Secret Word

Secret Word
Spell
Spellbook	Wizard
Not usable by	Transmuter
School	Abjuration
Spell type	Magic attack
Spell level	4
Specifics
Range	40 ft.
Casting time	4
Area of effect	1 creature
Affected allegiances	Hostile
Bypass MR	Yes
Saving throws	None
Duration	Instant
Special
Breaks invisibility	yes
Icons
Technical data
Spell code	SPWI419
Scroll code	SCRL6O
Projectile	221 (Spell Attack)

Secret Word is a single-target wizard spell able to destroy one spell protection up to the 8th level.

Description

“

When this spell is cast at a target creature, it will dispel one spell protection of 8th level or lower. The spells that are affected by this are Minor Spell Turning, Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Spell Immunity, Spell Deflection, Spell Turning, and Spell Shield. The target's Magic Resistance, if any, does not affect this spell.

”

Gameplay

This spell is the second lowest level spell protection remover available in the series, and the lowest able to destroy level 6–8 defenses. When the spell projectile reaches its target, a nearly opaque silver globe surrounds it for a couple seconds as a message is displayed in the combat log, reading "Spell Protections Removed". This happens even when the target has no spell protection that could be affected by Secret Word. If the target has multiple such spell protections, only the one with the highest level will be destroyed, leaving the others unaffected. If more than one protection of the highest level exist, one of them is destroyed at random.

Though a level 4 spell, Secret Word contains level 5 effects in Enhanced Editions. As a level 5 Magic attack, it can only be thwarted by Spell Shield – which will be consumed as a result, Potion of Magic Blocking, Protection From Magic and, in the original edition where it is a level 4 Magic attack, Globe of Invulnerability. Like other spell protection removers, it bypasses the target's magic resistance, and Mirror Image cannot fool it as the images can only soak up damage and poison effects. At least in Enhanced Editions, it can be cast successfully on invisible, sanctuaried and hidden targets.

It is able to destroy the same list of spells as the level 6 Wizard spell Pierce Magic, but is faster to cast. On the other hand, Pierce Magic can affect Liches and lowers magic resistance. Liches are innately immune to level 1–5 effects and therefore Secret Word.

Affected spell protections

Any spell protection level 8 and below can be destroyed by Secret Word, with the exception of Globe of Invulnerability in the original edition. Below is a list more exhaustive than the in-game description:

• Baldur's Gate I & II: Enhanced Editions
  This icon indicates content from all Enhanced Editions of the Baldur's Gate games. May situationally encompass Siege of Dragonspear and The Black Pits I & II content as well. Globe of Invulnerability
• Magic Resistance spell
• Minor Spell Deflection
• Minor Spell Turning
• Minor Globe of Invulnerability
• Resist Magic
• Shield of the Archons
• Spell Immunity
• Spell Deflection
• Spell Turning

Spell Shield blocks Secret Word, so it can be used to protect a higher level protection such as Spell Turning, but it is consumed in the process.

Where to obtain its scroll

Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast

Sold by

• Sorcerous Sundries (×1)

The Black Pits

• Dinguer the Mad (×3)

Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Found in

• Beholder Hideout

Sold by

• Adventurer Mart, Waukeen's Promenade
• Cutpurse's Shop, Bridge District
• Caravan Merchant, Trademeet
• Therndle Daglefodd, Underdark
• Ust Natha Bazaar, Ust Natha

Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal

Sold by

• Arcana Archives

See also

• Spell Thrust
• Pierce Magic
• Khelben's Warding Whip
• Ruby Ray of Reversal
• Pierce Shield
• Spellstrike

Gallery

Aerie casts Secret Word to take down Azamante's Globe of Invulnerability, but it is "Spell Ineffective" as the lich is immune to Power level 1-5 spells. Next time Perhaps a Pierce Magic will do the job?

Jan Jansen backs up Aerie and fires a Pierce Magic from the Wand of Spell Striking at Azamantes, which removes the lich's Globe, and has lowered its Magic resistance by 20%.

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 school, casting time, effects, and description. See below for description:

Secret Word
Level: 4
School: Enchantment
Range: Long
Duration: Instant
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Saving Throw: None

When a Secret Word spell is uttered, it will dispel one spell protection of 7th level or lower on the target. This will always dispel the highest level of spell protection on a target first. If a target has two or more protections tied for the highest level, the choice will be random. Magic resistance does not affect this spell.

The spell protection spells dispelled by Secret Word are: Minor Spell Deflection, Non-Detection, Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Spell Deflection, Dispelling Screen, Spell Shield, Globe of Invulnerability, Greater Spell Deflection, and Shield of the Archons.

Note:	With SR, the mod acknowledges the quick casting time of the various "Word" spells - and matches up this spell's casting to only 1.

With the Sword Coast Stratagems mod Secret Word can't target invisible or hidden creatures (with SCS or SR or both mods) without first exposing or revealing the target creature.

External links

• Secret word on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.