Are self cast spells supposed to trigger the Cowled Wizards to attack?

Mungri

Or notably just the Friends spell? I tried using it to lower shop prices and the cowled wizards consider it illegal to use, but just about every other self buff can be cast fine?

I cant remember if it used to be like that for the Friends spell in the original game.

elminster

If you are out in open spaces in Athkatla, like outside of a shop in Waukeen's Promenade, the Cowled Wizards should bother you if you cast any arcane spell regardless of whether it is a buff or not. They shouldn't bother you if it is a divine (cleric or druid) spell.

Mungri

Armor spells and polymorph self dont trigger it.

I just go sword spider frenzy everything on my mage solos.

BaldursCat

Same goes for the 'Find Familiar' spell, that'll bring 'em running.

jackjack

I just walked into Cernd's old home to cast find familiar. No cowled interference.

BaldursCat

No, there shouldn't be there, so long as you're indoors you shouldn't have any.

Montresor_SP

You can also use arcane magic in the small outdoor areas where you get waylaid by enemies.

Mungri

How come I can cast polymorph self or armor and several other buffs in the middle of any district, but Friends makes the cowled wizards attack me? Kind of ironic being attacked for using that.

jackjack

You're casting "Haggle-free discounts" in the middle of The City of Coin.

Mungri

What's the point of the spell if you cant use it for its only purpose?

I remember every BG2 strategy guide mentioning doing this.

Does anyone have the original BG2 installed? Can they check if the friends spell also doesn't work there?

Shin

Afaik it's meant to affect every single arcane spell cast outdoors, so armour and polymorph self are likely oversights rather than having a reasoning behind them.

Keep in mind that you can always pay your way to spellcasting freedom. Until you do, it's supposed to be a hindrance.

bbear

Dont pay! Or you'll miss some great random drops from them. Simply cast and run. Cheese kill them if you must!

stygga

When you are higher level, you can get them summoned them and kill them for some nice level 6-8 spell scrolls. You can easily get by without casting arcane spells outside. Minor annoyance sometimes, but nothing major and really worth the fun later.

Joey

You can go into literally any indoor area in the city, cast, then walk out. It's no hinderance whatsoever.

Perhaps it should be but as it stands it just catches out newbies. I'd like to see it trigger when indoors (but the wizards spawn outside the entrance rather than indoors), and increase the cost of a license to 10,000.

Mungri

Id never pay for spell casting freedom, I don't want to miss out on easy to farm drops and XP at higher levels.