Item Enchantments & Upgrades
Baldur's Gate II offers a fantastic system for improving your gear beyond what you find in chests or on fallen foes. Many of the most powerful and iconic items in the game can be further enhanced through the services of specific artisans, often requiring rare components and a hefty sum of gold. Mastering this system is crucial for optimizing your party's combat effectiveness, especially as you face increasingly formidable threats.
Understanding the Upgrade System
Unlike simple magical enchantments found on standard gear, upgrades in BG2 involve combining a base item with a specific component at a designated crafting location or with a particular NPC. These upgrades often grant significant bonuses, such as increased enchantment levels, new elemental damage, additional immunities, or unique spell-like abilities. Always keep an eye out for unique components during your adventures, as they are often the key to unlocking these powerful enhancements.
Key Artisans and Their Locations
Several skilled individuals throughout Amn possess the knowledge and ability to forge and upgrade your equipment. Knowing where to find them and what they specialize in is vital:
- Cespenar (Throne of Bhaal Expansion): While primarily a ToB artisan, Cespenar is the ultimate crafter, capable of forging some of the most powerful items in the entire saga. He can be found in the Pocket Plane.
- Maferan (Temple District, Athkatla): This dwarven smith is a master of metalwork and can upgrade certain weapons and armor.
- Gaelan Bayle (Slums District, Athkatla): While not a crafter himself, Gaelan is a fence who can direct you to other services, and sometimes has unique items or components for sale.
- Kiel's Grandson (Trademeet): This individual can perform specific upgrades related to the Trademeet questline, often involving elemental damage.
- Fael (Waukeen's Promenade, Athkatla): Fael is a general merchant, but sometimes carries unique components or can direct you to other crafters.
- Deirex the Dwarf (Copper Coronet, Athkatla): Another smith who can handle certain weapon upgrades.
Notable Item Upgrades and Walkthroughs
Weapons
- Crom Faeyr (War Hammer +5):
- Base Items: Hammer of Thunderbolts +3, Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Girdle of Frost Giant Strength.
- Location: Bring these three items to Maferan in the Temple District.
- Strategy: The Hammer of Thunderbolts is found in the Planar Sphere. The Gauntlets of Ogre Power are dropped by the ogre mage in the Copper Coronet. The Girdle of Frost Giant Strength is found in the Ust Natha (Underdark) or can be purchased from Bernard in the Copper Coronet after completing the Trademeet questline. This legendary war hammer sets your strength to 25 and deals crushing damage, making it ideal for any warrior.
- Flail of Ages +3 / +4 / +5:
- Base Item: Flail of Ages +3 (obtained early in the game from the Planar Prison).
- Components:
- Head of Fire: Found in the Planar Sphere.
- Head of Cold: Found in the De'Arnise Keep.
- Head of Acid: Found in the Windspear Hills dungeon.
- Head of Electricity: Purchased from Ribald Barterman in Waukeen's Promenade.
- Location: The Flail of Ages is upgraded by simply combining the heads with the base flail in your inventory.
- Strategy: Each head adds a specific elemental damage type to the flail. Combining all four heads creates the Flail of Ages +5, a truly devastating weapon against almost any foe due to its varied elemental damage and slow effect.
- Celestial Fury (Katana +3):
- Base Item: Katana +3 (found in the Planar Sphere).
- Components:
- Star Sapphire: Found in the Planar Sphere.
- Rune of Lightning: Found in the Planar Sphere.
- Demon Heart: Dropped by the Demon Knight in the Planar Sphere.
- Location: Bring these components to Cespenar in the Pocket Plane (Throne of Bhaal).
- Strategy: This is a late-game upgrade, but the Celestial Fury is an incredibly powerful katana, dealing electrical damage and having a chance to stun enemies.
Armor & Shields
- Shield of Balduran (Shield +2):
- Base Item: Shield of Balduran (purchased from Ribald Barterman in Waukeen's Promenade).
- Component: Eye of the Beholder (dropped by a Beholder in the Underdark).
- Location: Bring the shield and the eye to Cespenar in the Pocket Plane (Throne of Bhaal).
- Strategy: This upgrade transforms the Shield of Balduran into an even more potent anti-Beholder defense, granting 100% immunity to their ray attacks. Essential for the Underdark and beyond.
- Plate Mail of the Marches (Full Plate Mail +1):
- Base Item: Plate Mail of the Marches (found in the De'Arnise Keep).
- Component: Marchesa's Charm (found in the De'Arnise Keep).
- Location: Bring these to Maferan in the Temple District.
- Strategy: This upgrade improves the armor's AC and grants a small bonus to saving throws, making it a solid choice for a tank.
Accessories
- Amulet of Power:
- Base Item: Amulet of Power (found in the Planar Sphere).
- Component: Heart of the Damned (dropped by a powerful demon in the Underdark).
- Location: Bring these to Cespenar in the Pocket Plane (Throne of Bhaal).
- Strategy: This upgrade enhances the Amulet of Power's already excellent spellcasting benefits, making it even more desirable for mages and clerics.
General Tips for Upgrading
- Hoard Components: Many unique components are found in dungeons and on powerful enemies. Resist the urge to sell them unless you are absolutely certain they have no upgrade purpose. When in doubt, hold onto it!
- Check with Merchants: Even if a merchant doesn't offer upgrades directly, they might sell crucial components or direct you to someone who can help. Ribald Barterman is a prime example.
- Quest Rewards: Some questlines will reward you with unique items or components that are part of an upgrade path. Always explore thoroughly and complete side quests.
- Plan Ahead: If you have a specific character build in mind, research which upgraded items would best suit them and prioritize finding the necessary components.
- Throne of Bhaal: Remember that many of the most powerful upgrades, especially those involving Cespenar, are only accessible in the Throne of Bhaal expansion. Don't worry if you can't get everything in Shadows of Amn!