This page is about the priest version of the spell. For the wizard version, see Protection From Evil (wizard).
Protection From Evil is a 1st level priest spell only usable by clerics and paladins. It grants the target defense against evil-aligned creatures.
This spell provides bonuses identical to its wizard counterpart, but has a longer duration.
Description[]
| “ | When this spell is cast, it creates a magical barrier around the recipient at a distance of one foot. The barrier moves with the recipient and has two major effects… | ” |
— Protection From Evil (excerpt) | ||
The actual effects of this spell were changed throughout the course of the Baldur's Gate series which was not always reflected in its description.
Baldur's Gate[]
| Armor Class: | -2 bonus |
| Saving throws: | -2 bonus |
| Immunities: | Charmed |
Besides using a fixed duration, the very first game is the only one that applies the described saving throw bonus, as the spell should according to pen-and-paper rules. However, together with the armor class bonus, these effects are applied in general and do not check the alignment of enemy creatures, granting them versus any and all attacks and spells. As summoned demons do not exist in the original Baldur's Gate, the later added effect isn't needed – instead it is also the only game that simulates the actual "second" pen-and-paper effect (attack and save bonuses are pooled as first there): immunity to becoming possessed by evil creatures, read "charmed". This, however, isn't written into the description.
Shadows of Amn[]
| AC: | +2 THAC0 penalty to evil enemies |
| Immunities: | Summoned demons |
The original Shadows of Amn doesn't alter the description (besides updating the duration of the spell to a per-level basis), but removes the saving throw bonus and the charm immunity – for both it is technically not possible to limit them to evil sources without much extra effort in coding. The replacement effect, protection from summoned demons, is not mentioned.
Enhanced Editions[]
| AC: | +2 THAC0 penalty to evil creatures (friend or foe) |
| Saving throws: | -2 bonus against evil creatures (friend or foe, including the caster's own spells) |
| Immunities: | Summoned demons |
The Enhanced Editions don't alter the spell effects further but introduce non-stackability with other protection from evil spells. Additionally, they adjust the spell description to reflect the actual effects (but it's missing the saving throw bonuses).
Gameplay[]
- This spell does not apply to all demons; only those specifically summoned by spells like Cacofiend, Summon Fiend, and Gate. For example, as Aec'Letec simply spawns like an ordinary creature, the spell doesn't prevent him from targeting you. It will apply its THAC0 and saving throw effects normally, however.
- In the original games, this spell is cumulative with itself. In the Enhanced Editions, it will not stack with itself.
Notes[]
- In pen-and-paper rules, Protection From Evil is a reversible spell and could as well be cast as Protection From Good.
Bugs[]
Baldur's Gate (1998)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate campaign.
Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast (1999)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast campaign. In the original Baldur's Gate, this spell does not check the alignment of enemy creatures, granting its effects versus any and all attacks and spells. This was fixed in Shadows of Amn and the Enhanced Editions.- Baldur's Gate II:
Shadows of Amn (2000)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn campaign.Baldur's Gate II:
Throne of Bhaal (2001)
This icon indicates content from the original Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal campaign. The saving throw bonus is removed since Shadows of Amn, but here still mentioned in the description.
See also[]
- Protection From Evil (wizard), 1st level wizard spell – identical but shorter duration
- Protection From Evil, 10' Radius, 4th level priest spell - area of effect and duration variant
Mod content[]
- This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Spell Revisions mod has changed this divine spell, revising its effects, duration and description. See below:
Protection from Evil
Level: 1
School: Abjuration
Sphere: Protection
Range: Touch
Duration: 5 turns
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Saving Throw: None
When this spell is cast, it creates a magical barrier around the recipient at a distance of one foot. The barrier moves with the recipient and has two major effects: first, all attacks made by evil creatures against the protected creature receive a -2 penalty to their attack roll, and second, any saving throws caused by such attacks are made by the protected creature with a +2 bonus.
External links[]
- Protection From Evil (priest) on the Icewind Dale Wiki, a wiki for the first Icewind Dale game.