Whirlwind Attack is a High-level class ability available to the fighter, paladin, ranger, monk classes, and the Swashbuckler rogue kit.
The ability can be selected more than once by the eligible classes if desired.
High-level class abilities were added as a new feature to the BG game with the release of the Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal expansion and are also included in the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition as well.
Required for: Greater Whirlwind Attack.
Description[]
| “ | This ability allows the warrior to unleash a flurry of super-fast blows. The ability sets one's number of attacks per round to 10, but one's THAC0 and damage suffer a 4 point penalty. The Whirlwind Attack lasts for one round. | ” |
Gameplay[]
This ability is accessed from the character's "Special Abilities" button, select the button icon with the cursor (or F12 on a keyboard) to open the menu - use the cursor again and click on the desired ability icon or use one of the designated F-keys if playing with a keyboard interface.
Once the ability icon is selected the whirlwind ability is bestowed and is immediately be applied upon the character automatically - the character has a brief 3D effect cloud render on their sprite and will show an icon (No. 149) titled "Whirlwind Attack" on their portrait for the ability's duration and a sound effect audibles, and another when the ability expires.
The ability has a duration of 1 round once applied to the character.
Once the ability is initiated, the whirlwind attack causes the following effects:
- Attacks per round value is set to 5.
- Improved haste effect is applied.
- A 4-point penalty to THAC0 is applied.
As the game engine limits APR to 5 except for when hasted, the final APR will double to 10.
The improved haste will function just as the spell, although only for one round.
If dual wielding, 2 of the 10 attacks will be made with the offhand weapon.
The effect is non magical and cannot be dispelled.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset doesn't provide any High-level class abilities as implemented by the BG video game - the HLA's seen in the game are a creation by the developers for the video game series only - however some inspiration was provided to the BG developers from the following sourcebook material:
In 1995 under the Advanced D&D 2.5 ruleset the Dungeon Master Option: High Level Campaigns sourcebook was released. In chapter 7, High-Level Characters and Skills for High-Level Characters is sectioned for Warriors, Wizards, Priests, and Rogues.
It is from these rules and optional suggestions that the developers crafted their own High-Level Skills - or "abilities" as they are called in the game.
In terms of Whirlwind - the sourcebook has no skill titled the same, however it seems that the BG version at least in part is inspired by the warrior skill All-around Attack. The PnP skill is very different than the BG videogame HLA. See Skills for High-Level Warriors for further reading.
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Spell Revisions mod has changed the Whirlwind Attack ability with some modifications, including doubling the duration - see below:
Whirlwind Attack
This ability allows the warrior to unleash a flurry of super-fast blows. For 2 rounds, movement and attack rate are doubled, but all attacks are made with a -4 penalty to hit and damage rolls.