13
Lawful good
Traveler's robe, sling +2, cleric's staff +3, ring of protection +1, bullets +1 and +2, five potions of extra healing
One of the potential romantic companions if carried on in the original game
Anomen, human male
Fighter/cleric
19/7
Lawful neutral
Plate mail +1, Deryn family shield+1, mace+3, sling +2, bullets +1 and +2, potion of extra healing
One of the potential romantic companions if carried on in the original game
Cernd, human male
Shapeshifter (druid) 14
Neutral
Cloak of the high forest, staff of the high forest, cleric's staff +3, sling +2, bullets +2, sunstone bullets +1, ring of protection +1, five potions of extra healing
Shapechange into werewolf or greater werewolf
Edwin,
human male
Conjurer (specialist mage) 16
Lawful evil
Adventurer's robe, ring of protection +1, cleric's staff +3, sling +2, bullets +1 and +2, five potions of extra healing
None
Haer'Dalis, tiefling male
Blade (bard) 21
Chaotic neutral
Elven chain mail, Entropy (short sword), Chaos Blade (short sword), darts of wounding, darts +1, five potions of extra healing.
Blade abilities of defensive and offensive spins
Imoen, human female
Mage/thief 16/7
Neutral good
Elven chain mail; short bow +2; dagger +3, +2, and +1; arrows; five potions of extra healing
Like your main character, Imoen is a Bhaalspawn, which lets her contribute to a number of encounters
Jaheira, half-elf female
Fighter/druid
13/13
Neutral
Chain mail +2, large shield +2, scimitar +3, sling +2, bullets +1 and +2, five potions of extra healing
One of the potential romantic companions if carried on in the original game; shapechange to black or brown bear or wolf
Jan, gnome male
Illusionist (specialist mage)/thief 13/15
Chaotic neutral
Jansen adventurewear, Jansen techno-gloves, Jansen spectoscopes, Flasher Launcher (crossbow), short sword +3, bolts +2, flasher master bruiser mate, ring of protection +1, five potions of extra healing
Set snare traps, create bruiser mate ammo
Keldorn, human male
Inquisitor (paladin) 16
Lawful good
Firecam full plate armor, Hallowed Redeemer (two-handed sword), two-handed sword +2, heavy crossbow +2, bolts +2, bolts of lightning, five potions of extra healing
Ability to cast dispel magic and true sight
Korgan, dwarf male
Berserker (fighter) 18
Chaotic evil
Plate mail +1, medium shield +2, battle axe +2, battle axe +3, five potions of extra healing
Ability to use enrage ability
Mazzy, halfling female
Fighter 18
Lawful good
Chain mail +2, bow of Arvoreen, sword of Arvoreen, short sword +3, arrows +2 and +1, five potions of extra healing
Can cast haste, strength, and lay on hands; can invoke courage
Minsc, human male
Ranger 16
Chaotic good
Plate mail +1, two-handed sword +2, composite long bow +2, arrows +2 and +1, five potions of extra healing
Can cast charm animal and use berserk ability
Nalia, human female
Mage/thief
16/4
Chaotic good
Adventurer's robe, leather armor +3, short sword +3, short bow +2, arrows +2 and +1, D'Arnisse signet ring, ring of protection +1, five potions of extra healing
None
Sarevok, human male
Fighter 18
Chaotic evil
Full plate mail +1, two-handed sword +3, light crossbow +2, bolts of biting, bolts +1, five potions of extra-healing
Very high strength attribute
Valygar, human male
Stalker (ranger) 12
Neutral good
Corthala family armor, Corthala family blade, spear +3, long bow +2, arrows +2 and +1, five potions of extra healing
Charm animal
Viconia, elf female
Cleric 19
Neutral evil
Chain mail +2, small shield +2, mace +3, sling +2, bullets +2 and +1, five potions of extra healing
One of the potential romantic companions if carried on in the original game
Choosing the Best Party
If you're playing a group of characters of good alignment, and your main character is a fighter, paladin, ranger, or thief, an excellent party consists of Keldorn, Minsc, Imoen, Aerie, and Anomen. If your main character is a mage or sorcerer, you should probably replace Aerie with another fighter such as Valygar or Mazzy or a druid such as Jaheira or Cernd.
Keldorn is arguably the most valuable companion to a good-aligned party, since he can wield either of the powerful holy avenger swords and cast true sight and dispel magic, both of which are necessary incantations when facing mages. Anomen can use his high-level undead turning ability and cast priest skills; plus, he is also a capable melee combatant, especially when equipped with the flail of ages or other powerful artifacts imported from the original game. Imoen is a strong mage and possesses the basic thievery skills you need, while Aerie can provide both supporting mage and priest spells. If you equip Mazzy with one of the girdles of giant strength or another item capable of raising her strength, she can be more effective in combat than Minsc or Valygar because of her ability to specialize in weapons and the additional number of attacks she gets. Minsc is always good for a laugh, however, especially when grouped with Jan.
Evil aligned parties will definitely not want to pass up on Sarevok because of his tremendous attributes, although he won't supply much banter during the course of the game. Edwin, Korgan, and Viconia are all capable characters in their respective classes. Your best evil party will likely consist of Sarevok, Korgan, Edwin, and Viconia, supplemented by Jan or Haer'Dalis if your main character is a capable fighter, cleric, or thief or by Jaheira or Cernd if your main character is a mage.
Generating Your Own Companions
While the non-player character companions have developed backgrounds and add context or humor to many encounters, you can create a more powerful party by generating your own companions. To do so, just start a multiplayer game and assign all the permissions to yourself. You must bounce through an additional interface screen every time you load a game, but you can generate characters with higher attributes and more complementary character classes. The NPC interactions are one of the game's best features, however, so you'll be sacrificing some entertainment in exchange for a more formidable party. Then again, Throne of Bhaal is all about making difficult choices. -
Chapter 2: General Gameplay Tips and Strategies
Learning how to be effective in battles is the biggest challenge you'll face in Throne of Bhaal. This section of the guide primarily focuses on ensuring that you know all of the important combat tactics and spell-casting techniques and the capabilities of your opponents, in addition to explaining some of the less intuitive elements of the game.
Combat and Spell-casting Tips
As you'd expect from a game about battling demigods, giants, and dragons, some of the battles in Throne of Bhaal are incredibly difficult, especially at higher skill levels. Even though combat is more challenging in the expansion pack than in any previous Baldur's Gate game engine, most battles are manageable if you've prepared defensive spells in advance and have at least rudimentary knowledge of the capabilities of your opponents. The walk-through section of this guide contains specific instructions for overcoming each encounter, but this section contains some general combat and spellcasting tips.
The Importance of Sequencers and Contingencies
Sequencers and contingencies are your most effective tools for quickly dispatching dangerous opponents and defending your spellcasters. Sequencers and contingencies can't be interrupted, and they occur almost instantaneously, letting you get in decisive early attacks and automatically erect defenses when threatened.
Contingencies generally work best as defensive tools, although a chain contingency can also be a deadly offensive weapon. All your mages should have a contingency active whenever possible. A good spell to use as a basic contingency is stoneskin, set to activate when your mage is down to 50 percent of his hit points, since it ensures that you instantly acquire a defense capable of absorbing enough additional blows to let that character escape or mount a counterattack. Chain contingencies can help mages establish a very effective defense by combining spells such as stoneskin, mislead, improved mantle, spell turning, and spell deflection. If you anticipate fighting strong melee opponents, you can combine stoneskin, mislead, and improved mantle to mount a defense that will buy you a lot of time. If you expect to be engaging in a dual with another mage, you can substitute improved mantle for spell turning or deflection. Chain contingency can also be an effective offensive spell, since you can automatically set off three devastating spells of Abi-Dalzim's horrid wilting or a combination of Bigby's clenched fist, disintegrate, chain lightning, or finger of death. The main problem with trying to use a chain contingency as an offensive weapon is that it's too easy to waste it by setting it off accidentally against a weak opponent, since you can't directly trigger it.
Spell triggers, spell sequencers, and minor sequencers are your best weapons for taking out enemy spellcasters, so you should have them all active whenever possible. Minor sequencer only lets you prepare up to second-level spells, but two sequenced magic missile spells are capable of meting out decent damage to an unprepared spellcaster. In fact, even though you can group higher-level spells in a spell sequencer, three magic missiles are frequently the most effective spells to group. Often, you can take out a formidable mage almost instantly by having two party members launch spell-sequenced magic missiles before the enemy mage can raise any defenses. Lightning bolt is another good spell to use in either a spell sequencer or spell trigger, although the latter spell can also link three of the more powerful chain lightning spells together.
Sneak attack. A group of sequenced magic missiles can be extremely effective at eliminating enemy mages before they can raise defenses.
Another use of a spell trigger is to devastate the defenses of an enemy mage or creature that is strongly resistant to magic. If you want to make a monster more susceptible to spells, use a spell trigger to instantly cast three lower resistance spells. Enemy mages will immediately be made vulnerable by a trigger that launches pierce shield, breach, and power word silence. Use contingencies and sequencers constantly and, when you don't have any remaining, don't hesitate to retreat back to your pocket plane to rest and restore them.
Battling Mages
Mages and spellcasting monsters remain your most deadly opponents. If you can't take down their defenses quickly, they can often reduce your party to shambles relatively quickly. Always ensure that your party can cast pierce magic or shield, breach, and true sight to dispel the defenses that make mages invulnerable to your fighters. Since wands of spellstriking grant you the ability to cast breach and pierce magic, acquire them whenever possible and put them to good use. Make sure you can adequately defend your key party members from the offensive spells frequently cast by enemy mages and monsters; the following information will help you.
For every defensive spell, there is at least one counterspell. Defenses will usually be set by triggers or contingencies which prevents them from being disrupted, so always make sure you can cast an appropriate counterspell. The following charts set out the defensive and offensive spells that mages and spellcasting monsters frequently rely upon and the appropriate counterspell or spells to use in response.
Defensive Spell
Used By
Counterspells
Absolute immunity
Infrequently used by high-level mages
Breach
Globe of invulnerability
Commonly used by mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Kelben's warding whip, pierce magic, dispel magic
Improved mantle
Commonly used by high-level mages
Breach
Improved invisibility
Infrequently used by mages and creatures
True sight, detect invisibility, invisibility purge, glitterdust
Invisibility
Infrequently used by mages, wraiths, and certain high-level monsters; commonly used by thieves and assassins
True sight, detect invisibility, detect illusion, invisibility purge, glitterdust
Mantle
Commonly used by high-level mages
Breach
Minor globe of invulnerability
Very infrequently used by mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Kelben's warding whip, pierce magic, secret word, dispel magic, spell thrust
Minor spell deflection
Very infrequently used by mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Kelben's warding whip, pierce magic, spell thrust
Minor spell turning
Infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Kelben's warding whip, pierce magic, secret word, spell thrust
Mislead, project image
Commonly used by all mages
True sight, dispel magic
Non-detection
Commonly used by thieves and assassins when combined with invisibility
True sight, detect illusion
Protection from energy, magic energy, elements, magic weapons, or other "protection from" spells
Commonly used by mages and creatures
Breach
Reflected image, mirror image
Commonly used by mages
True sight, detect illusion, dispel magic
Shadow door
Commonly used by mages
True sight, invisibility purge
Simulacrum
Infrequently used by very high-level mages
True sight
Spell deflection
Infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Kelben's warding whip, pierce magic, secret word
Spell immunity
Infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Kelben's warding whip, pierce magic, secret word, spell thrust
Spell shield
Infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Kelben's warding whip, secret word
Spell trap
Used by liches and infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield
Spell turning
Infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spellstrike, ruby ray of reversal, pierce shield, Khelben's warding whip, pierce magic, secret word
Stoneskin
Commonly used by mages
Breach
Offensive Spell
Used By
Counterspells
Imprisonment
Used by liches and infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spell trap, spell turning, a berserker's enrage ability
If a party member has been imprisoned, use freedom
Maze
Used by liches and infrequently used by very high-level mages
Spell trap, spell turning, a berserker's enrage ability
If a party member has been mazed, use freedom.
Cloudkill, incendiary cloud, stinking cloud, death fog
Infrequently used by mages
Zone of sweet air
Charm, domination, command, confusion, psionic blasts from mind flayers
Frequently used by monsters and mages
Chaotic commands
Haste, fire shields
Commonly used by monsters and mages (you can't dispel natural fire shields like the ones generated by flaming skulls)
Dispel magic, remove magic -
Summoning Creatures
Perhaps the most useful spells are those that create additional allies for you. Animate dead, summon monsters, and summon animals are consistently useful, even if your allies won't be much help in dispatching opponents because of their lack of magical weapons and limited hit points. Even these weak creatures absorb enemy attacks and spells, giving your party members the opportunity to mount attacks or prepare defenses. Undead are particularly useful for navigating through stinking clouds, ice storms, and cloudkill spells, since those spells don't affect the undead.
Not all the creatures you summon are cannon fodder, however, as you'll find golems, elementals, devas, dryads, magical swords, and planatars are all powerful allies. Summon one or more of these creatures in preparation for almost every major battle, and you'll significantly increase your odds of emerging unscathed.
Preparing for Battle
Almost every battle is easily managed if you're properly prepared and know what to expect from your opponents. Whenever you expect a major battle, prepare your party by casting a broad range of defensive spells. For almost every significant battle, you should cast defensive harmony, protection from evil, haste, chant, and bless. Pay attention to the duration of each spell prior to its casting to ensure that you cast spells with limited longevity, like bless, just prior to heading into battle. Mages should cast stoneskin, mirror image, and blur. Paladins engaging in melee combat should cast call upon holy might, while clerics should cast that spell or righteous magic. Fighters should take giant strength potions.
Adapt to your opponents. If you anticipate engaging creatures like demons or dragons, which can cause fear and fire attacks, also cast resist fear and protection from fire. If you've been engaging a lot of mind flayers, cast chaotic commands on your frontline fighters. Similarly, if you anticipate battling enemy mages, ensure you have spell-turning, spell trap, or spell deflection ready. If you've been defeated by a group of foes once already, next time, prepare defenses (including sequencers and contingencies) that will reduce the effectiveness of its attacks. You can return to the pocket plane after every major battle, if necessary, to rest and rememorize spells.
Situational Awareness
There are better ways to discover what's in store for you than dying and reloading, however. Consistently turn a thief invisible and let him search the entire level to remove any traps and scout to discover the nature of your opponents. There are plenty of invisibility potions lying around that you should use to let that thief become invisible again after opening doors or backstabbing an opportunistic target.
Some mages and high-level monsters can see invisible characters, so an even safer way of searching ahead is by casting wizard eye or farsight.
Peek-a-boo. This almost invisible wizard's eye is a great spell for finding out what opponents are lurking on your level. Even if you alert enemies and allow them to raise defenses, you can hold your party out of range until most of the defenses expire.
Use High-level Spells and Skills Effectively
Now that your party will finally have consistent access to ninth-level mage spells, use them effectively. Time stop is one of your best available spells, but only if you use the time it affords you to follow up with a formidable array of spells. Improved alacrity combined with time stop will let your mage string together an almost constant string of magic missiles, capable of taking out any other mage vulnerable to spells. Death spell may not be effective at taking out most of the opponents you'll face, but it automatically gets rid of summoned creatures and animals.
Area of effect spells have gotten progressively less useful in the Baldur's Gate games, since opponents no longer haplessly stand around waiting to get bombarded, and without having sufficient distance from your opponents, it's typically dangerous to cast these spells because of friendly fire. No longer. The new high-level spells let you rain destruction on groups of opponents that are already engaging your party members in melee combat without hurting your allies. Both comet and dragon's breath can be very effective at clearing a battlefield. You can also use stinking cloud, web and entangle spells to keep opponents in place for other damaging area of effect spells, such as death fog.
Caught and cooked. Web, stinking cloud and entangle are low-level spells, but they can still be useful to immobilize opponents to set them up for damaging area of effect spells and ranged attacks.
The skills available to fighters have the additional benefit of always being available, although they all have a very limited duration. Still, very few opponents can withstand one or two fighters engaging them with greater whirlwind or critical strike abilities activated. Hardiness is also a useful ability with a somewhat longer duration. Use it when you think a fighter will be surrounded by enemies. One of the best abilities for paladins is summon deva.
One of the high-level abilities that players frequently forget to use is the ability of clerics and paladins to turn undead. A high-level cleric can immediately take out any of the undead in the game, with only a few exceptions (such as the demi-lich).
Ranged Weapons
Ranged weapons have always been overpowered in the Baldur's Gate series, but that's no longer the case, since the maximum damage these weapons can inflict hasn't significantly changed (and has actually been reduced from the original Baldur's Gate), and your opponents now have significantly more hit points. Still, all your characters should have ranged weapons available, since you'll often want to hold your ground for strategic reasons (or to avoid stumbling into traps). No ranged weapon compares to the sling of seeking +2, which you can carry over from the original game, since it lets you add your strength bonus to damage inflicted. Since fighters by this point in the game have the strength of giants, that not-so-intimidating sling can heavily damage most opponents. -
The Use of Wish Spells and the Deck of Many Things
Both wish spells and the deck of many things provide you with the opportunity to get some incredible rewards that can help determine a battle, but they can also turn a bad situation even worse. Here's some information that'll help you decide if you want to wager the risks to possibly get the benefits.
Deck of Many Things
The effects of the deck of many things are random, so there's nothing you can do to prepare to enhance your possibilities of getting a positive result (luck spells have no effect). The results you get when using the deck on your own are different from the pool of results that you can get when playing the cambion's game at the end of level 3 of Watcher's Keep.
To get a good effect, you're likely to get a bad effect first. Before you decide whether or not you want to take the risks, here's a complete list of potential risks and rewards to help you to make an informed decision.
Nature of Effect
Card Drawn
Effect
Major bad
Donjon
Imprisoned (with a save vs. death at -4), freed normally with freedom spell
Ruin
Party loses 100,000 gold immediately (no save)
Void
Disintegrated (with a save vs. death at -4); this is permanent death
Magician
Transformed into a rabbit (no save); effect can only be cancelled by a remove curse spell (of 15th level or higher if that can be set)
Skull
A death shade is summoned in and attacks user and user only hasted and armed with the equivalent of +5 enchanted weapons and 100 percent immunity to magic and resistant to most attacks
Nature of Effect
Card Drawn
Effect
Major Good
Key
Gain magic item
Star
If user is fighter, paladin, ranger, or barbarian, +1 to strength; if user is monk, cleric, or druid, +1 to wisdom; if user is a magic user or sorcerer, +1 to intelligence, if user is bard or thief, +1 to dexterity
Throne
Party gains +1 million experience points immediately
Moon
User gains +10 hit points permanently
Nature of Effect
Card Drawn
Effect
Minor bad
Euryale
User has permanent -1 to all saving throws (no save, permanent)
Flames
Immediately gates in a powerful Balor and four fire elementals
Knight
Immediately summons in four powerful demon knights
Rogue
The user is immediately charmed (no save) and will attack the rest of the party
Talons
Blinded permanently until remove curse spell is cast
Fool
Wisdom lowered to 3 and confusion effect; confusion may be cancelled by dispel magic, but both can only be removed with remove curse spell
Nature of Effect
Card Drawn
Effect
Minor good
Comet
+5 percent fire resistance permanently
The fates
+1 to all stats, lasts for one game day
Gem
Party gains one each of the following gems: rogue stone, king's tear, sapphire, diamond, ruby, and emerald
Vizier
Mantle spell that lasts for one game day
Jester
User immediately gains +50,000 experience points
Sun
Party immediately gains +300,000 experience points
The game initiated by the cambion in Watcher's Keep uses different cards. Here's a description of each available card in the cambion's game, listed from lowest to highest. To win the game, you must draw a card higher than the cambion's.
Card Drawn
Effect
Plague
Reduces constitution to 6
Triumph
Summons four warriors
Guile
Summons assassins
Defiance
Flame strike hits cardholder
Strife
Slowed effect until a remove curse spell is cast
High priestess
Silenced until a remove curse spell is cast
Empress
True sight effect for seven days
Emperor
Immune to all mind effects for seven days
Construct
Summons adamantine golem
Strength
Reduces strength to 6 until a remove curse spell is cast
Wheel
Spell effect, but it does nothing
Spell Effects Wish
While the available wish spell effects are also somewhat random, you can affect your chances of getting a positive result by ensuring that the caster has a high wisdom score (either naturally or temporarily through magic). The higher the caster's wisdom score, the fewer bad effects the game will have to choose from. There are five different wisdom "categories" the game can place the caster in based upon the caster's current wisdom score: low wisdom (less than 10), medium wisdom (10-14), high wisdom (15-17), and super high wisdom (more than 1
.
The following chart sets out all the possible good, neutral, and bad results.
Good Effect
Bad Effect
Neutral
Advanced haste on all party members
Heal all enemies 50 hit points
Breach on all people in the area
Breach on all enemies
Advanced haste on all enemies
Blow all people away from the caster
Restoration on entire party
Extra hostile monsters spawn in
Heal everyone 50 hit points
25 in all stats for all characters for four rounds
Level drain all party members two levels
Strength on everyone (set to 1
Mass raise dead to full health
Remove 50 percent of caster's hit points
Miscast magic on everyone for one round
Greater deathblow
Remove 15 percent of all party members' hit points
Magic resistance on everyone
Hardiness
Lose all spells memorized
Horrid wilting on everyone
Create wand
Lose 10,000 gold
Everyone intoxicated
Create seventh level scroll
Bring meteor swarm down on the caster
Bad luck on everyone
Instant rest causing all spells to be rememorized and 30 hit points to be recovered
Reduce one of strength, wisdom, constitution, dexterity, or intelligence to 3 (temporary)
Silence on everyone
Double length time stop with improved alacrity
Slow entire party, no save
Haste on everyone -
Monster and Creature Types
You'll encounter dozens of different enemies during the game, many of which are resistant to magic or capable of unleashing some horrific abilities. Many of the creatures you'll encounter were also encountered in Baldur's Gate II, but there are several entirely new monsters to challenge as well. The following charts provide a summary of all of the monsters you'll face in the expansion pack.
Banshees
These undead creatures are only found in one location in Throne of Bhaal: in the service of the undead lich, Vongoethe in Amkethran
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Banshee
Magic resistance, magical weapons needed to hit; wail causes death unless a saving throw is made
60
4,000
Bears
These creatures are far more common as allies than enemies, since clerics and priests can lure them into battle. On the rare occasion that a hostile bear is encountered, it should easily be charmed and turned into a temporary companion
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Black bear
None
25
175
Cave/mountain bear
None
50
650
Beholders
These deadly abominations cast a variety of spell effects and should be dispatched as quickly as possible to avoid their deadly spell effects. Beholderkin are much weaker than their more formed cousins, but are still capable of unleashing significant damage.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Gauth
Lightning bolts, cause serious wounds, paralyzation, cone of cold
81
9,000
Death tyrant
Magic resistance, stoneskin, minor spell turning, cause serious wounds, death ray, flesh to stone, anti-magic ray
115
14,000
Elder orb
Magic resistance, stoneskin, minor spell turning, cause serious wounds, death ray, flesh to stone, anti-magic ray
130
14,000
Hive mother
Magic resistance, spellcasting, including improved mantle, stoneskin, finger of death, death ray, lightning bolt, cause serious wounds, death ray, anti-magic ray
180
50,000
Eye of the beholder
Charm person, anti-magic ray, cause serious wounds, fear, death ray, slow, domination
100
15,000
Eye of the dead (beholderkin)
Undead attack
109
12,000
Gorgon eye (beholderkin)
Cast flesh to stone
100
12,000
Eagle eye (beholderkin)
Archer that fires multiple arrows
40
6,000
Seekers (beholderkin)
Casts Aganazzar's scorcher, flame arrow, Melf's acid arrows, magic missile
40
6,000
Sentinel (beholderkin)
None
40
6,000
Vigilant (beholderkin)
None
60
7,500
Burning Man
These strange creatures are almost a cross between elementals and golems.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Burning man
Cause fear, cinder shower, immune to fire
120
12,000
Demon Knights
These creatures act less like demons and more like high-level fighters. They are formidable melee opponents, which only occasionally rely on spells.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Cambion
Magic resistance
100
6,000
Death knights
Magic resistance, casts fireball, remove magic, power word kill
90
16,000
Demons/Tanar'ri
These creatures from the Abyss are commonly encountered in your adventures, which is unfortunate, since they are dangerous opponents. All are heavily resistant to magic and immune to fire based attacks. Most can cause demon fear. None is more fearsome than the mighty Demogorgon, prince of demons, who rests imprisoned in Watcher's Keep. Demons war with devils, which can be used to your advantage.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Alu-fiend
Cast dire charm
130
10,000
Balor
Cast many spells, including pierce magic, vorpal hit
120
16,000
Chromatic demon
High resistance to damage other than the opposite of its form
140
55,000
Demogorgon
Gates in Mariliths and Glabrezu, many contingency protections, including stoneskin and globe of invulnerability, cause disease
400
100,000 per party member
Glabrezu
Cast haste, dispel magic
80
20,000
Marilith
Strong melee attacks, casts immunity to magic weapons
120
23,000
Maurezhei
Standard demon abilities
56
6,000
Succubus
Level-draining touch
48
14,000
Devils/Baatezu
Like demons, these creatures from the nine levels of Hell are also commonly encountered in your adventures. All are heavily resistant to magic and immune to fire based attacks. Most can cause demon fear. They war with the demons, which can be used to your advantage.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Abishai
Poison
63
9,000
Bone fiend
Strong melee fighter
96
22,000
Cornugon
Spellcasting, including stun and cause fear
80
10,000
Erinyes
Ranged attack
70
15,000
Pit fiend
Spellcasting, including hold person
80
28,000
Dopplegangers
These foes infested the city of Baldur's Gate but only play a brief role in Throne of Bhaal, as opponents in the first challenge.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Doppleganger
Can shapechange
16
420
Dragons
Dragons remain the single most powerful creatures you'll encounter, each has its own unique abilities in addition to some common skills. All can use their wings to buffet attackers and send them flying or into unconsciousness. All are heavily resistant to magic, can cause fear and can use a breath weapon (which isn't always fire) to cause tremendous damage. Use haste, protect your party by casting resist fear, summon creatures to distract the dragon, and attack from all sides so that your attack won't quickly be halted by a wing buffet or use of the dragon's breath weapon. Holy smite works very well against dragons.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Saladrex (red dragon)
Magic resistance, casts haste, greater malison, flame breath
240
64,000
Green dragon
Magic resistance, casts entangle, stoneskin, flame breath
184
60-62,000
Draconis (brown dragon)
Magic resistance, casts invisibility, mislead, protection from magic weapons, stoneskin, haste, non-detection, minor spell-turning, greater malison, summons invisible stalkers, acid breath
190
61,000
Abazigal (blue dragon)
AC ?2, immune to backstab, magic resistance 55%, casts protection from magic weapons, stoneskin, improved haste, minor spell-turning, greater malison, remove magic, righteous magic, armor of faith, heal, earthquake, lightning breath, frost salamander guard
210
40,000 per party member -
Monster and Creature Types
You'll encounter dozens of different enemies during the game, many of which are resistant to magic or capable of unleashing some horrific abilities. Many of the creatures you'll encounter were also encountered in Baldur's Gate II, but there are several entirely new monsters to challenge as well. The following charts provide a summary of all of the monsters you'll face in the expansion pack.
Banshees
These undead creatures are only found in one location in Throne of Bhaal: in the service of the undead lich, Vongoethe in Amkethran
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Banshee
Magic resistance, magical weapons needed to hit; wail causes death unless a saving throw is made
60
4,000
Bears
These creatures are far more common as allies than enemies, since clerics and priests can lure them into battle. On the rare occasion that a hostile bear is encountered, it should easily be charmed and turned into a temporary companion
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Black bear
None
25
175
Cave/mountain bear
None
50
650
Beholders
These deadly abominations cast a variety of spell effects and should be dispatched as quickly as possible to avoid their deadly spell effects. Beholderkin are much weaker than their more formed cousins, but are still capable of unleashing significant damage.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Gauth
Lightning bolts, cause serious wounds, paralyzation, cone of cold
81
9,000
Death tyrant
Magic resistance, stoneskin, minor spell turning, cause serious wounds, death ray, flesh to stone, anti-magic ray
115
14,000
Elder orb
Magic resistance, stoneskin, minor spell turning, cause serious wounds, death ray, flesh to stone, anti-magic ray
130
14,000
Hive mother
Magic resistance, spellcasting, including improved mantle, stoneskin, finger of death, death ray, lightning bolt, cause serious wounds, death ray, anti-magic ray
180
50,000
Eye of the beholder
Charm person, anti-magic ray, cause serious wounds, fear, death ray, slow, domination
100
15,000
Eye of the dead (beholderkin)
Undead attack
109
12,000
Gorgon eye (beholderkin)
Cast flesh to stone
100
12,000
Eagle eye (beholderkin)
Archer that fires multiple arrows
40
6,000
Seekers (beholderkin)
Casts Aganazzar's scorcher, flame arrow, Melf's acid arrows, magic missile
40
6,000
Sentinel (beholderkin)
None
40
6,000
Vigilant (beholderkin)
None
60
7,500
Burning Man
These strange creatures are almost a cross between elementals and golems.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Burning man
Cause fear, cinder shower, immune to fire
120
12,000
Demon Knights
These creatures act less like demons and more like high-level fighters. They are formidable melee opponents, which only occasionally rely on spells.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Cambion
Magic resistance
100
6,000
Death knights
Magic resistance, casts fireball, remove magic, power word kill
90
16,000 -
Demons/Tanar'ri
These creatures from the Abyss are commonly encountered in your adventures, which is unfortunate, since they are dangerous opponents. All are heavily resistant to magic and immune to fire based attacks. Most can cause demon fear. None is more fearsome than the mighty Demogorgon, prince of demons, who rests imprisoned in Watcher's Keep. Demons war with devils, which can be used to your advantage.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Alu-fiend
Cast dire charm
130
10,000
Balor
Cast many spells, including pierce magic, vorpal hit
120
16,000
Chromatic demon
High resistance to damage other than the opposite of its form
140
55,000
Demogorgon
Gates in Mariliths and Glabrezu, many contingency protections, including stoneskin and globe of invulnerability, cause disease
400
100,000 per party member
Glabrezu
Cast haste, dispel magic
80
20,000
Marilith
Strong melee attacks, casts immunity to magic weapons
120
23,000
Maurezhei
Standard demon abilities
56
6,000
Succubus
Level-draining touch
48
14,000
Devils/Baatezu
Like demons, these creatures from the nine levels of Hell are also commonly encountered in your adventures. All are heavily resistant to magic and immune to fire based attacks. Most can cause demon fear. They war with the demons, which can be used to your advantage.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Abishai
Poison
63
9,000
Bone fiend
Strong melee fighter
96
22,000
Cornugon
Spellcasting, including stun and cause fear
80
10,000
Erinyes
Ranged attack
70
15,000
Pit fiend
Spellcasting, including hold person
80
28,000
Dopplegangers
These foes infested the city of Baldur's Gate but only play a brief role in Throne of Bhaal, as opponents in the first challenge.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Doppleganger
Can shapechange
16
420
Dragons
Dragons remain the single most powerful creatures you'll encounter, each has its own unique abilities in addition to some common skills. All can use their wings to buffet attackers and send them flying or into unconsciousness. All are heavily resistant to magic, can cause fear and can use a breath weapon (which isn't always fire) to cause tremendous damage. Use haste, protect your party by casting resist fear, summon creatures to distract the dragon, and attack from all sides so that your attack won't quickly be halted by a wing buffet or use of the dragon's breath weapon. Holy smite works very well against dragons.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Saladrex (red dragon)
Magic resistance, casts haste, greater malison, flame breath
240
64,000
Green dragon
Magic resistance, casts entangle, stoneskin, flame breath
184
60-62,000
Draconis (brown dragon)
Magic resistance, casts invisibility, mislead, protection from magic weapons, stoneskin, haste, non-detection, minor spell-turning, greater malison, summons invisible stalkers, acid breath
190
61,000
Abazigal (blue dragon)
AC ?2, immune to backstab, magic resistance 55%, casts protection from magic weapons, stoneskin, improved haste, minor spell-turning, greater malison, remove magic, righteous magic, armor of faith, heal, earthquake, lightning breath, frost salamander guard
210
40,000 per party member -
Drow
The evil dark elves continue to try to thwart your advance towards your destiny. Most of the drow you'll encounter will be in the service of one of five Bhaalspawn terrorizing the Sword Coast. The drow are frequently equipped with powerful magic items, most of which will disintegrate once taken out of their underdark lairs.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Drow archer
Magic resistance
4,000
Drow mage
Magic resistance, spell-casting
6,000
Drow priestess
Magic resistance, spell-casting
72
4,000
Drow warrior
Magic resistance
82
4,000
Dwarves (Evil)
These evil dwarves are occasionally found in the service of more powerful opponents.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Duergar Sappers
Ranged explosive attack
158
6,000
Derro
Equipped with magic crossbows and bolts
60
12,000
Derro berserker
Berserker enrage ability
86
12,000
Elementals
Elementals are in very common in Throne of Bhaal, both as allies and as enemies. To succeed in your quest, you must challenge the greatest elementals of them all, the elemental princes. Prior to dispatching them, you may have the opportunity to enlist them in your aid by summoning them. Druids are particularly adept at summoning the princes to battle your foes.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Cryonax (ice prince)
Magic resistance, any cold attack
180
56,000
Imix (fire prince)
Magic resistance, any fire attack, including flame strike, fire shield
180
50,000
Ogremoch (earth prince)
Magic resistance, any earth attack, including earthquake
220
56,000
Yan-C-Bin (air prince)
Magic resistance, any air or lightning attack, including whirlwind
170
56,000
Olhydra (water prince)
Magic resistance.
170
50,000
Greater fire
Standard elemental protections
128
10,000
Lesser air
Standard elemental protections
64
3,000
Greater air
Standard elemental protections
128
11,000
Guardian of air
Standard elemental protections
130
12,000
Greater water
Standard elemental protections
128
10,000
Greater earth
Standard elemental protections
120
10,000
Lesser earth
Standard elemental protections
64
2,000
Fell Cats
These swift creatures are commonly kept as guardians by fire giants.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Fell cat
Very fast, +2 magical weapons or better to hit
100
9,000
Flaming Skulls
These strange creatures are capable of unleashing a variety of powerful fire attacks.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Flaming skulls
Cast burning hands, Agannazar's scorcher, incendiary cloud, fireball, innate fire shield
66
9,000
Fire Giants
You'll only encounter one type of giant in Throne of Bhaal, but fire giants travel in large groups and their great strength make them powerful melee fighters.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Fire
Fire resistance
130
16,000
Elite fire
Fire resistance
250
26,000
Ghasts
Their weaker cousins, ghouls, are nowhere to be seen in Throne of Bhaal, but you'll still have these weak undead creatures to destroy.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Ghasts
Paralyze by touch, nauseous stench
29
650
Githyanki
These planar creatures have skills based upon their character classes.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Anti-paladin
Can make targets unconscious
90
7,000
Captain
None
90
7,500
Knight
None
60
2,000
Priest
Spells
60
6,000
Warrior
None
60
6,000
Gibblerlings
They were one of your first enemies on the Sword Coast, and they'll be one of your last. Put them out of their misery quickly.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Gibberling
None
8
14
Mutated gibberling
None
16
34
Gnolls
Your only scheduled engagement with these aggressive humanoids is during the first challenge, although you may also encounter them as summoned creatures.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Gnoll Captain
None
31
350 -
Golems
These mindless creatures can be powerful allies or tough opponents. Unless otherwise stated, you'll need magical weapons to hit these constructs.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Adamantite/juggernaut
Magic resistant, +3 weapons or better to hit; strongly resistant to everything other than crushing weapons
70
25,000
Clay
Magic resistant and immune to slashing and piercing damage
50
8000
Flesh
Magic resistant
40
2,000
Ice
Magic resistant, scalding steam when hit by fire
92
25,000 (in Watcher's Keep), 13,000 otherwise
Magic
Must use non-magical weapons
64
8,000
Stone
Magic resistant +2 weapons or better to hit
60
8,000
Hobgoblins
There are a few of these creatures stocking Watcher's Keep, but you'll primarily encounter these creatures as summoned creatures.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Archers
None
8
34
Shaman
Spell-casting
39
34
Wizard
Spell-casting
20
34
Imps/Mephits
These creature can be more dangerous than their small size might suggest because of their ability to cast spells and turn invisible.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Dust mephit
Cast glass dust
27
420
Imp
Poison, spellcasting
18
1,400
Quasit
Invisibility, spellcasting
27
6,000
Invisible Stalker
Melee opponents that are capable of inflicting serious wounds.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Invisible stalker
Magic resistance
64
3,000
Jelly/Slime
These acid beasts are best killed by fire.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Green slime
Immune to acid and poison
16
64
Fission slime
Can only be killed by fire
65
3,000
Mustard jelly
Acid attack
65
2,000
Kobolds
These tiny creatures pose little threat to your seasoned adventurers, but will still occasionally be encountered in your travels.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Kobold Commando
Equipped with arrows of fire
7
124
Kuo-Toa
Organized, water breathing humanoids, these creatures use bolts that can stun opponents.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Captain
None
100
4,000
Mage
Spells
40
2,000
Priest
Spells
64
2-4,000
Warrior
None
30
1,000
Whip
None
55
420
Liches
Among the most powerful of the creatures you'll face, liches are extremely powerful spellcasters that frequently cast ninth-level spells such as imprisonment.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Demilich
+4 or better weapons to hit, spellcasting including imprisonment and demi-lich wail (save or die)
50
55,000
Elemental
+3 or better weapons to hit, spellcasting
110
22,000
Lich
+3 or better weapons to hit, spellcasting
90
22,000
Mimic
These immobile creatures will try to ambush treasure seekers mistaking the mimics for chests.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Killer mimic
Spit acid, glue to paralyze opponents
80
5,000 -
Mind Flayers/Illithid
These monsters can hurl a variety of psionic attacks. Mind flayers are even worse in melee combat, since a successful hit can be fatal due to their ability to drain intelligence.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Mind flayer
Drain intelligence, psionic blast, domination and other attacks psionic attacks that can drain intelligence, psionic blast and domination
40
20,000
Ulitharid
Drain intelligence, psionic blast, domination and other attacks; capable of healing
96
11,000
Vampiric
Level drain plus normal mind flayer abilities
68
14,000
Mists/Horrors
Swift and always found in groups, mists are a common foe.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Crimson Death
Magic resistance, +2 or better weapon to hit
102
9,000
Ice mist
Magic resistance
100
8,000
Mist Horror
Magic resistance, casts chaos
50
3,000
Poison
Magic resistance, poison
45
3,500
Spellhaunt
Magic resistance, drain memorized spells
45
2,000
Swamp horror
Magic resistance, level drain, casts horror
100
7,000
Vampiric
Magical weapons need to hit
40
1,000
Wandering
Magic resistance
40
5,000
Mummy
These undead creatures cause disease and are vulnerable to fire.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Mummy
Cause disease
51
3,000
Myconid
These semi-intelligent plants can hurl ranged spell effects, as described in the following chart, but are easily taken out by concentrated ranged fire or melee attacks.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Myconid
Casts confusion
40
420
King
Casts confusion
50
1,200
Spore colony
Casts poison
70
420
Nymph
These creatures appear as beautiful young women, capable of casting spells including dire charm. Druids can summon these creatures using the spell: call woodland beings.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Nymph
Magic resistance (50%), spell-casting
50
2,400
Ogre
You'll only have to fight these large, evil humanoids in your first challenge, when you'll meet several ogre mages. You'll also meet regular ogres as summoned creatures.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Ogre
None
30
270
Ogre mage
Invisibility, spell-casting a few spells, including magic missile, dire charm, cone of cold and flame arrow.
25
750
Orcs
These legendary humanoid monsters pose little threat in Throne of Bhaal, even in numbers. Occasionally, however, orcs will be equipped with powerful magical items and have advanced in experience levels, making them dangerous opponents. A band of experienced orcs lurks in the sewers of Saradush.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Archers
High-level archers can make called shots
10 or 100
34 or 6,000
Mage
Basic spellcasting
30
1,000
Elite
None
40 or 90
650
Orog, elite
Equipped with magic weapons
60 or 86
850 or 6,000
Sahuagin
You won't have much to fear from these amphibious creatures, since they'll only be encountered as part of your character's nostalgic first challenge.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Sahuagin
None
41
2,000
Salamanders
Frequently kept as guards by more powerful creatures, salamanders have an aura that causes elemental damage to those nearby.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Fire
Damaging fire aura
63
3,500
Frost
Damaging cold aura
73
9,000
Shambling Mounds
These gigantic swamp creatures are favorite pets of malevolent druids.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Shambling mounds
Invulnerable to crushing weapons, entangling and strangling attacks
160
9,000
Shadows
Another common undead foe, these souls are generally easily dispatched by a cleric:
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Shadow
Drain strength
30
420
Shadow fiend
Drain strength
32
2,000
Shade, devil
Level drain
60
9,000 -
Skeletons
The most common of all the undead, these creatures come in a large variety of shapes and sizes, including the ones listed in the following chart. Like all undead monsters, they are invulnerable to cold, charm, and hold spells. Skeletons are resistant to physical attacks other than those that deliver crushing damage.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Assassin
Poisonous backstab
80
6,000
Cleric
Cast spells, including finger of death
130
10,000
Mage
Cast spells, including improved mantle, mislead
50
7,200
Warrior
Magic resistance, equipped with two-handed swords +1
80
10,000
Solar
These planar creatures are generally of good alignment, but occasionally one of their number falls prey to temptation and embraces darker motivations.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Fallen solar
Magic resistance
210
32,000
Spiders
These creatures are commonly found throughout the Sword Coast, but only the most deadly of their breed can be found in Throne of Bhaal.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Phase
Teleportation, poison
44
1,400
Sword
Fast, but not poisonous
45
2,000
Mutated
Very fast, more powerful poison
30
9,000
Vortex
Poison, invisible web effect
60
2,700
Wraith
Poison
27
1,400
Trolls
Another common humanoid menace, these creatures regenerate hit points and can typically only be killed with fire or acid.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Normal
Can only be killed with fire or acid, regenerate hit points
50
1,400
Dust
Can only be killed with cold or acid, regenerate hit points
63
1400
Fire
Can only be killed with cold or acid, regenerate hit points
85
3,000
Blizzard
Can only be killed with fire or acid, regenerate hit points
80
5,000
Giant
Can only be killed with fire or acid, regenerate hit points
101
1,400
Spectral
Can only be killed with fire or acid, regenerate hit points
64
12,000
Umber Hulks
These large beetle-like beasts are commonly kept as guards by residents of the Underdark.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Umber hulk
Gaze causes confusion
74
4,000
Umber hulk elder
Gaze causes confusion, magic resistance
150
18,000
Vampires
These undead creatures frequently have additional abilities, such as spellcasting, which they retained from their prior lives.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Vampire
Touch drains two to three experience levels
75
8,500
Werewyvern
This extremely rare form of lycanthropy lets the individual afflicted with the disease change into a wyvern.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Greater werewyvern
Poison sting
175
15,000
Wraiths
These undead are also common, but more powerful than shadows, which they resemble.
Monster
Notable Special Abilities
Hit Points
Experience Points
Master
Drain one level per touch, spellcasting
120
30,500
Vampiric
Touch drains experience levels, can turn invisible
72
9,000 -
Chapter 3: Items
The following charts provide detailed statistics on all the weapons, armor, potions, and miscellaneous magic items that can be found in the Throne of Bhaal areas.
Weapons
There are new powerful weapons of almost every type in the expansion pack. The sectors where a particular weapon can be located are indicated in parentheses next to the weapon's name to allow you to track down the best armaments for your characters.
Axes (Slashing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Battle axe
1d8
7
7
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Battle axe +1 (2), (13)
1d8+1
7
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Battle axe +2 (1), (2), (3), (10), (13), (14)
1d8+2
5
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Battle axe +2: Battle axe of Mauletar
1d8+2, slashing
5
5
Axe
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Battle axe +3 (1), (2), (3), (11), (13), (14)
1d8+3
4
4
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Battle axe +3: Stonefire (1)
1d8+3
7
4
+2 fire damage
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Axe of the unyielding +3 (11)
1d8+3
7
4
Improves armor class by 1, user regenerates 1 hit point per round
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Axe of the unyielding +5 (11)
1d8+5
5
2
Improves armor class by 1; user regenerates 3 hit points per round, constitution +1, 10 percent chance of decapitating opponent with each successful attack
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Bows (Piercing Damage, Two-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the
Following Classes (Requirements)
Arrow
1d6
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrow +1 (1), (2), (3), (7), (, (11), (12)
1d6 +1
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrow +2 (1), (2), (3), (9), (12)
1d6 +2
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrow +3 (2), (3), (, (9), (10), (11), (12), (13),(14)
1d6 +3
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage
Acid arrows (2), (9), (10), (11), (12)
1d6+1,
0
N/A
Special 1d3 acid damage
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrows of biting (11), (14)
1d6
0
N/A
An additional 30 percent of maximum hit points within 20 seconds unless save vs. death made
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrows of dispelling (9)
1d6
0
N/A
Dispel magic affecting target
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrows of fire (5), (6), (, (9), (13)
1d6
0
N/A
An additional 1d2 of fire damage, avoidable if a save vs. spell is made
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrows of ice (2), (9), (11), (14)
1d6
0
N/A
An additional 1d2 of cold damage, avoidable if a save vs. spell is made
Druid, cleric, mage
Arrow of piercing (+4 to hit) (, (9), (11), (13)
1d6
0
N/A
+6 physical damage unless a saving throw vs. death is made
Druid, cleric, mage
Short bow
By arrow
(normally 1d6)
2
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 3 strength)
Short bow +1 (2), (13)
By arrow +1
2
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 3 strength)
Short bow +2 (1), (3)
By arrow
2
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 3 strength)
Bow of Arvoreen (+2 to hit, short bow) (1)
By arrow
2
6
None
Only usable by halflings
Short bow +3 (1), (3), (13), (14)
By arrow
1
3
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 3 strength)
Darkfire bow +4 (13)
By arrow
1
2
Once per day cast improved haste, 5 percent bonus to fire and cold resistance
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 3 strength)
Darkfire bow +5 (13)
By arrow
1
1
Once per day cast improved haste, 5 percent bonus to fire and cold resistance
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 3 strength)
Longbow
By arrow
3
7
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 6 strength)
Longbow +1 (2), (13)
By arrow
2
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 6 strength)
Longbow +2 (1), (2), (3)
By arrow
3
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 6 strength)
Ripper +2 (longbow) (1)
By arrow +2
8
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief, bard (requires 18 strength)
Longbow +3 (2), (3), (, (13)
By arrow
2
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 6 strength)
Taralash +4 (12)
By arrow
2
3
Increase movement rate by 2
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 6 strength)
Taralash +5 (12)
By arrow
1
2
Increase movement rate by 2
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 6 strength)
Composite longbow
By arrow +1
10
7
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief, bard (requires 18 strength)
Composite longbow +1 (2), (13)
By arrow +1
9
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief, bard (requires 18 strength)
Composite longbow +2 (1), (2), (3)
By arrow +1
8
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief, bard (requires 18 strength)
Composite longbow +3 (2), (3), (7), (13)
By arrow +1
7
4
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief, bard (requires 18 strength) -
Club (Crushing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Club
1d6
3
4
None
Mage (requires 5 strength)
Club +2, gnasher (1)
1d6+2
3
4
Slivers add 2 points extra damage each round for four rounds
Mage (requires 5 strength)
Club +3 (2), (3), (13)
1d6+3
1
1
None
Mage (requires 5 strength)
Club of detonation +3 (12)
1d6+3
3
4
+3 fire damage; 20 percent chance target will take an additional 10 points of fire damage with each successful attack; 7 percent chance a fireball will detonate with each successful attack
Mage (requires 5 strength)
Club of detonation +5 (12) (made by Cespenar)
1d6+3
1
4
+5 fire damage; 30 percent chance target will take an additional 15 points of fire damage with each successful attack; 5 percent chance a fireball will detonate with each successful attack
Mage (requires 5 strength)
Crossbows (Piercing Damage, Two-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Bolt
1d8
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Bolt +1 (2), (3), (, (11), (14)
1d8+1
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Bolt +2 (1), (2), (3), (5), (10), (11), (13), (14)
1d8+2
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Bolt +3 (2), (3), (, (9), (11), (12), (13), (14)
1d8+3
0
N/A
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Bolt of biting (6), (11), (13)
1d8
0
N/A
30 poison damage in 15 seconds (save vs. death for none)
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Bolt of lightning (1), (2), (9), (11), (12), (13)
1d8
0
N/A
4d4 electrical damage (save vs. breath for half)
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Kuo-Toa bolts (9), (12)
2d6
1
N/A
Target must save vs. spells or be stunned for four rounds
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Flasher master bruiser mate (+1 to hit) (1)
1d2+1
0
N/A
Stun opponent (save vs. spells) for two rounds
Only usable in the flasher launcher
Light crossbow
By bolt
7
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Light crossbow +1 (2), (13), (14)
By bolt +1
6
4
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Light crossbow +2 (1), (2)
By bolt +2
5
3
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 8 strength)
Light crossbow +3 (2), (13)
By bolt +3
4
2
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Flasher launcher (+1 to hit) (1)
By bolt
10
3
Fires special ammunition
Only usable by Jan Jansen
Heavy crossbow
By bolt (normally 1d+2
14
10
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Heavy crossbow +1 (2), (13), (14)
By bolt (normally 1d +3
12
9
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Heavy crossbow +2 (1), (14)
By bolt (normally 1d +4
11
8
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Heavy crossbow +3 (1), (3), (13), (14)
By bolt (normally 1d +5
10
7
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Firetooth +4 (
By bolt (normally 1d +4
5
1
+2 fire damage, requires no ammunition
Druid, cleric, mage
Dagger (Piercing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Dagger
1d4
1
2
None
Cleric (requires 3 strength)
Dagger (throwing)
1d4, missile (piercing)
1
2
Sword
(small)
Cleric
Dagger +1 (2), (11), (13)
1d4+1
1
1
None
Cleric (requires 3 strength)
Dagger +2 (1), (2), (3), (4), (10)
1d4+2
1
0
None
Cleric (requires 3 strength)
Ixil's spike (9)
1d4+2
1
0
None
Cleric (requires 3 strength)
Dagger +3 (1), (2), (3), (, (13), (14)
1d4+3
0
0
None
Cleric (requires 3 strength)
Fire tooth +3 (throwing dagger) (1)
2d4+3
1
1
Dagger returns to thrower, 1D2 fire damage
Cleric (requires 3 strength)
Dagger of the star +4 (11)
1d4 +4
1
0
5 percent chance of making the user go invisible for 60 seconds after each successful attack
Cleric (requires 3 strength)
Dagger of the star +5 (11) upgrade from Cespenar
1d4 +5
1
0
15 percent chance of making the user go invisible for 60 seconds after each successful attack, each successful hit has a 5 percent chance of an extra 1d8 fire and 1d8 electrical damage
Cleric (requires 3 strength) -
Darts (Piercing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Dart
1d3
0
2
None
Cleric
Dart +1 (1), (2), (3), (6), (, (11), (13)
1d3 +1
0
1
None
Cleric
Darts of wounding (1), (5), (9)
1d3
0
2
20 damage in 20 seconds (save vs. death for none)
Cleric
Darts of stunning (9), (10), (11)
1d3 +
0
2
(Save vs. spell or be stunned for 7 rounds)
Cleric
Crimson dart +3 (
1d3 +3
0
0
Returns instantly to user's hand after being thrown
Cleric
Flail/Morning Star (Crushing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage and Damage Type
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Flail
1d6+1
15
7
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Flail+1 (2), (13)
1d6+2
13
6
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Flail+2 (2), (12)
1d6+3 (descript. typo says +2)
12
5
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Flail+3 (2), (3), (13)
1d6+4
11
4
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Flail of ages +3 (1)
1d6+4
10
4
+1 acid, +1 fire, and +1 cold
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Flail of ages +4 (9)
1d6+5
9
3
33 percent chance of slowing target each hit; +1 acid, +1 fire, +1 cold, and +1 poison; can only be created by Cespenar after the poison head is found on the second level of Watcher's Keep
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Flail of ages +5 (15)
1d6+6
8
2
33 percent chance of slowing target each hit; +2 acid, +2 fire, +2 cold, +2 poison, and +2 electrical damage; can only be created by Cespenar after the electric head is found in Abizagal's lair
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Drow flail +3 (14)
1d6+4
15
4
Turns to dust if removed from the Underdark
Druid, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Morning star
2d4,
12
7
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Morning star +1 (2), (13)
2d4+1
10
6
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Morning star +2 (2), (3)
2d4+2
9
5
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Morning star +3 (2), (3), (13)
2d4+3
8
4
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Ice star +4 (2)
2d4+4
8
4
An additional +1-4 extra cold damage
Druid, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Halberds (Piercing Damage, Two-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Halberd
1d10
15
9
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Halberd +1 (2), (6), (13)
1d10+1
14
8
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Halberd +2 (2), (3), (
1d10+2
12
7
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Halberd +3 (1), (2), (3), (13)
1d10+3
11
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Halberd +3: Dragon's Bane (1)
1d10+3
12
9
+6 vs. dragons
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Drow halberd +3 (14)
1d10+3
15
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Ravager +4 (5)
1d10+4
12
5
Cast cloak of fear twice per day
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 13 strength)
Mace (Crushing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Mace
1d6+2
8
7
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Mace +1 (2), (13)
1d6+1
8
6
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Mauler's arm +2 (1)
1d6+3
7
5
Increases wielder's strength to 18
Druid, mage, thief
Mace +2 (2), (3), (12)
1d6+2
7
5
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Mace +3 (1), (2), (3), (13)
1d6+4
6
4
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Storm star +3 (11)
1d6+4
6
4
plus 1d6 electrical damage
Druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Storm star +5 (11)
1d6+6
4
2
Plus 1d6 electrical damage, 5 percent chance of chain lightning on target with each successful attack, +20 percent electrical resistance
Druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Quarter Staff (Crushing Damage, Two-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Quarter staff
1d6
4
4
None
Requires 5 strength
Quarter staff +1 (2), (13)
1d6+1
4
3
None
Requires 5 strength
Staff of high forest (1)
1d6+2
3
2
Regenerates 1 hit point every 12 seconds
Only usable by Cernd
Quarter staff +2 (2), (3), (12)
1d6+2
3
1
None
Requires 5 strength
Serpent shaft (12)
1d6+2
3
1
50 percent chance of poisoning opponents; poison lasts for one round and does 2 hit points of damage per second until target makes saving throw
Requires 5 strength
Martial staff +3 (1)
1d6+3
4
1
None
Requires 5 strength
Quarter staff +3 (2), (3)
1d6+3
2
1
None
Requires 5 strength
Cleric's staff +3 (1), (2), (10)
1d6+3
3
1
None
Requires 5 strength
Staff of Rynn +4 (1)
1d6+4
3
1
None
Requires 5 strength
Staff of the ram +4 (11)
1d6+10
3
1
10 percent chance opponent is knocked back and stunned
Requires 5 strength
Staff of the ram +6 (11)
1d6+12
3
1
15 percent chance opponent is knocked back and stunned, +1d5 piercing (can only be made by Cespenar)
Requires 5 strength -
Scimitar (Slashing Damage)/Wakizashi (Piercing Damage) /Ninja-To (Slashing Damage) (All One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the following classes (requirements)
Ninja-to
1d8
5
4
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Ninja-to +1 (2)
1d8+1
4
3
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Usuno's blade +4 (
1d8+4
1
0
10 percent chance of doing 2d10 electrical damage with each hit (save for half)
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Scimitar
1d8
4
5
None
Cleric, mage (requires 10 strength)
Scimitar +1 (13)
1d8+3
3
4
None
Cleric, mage (requires 10 strength)
Scimitar of speed +2: Belm (1)
1d8+1
3
0
Sets attacks to +1 per round
Cleric, mage (requires 10 strength)
Scimitar +3 (1), (3)
1d8+3
1
2
None
Cleric, mage (requires 10 strength)
Drow scimitar +3 (14)
1d8+4
3
2
Turns to dust if removed from Underdark
Cleric, mage (requires 10 strength)
Spectral brand +4 (10)
1d8+4
2
1
+ 1d4 cold damage; summon spectral blade once per day to fight on your behalf for four rounds
Cleric, mage (requires 8 strength)
Spectral brand +5 upgrade by Cespenar with lich skull found at (14)
1d8+5
2
1
Negative plane protection when equipped, + 1d6 cold damage; summon spectral blade once per day to fight on your behalf for four rounds
Cleric, mage (requires 8 strength)
Wakizashi
1d8
3
3
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 5 strength)
Wakizashi +1 (2)
1d8+1
2
2
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 5 strength)
Yamato +4 (2)
1d8+4
1
0
+1 armor class bonus
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 5 strength)
Slings (Piercing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Requirements
Bullet
1d4+1
0
N/A
None
N/A
Bullet +1 (1), (2), (3), (, (9), (11)
1d4+2
0
N/A
None
N/A
Sunstone bullet +1 (1), (5), (6), (9), (11), (12)
1d4+2
0
N/A
+2 fire damage
N/A
Bullet +2 (1), (2), (3), (7), (, (9), (10), (12)
1d4+3
0
N/A
None
N/A
Bullet +3 (2), (3), (4), (, (9), (11), (12), (13), (14)
1d4+4
0
N/A
None
N/A
Bullet +4 (2), (3), (9), (11), (12), (14)
1d4+5
0
N/A
None
N/A
Sling
By bullet
0
6
Missile weapons
Requires 3 strength
Sling +1 (1), (2), (13)
By bullet +3
0
5
None
Requires 3 strength
Sling +2 (1), (2), (3)
By bullet +2
0
4
None
Requires 3 strength
Sling of seeking +2 (1)
By bullet +2
0
4
Plus strength bonus to damage
Requires 3 strength
Sling +3 (2), (3), (13)
By bullet +3
0
4
None
Requires 3 strength
Sling +3: Arla's Dragonbane (1)
By bullet +3
0
3
None
Requires 3 strength
Erinne sling +4 (12)
By bullet +4
0
0
Can create five +4 bullets once per day
Requires 3 strength
Erinne sling +5 (12); made by Cespenar for 5,000 gold
By bullet +5
0
0
Can create five +4 bullets once per day
Requires 3 strength
Spears (piercing damage, two-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Spear
1d6
5
6
None
Cleric, mage, thief (requires 5 strength)
Spear +1 (2), (10), (13)
1d6+1
5
5
None
Cleric, mage, thief (requires 5 strength)
Spear +2 (2), (3) , (7)
1d6+2
3
4
None
Cleric, mage, thief (requires 5 strength)
Spear +3 (1), (2), (3), (13)
1d6+3
3
3
None
Cleric, mage, thief (requires 5 strength)
Spear +3, impaler (1)
1d6+3
3
3
+10 piercing damage
Cleric, mage, thief (requires 5 strength)
Staff spear +2 (3)
1d8+3
4
4
None
Monk (requires 5 strength)
Ixil's nail +4 (12)
1d6+4
5
6
None
Cleric, mage, thief (requires 5 strength)
Ixil's spike +6 (12) and (9); made by Cespenar from the spike and Ixil's nail
1d6+6
5
2
Permanent free action with each hit; opponent must save or be pinned for three rounds, taking an additional 1d6+5 per round
Cleric, mage, thief (requires 5 strength)
Sword, Bastard (slashing damage, one-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Bastard sword
2d4
10
8
Sword (large)
Druid, cleric, mage, thief
Bastard sword +1(2) (10)
2d4+1
9
7
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Bastard sword +2(2), (3), (12)
2d4+2
7
6
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Bastard sword +3(2), (3), (7), (13)
2d4+3
7
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Blade of searing +3 (1)
2d4+3
5
5
+1 fire damage
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Foebane +3 (7)
2d4+3
7
5
+6 damage vs. undead, shapeshifters and all extra-planar beings
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Foebane +5 (upgrade from Cespenar)
2d4+5
5
3
+6 damage vs. undead, shapeshifters and all extra-planar beings; can only be created by having Cespenar adding Fflar's scabbard to Foebane +3
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 11 strength)
Purifier +4 (10)
2d4+4
6
4
+20 percent magic resistance, additional +4 vs. chaotic evil opponents
Usable only by paladins
Purifier +5; upgraded by Cespenar with the eye of Tyr found at (14)
2d4+5
5
3
+30 percent magic resistance, cast dispel magic twice and mass cure once per day; additional +5 vs. chaotic evil opponents
Usable only by paladins
Sword, Katana (slashing damage, one-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Katana
1d10
6
4
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Corthala family blade (1)
1d10+2
4
2
Two additional points bleeding damage on target every round for two rounds, +2 armor class bonus vs. slashing weapons
Only usable by Valygar
Katana +1 (2), (3), (5), (13)
1d10+1
5
3
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Katana +2 (2), (3), (14)
1d10+2
4
2
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Katana +3 (2), (3), (13)
1d10+3
3
1
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Hindo's doom +3 (12)
1d10+3
3
1
Casts lesser restoration once per day
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Hindo's doom +4; made by Cespenar using Hindo's hand, found at (15)
1d10+4
2
0
Casts greater restoration once per day, 10 percent magic resistance, immunity to death magic
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength) -
Sword, Long (slashing damage, one-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Long sword
1d8
4
5
None
Druid, cleric, mage
Long sword +1 (2), (5), (10), (13)
1d8+1
4
4
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Long sword +2 (2), (3)
1d8+2
3
3
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 6 strength)
Long sword +2 Varcona (1)
1d8+2
3
3
+1 cold damage
Druid, cleric, mage
Long sword +3 (2), (3), (7), (10), (13), (14)
1d8+3
2
2
None
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Long sword +4: The Answerer (7)
1d8+4
2
9
Each hit lowers opponents' magic resistance by 15 percent, each hit applies a penalty of -2 to opponents' armor class
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Angurvadal +4 (11)
1d8+4
2
0
Once per day increase user's strength to 22 for 60 seconds; +1 fire damage
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Angurvadal +5 Upgraded with liquid mercury found at (14)
1d8+5
2
0
Increases user's strength to 22; 1d4+1 fire damage
Druid, cleric, mage (requires 6 strength)
Swords, Short (Piercing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Short sword
1d6
3
3
None
Cleric, druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Short sword +1 (2), (13)
1d6+1
2
3
None
Cleric, druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Short sword +2 (2), (3), (10), (14)
1d6+2
2
1
None
Cleric, druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Arbane's sword +2 (1)
1d6+2
2
1
Wearer immune to hold person
Cleric, druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Chaos blade (1)
1d6+2
2
0
Target loses two points of dexterity each hit (for 30 seconds)
Only usable by tieflings
Entropy (1)
1d6+2
2
0
Three points of poison damage if target fails save
Only usable by Tieflings
Short sword +3 (1), (2), (3), (4). (13), (14)
1d6+3
0
1
None
Cleric, druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Sword of Arvoreen (1)
1d6+2
3
1
Target must save vs. wand or be slowed; immunity to slow and stun
Only usable by halflings
Cutthroat +4 (1)
1d6+4
2
1
none
Cleric, druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Short sword of mask +4 (
1d6+4
2
1
15 percent chance with every hit that opponent is entangled for 24 seconds, no save
Cleric, druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Swords, Two-handed (Slashing Damage, Two-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the Following Classes (Requirements)
Two-handed sword
1d10
15
10
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Two-handed sword +1 (2), (3), (10), (12), (13)
1d10+1
12
9
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Hallowed redeemer (1)
1d10+2
8
8
Five points of magical damage to any who deal out any damage to the wielder
Only usable by Keldorn
Two-handed sword +2 (2), (3), (4) , (10), (13)
1d10+2
10
8
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Two-handed sword +3 (1), (3), (13), (14)
1d10+3
9
7
None
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Harbinger +3 (1)
1d10+3
10
7
A 5 percent chance per hit that a 10d6 fireball explodes, centered on target, flesh to stone on ogres
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Gram the Sword of Grief +5 (15)
1d10+5
9
5
10 percent chance of 2d12 poison damage
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Gram the sword of grief +5; enhanced by Cespenar with the heart of the damned found at (14)
1d10+5
9
5
5 percent magic resistance when equipped, 10 percent chance of 2d12 poison damage, each hit target must save vs. death with -5 penalty or lose one level
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Psion's blade +5 (5)
1d10+5
9
5
Grants immunity to confusion and all psionic attacks
Druid, cleric, mage, thief (requires 14 strength)
Carsomyr +6; upgrade by Cespenar with the eye of Tyr found at (14)
1d12+6
6
4
50 percent magic resistance; dispel magic three times per day; +6 damage to chaotic evil opponents; dispels magic whenever it hits an opponent
Only usable by paladins (requires 14 strength)
Warhammer (Crushing Damage, One-handed)
Weapon
Damage
Weight
Speed Factor
Special Abilities
Not Usable by the following classes (Requirements)
War hammer
1d4+1
6
4
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 9 strength)
War hammer +1 (2), (13)
1d4+2
6
3
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 9 strength)
War hammer +2 (2), (3)
1d4+3
5
2
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 9 strength)
War hammer +3 (2), (3), (13)
1d4+3
4
1
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 9 strength)
Hammer of thunderbolts +3 (1)
2d4+3
4
1
None
Druid, mage, thief (requires 18 strength)
Runehammer +4 (6)
2d4+4
3
0
4-16 +8 damage to undead, plus they must make a saving throw vs. death (-4 penalty) or be destroyed; also grants negative plane protection
Druid, mage, thief (requires 16 strength)
Runehammer +5 (13); Cespenar can create this item with the rune found in Sendai's enclave
2d4+5
2
0
4-16 +10 damage to undead, plus they must make a saving throw vs. death (-4 penalty) or be destroyed; also grants negative plane protection; immunity to fear, fire giant strength once per day, mass cure once per day
Druid, mage, thief (requires 16 strength) -
Armor and Shielding
You should naturally ensure that your characters are protected as well as possible from the dangers they'll face in Throne of Bhaal. The sectors where a particular protection can be located are indicated in parentheses next to the item's name. In general, items that confer better protections are listed after weaker items.
Helmets
Armor Type
Armor Class
Special Abilities
Weight
Not Usable By
Helmet
None
Protects against critical hits
2
Mage, bard, thief
Roranach's horn (2)
None
+50 percent resistance to blunt weapons
0
Not usable by: monks, mages, bards, thieves, and Kensai
Helm of Balduran (1)
Armor class bonus +1
Protects against critical hits, +5 hit points, +1 saving throw bonus, +1 to hit
1
Not usable by: mages, bards, and thieves
Helm of the rock (
None
+25 percent resistance to fire, cold, acid, poison, and electricity (can also cast aura of command three times per day once horns are added by Cespenar)
0
Usable only by fighters
Shields
Armor Type
Armor Class
Special Abilities
Weight
Not Usable By (Requirements):
Buckler
Armor class 1 bonus
No missile weapon or piercing attack protection
2
Mage
Small shield
Armor class 1 bonus
No missile weapon protection
3
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 4 strength)
Small shield +1 (2)
Armor class 2 bonus
No missile weapon protection
3
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 4 strength)
Small shield +2 (1), (2), (
Armor class 3 bonus
No missile weapon protection
2
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 4 strength)
Medium shield
Armor class 1 bonus
N/A
7
Bard, druid, mage, thief
Medium shield +1 (2), (13)
Armor class 2 bonus
N/A
6
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Medium shield +2 (1), (2), (12), (14)
Armor class 3 bonus
None
5
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Large shield
Armor class 1 bonus
+1 vs. missile weapons
14
Bard, druid, mage, thief
Large shield +1 (2)
Armor class 2 bonus
+1 vs. missile weapons
12
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Large shield +2 (1), (
Armor class 3 bonus
+1 vs. missile weapons
4
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 10 strength)
Delryn family shield (1)
Armor class 2 bonus
Fire and cold resistance +30 percent, can cast protection from missiles three times per day
7
Bard, druid, mage, thief
Shield of the lost +2 (1)
Armor class bonus 3
+5 magical resistance
5
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Shield of harmony (1)
Armor class bonus 3
Immunity to charm, confusion, domination, and hold person
2
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 4 strength)
Drow shield +3 (14)
Armor class bonus 4
Turns to dust if removed from the Underdark
8
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Shield of the Order (6)
Armor class bonus 5
+1 to all saving throws
8
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 9 strength)
Darksteel shield +4 (14)
Armor class bonus 5
+10 percent to fire, cold, acid, and poison resistance
8
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 15 strength)
Mage Robes
Armor Type
Armor Class
Special Abilities
Weight
Not Usable By:
Adventurer's robe (1), (2), (11)
N/A
Armor class +1 vs. crushing weapons, +1 saving throw vs. petrification/polymorph
4
Only usable by mages
Knave's robe (2)
N/A
Armor class +1 vs. slashing weapons, +1 saving throw vs. death
4
Only usable by mages
Mage robe of cold resistance (2)
N/A
+20 percent bonus to cold resistance
3
Only usable by mages
Mage robe of electrical resistance (2)
N/A
+20 percent bonus to electrical resistance
3
Only usable by mages
Mage robe of fire resistance (2)
N/A
+20 percent bonus to fire resistance
3
Only usable by mages
Robe of the evil archmagi (2)
5
Magic resistance 5 percent, +1 saving throw bonus
6
Only usable by evil-aligned mages
Robe of the good archmagi (2)
5
Magic resistance 5 percent, +1 saving throw bonus
6
Only usable by good-aligned mages
Robe of the neutral archmagi (2)
5
Magic resistance 5 percent, +1 saving throw bonus
6
Only usable by neutral-aligned mages
Traveler's robe (1), (2)
N/A
+1 bonus vs. missile weapons, +1 saving throw vs. breath
4
Mage
Armor
Armor Type
Armor Class
Special Abilities
Weight
Not Usable By (Additional Requirements):
Jansen adventure wear (1)
9
+25 percent resistance to physical damage, +5 bonus to missile attacks
3
Only usable by Jan Jansen
Leather
8
N/A
15
Mage (requires 4 strength)
Leather +1 (2), (4), (14)
7
N/A
15
Mage (requires 4 strength)
Leather +2 (2)
6
N/A
5
Mage (requires 4 strength)
Studded leather
7
N/A
25
Mage (requires 6 strength)
Studded leather +1 (2), (10)
6
N/A
15
Mage (requires 6 strength)
Leather armor +3 (1), (2), (10), (14)
5
None
4
Mage (requires 3 strength)
Studded leather +2 (2), (7), (10)
5
N/A
8
Mage (requires 6 strength)
Chain mail
5
N/A
40
Druid, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Elven chain mail (1)
5
N/A
7
Druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Elven chain mail +1 (13), (14)
4
N/A
8
Druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Chain mail +1 (2), (13)
4
N/A
20
Druid, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Chain mail +2 (1), (2), (
3
N/A
10
Druid, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Sylvan chain +2 (1)
3
None
10
Druid, mage (requires 5 strength)
Chain mail +3 (13)
2
None
10
Druid, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Darkmail (1)
2
+20 percent to fire damage
9
Druid, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Splint mail
4
N/A
40
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Splint mail +1 (2), (13)
3
N/A
20
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 8 strength)
Aeger's hide +3 (1)
3
+15 percent resistance to fire, cold, and acid; immune to confusion
35
Mage (requires 6 strength)
The night's gift +5 (1)
3
+20 percent hide in shadows
5
Mage (requires 3 strength)
Plate mail
3
N/A
50
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Plate mail +1 (1), (2), (10), (12), (14)
2
None
20
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 12 strength)
Drow elven chain +3 (14)
2
+5 percent magic resistance; -1 to casting time of all spells; dissolves in sunlight
12
Druid, mage, kensai (requires 5 strength)
Corthala family armor (1)
2
Immune to charm, +25 percent resistance to fire, acid, and magic
9
Only usable by Valygar
Grandmaster's armor +6 (2)
1
Increase movement rate as boots of speed
5
Mage, monk (requires 6 strength)
Full plate mail
1
N/A
70
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 15 strength)
Studded leather of thorns +6 (14)
1
Each successful hit on the wearer inflicts 1d4 points of fire damage to attacker
5
Mage, monk (requires 6 strength)
Full plate mail +1 (2), (10), (11), (14)
0
N/A
35
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 15 strength)
Firecam full-plate armor (1)
0
None
70
Only usable by Keldorn
Full plate mail +2 (2), (7)
-1
N/A
50
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 15 strength)
Blue dragon plate (15)
-1
+90% resistance to lightning and electrical attacks
20
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 15 strength)
White dragon scale (10)
-2
+50% resistance to cold; cast cone of cold three times per day
15
Mage (requires 8 strength)
Drow full plate +5 (14)
-4
None (dissolves in sunlight)
70
Bard, druid, mage, thief (requires 15 strength) -
Potions and Miscellaneous Magic
Potions are commonly found throughout the expansion pack and remain incredibly useful items that can affect the outcome of any battle. There are also a variety of new and powerful amulets, rods and other miscellaneous magic items which are worthwhile equipping. The sectors where each item can be located are indicated in parentheses next to the item's name.
Potions
Item
Special Abilities Conferred by Potion
Antidote (2), (, (9), (11), (13)
A green potion that cures poison
Elixir of health (2), (13)
Cures poison and 10 hit points
Oil of speed (1), (2), (3), (10), (14)
White in color, this potion increases the movement and combat capabilities of imbiber by 100 percent, doubling attack abilities but not affecting spellcasting
Potion of absorption (13)
+10 armor class bonus from crushing attacks, 100 percent immunity to electrical attacks for 10 turns
Potion of agility (2), (13)
Raises the dexterity of the imbiber to 18, affecting armor class and missile attack adjustment, lasting 15 turns
Potion of cold resistance (2), (3)
Confers a 50 percent resistance to cold-based attacks on the imbiber, lasts for ten turns
Potion of cloud giant strength (2), (9)
Raises imbiber's strength up to 23 for ten turns
Potion of extra healing (1), (2), (3), (5), (7), (, (10), (11), (12), (13), (14)
Restores 27 hit points
Potion of fire giant strength (2), (5), (11), (13)
Raises imbiber's strength up to 22 for ten turns
Potion of fire resistance (2), (3)
Confers a 50 percent resistance to fire-based attacks on the imbiber, lasts for ten turns
Potion of fortitude (11)
Raiders imbiber's constitution to 18 for 15 turns
Potion of frost giant strength (1), (2)
Raises imbiber's strength up to 21 for ten turns
Potion of genius (2), (13)
Increases imbiber's intelligence temporarily by four, up to a maximum of 25
Potion of healing (2), (3), (, (11), (13)
Restores nine hit points
Potion of heroism (2), (
+10 percent hit points, THAC0 set to 90 percent of current base, duration ten turns, usable only by fighters, rangers, and paladins
Potion of hill giant strength (2), (3)
Raises imbiber's strength up to 19 for ten turns
Potion of infravision (
Grants infravision up to 120 feet for 20 turns or until dispelled
Potion of insight (2), (13)
Raise wisdom of person to 18 for approximately six hours or until dispelled
Potion of insulation (2), (10)
Grants 50 percent resistance to electrical damage to imbiber, lasts for ten turns or until dispelled
Potion of invisibility (2), (3), (11), (14)
Invisibility for 12 hours, combat ends the effect
Potion of invulnerability (2), (5)
Sets armor class to 0, +5 saving throws, lasts five hours (fighter classes only)
Potion of master thievery (2), (13)
+40 percent lockpicking, +40 percent pickpockets, duration three hours
Potion of mind focusing (2), (13)
+3 intelligence, +3 dexterity for 12 hours
Potion of perception (2), (13)
Heightens perception, making thieving skills more likely to succeed (+20 percent bonus to find/remove traps, pick pockets, pick locks, hide in shadows), lasts for six hours
Potion of regeneration (2)
Imbues the drinker with the regeneration ability similar to that of a troll, healing wounds at the rate of two hit points per round, lasts for three turns
Potion of storm giant strength (2)
Raises imbiber's strength up to 24 for ten turns
Potion of strength (2), (3), (7), (10)
Increase strength of imbiber to 18 for approximately 20 turns or until dispelled
Potion of superior healing (2), (3), (5), (, (9), (10), (11), (12), (13)
Restores 40 hit points
Miscellaneous Magic Items
Description of Item
Special Ability Conferred
Usability
Amulet of 5 percent magic resistance (1)
Magic resistance +5 percent
All
Amulet of cheetah speed (14)
Increases movement by 2, casts improved haste on wearer once per day
All
Kaligun's amulet of magic resistance (1)
Magic resistance +10 percent
All
Amulet of the master harper (5)
+20 percent to find traps and pick locks; +3 armor class bonus, wearer is immune to silence
Bard, thief
Amulet of power (1)
+5 magic resistance, vocalize, decrease casting speed by 1, immunity to level drain
Not usable by fighter, thief
Amulet of protection +1: The Protector (13)
+1 armor class and savings throw bonus
All
Amulet of Seldarine (1)
+10 percent magic resistance, +1 bonus to saving throws
All
Bag of holding (1)
Opens into a nondimensional space capable of holding dozens of items without changing weight
All
Bag of plenty +1 (5)
Unlimited +1 sling bullets
All
Bag of plenty +2
Unlimited +2 sling bullets (can be created with a king's tear gem found in (6) and the bag of plenty found at (5)
All
Bard's gloves (9)
Not magical until crafted with gems by Cespenar
Bards
Belt of inertial barrier (1)
+5 to saves vs. breath weapons, +25 percent resistance to missile damage, +50 percent to magic damage
All
Black spider figurine (1)
Summons a huge spider for five minutes, once per day
All
Blessed bracers (
Cast cure critical wounds once per day; cast resurrection once per day; +10 to maximum hit points; created by Cespenar from the paladin's bracers.
Paladin
Boots of speed: The Paws of the Cheetah (1)
Increases wearer's speed of movement
All
Boots of stealth (1)
+20 percent move silently bonus, +15 percent hide in shadows bonus
Not usable by fighter, mage, cleric, druid
Bracers of blinding strike (1)
Improved haste once per day for 20 seconds
All
Bracers of defense (armor class 3) (1)
Reduces wearer's armor class to 3, weight 2
All
Bracers of defense (AC4) (1)
Reduces wearer's armor class to 4, weight 2
All
Tzu-Zan's bracers (15)
+15 to maximum hit points, +1 armor class bonus
Monks only
Case of plenty +1/2 (
Unlimited +1 bolts or +2 bolts (can be upgraded by Cespenar for 5,000 gold)
All
Circlet of Netheril (9)
+10 to maximum hit points, memorize one additional seventh- and eighth-level spell; this item isn't magical until Cespenar combines it with a bronze Ioun stone
Mages
Cloak of the high forest (1)
+1 armor class bonus and saving throws
Only Cernd
Montolio's cloak (13)
+1 bonus to armor class; +1 to all saving throws, +2 to hit with off hand
Only rangers
Cloak of protection +2: The Spirit's Shield (1)
Armor class +2, +2 saving throws
All
Improved cloak of protection +2; an improved version of the cloak above, which can be improved by purchasing scrolls at (2)
Armor class +2, +2 saving throws, improved haste once per day; improved invisibility once per day
All
Deck of many things (10)
Creates random good or bad effect on user depending upon which card is drawn
All
Girdle of fire giant strength (5)
Set strength to 22
All
Girdle of hill giant strength (1)
Set strength to 19
All
Gauntlets of extraordinary specialization (12)
Adds on extra half an attack per round, +1 to hit, +2 damage
Fighters, rangers, paladins
Gauntlets of weapon expertise: Legacy of the Masters (1)
+1 to hit, +2 damage
All
Glasses of identification (13)
Identify items up to three times a day
Golden lion figurine (1)
Summons a lion for five minutes, once per day
All
Golem manual (, additional pages at (5) and (11)
Summons a flesh golem for 10 rounds once per day (can be improved by clay golem page found on level 4 of Watcher's Keep and by the stone golem page found in Marching Mountains to summon a stone golem)
Mages, bards
Harp of discord (1)
Three times a day can cause confusion to enemies
Bards
Ioun stone (bronze) (2)
Memorize a seventh-level spell when equipped
Mage, bard
Ioun stone (dusty rose) (1)
Armor class bonus +1
All
Ioun stone (lavender) (2)
Armor class bonus +1, +4 to all saves vs. death
Mage, bard
Ioun stone (obsidian) (2)
+1 to constitution
All
Ioun stone (Wong Fei) (14)
Armor class bonus +1, +15 to max hit points, regenerates hit points every six seconds
Monk, fighter, kensai
Jansen spectroscopes (1)
Detect invisibility once per day, +25 percent detect and disarm traps, +20 percent detect illusions
Only usable by Jan Jansen
Jansen techno-gloves (1)
+20 percent lockpicking, +20 percent pickpockets
Only usable by Jan Jansen
Malla's soul stone (12)
+1 to dexterity, +1 to constitution, cast neutralize poison once per day
Not usable by characters of good alignment
Paladin's bracers (
+10 to maximum hit points while equipped
Paladins
Quiver of plenty (
Unlimited +1 arrows
All
Ring of acuity (1)
Gives two extra second-level spells, one extra third-level spell, and one extra fourth-level spell
Mage
Ring of animal friendship: Druid's Ring (2), (4), (13)
Charm animal unless save vs. wand, range 40 feet
All
Ring of anti-venom (13)
Immunity to all poisons
All
Ring of danger sense (1)
+25 percent to trap detection
Thieves
D'Arnisse signet ring (1)
+2 armor class and saving throws bonus, +50 percent fire resistance
Only usable by Nalia
Ring of earth control (1)
+1 armor class bonus, once per day can charm earth elementals (+2 bonus to elemental's saving throw), stone to flesh
All
Ring of fire resistance: Batalista's Passport (2)
Fire resistance +40 percent
All
Ring: Heartwood Ring (13)
Memorize one additional sixth- and seventh-level spell
Druids
Ring of invisibility: Sandthief's Ring (1)
Wearer becomes invisible until an attack is made, once per day
All
Ring of lock picks (1)
+25 percent to lock picking
Only usable by thief
Ring of protection +1: Ring of the Princes (1)
+1 armor class and savings throw bonus
All
Ring of regeneration (1)
Regenerates 1 hit point every six seconds
All
Ring of spell turning (1)
Cast minor spell turning once per day
All
Rod of resurrection (3)
Resurrects the dead
All
Rod of reversal (13)
Casts ruby ray of reversal
Fighters, Rangers, Paladins
Shakti figurine (2)
Turns user into a blue-armored warrior once per day, armor class -5, hasted, attack twice per round with +4 short sword with two proficiency slots of expertise
Not usable by Fighters
Silver horn of Valhalla (1)
Summons a fifth-level berserk warrior who will fight for the summoner for one minute, once per day
All
Wand of cursing (9), (11), (14)
Cast blindness, deafness, and silence on target (save negates all effects)
All
Wand of frost (13)
Inflicts a column of ice on a target, for 8d6 of damage
Not usable by fighter, cleric, druid, thief
Wand of heavens (, (11)
Casts flamestrike against a target for 8d6 damage
Not usable by fighter, mage, bard, thief
Wand of lightning (2)
Casts lightning bolt for 6d6 damage (save vs. wands for half) at a range of 100 feet
Not usable by fighter, cleric, druid, thief
Wand of magic missiles (11)
One magic missile to strike target per casting
All
Wand of monster summoning (3)
Summons 12 HD of monsters
Not usable by fighter, cleric, druid, thief
Wand of sleep (
Sleep unless victim saves vs. wands
All
Wand of spell striking (9), (10), (11)
Cast Breach, Cast Pierce Magic
Mage, bard
Wondrous gloves (Cespenar upgrade to the bard's gloves found in (10)
+1 to hit, +1 armor class, bonus second-, third-, and fourth-level spell
Bards -
Cespenar's Recipes
Many of the powerful magic items you'll find can be enhanced even further by having your trusty imp janitor, Cespenar, combine them with one or more additional items. Gold is plentiful in the expansion pack, which is fortunate, since greedy Cespenar will require 5,000 or 10,000 gold to create any of the enhanced items.
The following chart provides a summary of the items that can be upgraded and the locations of their components. As previously noted, a few items can only be found in the original game, so if you don't continue a saved game into the expansion pack, those items won't be available to you.
Items Needed
Where to Find Them
Item Created/Enhanced
Angurvada +4 (long sword), liquid mercury, and 10,000 gold
The sword is on the Githyanki captain on level 4 of Watcher's Keep; the liquid mercury is in Sendai's enclave in the lair of the mind flayers
Angurvadal +5
Axe of the unyielding +3, Baalor's claw, and 5,000 gold
The axe is with the rock at the end of the fourth level of Watcher's Keep; Baalor's claw is on Berenn in the fire giant fortress in the marching mountains
Axe of the unyielding +5
Bag of plenty +1, king's tear gem, and 10,000 gold
The bag is under Yaga-Shura's bed on the second level of the fortress in the marching mountains; you can find the gem in a crate in the oasis sector and on the first level of Watcher's Keep; or, just purchase one from the smugglers in Amkethran
Bag of plenty +2
Bard's gloves, diamond, sapphire, emerald, rogue stone, and 5,000 gold
The gloves are on level 3 of Watcher's Keep; the gems are randomly available on certain high-level monsters or can be bought from the smugglers in Amkethran
Wondrous gloves
Blue dragon scales and 5,000 gold
The scales are found on Abizagal in Abizagal's lair
Blue dragon plate
Book of golems, clay, and/or stone golem page and 10,000 gold, juggernaut golem page, and 15,000 gold
The book is on the first level of Watcher's Keep, while the clay golem page is in the final room on the fourth floor of the keep; the stone golem page is in the fire giant lair in the marching mountains; the juggernaut golem page is in Abizagal's lair
Upgrades the book to be capable of summoning clay golems, stone golems, or juggernaut golems; you can't add a page if it would create a weaker golem than you can already create (juggernauts are the strongest, followed by stone, and then clay)
Carsomyr +5 (holy avenger sword), pommel jewel eye of Tyr, and 5,000 gold
The sword is only available in the original game, while the jewel can be found with the lich in Sendai's enclave; there's only one jewel in the game, so if you use it on this sword, you can't upgrade to the purifier +4 sword
Carsomyr +6
Case of plenty +1 and 5,000 gold
The case of plenty is found on the first level of Watcher's Keep
Case of plenty +2
Circlet of Netheril, bronze Ioun stone, and 5,000 gold
The Circlet of Netheril is on the chromatic demon in the second level of Watcher's Keep; a bronze Ioun stone is available in Saradush
Makes the circlet of Netheril, a magical item
Cloak of Montolio, clasp of Montolio, and 5,000 gold
The cloak is with Omar Haraad in Amkethran; the clasp is in the Githyanki lair on level 4 of Watcher's Keep
Montolio's cloak
Cloak of protection +2, scrolls of invisibility and improved haste, and 20,000 gold
The cloak is only available in the original game; scrolls can be purchased in Saradush or Amkethran
Improved cloak of protection +2
Club of detonation +3, ring of fire resistance, and 5,000 gold
The club is on the guardians of one of the final seals on the fifth level of Watcher's Keep; the ring is available for sale at Arkana's Archives in Saradush
Club of detonation +5
Dagger of the star +4, five star sapphires, and 5,000 gold
The dagger is in the fourth level of Watcher's Keep, and the gems are randomly available on high-level monsters or can be purchased from the smugglers in Amkethran
Dagger of the star +5
Darkfire bow, bowstring of bond, and 5,000 gold
The darkfire bow is on Captain Erelon in Amkethran; the bowstring is in Sendai's enclave; there's only one bowstring in the game, so if you use it on this sword, you can't upgrade to the Taralash +4 bow
Darkfire bow +5
Erinne sling +4 and 5,000 gold
The Erinne sling is on the lich on the last level of Watcher's Keep
Erinne sling +5
Flail of ages, poison head, flail of ages +4, lightning head and 5,000 gold
The flail of ages is only available in the original game, while the poison head can be found on the second level of Watcher's Keep; the lighting head is in Abizagal's lair, on Abizagal
Flail of ages +4
Foebane sword +3, Fflar's scabbard, and 5,000 gold
The sword is on one of the statutes guarding the end of the first level of Watcher's Keep; the scabbard is in Saradush underneath Gromnir's tower
Foebane +5
Helm of the rock, two horns, and 5,000 gold
All the items are on the second level of Watcher's Keep
More powerful helm of the rock
Hindo's hand, Hindo's katana, and 5,000 gold
The katana is on the fifth level of Watcher's Keep; Hindo's hand is in on a monk prisoner in Abazigal's lair
Hindo's doom +4
Ixil's spike, Ixil's nail, and 5,000 gold
Ixil's spike is held by the chromatic demon on the second level of Watcher's Keep; Ixil's nail is on the fifth level of Watcher's Keep in the orc room
Ixil's spike +6
Oaken ring, Nymph's tear gem, and 5,000 gold
The gem can be found in the forest of Mir sector, while the oaken ring is on the confrontational priest in Amkethran
Heartwood ring
Paladin's bracers and 10,000 gold
The bracers are found in the first level of Watcher's Keep
Blessed bracers
Purifier + 4, eye of Tyr, and 5,000 gold
The sword can be found inside one of the columns in level 3 of Watcher's Keep, and the Eye of Tyr is in the lich's lair in Sendai's enclave; there's only one jewel in the game, so if you use it on this sword, you can't upgrade to the Carsomyr +5 sword
Purifier +5
Quiver of plenty +1, rogue stone, and 10,000 gold
The quiver can be found on the first level of Watcher's Keep; the gem can be found on level 3 of Watcher's Keep and elsewhere as random treasure on certain monsters or purchased from the smugglers in Amkethran
Quiver of plenty +2
Runehammer +4, rune of Clangeddin, and 5,000 gold
The runehammer is on Yaga-Shura in the giant siege camp; the rune is in the woodcutter's house in Sendai's enclave
Runehammer +5
Spectral brand +4 and skull of the lich
The spectral brand can be won in a wager with the Campion at the end of level 3 of Watcher's Keep; the lich skull is, appropriately enough, with the lich in Sendai's enclave
Spectral brand +5
Staff of the ram, Roranach's horn, and 5,000 gold
The staff of the ram is in the dragon's lair on level 4 of Watcher's Keep; Roranach's horn is on Gromnir in Saradush.
Staff of the ram +6
Storm star +3, starfall ore, and 5,000 gold
Storm star +3 is available from Lum's machine on level 4 of the Watcher's Keep; the starfall ore is in Kiser Jhaeri's house in Saradush
Storm star +5
Sword of grief +5, heart of damned, and 5,000 gold
The sword is on Abizagal; the heart is on Odamaron in Sendai's enclave
Improved Gram, the sword of grief +5
Taralash bow +4, bowstring of Gond, and 5,000 gold
The bow is on the guardians at the bottom of the Watcher's Keep; there's only one bowstring in the game, so if you use it on this sword, you can't upgrade the darkfire +4 bow
Taralash +5
White dragon scales and 5,000 gold
The scales are in one of the last rooms on level 3 of Watcher's Keep
White dragon scale armor -
Chapter 4: Area Walk-throughs
Throne of Bhaal isn't as open-ended as Baldur's Gate II. You can elect to go to Watcher's Keep at any time after leaving Saradush to complete the optional quests around the Keep, but otherwise, your path to the end of the game will be linear. This section of the guide provides a comprehensive walk-through for each sector in the game, generally listed in the order you will likely uncover each area. Quests that appear in bold print also appear in your journal, while other events that award you experience are displayed in normal print.
Each area description also lists all the NPCs and encounter that are present in that sector as well as the enemies that lurk in that location and the magic items you can find there.
1. Preamble and Pocket Plane in the Abyss - The First Challenge
After talking to any of the giant sculptures, you'll be attacked by Illasera, one of the five Bhaalspawn that's tearing up the Sword Coast. You do, however, have time to rest to memorize spells, however, so you should do so and prepare a defense. Illasera (98 hit points, AC 6, 10,000 experience points) will immediately summon one or more creatures to her aid, but you should focus your attacks on her to prevent her from casting additional spells, since the creatures will vanish when she's vanquished. If you've continued a game from Baldur's Gate II and have a full party with you, Illasera will also have a handful of black reaver archers to assist her. You'll immediately reappear in the pocket plane (any items on the ground will travel with you, so you don't have to scramble to grab them) and be greeted by Solar and your old foe, Sarevok.
Talk to the Solar and Sarevok. You can summon any of your old companions by asking the nearby spirits for aid, and you'll get 2,000 experience points for each one that you summon, so summon them all for some quick experience points. You must eventually donate part of a Bhaalspawn's soul to Sarevok, so it can either be you or Imoen who donates the "insignificant" aspect of your soul. Sarevok will also ask to join you. He's chaotic evil in alignment, but will heed your directions and has the most impressive statistics of any NPC companions.
Once you've restored Sarevok to life, you must face the challenge opened up in the room to the northwest. Entering, you'll be greeted by Gavid, a hapless former Bhaalspawn. After a brief speech, he'll die, and you'll be greeted by an assembly line of successively more powerful foes, starting with kobold commandos and dopplegangers and progressing to ogre mages, gnoll captains, sahuagin, and finally drow warriors and priestesses. You can use a powerful area of effect spell such as death fog or incendiary cloud and stay back to pick off the survivors with missile weapons, or position a fighter or two around each of the three spawning doors. If you gate in a pit fiend, it can clear the entire encounter for you, but make sure you cast protection from evil 10-foot radius first, so the devil doesn't attack the party. The party will receive 25,000 experience points each, and your main character will receive 30,000 experience points for completing the challenge.
Sarevok will unveil the first challenge, but you'll have four more to face. Each time you dispatch a key Bhaalspawn, another chamber leading to a challenge will become available.
NPCs in this sector:
Cespenar
Gavid
Illasera
Solar
Sarevok
Enemies in this sector:
Doppelgangers
Drow priestesses and warriors
Gnoll captains
Illasera
Kobold commandos
Ogre mages
Sahuagin
Magic items in this sector:
On Illaser:
Dagger +2
Boots of speed: Paws of the Cheetah
Sylvan chain +2
Ring of protection +1: Ring of the Princes