Charm creature is a status effect that puts a creature under the control of the caster. Domination and Dire charm, have different names and icons for the same single status effect.
Types[]
There are two main types of Charm creature effects:
- An aggressive one, the most widespread — Should it be forced upon a Neutral, blue-circled creature, they will become hostile as soon as the effect wears out.
- A gentle one, rarer — Safely usable on Neutral creatures.
The only charm effects that can be safely used by the player without turning a creature hostile after the effect wears off (or even if the save fails) are those originating from:
- Nymph Cloak (both in BG1 and BG2)
- Algernon's Cloak
- Ring of Human Influence
- The Ranger's Charm Animal innate ability
- Wild Surge #79
- Druid's Ring (both in BG1 and BG2)
- Staff of the Woodlands
Mechanics[]
- If the caster or their allies directly harm a creature they took control of, the Charm creature effect will be removed and the charm broken.
- Victims cannot leave the area where they have been charmed.
- The most recent Charm creature effect to be applied takes precedence over others. It is possible to reclaim "stolen" party members this way.
Gameplay[]
Baldur's Gate I & II: Enhanced Editions
This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. May situationally encompass Siege of Dragonspear and The Black Pits I & II content as well. In Enhanced Editions only, Elves and Half-elves are resistant to almost all sources of Charm creature; they have respectively 90% and 30% chance to be spared completely by the spell or attack targeting them just for having Elven blood. Exceptions are marked in this article.- Several enemies use abilities called Charm Person that are much stronger versions of the real Charm Person spell. Beware of Alu-Fiends in particular.
- As is true with all status effects, application details vary depending on source — what is causing the effect. Sometimes only certain types of creatures are affected, usually Humanoids. Sometimes it's a gentle charm that is safe to use on Neutral creatures. Sometimes it doesn't care about your Elven blood and entrances you regardless. There's even an AoE charm. Use the references in this article and the links you're interested in for such details.
- If the charm effect was caused by a magical effect, then it can also be removed by Dispel Magic.
Trivia[]
Baldur's Gate I
Classic & Enhanced
This icon indicates content from all games of the 1st Baldur's Gate instalment – all editions and expansions. This may include The Black Pits. In both editions of Baldur's Gate I, many commoners and enemies have hidden dialogues spoken only under charm. Using the Talk button (F1) will trigger them. These hidden dialogues are usually simple and amusing quotes, but sometimes they do reveal more substantial clues.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 A formerly blue-circled creature will not become hostile when the Charm creature effect from this source wears out.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Elven resistance to this source is bypassed.
- ↑ Elven resistance to this source is halved: 45% for elves, 15% for Half-elves.
