Rings, Amulets & Cloaks
In Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, your accessory slots – two rings, one amulet, and one cloak – are far more than mere embellishments. These items provide crucial defensive enhancements, potent offensive boosts, and invaluable utility that can dramatically alter your party's capabilities and survivability. Neglecting these slots is a common oversight that can lead to unnecessary difficulty, especially in the later stages of the game. A well-equipped character can gain spell slots, significant attribute bonuses, resistances to various damage types, and unique active or passive abilities that can turn the tide of battle.
This comprehensive guide will delve into the most impactful rings, amulets, and cloaks available, detailing their effects, acquisition methods, and strategic applications. Prioritize acquiring these items early to maximize your party's potential.
Strategic Considerations for Accessories
- Stacking Effects: Be mindful of whether similar effects from different items stack. For instance, multiple sources of "Armor Class vs. Slashing" typically do not stack, but different types of AC bonuses (e.g., magical AC, dexterity bonus) do.
- Immunities vs. Resistances: Immunities are always superior. An item granting immunity to a specific status effect (e.g., fear, charm) can be a game-changer against certain enemy types. Resistances reduce damage but don't prevent the effect.
- Spell Slot Management: Items that grant additional spell slots (like the Ring of Wizardry) are invaluable for spellcasters, allowing them to cast more high-level spells per day.
- Attribute Boosts: Permanent or temporary attribute boosts (e.g., Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom) can significantly improve a character's combat prowess, spellcasting ability, or thieving skills.
- Active Abilities: Some accessories provide "use once per day" or "at will" spell-like abilities. These can be powerful supplements to a character's natural spell list or provide utility to non-spellcasters.
Notable Rings
Rings often provide defensive bonuses, spellcasting enhancements, or specific immunities.
- Ring of Protection +2:
- Effects: +2 bonus to Armor Class, +2 bonus to Saving Throws.
- Utility: A staple defensive item for any character, especially frontline fighters or squishy mages.
- Acquisition:
- Can be purchased from Bernard in the Copper Coronet (Slums District) for 10,000 gold.
- Found on the body of a Shadow Thief in the Shadow Thief Guildhall (Docks District) during the "Rescue Gaelan Bayle's Son" quest.
- Ring of Wizardry:
- Effects: Doubles the number of 1st and 2nd level arcane spell slots available to the wearer.
- Utility: Absolutely essential for any arcane spellcaster (Mage, Sorcerer, Bard). Allows for significantly more low-level utility spells or offensive blasts.
- Acquisition:
- Found in a locked container in the back room of the Circus Tent (Waukeen's Promenade) after defeating the Shadow Thief ambush. Requires a high Open Locks skill or the Knock spell.
- Ring of Gaxx:
- Effects: +2 bonus to Armor Class, +2 bonus to Saving Throws, +10% Magic Resistance, Regenerate 1 HP/round, grants the wearer the ability to cast "Improved Haste" once per day.
- Utility: One of the best rings in the game, offering a potent mix of defense, regeneration, and a powerful offensive buff. Ideal for a main tank or a high-damage melee character.
- Acquisition:
- Dropped by Kangaxx the Demi-Lich in the Crypts beneath the Twisted Rune (Waukeen's Promenade). This is a very challenging optional boss fight requiring specific strategies (e.g., Protection from Undead scrolls, +4 or better weapons, high-level spells like Breach and Pierce Magic).
- Ring of Free Action:
- Effects: Grants immunity to Hold, Slow, and Web effects.
- Utility: Crucial for frontline fighters who often get targeted by disabling spells. Prevents them from being immobilized and rendered useless in combat.
- Acquisition:
- Can be purchased from Ribald Barterman in Adventurer's Mart (Waukeen's Promenade) for 9,000 gold.
- Found in a sarcophagus in the Temple Sewers (Temple District) during the "Cult of the Eyeless" quest.
Notable Amulets
Amulets frequently provide resistances, attribute bonuses, or spellcasting utility.
- Amulet of Power:
- Effects: +1 bonus to Armor Class, grants immunity to Level Drain, grants the wearer the ability to cast "Negative Plane Protection" once per day.
- Utility: Absolutely essential for any character fighting undead, particularly Greater Ghouls, Vampires, and Liches, who can permanently drain levels. The AC bonus is a nice extra.
- Acquisition:
- Can be purchased from Ribald Barterman in Adventurer's Mart (Waukeen's Promenade) for 10,000 gold.
- Amulet of the Seldarine:
- Effects: +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus to Saving Throws, +5% Magic Resistance, grants immunity to Charm.
- Utility: A solid defensive amulet, particularly valuable for its immunity to Charm, which can be devastating if your party members turn against you.
- Acquisition:
- Found in the Elven Burial Grounds (Trademeet) during the "Trademeet Genies" quest. It's in a sarcophagus guarded by a powerful elemental.
- Amulet of Protection from Turning:
- Effects: Grants immunity to being Turned Undead.
- Utility: Niche but highly effective for characters who frequently face powerful Clerics or Paladins who can turn undead. Useful for undead party members (e.g., Korgan, Edwin if he becomes a Vampire).
- Acquisition:
- Can be purchased from the Temple of Lathander (Temple District) for 3,000 gold.
Notable Cloaks
Cloaks are often focused on defensive properties, such as AC bonuses, elemental resistances, or spell reflection.
- Cloak of Mirroring:
- Effects: Reflects all spells of 1st through 7th level back at the caster.
- Utility: One of the most powerful defensive items in the game. Renders the wearer immune to a vast array of offensive and disabling spells, often turning enemy spells against them. Ideal for a frontline character or a character you want to protect from magic.
- Acquisition:
- Dropped by the Shadow Dragon, Thaxll'ssillyia, in the Dragon's Den (Temple Sewers) during the "Cult of the Eyeless" quest. This is a challenging boss fight.
- Cloak of Protection +2:
- Effects: +2 bonus to Armor Class, +2 bonus to Saving Throws.
- Utility: A straightforward defensive cloak, similar to the Ring of Protection +2. Excellent for any character needing a boost to survivability.
- Acquisition:
- Can be purchased from Ribald Barterman in Adventurer's Mart (Waukeen's Promenade) for 10,000 gold.
- Found in a locked chest in the Planar Sphere (Slums District) during the "Planar Sphere" quest.
- Cloak of the Sewers:
- Effects: Grants the wearer the ability to polymorph into a Mustard Jelly or Otyugh once per day.
- Utility: Provides unique tactical options. The Mustard Jelly form grants immunity to many physical attacks and some spells, while the Otyugh form offers decent melee combat capabilities and poison attacks. Useful for scouting or tanking specific encounters.
- Acquisition:
- Found in a hidden room in the sewers beneath the Copper Coronet (Slums District). You'll need to solve a minor puzzle involving levers to access it.
- Cloak of the Stars:
- Effects: +1 bonus to Armor Class, grants the wearer the ability to summon a Faerie Firefly once per day.
- Utility: The Faerie Firefly is a decent summoned creature that can provide some distraction or minor damage. The AC bonus is also welcome.
- Acquisition:
- Found in the Planar Sphere (Slums District) after defeating the Golems in the main chamber.
