Crafting & Item Enchanting
While Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn doesn't feature a traditional crafting system akin to modern RPGs, it offers unique opportunities to forge powerful artifacts and enhance existing equipment through specific quests and interactions with skilled artisans. Mastering these processes is crucial for acquiring some of the game's most potent gear.
Forging Unique Items
Many of the most sought-after items in Baldur's Gate II are not found whole but are assembled from components or crafted by special NPCs. These often involve significant monetary investment and completing specific tasks.
Crom Faeyr
This legendary +5 war hammer is one of the most powerful melee weapons in the game, granting 25 Strength to its wielder. Forging it requires several rare components and a visit to a master smith.
- Components Needed:
- Hammer of Thunderbolts: Found in the Planar Sphere, within the Golem Room. You'll need to defeat the Golems and retrieve it from a container.
- Girdle of Hill Giant Strength: Located in the Copper Coronet, in the back room where Hendak is imprisoned. It's on a shelf.
- Gauntlets of Ogre Power: These are dropped by the ogre mage in the sewers beneath the Temple District, accessible during the "Sewer Monster" quest.
- Scroll of Crom Faeyr: This crucial scroll detailing the forging process is purchased from Bernard in the Copper Coronet for a hefty sum (around 10,000 gold).
- Forging Location: Once you have all four components, travel to the Docks District and speak with Maferan, the dwarven smith located in the back of the Sea's Bounty tavern. Present him with the items, and he will forge Crom Faeyr for you.
The Equalizer
A versatile +3 long sword that deals extra damage to chaotic and lawful creatures, making it effective against a wide range of foes. Its creation is tied to a specific questline.
- Quest Trigger: Begin the quest by speaking with Kiel's Grandson in the Temple District, near the entrance to the sewers. He will ask for your help in retrieving his grandfather's sword.
- Component Acquisition:
- Blade of Awe: This is the first component, found in the sewers beneath the Temple District. You'll need to navigate the maze-like sewers and defeat a variety of creatures.
- Hilt of the Sword of Chaos: This piece is located in the Underdark, specifically within the Kuo-Toa dungeon. You'll encounter it during the main questline after escaping Spellhold.
- Pommel of the Sword of Balance: Found in the Ust Natha (Drow City) in the Underdark. It's typically held by a powerful Drow warrior or found in a guarded container.
- Forging Location: Once all three components are gathered, return to Kiel's Grandson in the Temple District. He will combine them to form The Equalizer.
Item Enchanting & Upgrading
Certain items can be upgraded or enchanted by specific NPCs, often improving their magical properties or adding new abilities. These services typically come with a significant gold cost.
Soul Reaver
This powerful +4 two-handed sword can be upgraded to a +5 weapon with additional abilities.
- Initial Acquisition: The Soul Reaver is found in the Planar Prison, wielded by the Master of the Planar Prison. You must defeat him to obtain it.
- Upgrade Process: To upgrade the Soul Reaver, you need to find Cespenar in the Pocket Plane (Throne of Bhaal expansion). He requires the following:
- Soul Reaver (the sword itself)
- Heart of the Damned: This rare component is dropped by the Demon Prince Yaga-Shura in the Throne of Bhaal expansion.
- Gold: A substantial amount, typically around 50,000 gold pieces.
- Result: The upgraded Soul Reaver becomes a +5 weapon with improved damage and additional magical effects, such as a chance to drain levels.
Flail of Ages
One of the most iconic weapons in the game, the Flail of Ages starts as a +3 weapon and can be upgraded by adding elemental heads.
- Initial Acquisition: The Flail of Ages +3 is found in the Planar Sphere, within the Golem Room, often in a container or on a defeated foe.
- Elemental Head Locations:
- Fire Head: Dropped by a Fire Elemental in the Planar Sphere.
- Cold Head: Found in the Planar Sphere, often in a chest or on a defeated creature in the elemental rooms.
- Acid Head: Located in the Sewers beneath the Temple District, often near the Otyugh or other sewer creatures.
- Upgrade Process: Once you have the Flail of Ages +3 and any of the elemental heads, speak with Gaelan Bayle in the Slums District (after he reveals his true nature). He will combine the heads with the flail for a fee, adding their respective elemental damage. You can add all three heads to create the ultimate Flail of Ages.
Staff of the Magi
This incredibly powerful +2 staff for mages can be further enhanced in the Throne of Bhaal expansion.
- Initial Acquisition: The Staff of the Magi is found in the Watcher's Keep dungeon, specifically on the third level, within a hidden room or on a powerful demon.
- Upgrade Process: In the Throne of Bhaal expansion, take the Staff of the Magi to Cespenar in the Pocket Plane. He can upgrade it for a fee and a specific component.
- Staff of the Magi (the staff itself)
- Eye of the Beholder: This component is dropped by a powerful Beholder in the Watcher's Keep or other high-level areas in Throne of Bhaal.
- Gold: Approximately 25,000 gold pieces.
- Result: The upgraded Staff of the Magi becomes a +5 weapon with enhanced spellcasting properties and additional charges for its spell immunity ability.
Remember that these crafting and enchanting opportunities are often tied to significant quests and require considerable exploration and combat. Always keep an eye out for unique components and be prepared to spend a good amount of gold for the services of these master artisans.