Not to be confused with Dragon's Breath (item).
Dragon's Breath is a High-level class ability available to the Mage and Sorcerer classes.
The ability can only be selected once and is accessed from the level 9 wizard spellbook.
High-level class abilities were added as a new feature to the BG game with the release of the Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal expansion and are also included in the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition as well.
Description[]
| “ | This spell causes a disembodied head of a red dragon to appear and breathe fire with the strength of an adult red dragon. In addition to the enormous 20d10 fireball, the force of the dragon's breath knocks an opponent off their feet and away from the caster. The victim can save vs. Breath Weapon to take half damage and not be blown backwards. This spell will not harm party members. |
” |
Gameplay[]
The caster selects a targeting point on the area map to aim the Dragon's Breath towards using the targeting cursor.
When spell casting is finished a projectile unerringly speeds to the designated point and explodes into a fireball of concussive flame and force from the designated targeting point.
All enemy creatures in the area of effect of the impact location are exposed to 20d10 Fire damage as well as a Wing buffet effect.
The blast will move creatures up to 30 feet away from the impact point (it takes 2 seconds duration for this knockback movement), but a Saving throw versus Beath negates this.
Additionally, the same saving throw is required to stem being knocked Unconscious for three rounds by the force of the blast. Elves and half elves do not receive their racial Sleep saving throw resistance for this effect.
If a creature fails it's saving throw, additional damage inflicted on the unconscious victim will not awaken them.
The unconsciousness effect and the knockback are considered nonmagical effects, meaning they ignore Magic resistance and can't be removed with Dispel Magic effects.
With the BG2 Enhanced Edition the Cloak of Mirroring will not protect against this spell.
Dragon's Breath completely ignores MR; thus, the spell has its uses against resistant enemies like drow and Lich creatures.
The internal effects of this HLA are level 9 Power level. A Demilich in the unmodified game is immune to levels 1 through 9, so this spell won't affect such a creature.
As the spell is also not a single-target spell, it will not be intercepted by a Spell Trap for example.
Obviously, enemy creatures with Fire damage resistance are a less desirable target choice for this spell.
Triva[]
There is no direct equivalent wizard spell to Dragon's Breath in the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset - The Bioware version of the spell appears to have been created just for the BG game.
There is a level 8 wizard spell titled Dragonrage that can potentially bestow a variable random dragon form to the wizard, including a dragon breath weapon attack consistent with the type of dragon form (Copper, Brass, Bronze, Silver or Gold), however the potency of that breath weapon is tied to the form's randomly determined dragon age - such as juvenile, adult or wyrm sized etc.
Mod content[]
- This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Spell Revisions mod has changed this High-level class ability spell, revising its casting time, effects, saving throw, school, and description. See below:
Dragon's Breath
Level: Epic
School: Evocation
Range: Long
Duration: Instant
Casting Time: 5
Area of Effect: 15’ radius
Saving Throw: Breath partial
This spell causes the disembodied head of a red dragon to appear and breathe fire with the strength of an adult red dragon. In addition to the enormous 24d6 fireball, the force of the dragon’s breath knocks opponents away from the caster and leaves them unconscious for 1 round. The victims can save vs. breath at a -2 penalty to take half damage and not be blown backwards. This spell will not harm party members. Magic resistance does not affect this spell.
Mod screenshots[]
Appendix[]
External links[]
- Dragon's breath on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.