IRENICUS, BG2, Baldur's Gate 2

Irenicus BG2

Jon Irenicus is a Baldur's Gate enemy, prime antagonist and Baldur's Gate 2 boss in BioWare's cRPG of 2000, Baldur's Gate 2. Jon Irenicus is an Elven 30th level Mage BG2 most notable for his arcane spellcasting prowess. We face off against Irenicus at the Tree of Life in Suldanessellar.

How to Beat Irenicus

Exile Irenicus was much harder to beat under the Shadows of Amn XP cap of 2.95 million than he is with Throne of Bhaal installed, which increased the XP cap to 8 million, and introduced HLAs. To give one example of many, with ToB installed we can set a few Spike Traps at Irenicus' feet before dispatching the final parasite, thereby instantly slaying him when he turns hostile.

A neat, elegant but extremely cheesy way to beat Irenicus, to be sure.

Note also that having access to the Robe of Vecna BG2 and Staff of the Magi BG2 makes Irenicus much easier to beat.

By this point of Baldur's Gate 2, players should be familiar with arcane spells and arcane spellcasting. As well, they should know the capabilities of conventional casting as well as the capabilities of sequencers, triggers and contingencies. If not, they are going to be in for a world of hurt. 

In order to beat Irenicus fair and square, let us first take a look at his mode of operation.

Between his dialogue with Ellesime and the brief dialogue with Charname, Irenicus wards himself with Absolute Immunity, Protection from Energy, Spell Shield and Spell Trap.

Then, when battle gets underway, he instantly unleashes Spell Trigger -- but it is only Mislead that is of concern.

This is followed up by Time Stop, Spell Sequencer (Ice Storm) and then Spellstrike, Power Word: Kill, Maze and ADHW.

If the party survives the arcane onslaught (unlikely unless the party moved away), Irenicus unleashes a barrage of spells consisting of Sunfire, Cone of Cold (100 cold damage: counter), Power Word: Kill and Maze; basically, his entire spellbook -- right down to Melf's Acid Arrow x7 -- as depicted in the above infographic.

Note that Irenicus has true seeing.

Mage Duel: Irenicus

If we want to be proactive and not just wait things out while hoping to survive, we need to disperse Mislead with True Sight or Detect Illusions (Jan), dispel Spell Shield with Spell Thrust or Secret Word and then dispel Spell Trap with Ruby Ray of Reversal, Pierce Shield or Spellstrike.

If we want to physically hit Irenicus, we need to Breach his Stoneskin, Absolute Immunity or PfMW, but this cannot be done until his illusions and spell wards have been dispelled.

The trick is to keep tabs on our de-warding progress during what is a chaotic combat encounter.

Irenicus Immunities

Irenicus is immune to Confusion, Panic, Silence and Stun. In addition, he is immune to Disintegrate, Imprisonment, Petrification, Power Word: Kill, Slay, Charm, Level Drain, Berserk, Polymorph, Power Word: Kill, Poison, Hold, Paralysis, Dire Charm, Sleep, Maze, Morale Break and Disease.

Irenicus is the brother of Bodhi BG2:

cf. SCS Irenicus.

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No Reload Run Baldur's Gate	Irenicus BG2	Yaga-Shura BG2
Baldur's Gate Enemies	Slayer Irenicus BG2	Sendai BG2
Firkraag BG2	Bhaalspawn BG2	Abazigal BG2
Troll BG2	Sarevok BG1	Balthazar BG2
TorGal BG2	Illasera BG2	The Ravager BG2