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The Staff of Thunder and Lightning is an enchanted Quarterstaff +2 that notably can be used by not only Druids and Shamans, but Clerics as well. It inflicts 1d6 +2 points of crushing damage and it has -2 THAC0 bonus. It weighs 4 lbs. and the weapon has a speed factor of 4, and 2 in EE. The weapon has three abilities: Thunderclap, Call Lightning and Lightning Bolt.

Thunderclap is a passive ability with a 10% chance upon every hit of the staff in melee to stun the target for two rounds if a save vs. spells is failed. If the target does not save, a message of "stunned" will display. The thundercap effect can be blocked by magic resistance, but it is a level 0 effect, and thus ignores spell level protections and immunities, such as a Lich has or the Globe of Invulnerability spell provides. Additionally, the stun effect can be dispelled, although it only lasts 12 seconds.

Call lightning deals 3d8 electrical damage for each of its 3 strikes (if there's only one enemy, the following strikes won't occur, just like with the regular spell), but, unlike the Druid's own Call Lightning, enemies get no save to cut the damage in half. The spell from the staff uses the projectile Call Lightning Chain-3, and is of the Invoker school offensive damage type. The spell can be blocked by magic resistance and has a spell power of 3. The lightning will bypass mirror image. Note: The staff's projectile Call lightning Chain 3 allows indoor use, but the Druid spell Call Lightning is tagged as outdoor use only, so you can use this ability anywhere in the game.

Lightning Bolt deals 10d6 points of electrical damage and it has a range of 140' and successful saving throws half the damage dealt. This ability is exactly the same as the mage spell and, consequently, will both provoke the ire of the Cowled Wizards and receive a save penalty if used by an Invoker (who can use this staff by either dualing to a Cleric or to a Thief with Use Any Item). In fact, the staff actually casts the wizard spell Lightning Bolt (SPWI308). The spell is cast as if the user were a level 10 mage, regardless of what the user's actual experience level is.

This item appears in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. It is given to you by Master Verthan in the Druid Grove after you defeat Faldorn in the Animal trouble in Trademeet quest, but only if you defeat her with your Druid main character or with Jaheira (not with Cernd). A second one can be found on Spellhold Main Floor, after you have (temporarily) defeated Irenicus.


Description[]

Staff of Thunder and Lightning +2

There are stories that tell of these staves sprouting in the growth around druid groves when the forest is threatened. Fanciful tales, but truth or not, this staff is a powerful tool. It draws energy from storms, and there is a chance that any blow may trigger a thunderclap that knocks enemies down. It casts Lightning Bolt, and if circumstances warrant it, it can summon a lighting storm to blast enemies to dust. Some abilities are limited by charges.

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