Baldur’s Gate II – Defensive Spell Duration / Casting Order

By the time you’re a high level party you have a vast array of spells and abilities you want to activate before you get into a major battle. This guide makes it easier for you by providing the duration and a suggested casting order. I include potions, special abilities, and spells. It is set up from the point of view of a party with access to epic abilities. If you don’t have them, the guide can still be used. Just start casting at the level of abilities you know.

Introduction

The guide is divided into different sections based on duration. Starting with abililties that last the longest down to the ones that you should cast just before entering battle.

Daily Spells

You can cast these spells well before combat. Most of them should be cast when the party finishes resting.

12 Hours

• Stoneskin

1 Turn per Level

• Chaotic Commands
• Death Ward
• Protection from Cold, Fire, Acid, Electricity
• Protection from Evil 10 foot Radius
• Protection from Magical Energy

4 Hours

• Non-detection

Long Term

These spells can be cast in any order and you won’t have to worry about them running out before the battle. Most of them will last through more than one fight.

2 Hours

• Potion of Giant Strength
• Potion of Heroism

1 Hour

• Protection from Normal Missiles
• Remove Fear
• Resist Fear

5 Rounds per level

• Protection from Lightning

3 Rounds per Level

• Champion’s Strength
• Minor Spell Turning
• Protection from Evil
• Shield of the Arcons
• Spell Deflection
• Spell Shield
• Spell Turning

1 Turn plus 1 Round per Level

• Free Action

Moderate Duration

Here is when you have to start paying attention to casting order. Sometimes you can get more than one fight out of these abilities, but don’t count on that.

3 Rounds plus 1 Round per Level

• Armor of Faith
• Fire Shield
• Haste
• Improved Haste
• Improved Invisibility
• Magic Resistance
• Mirror Image
• Protection from Fire

1 Round per Level

• Holy Power
• Globe of Invulnerability
• Mass Invisibility
• Minor Globe of Invulnerability
• Protection from the Elements
• Protection from Normal Weapons
• Resist Fire and Cold
• Righteous Magic
• Simulacrum*
• Spell Immunity

18 Rounds

• Spell Trap

*Sometimes you want to cast this earlier just so the simulacrum has access to a larger number of spells. Also then you can use the simulacrum to help cast these spells.

Short Duration

These abilites can’t be counted on to last through more than the next fight.

1 Round per 2 Levels

• Hardiness Special Ability
• Regeneration

1 Turn

• Chant
• Draw Upon Holy Might
• True Seeing
• True Sight
• Vocalize

9 Rounds

• Physical Mirror

Last Minute Spells

Cast these and Hurry into combat. If you’re not careful here, you may find that some spells end before you get to the battle.

6 Rounds

• Bless
• Defensive Harmony

5 Rounds

• Negative Plane Protection*

*This one is iffy here. Sometimes you want to save it until you’re in combat.

Once You’re in Combat

Some of these abilities won’t be used in a particular battle. However it’s nice to know how much time you have once you use them.

5 Rounds

• Negative Plane Protection

4 Rounds

• Absolute Immunity
• Improved Mantle
• Mantle
• Protection from Magical Weapons
• Resist Magic Special Ability

3 Rounds

• Time Stop*

2 Rounds

• Improved Alacrity

1 Round

• Greater Whirlwind Attack Special Ability
• Whirlwind attack Special Ability

*Lasts three rounds from the caster’s point of view and one round from everyone else’s point of view. Pay attention to which beings aren’t affected by this spell.

Conclusion

There are the spells and how long they last. I didn’t recommend any explicilt casting order or list preferred spells since every player is different in what they prefer. I ended up writing this guide because by the time i’m halfway through Shadows of Amn I end up referring to my own version of it. So I hope it helps other players too.