Can someone explain to me the difference between potion of magic protection and magic shielding?

johntyl

Can someone explain to me the difference between potion of magic protection and magic shielding?

And which do you use/prefer when fighting magic-users?

Thanks.

TheArtisan

Magic Protection -> 50% magic resistance = 50% of harmful spells will completely fail to affect you.

Magic Shielding -> 50% magic damage resistance = you take 50% damage from Magic Missile, Skull Trap, etc.

Additionally, you automatically pass all saving throws, so anything that forces a save, say, for example, a Sleep spell will always fail. Or a Fireball will always do half damage because you can make a saving throw for half, etc.

Magic Protection is risky because you're still going for a 50/50 against status spells, unless you have other magic resistance items. Magic Shielding is usually better because you only have to worry about taking damage from spells, but you have to use it sparingly because it doesn't last nearly as long.

johntyl

@Artemius_I Thanks! Does potion of magic protection stack? So can I drink 2 pots and get 100%?

Also, for magic shielding, why do you think its better? Since it only blocks magic damage, you still get affected by non-damage type spells like Power Word: Stun or Maze or those really annoying high level spells.

Abi_Dalzim

A lot of nastier stuff can be defeated by making your save - Power word isn't an example, but the Symbol spells are, along with instant death effects like Wail of the Banshee or Finger of Death, plus Confusion and Chaos. A guarantee of not getting nailed by those is generally better than a fifty-fifty shot.

OlvynChuru

The Potion of Magic Shielding is my favorite. In fact, I think it's better than even the Protection from Magic scroll because it doesn't prevent you from putting your own buffs on the character. For the most part, you only have to worry about Maze and Power Word spells in Baldur's Gate 2, but Potions of Magic Shielding aren't very common in that game anyway.

Abi_Dalzim

To be honest, I prefer Magic Shielding in the abstract, but they're both things that I tend to stockpile and then never use unless I take a particularly hard boss on earlier than I should. Actually, that's true of most potions when I play.

Jarrakul

johntyl wrote: »

@Artemius_I Thanks! Does potion of magic protection stack? So can I drink 2 pots and get 100%?

I haven't tried in BG2, but they stack in BG1. It is as broken as it sounds.

lunar

Magic shielding is excellent against enemy mages and beholders...until it gets dispelled. They can not hold, slow, confuse, charm, disintegrate, petrify or finger (of death) you as long as shielding is active, as it guarantees you make your saves. You can rely on magic shielding, like I said, as long as it is not dispelled. You don't even need any other buff, as long as your hp is enough, you will take 1/4 damage from most attacks (%50 damage resist plus automatic save) so unless you are Aerie and have like 30 hps, you are a tough nut to crack.

Magic protection potion is a solid boost on top of other buffs, giving you a new +%50 chance to avoid nasty spells, however you can not rely on it solely. A beholder or gauth's rays WILL affect you eventually and it will be disastrous.

johntyl

Jarrakul wrote: »

I haven't tried in BG2, but they stack in BG1. It is as broken as it sounds.

I just tried in BG2EE SCS and yes they stacked. And not only that, party buffs go through as well so you are technically only 100% resistant to enemy hostile magic!

Truly broken. Not sure if this is how it should be, or perhaps it's bugged. Realistically, if you are 100% magic resistant then you should be resistant to all magic, regardless friendly or not.

johntyl

OlvynChuru wrote: »

Potions of Magic Shielding aren't very common in that game anyway.

Yah, potions of magic protection is quite common as I get to pickpocket them from the guards in the respective temples in BG2 SCS. But for pots of magic shielding I think only Roger sells them in the sewers (whom I stole off too)

Raduziel

Potions of Magic Protection works wonder with:

1) Baeloth

2) Viconia

3) Wizard Slayers

4) Any paladin using Carsomyr

Abi_Dalzim

Don't forget about Monks.

Anyways, vanilla Baldur's Gate had it that magic resistance went both ways and could cause your buffs to fail. It was annoying, because it basically forced you to save scum every time you wanted Viconia to cast Cure Light on herself or even drink a healing potion. Simply infuriating.

johntyl

Another question: if you are 100% magic resistant from either potions/scrolls, will dispel magic work on you?

CamDawg

Dispel bypasses MR.

johntyl

CamDawg wrote: »

Dispel bypasses MR.

thanks!

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

johntyl

@subtledoctor kudos to your effort. I wonder if Beamdog addresses this in SOD.

Elendar

Abi_Dalzim wrote: »

To be honest, I prefer Magic Shielding in the abstract, but they're both things that I tend to stockpile and then never use unless I take a particularly hard boss on earlier than I should. Actually, that's true of most potions when I play.

I have this bad habit of sticking every potion I come across into my potion case and then never using them at all...

Pingwin

Don't buy the potion case - the first step in making use of your potions is getting sick of them clogging up your inventory. Same goes for scrolls. I only have assorted letters and bounty notices in my scroll case.