What Happened To Cleric Turn Undead Ability?

[danconnors]

Back in some earlier games and pen and paper D and D games turning ability was one of the great specials of the cleric. My cler/thief is now level 4, but seems unable to turn or destroy a single low level skeleton. When I push the turn undead button I get a chime, as if the ability's being used, but nothing else happens.

[Some Big Jerk]

It works but it has been slightly changed from the pen and paper version. Click it to turn it on, then it will stay on until you perform another action. Every round or so it will "pulse" in a small area around the cleric. It also takes a second or so before the first "pulse" or turn undead attempt kicks in once you've activated it. Hope this helps.

[FAButzke]

Also, your cleric will not 'destroy' undead unless the cleric has a much higher level than the undead creature. Creatures of the same level will be affected by a 'fear-like' effect and, as far as I know, undead that are of a higher level than your cleric, will be unaffected (or have a smaller chance of being affected).

Plus: Evil Clerics don't destroy undead, they take control of them. Only Good Clerics will outright make undead explode.

[danconnors]

He's a neutral good cleric/thief. So, I guess you're saying he'll have to be a higher level before this ability is useful.

[FAButzke]

It's useful right now, you just don't destroy undead, you make them run from you. Later, at higher levels you can even make liches blow up.

[DnD Detective]

If you are 2 levels above the undead you'll make them panic/run around.
At 7 levels above an undead you'll either make them explode (if you are good or neutral aligned) or under your control (evil aligned)

This will give you an approximate idea of undead levels in BGEE. It won't be 100% precise (summons and some creatures may work a bit differently) and it won't apply to BG2EE, but its just a general list.


In BGEE Ghasts are level 4 (with the exception of black pits ghasts which are level 5).

Regular skeletons are level 1.

Skeleton warriors vary between level 9-13 (either way you won't be able to turn them).

Your basic ghoul is level 2 (including Korax). Greater ghoul's can be either 4 (in the regular game) or 6 (exclusively for the black pits).

Zombies are level 2.


So if you are just fighting basic skeletons then your turn undead should be causing them to start running around. Where specifically are you encountering them?

[danconnors]

Mostly in the High Hedge and the area where Bacillus, the crazy cleric resides. Also the area where you exit the Nashkel mine.

[DnD Detective]

Hmm. I tested the area south of high hedge with a 4/4 cleric/thief and it seemed to work fine for me.

[danconnors]

That was a strange battle. We focused all our energy on the cleric, Bacillus, because he's more dangerous than all the skeletons and zombies combined. After he died we just mostly melee bashed all the rest.

[Some Big Jerk]

Remember to get it to work you must activate it, then stand there for a few seconds until the first pulse. Any action (except moving around) by the cleric will automaticaly turn it off. This can include auto attacking so its best to turn off the ai for that character during a turn undead feat. Its been awhile but if I remember right, you'll see the text "(character name) attepts to turn undead" in the combat log every time a pulse goes off. You can play with it while not in combat to see how it works. Unlike the pen and paper you have unlimited uses, the thief ability hide in shadows works the same basic way if that helps.

[danconnors]

Thanks for the advice.

[DnD Detective]

Originally posted by Some Big Jerk:

Remember to get it to work you must activate it, then stand there for a few seconds until the first pulse. Any action (except moving around) by the cleric will automaticaly turn it off. This can include auto attacking so its best to turn off the ai for that character during a turn undead feat. Its been awhile but if I remember right, you'll see the text "(character name) attepts to turn undead" in the combat log every time a pulse goes off. You can play with it while not in combat to see how it works. Unlike the pen and paper you have unlimited uses, the thief ability hide in shadows works the same basic way if that helps.

Good advice. There is also a script you can turn on (through customize -> scripts) called "Cleric Controlled" that you can use to have your cleric automatically using the ability either at all times or just during combat. Thieves have a similar script for hide in shadows/find traps.