Magic Missile¶
Level 1 wizard spell — School of Evocation**
Cast by: Mage, Sorcerer, Bard
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Range | Visual range of caster |
| Casting Time | 1 |
| Duration | Instant |
| Saving Throw | None |
| Area of Effect | 1 creature |
Description¶
Use of the Magic Missile spell, one of the most popular 1st-level spells, creates up to five missiles of magical energy that dart forth from the wizard’s fingertip and unerringly strike their target, which must be a creature of some sort. Each missile inflicts 1d4+1 points of damage. For every two extra levels of experience, the wizard gains an additional missile: he has two at 3rd level, three at 5th level, four at 7th level, and five at 9th level.
Nahal’s Reckless Dweomer (Wild Magic) Range: Special Casting Time: 5 Duration: Special Saving Throw: Special Area of Effect: Special
This spell is the Wild Mage’s ultimate last-resort spell. When cast, the mage releases a sudden flood of wild magical energy in the hope of seizing and shaping that energy into a desired spell effect. The attempt usually fails, but something almost always occurs in the process.
Before casting the spell, the mage announces the spell effect he is trying to create. The mage must be able to cast the spell (that is, have it in his spellbook), but need not have it memorized. After announcing the spell (along with the target and any other conditions required by the spell), the Wild Mage casts Nahal’s Reckless Dweomer. A burst of magical energy is released, which the Wild Mage tries to manipulate into the desired form. The actual effect of the spell is determined randomly (see the wild surge table at the end of this manual).
Because the release of energy is planned by the mage, his level is added to the dice roll made when determining what sort of wild surge occurs. This means there is a better chance of a good result. If the result indicates success, the mage has shaped the magical energy into the desired effect. More often than not, the effect is completely unexpected. The result may be beneficial to the mage or it may be completely disastrous; this is the risk the mage takes in casting Nahal’s Reckless Dweomer.
Such heedless tossing about of magic will give my chosen profession of
mage a much undeserved bad name!
—Volo
There are plenty of mages whose bad name is most richly deserved.
—Elminster
Source: bgee/original_manuals/baldurs_gate_1_ee_mastering_melee_and_magic.pdf — "Wizard Spells—Level 1" → "Magic Missile".