The Mordenkainen's Sword spell invokes a levitating controlled sword to fight alongside the party. The Swords is immune to all forms of physical and elemental damage, except for magical energy damage.
Description[]
| “ | Upon casting this spell, the wizard brings into being a shimmering, sword-like plane of force that leaps into the wizard's hands. The sword acts as a +4 weapon in all respects and deals 5d4 points of damage upon hitting a target. Once the spell is cast, the sword will float in the air completely under the caster's control. This does not prevent the caster from doing any other actions during the spell's duration. | ” |
Gameplay[]
The Wizard doesn't have to aim this spell, but simply casts it, and the summoned sword will appear in an elaborate animation lasting several seconds adjacent to the caster, maybe to the side, rear, or front depending on the space available on the map, and if other creatures and objects are occupying the space.
Once the sword appears it can be given orders to float (move) in a direction or to target another creature.
The sword counts toward the total summoned creature limit.
The sword cannot open doors or interact with objects/containers.
The sword cannot dispel the fog of war, nor can the sword detect/attack invisible/hidden creatures.
If the sword isn't given any orders, it will behave according to its default AI script, which frankly is limited and very basic.
The sword has a host of immunities to status effects and is mostly immune to damage.
However, it can still be destroyed by Death Spell or Death Fog, excessive Magical damage, Level drain, ability score drain (except Intelligence), disintegrate, imprisonment, and all insta-kill effects.
The sword will disappear from the map when the spell's duration elapses, and a text display will read "Unsummoned".
Mordenkainen's Sword statistics[]
| Ability scores | Combat | Defenses | Immunities |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Paralyze, Stun, Sleep, Hold, Charmed, Panic, Blindness, Feeblemindedness, Disease, Deafness, Confusion, Petrification, Polymorph Other, INT modifier, Poison, Sphere of Chaos, Psionic Attacks |
Where to obtain its scroll[]
The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay[]
- Sold by merchant at the Black Pits' Market
Shadows of Amn[]
- Sold by Carlig in the Underdark (×1)
- Sold by the Scroll Merchant in the Red Wizard Enclave's Merchant Area
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. (×1) - Found in a locked (85) drawer in Lanneth's Personal Quarters at the Red Wizard Enclave 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.
Throne of Bhaal[]
- Sold by Lazarus Librarus at the Arcana Archives, Saradush (×2)
- Found on a table in the northern room in the Thayan Estate during Neera's companion quest Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Throne of Bhaal (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Throne of Bhaal campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition.
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition Wizard spell Mordenkainen's Sword differs considerably in its implementation compared to the BG game's version. For instance, the spellcaster is able to mentally wield this weapon (to the exclusion of all activities other than movement), causing it to move and strike as if it were being used by a fighter. It hits any Armor Class on a roll of 19 or 20. it can be removed with a Dispel Magic. See the External links for further reading.
Gallery[]
Mod content[]
- This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Spell Revisions mod has changed this arcane spell, revising its effects, and description. See below:
Mordenkainen’s Sword
Level: 7
School: Evocation
Range: Personal
Duration: 1 round/level
Casting Time: 7
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
Upon casting this spell, the wizard brings into being a shimmering, swordlike plane of force. Once the spell is cast, the sword will float in the air completely under the control of the caster, until the spell duration expires, or the sword is dispelled. The sword acts as a +4 weapon in all respects and attacks on its own once each round, inflicting 5d4 damage when it hits a target. It has 100% resistance to almost all forms of damage (acid, cold, fire, electricity, poison, etc.), and 95% resistance to physical damage, but it’s vulnerable to pure magic damage. The sword is immune to mind affecting spells, has 36 hit points, AC 5, and THAC0 2. Note that this spell does not prevent the caster from performing any other actions while the spell is in effect.
With the Sword Coast Stratagems mod installed, enemy mages often employ these summoned swords, and sometimes more than one at a time in a battle. Most level 13+ SCS mages can recognize summoned creatures via the AI and are also scripted to destroy them with Death Spell.
Mod gallery[]
External links[]
- Mordenkainen's sword on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.
- Advanced D&D 2nd Edition Wiki - Mordenkainen's Sword (Wizard Spell)