Icewind Dale THAC0

In Icewind Dale 1, our To Hit Armor Class Zero aka THAC0 score measures our accuracy in landing a hit in melee or from range. Warriors receive one point of THAC0 reduction for each level of warrior attained, the Strength score modifies THAC0 for melee, and the Dexterity score modifies THAC0 for ranged weapons such as bows. Potions, spells, proficiencies and weapon enchantment level (e.g, +2) can also modify THAC0. Other things can, too.

Natural THAC0 caps out at zero but modified THAC0 can reach negative numbers to the point where we only miss 5% of the time against the supertankers; thus, the moniker of THAC0 Lord.

Hero THAC0 - enemy AC = what the Hero needs to roll on a d20 in order to hit (the to-hit number). In order to hit, the number rolled on the d20 must be equal to or greater than the THAC0 minus the AC. Natural 20s always hit; natural 1s always miss regardless of THAC0/AC.

As with its counterpart, AC, THAC0 is very important but it's not the be-all and end-all for physical-based damage dealers -- not even in IWD wherein such combat units are the mainstay [pic].

Ideally, we want to balance our ApR, dmg and THAC0. For example, Heroes with great THAC0s wield more damaging but less accurate weapons because they don't need the +THAC0 offered by the latter; short of the 5% chance of a critical miss, they're going to hit anyway so they might as well inflict more damage (or some nasty on-hit effect such as Stun). Moreover, enemies under the effect of immobilization (e.g, held by Web) have their ACs voided and are therefore hit regardless of THAC0 [pic]. Of course, not all enemies can be immobilized due to saving throws, resistances and immunities. At the end of the day, we want our THAC0 lord around for when we face off against big, tanky AC lords, culminating in Yxunomei, Ilmadia and Belhifet.

Now, as the reader will see, the main differences between IWD and BG THAC0 Lords is that the former take advantage of superior THAC0-buffing arcane and divine spell repertoire; moreover, they can hit up to 6 levels higher due to the increased XP cap.

Best Melee THAC0 Icewind Dale

Base for 15 Fighter levels (+14) (6)
High Mastery (+3) (3)
Strength 24 (+6) (-3)
Elven racial bonus wielding Large Swords (+1) (-4)
Restored Blade of Aihonen (+5) (-9)
Gauntlets of Weapon Skill (+1) (-10)
Symbol of Corellon Larethian (+2) (-12)
Ring of the Warrior (+1) (-13)
Bless (+1) (-14)
Chant (+1) (-15)
Prayer (+1) (-16)
Recitation (+2) (-19)
Righteous Wrath of the Faithful (+1) (-20)
Emotion Courage (+1) (-21)
Emotion Hope (+2) (-23)

cf. Baldur's Gate THAC0.

The above outstrips Human, DUHM-buffed Paladins wielding Pale Justice by one point of THAC0. Proof:

Base for 14 Paladin levels (+13) (7)
Specialization (+1) (6)
Strength 25 (+7) (-1)
Pale Justice (+7) (-8)
Gauntlets of Weapon Skill (+1) (-9)
Symbol of Corellon Larethian (+2) (-11)
Ring of the Warrior (+1) (-12)
Bless (+1) (-13)
Chant (+1) (-14)
Prayer (+1) (-15)
Recitation (+2) (-17)
Righteous Wrath of the Faithful (+1) (-18) [pic]
Emotion Courage (+1) (-19)
Emotion Hope (+2) (-22) [pic]

Strength 25 is reached through DUHM stacking with Potion of X Giant Strength. Note that neither DUHM nor Strength potions stack with +Strength items but that different +Strength items stack with each other (for max score of 22 assuming the Hero has 18/00 in chargen).

Best Ranged THAC0 Icewind Dale

Base for 15 Fighter levels (+14) (6)
High Mastery (+3) (3)
Dexterity 24 (+5) (-2)
Elven racial bonus wielding longbows (+1) (-3)
Long Bow +4: Hammer [ULBOW5A] (+5) (-8) [pic]
Hammer Arrows (+5) (-13)
Gauntlets of Weapon Skill (+1) (-14)
Symbol of Corellon Larethian (+2) (-16)
Ring of the Warrior (+1) (-17)
Bless (+1) (-18)
Chant (+1) (-19)
Prayer (+1) (-20)
Recitation (+2) (-22)
Righteous Wrath of the Faithful (+1) (-23) [pic]
Emotion Courage (+1) (-24)
Emotion Hope (+2) (-26) [pic]

24 Dex is achieved through stacking Potion of Mind Focusing. +5 crossbows are itemized but bolts lack arrow enchantment levels.

Conclusion: Elven Fighters are the ultimate THAC0 Lords, and Longbows and Longswords are the ultimate THAC0 Lord wields. Also, divine spellcasters are the ultimate THAC0 Lord facilitators (+7).

This write-up is based on v.1.06 of Black Isle's Icewind Dale (the official version).

Header Image: An Elven archer-lord firing from the Hammer longbow at 10 ApR.

Icewind Dale 1 Walkthrough Guide

Icewind Dale 1	Dragon's Eye Icewind Dale	Lower Dorn's Deep Icewind Dale
Icewind Dale Walkthrough	Yxunomei Icewind Dale	Marketh Icewind Dale
Easthaven Icewind Dale	Severed Hand Icewind Dale	Ilmadia Icewind Dale
Kuldahar Icewind Dale	Larrel Icewind Dale	Malavon Icewind Dale
Vale of Shadows Icewind Dale	Upper Dorn's Deep Icewind Dale	Perdiem Icewind Dale
Temple of the Forgotten God Icewind Dale	Wyrm's Tooth Icewind Dale	Belhifet Icewind Dale

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