Improved Mantle is a wizard spell and the related scroll in Baldur's Gate II.
Description[]
| “ | When the spell is cast it confers complete invulnerability to all weapons except for those of +4 or better enchantment. This spell is incredibly powerful hence the duration is so short. However, the casting time is also very short making this spell incredibly useful in the thick of combat where buying a few seconds can mean the difference between life or death. It is important to note that this spell does not work in combination with protection from magic weapons. This spell lasts for the duration or until dispelled. | ” |
Gameplay[]
The caster applies this spell to self only.
Upon completion of the spell a text is displayed reading "Protected by Improved Mantle".
The caster has a brief 3D effect and color glow animation rendered over their sprite.
A player character shows an icon (No. 119) titled "Improved Mantle" on their portrait.
Additionally, a sound effect will audible when the spell expires.
The spell implements protection from all weapon attacks (melee or missile) including normal weapons/missiles, and magical/enchanted ones that are less than +4 enchantment value.
This spell can be removed by an appropriate Dispel Magic effect, or a Breach spell.
Where to obtain its scroll[]
Shadows of Amn[]
Throne of Bhaal[]
- Sold by Lazarus Librarus in the Arcana Archives
See also[]
- Mantle is the less advanced version of this spell, which only protects against weapons of +2 or lower
- Absolute Immunity is the most powerful version, which protects against up to +5 enchantment
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset has no Wizard spell, or equivalent spell to Improved Mantle. The game version of this spell is entirely a Bioware creation.
The scroll is also sold by three different stores affiliated to the Copper Coronet and Bernard, but those aren't implemented in a dialogue file and thus don't exist beyond the game files.
Mod Content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Installation of the Spell Revisions Mod replaces Improved Mantle with the spell described below:
Moment of Prescience
Level: 8
School: Divination
Range: Personal
Duration: 4 rounds
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Caster
Saving Throw: None
This spell grants an almost omniscient perception of things to come. For the duration of the spell the mage’s armor class is improved by 20 points, and any save is made by the caster with a +20 bonus. Due to this spell’s short casting time and duration, it is mainly used to buy the wizard a few rounds in the thick of intense combat.
With the Sword Coast Stratagems mod installed, there are several core changes made by the mod regarding spells. One of these is:
Slightly increase the power of Mantle, Improved Mantle, and Absolute Immunity (not Spell Revisions)
In the unmodded game, Mantle protects you from +2 or weaker weapons, Improved Mantle from +3 or weaker weapons, and Absolute Immunity from +5 or weaker weapons. In all cases, arguably this is slightly too weak given the prevalence of such weapons in the game. This component increases each protective range by one: Mantle protects against +3 or weaker weapons, Improved Mantle against +4 or weaker weapons, and Absolute Immunity against +6 or weaker weapons (i.e., basically everything.)
Note that if the player has the Spell Revisions mod installed with SCS, then the SR spells will be installed and take precedence.
Mod screenshot[]
External links[]
- Improved mantle on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.