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Arrows of Detonation are magical, but not enchanted arrows in the Baldur's Gate series.

Gameplay[]

The first unusual thing about these arrows is that as long as the intended creature is targetable then the arrow can be fired and automatically hit the target, regardless of its armor class.

The exception to this is if the target creature can only be hit with +2 enchanted items or greater.

When fired with a bow, these arrows deal fire rather than missile damage, to all in the blast radius. Though their original descriptions speak of additional 1 to 6 points damage, this actually isn't dealt (see bugs). Only in the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, this physical damage component is added.

The explosion, however, is the same in all games: 6 to 36 points of fire damage for all creatures within a radius of 15 feet around the target. Magic resistance can help avoid this damage completely, while a successful Saving throw vs. Spell – without any specialist bonuses or penalties – will at least reduce it by half.

The fire damage applied to all creatures in the blast radius is coded as a Power level 0 (zero) effect, thus ignoring spell level protections such as Minor Globe of Invulnerability or Spell Deflection.

As non-enchanted ammunition, the arrows of detonation will not strike certain creatures immune to such, but are a guaranteed hit on any other, regardless of the bowman's THAC0 rating.

The Protection From Normal Missiles spell will not affect this arrow.

Protection From Magical Weapons, Mantle, and similar spells will make the target unhittable by the missile.

Acquisition[]

Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast[]

Siege of Dragonspear[]

Shadows of Amn and Throne of Bhaal (EE)[]

  • Sharan Guard Ovidiu - Rasaad's quest in Throne of Bhaal
  • Random chance of this item appearing from mainly "High value magical treasure" as Random treasure drops or in containers. It is likely that a few of these arrows can be found in BG2 and BG2EE. They are a rare item in the saga outside of Baldur's Gate
  • Sold by the Weapon Merchant met during Neera's companion quest.

The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay[]

Description

Arrow of Detonation

This arrow has a particularly debilitating effect on its victims as, upon impact, it explodes into a huge ball of fire and shrapnel affecting all within the area.

Notes[]

  • Besides not being able to fire arrows because of usage restrictions, in most other games monks at least can equip them in their quivers, thus being helpful with inventory management. Only the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition disallows this for the class.
  • Arrows of Detonation apply bonus effects from abilities such as Called Shot and Poison Weapon, as well as high-level abilities (like Deathblow and Power Attack) to all creatures (friend or foe) within the detonation radius, as well as any bonus missile damage from the Archer kit. This is true even if said enemies or allies successfully resist the fire damage through Magic resistance or fire resistance.

Bugs[]

BUG BUG: Though the descriptions of these arrows read "Damage: 1D6" in the original games, the missile damage actually isn't applied: first, the dice size is set to only 2, rather than 6; and second, no dice is rolled. The Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition doesn't change this, but removes the false part from the description. In the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, 1d6 missile damage is implemented.

Gallery[]

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