The Sword Spider is one of three different high-level Spiders encountered in the original Baldur's Gate, the other two being the Wraith Spider and Phase Spider.
Description[]
They are one of the more interesting enemies to be found, as they exhibit some fairly deadly and unique abilities. They are fairly rare, usually only found within the depths of various forests, and are distinguishable from their brethren by way of a blue body with black legs.
Gameplay[]
Like most spiders, they are immune to Web, yet lack the gradual poison that most other spiders are known for. Instead, this spider is naturally under a Normal Haste effect, granting it 5 Attacks per round. The easiest course of action for the player is to distract the spider using a companion with a high AC vs piercing attacks and focus fire with the rest of the party. Most specimens encountered in-game are pre-generated, meaning that there likely won't be a consideration made for the strength of the player, making for a very difficult fight regarding unprepared low-level parties.
Summoned[]
Sword spiders can be summoned by a 12th or higher level Mage casting the 4th level Wizard spell Spider Spawn.
Player controlled Sword Spiders can be extremely effective against enemy Mages. With four attacks per round they quickly chew through Mirror Images and Stoneskins, and then continue to interrupt enemy spell-casting with consecutive hits.
Locations[]
Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast[]
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn[]
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal[]
Trivia[]
- The offical website for the original game, now archived, noted the following about sword spiders:[1]
This giant hunting spider is native to jungles, but has been introduced into the Underdark by drow traders. It has a sleek, hairy, black body with brown stripes. Its legs have bony plates with sharp, raised ridges that cut like sword blades.
External links[]
- Sword spider on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.
References
- ↑ Baldur's Gate - Monsters | Wayback Machine