Radiant Retort Reimagined - A Clash of Shadow and Dawn

Tired of Blind Retaliation from Radiant Retort?

The original Radiant Retort might feel punishing and uninspired, reflecting damage without room for counterplay. Yeah, I think it's simply a bad design.

This mod breathes new life into the mechanic, reimagining it as Shadow Curtain—a thematic and strategic overhaul that introduces meaningful interactions between attackers and defenders, complemented by a new buff Dawn's Veil.

What This Mod Do

Recap: Vanilla Radiant Retort

• []Reflects damage back at the attacker twofold as Force damage, a type that neither fits the theme nor allows for meaningful resistance or immunity.

  []It’s a permanent passive, offering no way to counter or disable it, making encounters feel overly penalizing and limiting strategic options.

  []It effectively prevents the use of Radiant damage against foes precisely when you would expect to rely on it most.

  Reimagined: Shadow Curtain

  • []Inspired by Larian's original idea of retaliation but redesigned with Sharran themes for more immersive gameplay and better balance. Its name draws inspiration from the historical Iron Curtain.

    []Still reflects twofold damage, but the types are now 50% Psychic and 50% Necrotic, aligning with Shar’s lore. The game offers several ways to reduce damage from these types.

    []The Curtain is no longer invincible. It breaks if a Sharran takes Radiant damage exceeding 20. To restore it, the Sharran must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 14); otherwise, the Curtain is lost.

    []Successfully removing the Curtain grants the attacker a new buff: Dawn’s Veil by the end of the turn.

    One more thing: Dawn’s Veil

    • []Light will award you a special protection from the wrath of Shadow.

      []Upon breaking the Shadow Curtain, the attacker and allies within 3m are granted immunity to reflected damage.

      []This temporary buff creates an opportunity to press the attack without fear of retaliation, rewarding players for dealing significant Radiant damage and encouraging strategic choices in timing and positioning.

    • No double dip allowed - removing the Curtain under the Veil’s protection does not grant another Veil.

      In short, a sufficiently high radiant damage may make you and allies immune to the retaliation, but not always. Your paladin’s divine smite may break the Curtain at the cost of own HP and help your Cleric cast Guiding Bolt or Sunbeam without getting any reflected damage. But the Curtain may stand, just knocking your paladin out.

      Check photos