Earth Elemental Transformation is a High-level class ability available to the Druid class.
The ability can only be selected once.
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[]
| “ | Harnessing the power of the earth, this powerful shapechange ability allows the Druid to become a 24 HD earth elemental of immense strength. The elemental form has an AC of -5, a THAC0 of 2, and does 2d10 crushing damage with its attacks. When the Druid returns to human form, <PRO_HESHE> is also healed 3d10 Hit Points. | ” |
Gameplay[]
This ability is accessed from the character's "Special Abilities" button, select the button icon with the cursor (or F12 on a keyboard) to open the menu - use the cursor again and click on the desired Earth Elemental Transformation button icon or use one of the designated F-keys if playing with a keyboard interface.
Once the ability icon is selected a sound effect is audibled and the druid is immediately shapechanged into a 24-HD earth elemental form - the druid will show an icon (No. 165) titled "Earth Elemental Transformation" on their portrait.
This transformation doesn't expire and has unlimited duration - it cannot be dispelled either.
If the druid desires to revert back into normal form, use the Special Abilities menu again and select the Shapeshift: Natural Form icon - this will end the Earth Elemental Transformation session. When this occurs, the druid has a brief healing amination render on their sprite, and if wounded, is healed by 3d10 hit points.
In the earth elemental shapechanged form, certain characteristics, attributes and powers are altered on the druid:
24-HD Earth Elemental Form
Set STR 20, Set DEX 14; Set base AC -5, Set base THAC0 2
All attacks replaced by elemental fist weapon, 2d10 Crushing Damage (Fist +4)
Immune to normal weapons
Restrictions:
- Talk button disabled.
- Cast Spell button disabled.
While shapechanged the caster may access their inventory screen as normal.
While shapechanged the caster may use items placed in the "Quick Items" slots, such as scrolls, potions or wands as normal.
While shapechanged the caster may access items/spells from the "Use Items" menu as normal.
While shapechanged the caster may not cast priest spells (except via scrolls from the quick item slot).
Once shapechanged, the caster may not change or try to equip a main hand or off-hand weapon/shield, neither ammo - this is met with a text reading "You may not equip weapons while shapechanged".
While shapechanged the caster may unequip, reequip or change any of the following items: armor (when not in combat), gauntlets, helmet, amulet, rings, cloak and boots.
While shapechanged, the caster's Main-hand attack weapon is made dormant and replaced with the form's specific shapechanged weapon.
A shield equipped before shapechanging will provide its benefits.
All non main-hand weapon equipment items function as normal while shapechanged, however, off-hand weapons do not attack or roll for damage.
Notes[]
The in-game ability description erroneously lists the Duration as 1 hour. It might have been intended to be that duration, but it is currently coded as permanent.
Generally, Earth Elementals are stronger than Fire Elementals, but the Fire Elemental Transformation ability form has a strength set to 23, while the earth version only has a 20 strength. This could be mix-up in coding.
The Elemental form's Fist +4 weapon has a reach of 1 foot, and a speed factor of 0.
In the Enhanced Edition, a shield works as normal (if equipped before transforming) and weapons provide both bonuses (e.g. +1 APR from Belm) and charge abilities (e.g. 1x/day Summon Spectral Blade from the Spectral Brand), but the offhand weapon bonuses will only apply after saving the game and then reloading. While in this form, the character will benefit from Sword and Shield Style while equipped with a shield, Single Weapon Style while the offhand is empty and no weapon style at all while equipped with an offhand weapon.
In the original games, they'll work as if you're dual wielding the elemental's fist and the weapon and, as such, dual wielding style bonuses (and penalties) will apply.
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset doesn't provide any High-level class abilities as implemented by the BG video game - they are a creation by the developers for the BG video game series only.
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Spell Revisions mod has changed the Earth Elemental Transformation ability with some modifications, including duration, and different elemental form attributes. see below:
Earth Elemental Transformation
Level: Quest
School: Alteration
Sphere: Combat, Elemental (Earth)
Range: Personal
Duration: 5 turns
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Caster
Saving Throw: None
Harnessing the power of the earth, this powerful shapechange ability allows the druid to become a greater earth elemental of considerable power. The caster gains the natural attacks of the elemental form, as well as all of his natural protections and abilities. The druid's mental attributes are not affected, but physical attributes are changed to adhere to the new form. All clothes and equipment worn will mold into the new form and continue to function, unseen. When the druid returns to his natural form, they will also return to their previous state.
Greater Earth Elemental
STR 23, DEX 8, CON 21; AC 2, THAC0 0
2 Attacks Per Round, 2d10+14 Crushing Damage (Fist +4)
Immune to hold, poison, sleep, & stun effects
Immune to normal weapons
Slashing, Piercing, & Missile Resistance 40%