| “ | I am dead yet not dead. | ” |
— Golden Skull | ||
Kangaxx is a powerful demilich entombed in the cellar of a house in the Docks District. While initially met as just a golden skull, he can be reconstructed in the Restore Kangaxx's body questline. His body has been dismembered by his enemies, with the pieces concealed in secret tombs found around the city of Athkatla. Each of these tombs is guarded by a lich that must be defeated in order to retrieve Kangaxx's body parts.
Kangaxx the Lich[]
| “ | Death shall rain upon the planes, and Kangaxx will violate all! | ” |
When Kangaxx first arises from his tomb, he is a fairly standard lich, albeit more powerful. He wears the mighty Ring of Gaxx which grants him rapid regeneration, bonuses to his armor class and saving throws, and adding to his innate magic resistance. Kangaxx the Lich also has a unique ability to see invisible and stealthy creatures. No form of invisibility will prevent Kangaxx from detecting or 'seeing" a creature in it's visual range. The statistics given in the info box factor in the final adjusted values provided by the equipped Ring of Gaxx. If the ring is "pickpocketed", which is only possible in the original BG2 game, then the stats will be different. See the Ring description for values.
It is very important for the party that at least one character is not protected from undead because, once Kangaxx is down to 1 HP, he stops fighting and speaks to the party before revealing his true form. This is fixed in the Enhanced Editions, however there are still reports of bugs with this change, but not in EE game versions 2.5 and above. If you have the EE game, we recommend updating it to the most current version (which is free).
Gameplay[]
The goal in this battle is to get Kangaax the lich down to 1 hit point so it triggers the dialogue and form change to Kangaax the Demilich. Then, defeat the Demilich form.
The first form is equipped with the MINHP1.ITM, so it can't actually be killed (such as from the Mace of Disruption, Azuredge or similar), and it has many immunities in addition to the usual lich immunities. Focus on dealing hit point damage to the lich form.
Kangaax has some staying power by way of his uninterruptible spell triggers, but only for so long. As it is immune to Power level 1 through 5 spells, a Breach spell won't work, so taking down its Stoneskin or Protection from Magical Weapons defenses can only be done via a powerful Dispel Magic effect. Alternatively, the player can just wait for the Protection From Magical Weapons spell (he'll have two of these) to expire.
As long as a party member can survive its spell attacks, then the character can occupy its attention and just accumulate enough damage to trigger the form transition.
For instance, one well-buffed and protected party member, can be made basically almost invulnerable to most attacks from the lich with a Protection From Undead scroll applied. That character could then move directly adjacent to the lich and cast point blank spells, wands, items or use melee weapons against the lich, and the creature cannot target the party member in return. This isn't very heroic, but it is effective.
Kangaxx the lich is probably most dangerous if it can cast it's Time Stop. Just before or during the pause in time, it will probably apply one of its Spell Triggers with a True Sight, Remove Magic and a Death Spell. The Remove magic can probably dispel anyone in the area of effect if they aren't protected with Spell Immunity: Abjuration - this can include a party member with a Protection From Undead active.
The scripted spell use is noted in the InfoBox. Kangaxx's artificial intelligence has almost no ability to recognize any protections or immunities present on any party members. The undead mage will just try and perform its scripted actions without any evaluation or assessment functions shaping their use or targeting. Typically, the closest enemy to the undead will bear the brunt of its attacks.
Kangaxx only has a single Remove Magic available to take down any party magic. It uses no spell removers or Breach. The player should be able to get one or more party members completely immune to everything the lich can possibly attack with, and just outlast it while damaging the undead being down to 1 hit point.
Keep vulnerable party members away from the lich, and protected characters up close.
If in the unlikely event that Kangaxx the lich has run out of spells, yet is still functioning, it will try and close and then attack with its melee touch attack.
When Kangaxx is reduced to 1 hit point, this should trigger a form change as well as a screen shake animation. A few moments later new dialogue will be presented:
- Still you do not understand! Not only was I to languish in the tomb for all eternity, but also I must be destroyed by another to be free.
Mod content for Kangaax the lich[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Sword Coast Stratagems mod revises Kangaxx the Lich, and especially if you have installed the "Smarter Mages" component. The game difficulty setting will determine some of the challenge level abilities used by the Lich. Kangaax has the of the unmodded lich's statistics, equipment and protections. The mod raises the lich's level to 30 and assigns a Necromancer kit. SCS revises the memorized spell selection and a new default AI to provide it with smarter tactics. It will also have recognition capabilities to assess its enemies' protections and vulnerabilities for more intelligent offensive and defensive behavior. SCS has provided the following changes from the unmodded creature:
- Level 30 Necromancer
- Can use any and all memorized spells
- Will deploy a "Fear Aura" radius every few rounds. Description as follows: Fear Aura ability (DW#LICFI.SPL) instantly casts in a 30' radius from the lich. It causes a short-term Panic effect reaction. It is a level 0 innate ability. A save vs. Spell negates. It is unaffected by magic resistance. This Fear Aura is deployed almost immediately after the first battery of contingency protections are implemented. As the effect is not magical, it cannot be dispelled. This fear aura is a 2nd edition D&D power added to all SCS Liches.
- Minor Sequencer loaded with double Horror spells.
- Spell Sequencer with Minor Spell Deflection, Fireshield (Red), and Monster Summoning II.
- Spell Trigger with triple Animate Dead (wizard) (X3 9HD Giant Skeleton Warriors).
- Will Use the following High-level class ability, depending on game difficulty settings: Comet, Dragon's Breath (spell), Energy Blades (wizard), Improved Alacrity, and Summon Dark Planetar.
Kangaxx will near instantly be able to get several spells off in only 1 or 2 seconds, including Spell Trap, Protection From Fire (wizard), Protection From Magic Energy, Spell Immunity, Stoneskin, Protection From Magical Weapons and the Fear Aura and so forth.
Soon after, it will deploy a Time Stop with Improved Alacrity and several magic stripping casts like Remove Magic and probably a Summon Dark Planetar and or an Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting. The party will be on the defensive very soon.
Kangaxx has five level 9 spells memorized including Spellstrike, Time Stop, Wish and Imprisonment. Kangaax also uses Energy Blades (wizard) as missile weapons in between spell casts. If the party leaves the lich's chamber and rests, then Kangaxx will be fully healed and rested as well.
In SCS, a Spellstrike will take down a Protection From Magic scroll. Kangaxx also uses Remove Magic, Breach and Ruby Ray of Reversal to strip protections based on what an opponent is evaluate to be protected from. The lich will not waste time or spell casts on an opponent invulnerable to one of its attacks or spells - and try another tactic or select another target.
Mod gallery[]
- Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
Kangaxx the Demilich[]
| “ | You shall be the first to feel my true power! | ” |
Once Kangaxx transitions into his demilich form – which is essentially just a floating skull – the party is in for a potentially difficult fight. Kangaxx the Demilich is 90% resistant to all physical damage and he can't be hit by any weapon with less than a +4 enchantment. On top of that, his saving throws are all 2 steps better than in his lich form, except save vs. spell, which is worse. All values in the info box reflect the Ring of Gaxx's passive benefits.
Since Kangaxx the Demilich is still wearing the Ring of Gaxx, he regenerates hit point damage at a moderate rate.
Gameplay[]
Opening moves and how the demilich will attack you:
The demilich AI has a simple and basic combat script. It actually only does three things. It looks for target in sight, then automatically and uninterruptedly force-casts either the demilich howl or the trap soul innate spells. It begins the battle with a demi-lich Howl. There are timers between each use of the innate spells, and when the timer is at zero, the cycle repeats. This cycle will continue until the creature is destroyed, or the party is dead.
The script is so basic, that the Demilich will not evaluate or recognize any spell protections up and running. It will attack without any adjustments or other refinements. It will not know if you are protected from imprisonment or instant death effects, or if you have Spell Turning up. So, take that into account in your planning, and you should be able to win this contest.
About the two attack methods:
From an offensive standpoint, the demilich form can and will cast an Imprisonment or Demi-Lich Howl - these are innate abilities and cannot be disrupted.
Imprisonment: With a range of 10 feet and a casting time of 1, this level 9 spell power ability from the abjuration school and disabling type - will imprison one creature. The imprisonment effect is unaffected by magic resistance and cannot be dispelled. There is no saving throw. The ability works on all summoned and gated creatures, who do not get a saving throw either. The creature has a limitless supply of this innate spell (reference SPIN788.SPL and referenced in the AI script as "DEMILICH_TRAP_SOUL").
Demilich Howl: This level 9 innate spell power effect will instantly kill any creature not protected from Instant Death upon a failed saving throw vs. Death/Poison (similar to Wail of the Banshee or Finger of Death). This ability has a speed of 9 and is a Necromancy Spell School Offensive Damage type. The ability can be blocked by magic resistance. The area of effect for the Howl is basically anyone in earshot of the Demilich, and that's about half of the entire crypt area where the Demilich is found. This Howl cannot be blocked by Spell Protections such as Spell Turning or Spell Trap. The demilich has a limitless supply of this innate spell. (Reference SPIN789.SPL and referenced in the AI script as "DEMILICH_DEATH").
The demilich's defensive abilities[]
This creature receives passive "always on" and non dispellable powers from items equipped in certain slots. The items are not droppable or stealable (except for the Ring of Gaax in the basic BG2). These items are:
- Ring of Gaxx
- DEMILICH.ITM provides all undead and lich immunities and powers
- LICH02.ITM touch attack melee weapon
The info box above lists all of the immunities and specific spell it has protection from, which are in most cases as stringent and protective as his initial Kangaxx Lich form. There are a few differences however:
- The demilich is protected from spell power levels between 1 through 9.
- The creature can only be struck with weapons of +4 enchantment or greater.
- The demilich form is vulnerable to Kill target effects, such as the Mace of Disruption can apply to undead.
- In Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. The Enhanced Edition also adds protection from the following spells – several more than for Kangaxx the Lich:- Reflects Imprisonment effects.
- Specifically immune to the following spells:
- Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting
- Blade Barrier
- Call Lightning
- Cloudkill
- Death Fog
- Delayed Blast Fireball
- Entangle
- Fire Storm
- Globe of Blades
- Glyph of Warding
- Holy Smite
- Incendiary Cloud
- Wing buffet effect
- Meteor Swarm
- Polymorph Other
- Power Word, Silence
- Silence, 15' Radius
- Skull Trap
- Slow
- Sphere of Chaos
- Stinking Cloud
- Symbol, Death
- Symbol, Fear
- Symbol, Stun
- Unholy Blight
- Web
Mod content regarding Kangaxx the Demilich[]
- This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Sword Coast Stratagems mod revises Kangaxx the Demilich, and is now a fully capable spell-casting Necromancer. The power of this creature is especially seen if you have installed the "Smarter Mages" component. The game difficulty setting will determine some of the challenge level abilities used by the demilich. SCS revises the memorized spell selection and a new default AI to provide it with smarter tactics. It will also have recognition capabilities to assess its enemies' protections and vulnerabilities for more intelligent offensive and defensive behavior. SCS has provided the following changes from the unmodded creature:
- Level 30 Necromancer.
- Can use any and all memorized spells.
- Innately has 100% Magic resistance (110% with the Ring of Gaxx).
- Immune to Kill target effect, such as the Mace of Disruption applies.
- SCS gives a demilich only protection against level 1 through 5 spell power (not level 1 through 9).
- Immune to backstabbing.
- Casting Time Modifier speed bonus of +4 (same as Robe of Vecna).
- Ability to use any of its uninterruptible innate abilities in addition to spell casting, and one of them during the same round as spell casting, including:
Fear Aura ability (DW#LICFI.SPL) instantly casts in a 30' radius from the demilich. It causes a short-term Panic effect reaction. It is a level 0 innate ability. A save vs. Spell negates. It is unaffected by magic resistance. This Fear Aura is deployed almost immediately after the first battery of contingency protections are implemented. As the effect is not magical, it cannot be dispelled. This fear aura is a 2nd edition D&D power added to all SCS Liches.
Instead of Imprisonment, it can attack with Demilich Soul Trap: Rather than a permanent Imprisonment, the target is under a Maze Spell Effect. It also drains the target of 4 Energy levels. It bypasses magic resistance. A save vs. spells at -4 penalty will prevent the maze effect, but there is no save against the level drain. Standard spell protections are advised to prevent this level 9 spell from getting through to a party member, or protection from energy drain. It is an Abjuration school spell effect. This spell is not a touch range spell but ranged at 60 feet. (reference SPIN788.SPL but re-done by SCS)
A new version of Demi-Lich Howl can be cast in a 30-foot radius around the Demilich. Any enemy creature will be instantly killed failing a save vs. Death with a -4 penalty. The innate level 9 spell power ignores magic resistance. Spell protections will not prevent exposure, however boosting saving throws or Death Ward would be good counters. This is a Necromancer School spell effect. Note that Kangaxx is a Necromancer, so the saving throw penalty will be at -6 for non-Necromancer party members. (reference SPIN789.SPL but re-done by SCS).
- Minor Sequencer loaded with double Ray of Enfeeblement spells.
- Spell Sequencer with a triple Remove Magic spells.
- Spell Trigger with triple Lower Resistance spells.
- Will Use the following High-level class ability, depending on game difficulty settings: Comet, Dragon's Breath (spell), Energy Blades (wizard), Improved Alacrity, and Summon Dark Planetar.
Kangaxx the Demilich will near instantly (via a contingency) be able to get several spells off in only 1 second, including Spell Trap, Protection From Fire (wizard), Protection From Magic Energy, Spell Shield, Stoneskin, Protection From Magical Weapons and the Fear Aura and so forth.
Soon after, it will deploy a Time Stop with Improved Alacrity and several magic stripping casts like Remove Magic and probably a Summon Dark Planetar and or an Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting.
Kangaxx has several level 9 spells memorized including Spellstrike (×2), Time Stop, and Imprisonment (×2). It also uses Energy Blades (wizard) as missile weapons in between spell casts. If the party leaves the lich's chamber and rests, then Kangaxx the Demilich will be fully healed and rested as well.
In SCS, a Spellstrike will take down a Protection From Magic scroll. Kangaxx also uses Remove Magic, Breach and Khelben's Warding Whip to strip protections based on what an opponent is evaluated to be protected from. The demilich will not waste time or spell casts on an opponent invulnerable to one of its attacks or spells and try another tactic or select another target.
SCS's More Consistent Breach module allows a Breach Spell to affect any Lich, or Demilich. SCS also implements blocking Breach Spells using spell protections that deflect or turn level five (5) spells, such as Spell Deflection, Spell Trap or Shield of the Archons.
SCS Changes the Enchantment Level of Melf's Minute Meteors from +6 to +2, which means they cannot strike a Demilich. This is done to align with the D&D 2nd Edition Ruleset for this Spell. This is a component choice to install or not. It isn't a core change; in case you don't want it.
With the Spell Revisions mod installed, most of the demilich's memorized spells will the SR versions.
Note that since Demilich creatures with SCS have 100% Magic resistance and are mostly protected from Power level spell effects 1 through 9, the spells Sunray, Bolt of Glory and False Dawn, which are usually terrific against Undead - will probably not affect a Demilich. This means that the Daystar sword or the Helm of Brilliance will not be viable attack options. The Monk's Sun Soulray will only be able to do a small quantity of elemental fire damage, and the bulk of the spell will be blocked. Sun Soulbeam can be affected by magic resistance as well.
Restore Kangaxx's body[]
Search Athkatla for the hidden pieces of Kangaxx's body so the lich can finally be destroyed.
Gameplay and Strategy[]
Kangaxx is one of the toughest opponents in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. His lich form is bad enough, given the regeneration from the ring. But his demilich form is even worse, since its many immunities make it hard to damage, and its innate Imprisonment and Demilich Howl abilities (see above) are devastating. However, as the demilich form is limited to only two attacks, if you can protect yourself from those, then it is actually simpler to kill the demilich than the lich form.
Surviving the demilich's attacks[]
There are two defenses that offer complete protection against both of the demilich's abilities:
- Protection From Undead:
Casting this protection scroll on each party member beforehand is the easiest way. It makes Kangaxx completely ignore any member protected, even as they are attacking him, and thus he will not even use his Imprisonment and Demilich Howl abilities against them.
However, at least one member must be initially unprotected in order to successfully initiate the transformation of the lich to a demilich once the lich's HP drop to 1. You can use the scroll on that last member immediately after the transformation, though. Obviously, this method has almost no challenge factor, and isn't for those players that do want to test their mettle.
- Protection From Magic:
There are only two copies of this scroll available in the game. Each party member that you cast this scroll on, will shrug off the Imprisonment and Demilich Howl attacks unharmed. The downside is that those party members cannot cast spells during the duration, either, forcing them to use physical attacks with one of the few weapons that work against the demilich (see next section).
The following protect against the Imprisonment (but not the Demilich Howl):
- Berserker's Rage
- Spell Immunity: Abjuration
- Spell Trap, Spell Deflection, Spell Turning, Shield of the Archons (only against the first few Imprisonment attacks!)
The following protect against the Demilich Howl (but not the Imprisonment):
- Death Ward
- Partial protection: Anything that improves Magic Resistance or Saving Throw vs. Death, makes it more likely to survive the howl.
Damaging the demilich[]
Only a limited number of weapons can hurt the demilich, as they have to be +4 or higher enchantment:
- The Staff of Rynn is the most easily obtainable one, as you can buy it from Ribald Barterman early in the game.
- Carsomyr, Cutthroat, Dragon's Breath, The Wave, Crom Faeyr, Mace of Disruption (+5 version) and similar work just fine as well, though most of them become available late in the game, such as chapter 6.
- The Burning Earth and Daystar, while being +1 and +2 respectively, hit as +4 against undead (The Burning Earth) and Evil (Daystar) (and a demilich is fully undead and evil).
- Azuredge has been proven to function as well, despite not officially meeting the criteria, at least in an unmodded original Shadows of Amn. As of EE 2.5 Azuredge cannot hit a Demilich, and a "Weapon Ineffective" message will display in the combat screen.
- Any missile projectile of +4 or greater enchantment can also hurt the demilich.
- The Cloak of the Stars produces thrown weapons that will hit this creature.
The spells that function against Kangaxx the DL include:
- Black Blade of Disaster
- Time Stop
- Melf's Minute Meteors (possibly not with SCS, depends on the component selected)
- Sun Soulbeam (not with SCS)
- Sun Soulray (partial damage only with SCS)
- Modded content such as Icewind Dale spells have options not available in the basic or EE games
The Ring of the Ram and the The Victor can also be used to a good effect.
Oil of Fiery Burning and Potion of Fire Breath can deal fire damage to Kangaxx the Lich and Demilich, as they are level 0 effects, although Magic Resistance can Block them, so the Ring of Gaxx does provide some magic resistance. Expect both lich's to most likely make their saving throws for half damage.
Achievements[]
- Main article: Achievements
A Battle for the Ages[]
Defeat Kangaxx the Demilich.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24
MINHP1 - ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19
Ring - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4
Ring - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Ring of Gaxx
- ↑
DEMILICH.bcs - ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12
Ring