15228 réponses à ce sujet

[Grimwald the Wise]

Hard luck Corey. I can't help you with your question though.

[corey_russell]

So far, the consensus to my questions seems to be "no one knows". It is possible, the programmer intentionally didn't set the undead tags on the creatures that spawn from looting the light gem, to "get ya" (which in fact it did in my case!). Since I don't know the intent of the mobs that spawn, I'm going to error on the side of the developer and say it was by design. This means Reklan No. 2 is officially dead.

I've been playing a solo mage, named Coremage, to try to understand how it might be achieved in BG 2. I might post him in the minimal reload thread. The intent is to get as far as I can with him, in case I ever want to attempt solo mage in BG 2.

So far, my biggest problem is he runs out of resources VERY fast...that is, he runs out of spells and of course is pretty wimpy with just his weapons. He's taken down Mencar Pebblecrushing (though Risling got away), which incidentally took massive resources to pull that off, the circus, Suna Sune, and 1/2 done freeing Hendak. He's level 11 mage (no kit). He was created in BG 2 so his stats are pretty normal.

[Blackmalkin]

corey_russell wrote...
In any case, is this a bug (shades and a shadow fiend seeing me though protection from undead active), which would allow me to reload?

I always considered this a bug. If I remember correctly, those shadow also have tendency to follow invisible characters. I suspect that there is some script which makes them attack a character which used the gem, overriding the scroll effect.

By the way, the Protection From Undead scroll also causes another bug in this area – the ghost of Amauna does not provide protected character with quest items.

[corey_russell]

Blackmalkin wrote...

corey_russell wrote...
In any case, is this a bug (shades and a shadow fiend seeing me though protection from undead active), which would allow me to reload?

I always considered this a bug. If I remember correctly, those shadow also have tendency to follow invisible characters. I suspect that there is some script which makes them attack a character which used the gem, overriding the scroll effect.

By the way, the Protection From Undead scroll also causes another bug in this area – the ghost of Amauna does not provide protected character with quest items.

Thanks for your input -- ...Wait a minute, does that mean they would attack me even if I was invisible (say via a ring), thanks to that script you are talking about? Yikes...Now that I know about this bug, I am going to give it ONE more shot - if I survive, I will move on, if don't, the bug kills me. My only chance then is to snipe/run and repeat with my staff, as it's too many at once(which is why I got the scroll in the first place).

As for the 2nd bug - yes I know of that one (Picenon ran into that) -- my intent was to use the scrolls to clear the map, come back to the girl, rest (to get rid of the protection) and talk to her. Also, even if the bug happened, I think i can hug the wall and fight the Shade Lord with the dragon never seeing me.

Modifié par corey_russell, 21 août 2012 - 05:08 .

[amanasleep]

corey_russell wrote...
I've been playing a solo mage, named Coremage, to try to understand how it might be achieved in BG 2. I might post him in the minimal reload thread. The intent is to get as far as I can with him, in case I ever want to attempt solo mage in BG 2.

So far, my biggest problem is he runs out of resources VERY fast...that is, he runs out of spells and of course is pretty wimpy with just his weapons. He's taken down Mencar Pebblecrushing (though Risling got away), which incidentally took massive resources to pull that off, the circus, Suna Sune, and 1/2 done freeing Hendak. He's level 11 mage (no kit). He was created in BG 2 so his stats are pretty normal.

The best ways to increase survivability and conserve resources for lower level mages in BG2 are:

1. Summons. In this case Lesser Elementals are really quite good in the early fights. Good Thac0, HP, Strength, immune to normal weapons. You might have to fight one every once in a while--just go invisible, leave, rest, and come back.

2. Minor Sequencer 2x Web + Spider Spawn or Area Damage kills very easily and with minimum resources and danger.

3. Polymorph Self. If you want to melee with a Mage, this is the way to go. Look back in the thread for Alesia_BH runs to see how this works.

[corey_russell]

amanasleep wrote...

corey_russell wrote...
I've been playing a solo mage, named Coremage, to try to understand how it might be achieved in BG 2. I might post him in the minimal reload thread. The intent is to get as far as I can with him, in case I ever want to attempt solo mage in BG 2.

So far, my biggest problem is he runs out of resources VERY fast...that is, he runs out of spells and of course is pretty wimpy with just his weapons. He's taken down Mencar Pebblecrushing (though Risling got away), which incidentally took massive resources to pull that off, the circus, Suna Sune, and 1/2 done freeing Hendak. He's level 11 mage (no kit). He was created in BG 2 so his stats are pretty normal.

The best ways to increase survivability and conserve resources for lower level mages in BG2 are:

1. Summons. In this case Lesser Elementals are really quite good in the early fights. Good Thac0, HP, Strength, immune to normal weapons. You might have to fight one every once in a while--just go invisible, leave, rest, and come back.

2. Minor Sequencer 2x Web + Spider Spawn or Area Damage kills very easily and with minimum resources and danger.

3. Polymorph Self. If you want to melee with a Mage, this is the way to go. Look back in the thread for Alesia_BH runs to see how this works.

Thanks for your feedback. Let me give you some feedback of my own:
1) I definitely intend to be using summons. I didn't know the lesser elementals are capable, I will give that a go when I can. However, at the moment, I am extremely strapped for gold, and only 3 level 5 spells (no summons) so can't buy them in the near future.
2) I know how effective web can be - putting 2x web in a sequence is a great idea and would have been a great help against Pebblecrusher. My level 2 slots however are in big demand at the moment: a) my character is very weak (50 lb limit), so strength spell permanently memorized so I can carry the loot knock memorized permanently c) mirror image for defense d) invisibility, which atm only gives me one slot left, so no 2x web yet. Eventually will get the strength belt from Ribald's and then that can remove strength spell and can do your idea
3) I have read most of Alesia_BH posts on her polymorph tricks. I intend to use some of those when I can. Gold is strapped at the moment, so can't get polymorph spell yet. Level 4 slots are also high demand too: stoneskin, MGoI (extemely helpful for those clerics who like to hold me or mages trying to MM me), and something else, forgetting at the moment what.

[Blackmalkin]

corey_russell wrote...
Wait a minute, does that mean they would attack me even if I was invisible (say via a ring), thanks to that script you are talking about?

No, they would just keep following you.

corey_russell wrote...
Also, even if the bug happened, I think i can hug the wall and fight the Shade Lord with the dragon never seeing me.

No, because Amauna gives not only the wardstone, but also one of the three parts of the key needed to proceed.

[Blackmalkin]

I made some experiments concerning the light gem bug and found out that the shadows always go after the main character, unless they spot some other character on the way. If the main character is invisible, they will follow him or her until they find a target of perish. What is interesting and even useful, is that they can follow outside, where they are destroyed by the other light gem.

I wonder what would happen if the main character was under the effect of Sanctuary spell (don't have any save to check that) – would the shadows ignore it like the protection scroll or behave like with invisibility?

Modifié par Blackmalkin, 22 août 2012 - 12:35 .

[Blackmalkin]

corey_russell wrote...
2) I know how effective web can be - putting 2x web in a sequence is a great idea and would have been a great help against Pebblecrusher. My level 2 slots however are in big demand at the moment: a) my character is very weak (50 lb limit), so strength spell permanently memorized so I can carry the loot knock memorized permanently c) mirror image for defense d) invisibility, which atm only gives me one slot left, so no 2x web yet.

You can prepare a sequencer, then change spell memorization and rest again to have both the 2xWeb sequencer and all those other second level spells.

As for increasing survival chances, Contingency with Invisibility on self if helpless is a good insurance. And it can be cast before getting 6th spell level, by simply casting it from a scroll. I'm not sure how many scrolls be can acquired in chapter 2, but I'm pretty sure that more then one.

Modifié par Blackmalkin, 22 août 2012 - 12:45 .

[Blackmalkin]

BALANCE AND BLOODSHED II: SHADOWS OF AMN

Chapter V
in which the story is still pointless, but at least it gets interesting – here, there be dragons

From Warden’s Keep druids went back to Athkatla to ask for Jan’s help in dealing with traps and locks left on the 1st level. Jan had troubles at home – some relative of his was ill. Atavrksha decided it would be balanced if they did something for him in return, so they helped in curing the little gnome. Then, with Jan’s help they looted the 1st level of Warden’s Keep, which yielded a Dart +3 among other things [used by Vrk when not in werewolf form].

Back in Athkatla, a boy from Umar Hills asked for druids’ help. The village inhabitants were being killed in strange circumstances, so they went to look into the matter. Their investigation revealed that shadows were responsible, led by so-called Shade Lord. While storming his fortress druids had to face many shadows, but balanced them with ease, as summoned spirit animals and fire elementals were immune to enemy attacks. There were some other undead as well, but nothing that druids couldn’t handle [no liches were spawned]. Shade Lord had a very powerful guardian – a shadow dragon – but druids avoided him by using a wardstone, despite Vrk urging to fight the beast.

When they finally stood before the Shade Lord, everyone started calling lightning. It wasn't a good idea, as it takes such a long time – Shade Lord was much faster with his Symbol: Stun. It affected everyone but Druma. She finished her casting – unfortunately she was the one aiming at the altar – then charged and slashed the Shade Lord just in time to interrupt his next spell. Then she entered her berserker rage and continued to attack, while lightning struck again, killing the shadow archer attacking her from behind. Then Shade Lord tried draining Druma. She resisted, but was blinded. However, in her rage she didn’t need eyes to strike without failure, interrupting another spell and cutting Shade Lord to little pieces.



Then she took care of two shadows summoned by altar and finally destroyed the altar as well. A moment later the Shade Lord’s spell have expired. Rest of the party finished calling lightnings and then looked around proudly.
“Ha! Now we showed them!” Triumphed Vrk.
“I didn’t really think one wave will suffice.” Added Atavrksha.
“But... didn’t you notice that symbol?” Asked Druma.
“What symbol”?
“And why didn’t you call lightning with us?”
“I did, but then you were all stunned and...” Druma tried explaining.
“What is she talking about” Wondered Ashoka.
“Are you all right?” Cuta was concerned.
Atavrksha looked at Druma suspiciously and asked: “Did you drink something from Ashoka’s backpack?”
“Did she?” Ashoka quickly started checking his bottles.
“Nevermind that. Can we balance that dragon now?” Vrk was getting restless.
Atavrksha agreed and after some preparations party went back and attacked the beast with help of three fire elementals and two bears. The dragon defended herself with Protection from Magical Weapons, but, to druids surprise, was not immune to normal weapons. She also wasn’t immune (though highly resistant) to insect swarms. She couldn’t penetrate druids’ iron skins, so tried using her breath. Atavrksha was targetted and with Protection from Negative Plane expired she could only run. Surprisingly, the breath had absolutely no effect [maybe it targets area, not a creature?]. For a moment it seemed that the dragon wants to surrender:



...but it turned out to be just a trick and the fight continued. Finally, one of Ashoka’s insects dealt a decisive sting and the beast have fallen.


[The cat, Joloon, was summoned to replace one of the elementals finished with Death Spell. Other summons survived though the 2 bears spent most of the battle away from the dragon – didn't return after being wing-buffeted.]

Party went to Imnesvale to inform the mayor of their success. There they’ve met Valygar, who asked for their help in balancing an undead ancestor of his. They agreed and traveled with him to Athkatla where they were going to enter a Planar Sphere in which said ancestor had his lair. But Atavrksha was troubled by dreams in which Irenicus was promising her godlike powers. She couldn’t resist being tempted and decided to make a deal with Shadow Thieves in order to find the mage. Aran Linvail, the Shadowmaster, irritated her by saying something about “time needed to allocate the funds”, but she was placated with am Amulet of Power [which she is wearing when Druma or Ashoka don’t need it to protect themselves from level drain] and Ring of Protection +2 [equipped by Ashoka]. Anyway, while the thieves were preparing a strike against Irenicus, druids bought the Vhailor’s Helmet, had an armor forged from shadow dragon scales [equipped by Cuta] and ventured into the Planar Sphere, leaving Valygar to guard the entrance.

Inside the sphere they invented a new technique of using the Insect Plague spell. Since the insects are intelligent enough to attack only the enemies of balance, druids started casting it on themselves. This allowed them to chose were exactly the swarm will strike and target invisible or otherwise protected mages. This discovery proved to be very important, as they had to battle some powerful spellcasters inside the sphere. All of them fell before the power of the swarm [By which I don’t mean that the druids learned to summon zerglings. There would be no point anyway, considering the summon limit]. Cuta equipped Gauntlets of Ogre Strenght and started dealing some serious damage with Staff of Arundel. Vrk died while trying to disarm a trap [Finger of Death, I think], but with Staff of Resurrection it was a minor inconvenience.

In the meantime Sphere has moved to another plane and druids had to balance a few demons to get back. Ashoka had to be resurrected once, but finally balance was restored and druids found themselves back in Athkatla. Soon after that they embarked on another heroic and profitable quest – this time they were about to balance some ogres for 10 000 gp. But it so happened that their employer – lord Firkraag – not only tricked them into balancing paladins (which wasn’t so bad on it’s own – lawful good characters are as unbalanced as chaotic evil ones, after all), but he also refused to pay. It left druids with no choice, but to balance the fraud. The fact of him being a dragon made it more difficult then it seemed at first, but they already had some experience in the matter and prevailed without much trouble [Firkraag only managed to kill one of the fire elementals by lowering his fire resistance and didn't use this skill again]. Again Ashoka took credit for the deed, though this time he finished the beast with his own hands.



Party status:
Atavrksha – avenger 13, 68 HP (with Ioun Stone), fav. spell: Chromatic Orb, 137 kills (adamantite golem)
Ashoka – fighter 10/druid 12, 103 HP (with Helm of Balduran), fav. spell: Armor of Faith, 212 kills (Firkraag)
Druma – berserker 3/druid 13, 78 HP, fav. spell: Cure Serious Wounds, 307 kills (Shade Lord)
Cuta – totemic druid 13, 79 HP, fav. spell: Summon Spirit Animal, 62 kills (bone golem) – she’s starting to catch up thanks to the Gauntlets of Strength
Vrk – shapeshifter 13, 61 HP, fav. spell: Natural Form Shapeshift, 87 kills (statue)

I was expecting to have problems with mages in this playthrough, but Insect Plague is even more powerful then I thought. If not cast directly at the mage it penetrates every defense other then magic resistance.

Modifié par Blackmalkin, 22 août 2012 - 01:31 .

[corey_russell]

Reklan the level 13 Kensai (inactive) > level 11 thief continues his adventure...

@BlackMalkin: Goodguy did sanctuary but the shadows still attacked him, so it's just the same as the other invisibilities we have been talking about. And yes, insect plague powerful, if you can target a melee type the mage must resist vs. breath or it works. Just FYI this is good even throughout ToB! Also congratulations on taking down the dragons with your druids. I hope they can get far.

@Gate70: I got my Reklan's mixed up. Reklan no. 1 ran away from the Orogs. Reklan No. 2 decided to attempt "nip and run, repeat". The Orogs were slow, but good Thac0. The two human theives were one-shotted. Tried to Kai once but that meant tanking and got hurt bad. So instead just went back to nip and run, and that won the battle pretty cleanly. This is one fight the long range of the staff and its speed factor is a huge advantage over a Kensai using 1 hand weapons.

Since corey_russell did not know about the shadow bug by the lightstone I did reload, per the rules. However, if he failed now that he knows the bug, my run was going to end. Reklan figured his only chance was to nip with this staff, run, nip, run etc until all the "cheating" shadows were dead. This worked!  Thought it was naturally a bit slow.

The rest of the undead were no trouble, since the protection scroll was still active. I was "tanking" the bone golem, but that wasn't working well -- so Reklan decided let's do the same thing as the cheating shadows - nip, run, nip then run etc. - this worked! Keep in mind my heal potion supply is really low (and will remain low throughout his adventure, so far).

The 2nd batch of undead that spawns just before the letters on the floor didn't spawn at first. It was necessary to rest so that I could talk to the good undead and finish this quest. However, when Reklan walked down the corridor, that 2nd batch DID show up, with shadow fiends! Nip and run MIGHT work, but if Reklan gets held it's over. So instead, Reklan used his 2nd protection from undead scroll - this is why he brought it with him, for just such an emergency. The scroll even worked on the Shade Lord and his cronies, so quest was a success. Of course I did NOT report to the mayor, saving that for after dualing.

Next, Reklan attempted the trademeet genies once more, even though he's never seen them, seems familiar...this time he used a potion of magic shielding - he WILL make his save! He got a massive critical on the genie lamp genie. IDed the lamp and brought it with himinside the tent. The tent did NOT go well, seems the genies were hasted, but Reklan wasnt! Uh oh...yep, Reklan MUST flee or die! So he runs to the right and the militia helps him out, including the militia mage! Awesome! Reklan killed the genie leader and succeeded in little mission.

As for the main trademeet quest itself - Reklan picked up an invisibility potion that was on the Mayor's shelf - the ran all the way to Cernd, did NOT let Cernd join, and Cernd defeated Faldhorn.  Yet again, did not report to the mayor, will do that after the dual.

I discovered something suprising - Reklan's AC goes from 2 to -8 if he uses a potion of defense! He bought two from Roger and used them to save D'Arnise Keep. I was disappointed a little in what happened though - he had to save vs. confusion from an umberhulk (which was silly as he had the Lilacor in the bag of holding) and also from a hold person from the Yuan-ti mage. Though the odds were somewhat in my favor (save vs. spells is 6), I didn't like it as it just means I was lucky. Can't rely on that, obviously. Using potoin of defense, and whenever possible, creeping up slowly to fight minimal enemies at a time, the Trolls were cleanly defeated. Didn't fight the umber hulks, heal potions low and wanted to save for Torgal. Of course did NOT report to Nalia, saved for after the dual.

I obtained the bear from Lynis, saving the bear for after the dual. I still needed about 20,000 experience to get to level 13, my dual point. Decided would take out that lich in the bridge district using a pro undead scroll, and also using protection from petrification scroll on Reklan before opening the trapped door guarding the lich. Even though I can get save vs.. spells to 2, not relying on luck if I can avoid it!

I still a little bit short, so defeated all the spiders on the lower crypts and Panai, using potion of exposions, silence from Namurra (which worked) and protection from poison scroll. That did it!

Reklan dualed to thief, exposed Reijek and de-trapped his place and also obtained the horn of valhalla, de-trapping both places for experience. All the open quests obtained the rewards. This only put Reklan's level 11, need 3 more levels to unlock Kensai abilities and 200,00 experience just for the next level, yikes...traps was put to 100, moving silently and HIS is also 100, working on snares next, followed probably by detect illusions.

Docks seems like a likely place to resume his adventure...

Modifié par corey_russell, 22 août 2012 - 04:32 .

[Blackmalkin]

corey_russell wrote...
 And yes, insect plague powerful, if you can target a melee type the mage must resist vs. breath or it works.

The power of the spell lies in the fact, that saving throw protect only from the fear effect – damage and 100% spell failure are applied anyway. SCS introduced saving throw against spell failure and an option to counter the spell with Fire Shield. Now I can see that it's a reasonable idea.

[corey_russell]

Reklan the Human level 13 Kensai > Level 14 thief continues his solo adventure...

Reklan continued to get some more things done. One thinig is he did all of Maevar's tasks, and even managed to defeat Rayic Gethras  Rayic's stone golems were mostly backstabbed to finish them off quicker. Reklan DID have potion of magic shielding active (taking no chances).

As for killing  Maevar, Reklan ignored the whole guild, backstabbed Maevar and summoned his 3 summons (Kithix, Horn of Valhalla, Genie from lamp) and together they defeated Maevar and his guards. Then Reklan hid in the shadows to avoid the backstabbing thieves and reported his success to Renal Bloodscalp.

Reklan also helped out Xzar, kind of. If you backstab the mage at the back wall at Prebek's house, the other one never goes hostile, so piece of cake.

Reklan went to Tradement and helped Tiris. He also got the circlet from the Tomb, but nearly died! He tried a backstab on a skeletal warrior, but then many skeletons were summoned by the skeletal warrior (about 14 of them!) and pinned Reklan to the wall! Remember he still has thief Thac0 and APR at this point...many potions had to be used to survive, but he managed to pull through.

Some bridge district tasks were done, such as taking out the enemies in Reijek's basement - man those assassins are tough! Without Reklan's summons he would have been toast. The bone golem got taken out by snares.

Liches at Crooked Crane and in Temple Sewers got Reklan his Kensai abilities back! Time to deal with a certain demi-lich. While Reklan did try to pick-pocket Kangaxx, he failed. Nevertheless, thanks to his Staff of Rhynn and protection from magic scroll, the Gaxx ring is now Reklan's.

Reklan finally retired the claw of Gazaroth for the Gaxx ring. Reklan really wants the haste boots, but still trying to figure out how he can get them. He'd hate to use another protection from magic scroll, but he may have to.

He's his equpment now that his Kensai abilites are back - nice to get his HP back too!


EDIT:
Since his protection from magic scroll was still active, Reklan ran as fast as he could to the Temple Sewers. There, he took down the kobolds and their Rakshashka master and got a upgrade for his cloak spot (which, at the moment, was nothing...). He also managed to defeat the mephits in Mekrath's himself. It got a little scary fighting Mekrath, as the pro magic scroll expired mid-battle! Reklan took the hits like a champ and finished Mekrath. I'm not sure what's on the other side, guarding the portal stone. It's probably Yuan-tis, and if so, I will almost certainly need to purchase a potion of magic shielding or potion of magic protection from Roger first before taking those guys on. If I am going to use a pro magic scroll in the Planar Prison, because of its duration I need to activate it basically just before I enter the Prison, to last for all the magic battles.

Modifié par corey_russell, 22 août 2012 - 03:11 .

[amanasleep]

Is it necessary for Reklan to drop the Claw? If the replacement is Ring of Invisibility then you only need to wear it when you want to activate. Otherwise you can wear the Claw and Gaxx.

Also, it's a shame that Brennan Risling escaped. Thieves make excellent use of his Cloak of Non-Detection.

[corey_russell]

amanasleep wrote...

Is it necessary for Reklan to drop the Claw? If the replacement is Ring of Invisibility then you only need to wear it when you want to activate. Otherwise you can wear the Claw and Gaxx.

Also, it's a shame that Brennan Risling escaped. Thieves make excellent use of his Cloak of Non-Detection.

Let me address each of your points in turn:

1) Very, very soon, will be paying off Gaelen Bayle. When that happens, will equip the +2 ring from Linvail and take off the amulet of protection. Clearly the +2 ring and Gaxx ring a nice fit. Also, dropping the claw boosted my HP from about 115 to 140! The extra HP will come in quite handy against backstabbing thieves and dragons, and really any time fighting a mass of enemies, for example. Also my save vs. death improved dramatically after dropping  the claw (to 2, I think - it was 10 before dropping it).

2) You are understandably confused by Risling - I haven't fought Mencar Pebblecrusher yet (though soon, probably right after I get the haste boots). That was Reklan No. 1 who fought Pebblecrusher, who eventually died to the Dao Genies in Tradmeet. I had a save right after character creation in BG 1 - I loaded that and restarted and got through BG 1 once again and into BG 2. This is actually Reklan No. 2, if that helps you any.

3) Here's a link to Reklan's defeat of Sarevok - it was at the bottom of the page, so I think many people missed the fact that the 2nd iteration of him was in BG2, and not the same one. It only takes me two days to get through BG 1 solo as a fighter.

Modifié par corey_russell, 22 août 2012 - 05:02 .

[Gate70]

Bogwad, male gnome cleric/illusionist from BG1. With Imoen, Jaheira and Minsc. Dynaheir and Khalid were party members through BG1.

BGT, Ascension, BG2 fixpack (core fixes), BG2 Tweaks (Reputation reset, bonus merchants, female Edwina, Turn off mirroring-cloak / spelltrap / physical mirror animations, any race romance, consistent BG2 stats), minimal SCS II (initialise, cloak of mirroring, improved shade lord / fire giant lair / Abazigals lair / Minor Encounters), Generalized Biffing.

From memory BG1 tomes were STR for Minsc, DEX for Imoen, CON for Minsc, INT for Imoen, 3 x WIS and a CHA for Bogwad.
---
Minsc grabs our gear - my familiar refuses to switch backpacks until I drop some crumbs on the floor. I'm in no rush to escape so we have a look around i.e. that's it for now, will also continue with solo kensai until one of the games ends.

[amanasleep]

corey_russell wrote...
2) You are understandably confused by Risling - I haven't fought Mencar Pebblecrusher yet (though soon, probably right after I get the haste boots). That was Reklan No. 1 who fought Pebblecrusher, who eventually died to the Dao Genies in Tradmeet. I had a save right after character creation in BG 1 - I loaded that and restarted and got through BG 1 once again and into BG 2. This is actually Reklan No. 2, if that helps you any.

 
Oh, OK. In that case I would take out that crew ASAP. Preventing Risling's escape is an interesting tactical challenge, but should not be too difficult if you set traps in the hallway before attacking.

[corey_russell]

amanasleep wrote...

corey_russell wrote...
2) You are understandably confused by Risling - I haven't fought Mencar Pebblecrusher yet (though soon, probably right after I get the haste boots). That was Reklan No. 1 who fought Pebblecrusher, who eventually died to the Dao Genies in Tradmeet. I had a save right after character creation in BG 1 - I loaded that and restarted and got through BG 1 once again and into BG 2. This is actually Reklan No. 2, if that helps you any.

 
Oh, OK. In that case I would take out that crew ASAP. Preventing Risling's escape is an interesting tactical challenge, but should not be too difficult if you set traps in the hallway before attacking.

If I enter under improved invisibility (via ring), I can get two hits on Risling before anyone can even react - if one of those hits are a critical, it's quite conceivable it can kill Risling outright - I also intend to use the staff of striking on him, which is even more damage. The II foils the mages, potion of absorption will foil Mencar, and my summons will keep Orcslicer busy. I will of course have the snares by the exit as well. I would rather do the planar prison first though, in case I need to run and nip (which Reklan No. 1 had to do, which was difficult without a speed advantage).

[Gate70]

Meoru, dwarf kensai.

There is a secret entrance to the sewers from the Copper Coronet. DUHM and Arbane haste works well against hobgoblin shamans then I turn my hand to an otyugh and some jellies. A few minutes late I have obtained Lilacor, and decide not to investigate a nearby door think Haegan would be too risky. Instead I head into the back rooms of the Copper Coronet and start a killing spree.

Kitthix webs the beastmaster thanks Corey, had forgotten it webs and also that it is single target, but a bear almost kills me. I have to move away from a minotaur and glug an extra healing potion before killing it then the game crashes and I have to enter the Coronet and get to the beastmaster again - slightly better result only dropping to 60hp as Kitthix webbed the beastmaster and a bear. Hendak quickly usurps Lehtinan and I agree to deal with the other slavers - sigh.

[corey_russell]

You're welcome, Gate70. The web only lasts for 2 rounds, so the best use of it is probably try to have Kithix poison the held enemy before the web expires. Poisoned mages/clerics for the win...

[AnonymousHero]

Grond0 wrote...
I think you're referring to potions of firebreath

Speaking of which... I've found these potions perfect for getting a Kensai up and running very safely (even with SCS II). My basic routine:

a) Buy RoAC immediately out of Irenicus' dungeon. Use it (+ potion of invisibility if necessary) to snag the Ioun Stone from under Pai Na's nose.

 Use RoAC, buff (DUHM) and force-trigger the Suna Seni encounter. Immediately target the mage with the Potion of Firebreath. The mage will instantly die, and you can circle around to tag a few of the others. Focus on killing the weakest left-over foes and you should be able to do this encounter every time.

c) Buy invisibility potions and use them to get to Trademeet safely (i.e. to skip wilderness encounters, if improved these can be extremely deadly since mages get Chromatic Orb. You need to preemptively go invisible just to avoid being targeted.)

d) Use the RoAC, buff with DUHM, buff with Ilbratha (if you have it, not really necessary) and hit the Djinn with a Firebreath potion, pause and follow up immediately with a whack upside the head. This will usually kill the Djinn, but if it doesn't you can use a second potion of Firebreath to kill it. (I play with insta-casting Djinn, but that shouldn't really matter much for this.)

You can get the necessary firebreath potions from Chateau Irenicus and the Adventurer's mart (or is it Roger, I forget?).

Any suggested improvements welcome. I do play with maximum difficulty random spawns, so that constrains my early game rather a lot.

This was also the method I used to get my current K(18)->M(2x) up and running. He is as of yet a no-reloader, but I'm not sure if I'll post or even keep playing. I kind of find that it's the "getting there" part of dual-classing that I tend to enjoy the most since you're having to figure out all sorts of weird combos to defeat increasingly difficult enemies while under severe restrictions.)

[corey_russell]

Reklan the Human level 13 Kensai > level 16 thief continues his adventure...
Areas Battled: Planar Prison, Mencar's Pebblecrusher's gang, Tarnor the Hatchetman's gang

Reklan is really starting to pick up speed now. Read on to see why that is the case.

Reklan pondered how he would deal with the planar prison. His save vs. spells is 4. That's not good enough, there's some bad stuff there, especially if the yuan-ti mages spawn (which they did). Potions possible, but they could could get dispelled. Decided the boots are important enough for his strategy he needs to buy the last protection from magic scroll. Also, by the time he gets to Irenicus, he plans to have the human flesh armor, which will put his saves negative. He will also have spike traps by then as well.

As it turned out, the scroll was a great investment. He was able to defeat all the enemies including the Warden. In fact, the scroll expired a few seconds after the Warden's death! The only interesting battle was against the Master of Thralls. Via ring of Air Control, Reklan charmed one of the Air elementals. The master pursued Reklan, right into some snares...then Reklan picked up the staff of air and used it to slay both air elementals. The Warden was busy trying to kill some thralls, so his defenses weren't up yet, a solid hit from the Staff of Rhynn finished him. While here I got a nice backstab.

Yes, these number is why I bothered to make a Kensai thief dual! About time...

After sellng everything and resting, I decided the cloak of non-detection was needed next. My basic strategy for Pebblecrusher's gang was this: 1) snares by entrance to catch Risling (which ended up not being triggered) 2) activate amulet that puts AC to 4 (from D'Arnise Keep) 3) potion of absorption to foil Mencar (which worked perfectly - Mencar never even landed a single blow) 4) 4 summons, lesser air elemental, horn of valhalla, Kithix, Genie from lamp - all were placed near Orcslicer and mages 5) DUHM then Improved Invisibility, then Attack!

I attacked Risling first - even though Reklan was NOT hasted, Reklan hit so fast and hard Risling was killed before he could go invisible! Step one complete, time to attack Pebblecrusher.


Air elemental got feared, but the Djinn got a chance to cast a lot of spells, including this magic missile on Orcslicer, finishing him.

As it turned out, Pebblecrusher fell a few seconds later, a flamestrike finished the mage, and Pooky of course could not survive Reklan's Assault. NOTE to Amanasleep: Risling did NOT have the cloak of non-detection, the mage did!. I now have 5 rings which grant invisibility, but with haste boots, I rarely need unless in an enclosed space.

Very clean battle. Feeling a bit tough, Reklan decided to pay Tarnor and his buddies a visit.

**************************************************
HYPOTHESIS:
haste boots + cloak of non-detection + good stealth score + Staff of Striking + Kensai/Thief dual = PWN?
**************************************************

Reklan's only prep for Tarnor was a magic blocking potion and his shield amulet. But he never got attacked and didn't even get hit by a spell! His strategy was rather simple - stealth, run in and backstab, run away and stealth, return, run in an backstab, repeat. He one-shotted ALL SIX group members! Not even Picenon could achieve such a result. A kensai/thief sure seems like the better backstabber, though Picenon was the better tank.

First target was Gauis. Gauis tried to detect Reklan instead of defensive buff - bad mistake, he got one-shotted.


Reklan ran away and returned, Zorl was closed so attacked him and got a critical -- even now, I can't believe the size of the backstab - that's more than Firkraag's total HP! This is also my first backstab over 200.


Rengaard was also one-shotted - a more modest backstab this time.


But I wasn't done being flabbergasted yet - the next backstab was also a critical and was even higher! I guess ***** in Quarterstaff and ** in two hand weapon fighting does make a difference...264 damage, easily my best ever in any run I've had.


Dragu Fea was next to get one-shotted. Maybe they thought they were being taken out by ghosts, because almost all they saw of me was a blur...


A single archer left -- tough to shoot what you don't see isn't it?


Reklan's saves aren't negative yet, but now we are getting into some fun! Would like to do the Unseeing Eye the long way, but seems impossible without UAI (Shield of Balduran). Probaby fight the parties in the Bridge District next.

Modifié par corey_russell, 23 août 2012 - 02:39 .

[Grond0]

@ corey.  Nice to see those backstabs - keep it going.

AnonymousHero wrote...
c) Buy invisibility potions and use them to get to Trademeet safely (i.e. to skip wilderness encounters, if improved these can be extremely deadly since mages get Chromatic Orb. You need to preemptively go invisible just to avoid being targeted.)

Any suggested improvements welcome. I do play with maximum difficulty random spawns, so that constrains my early game rather a lot.

Looks good to me.  As a personal preference I tend to try and minimise the use of potions, so would try to avoid using invisibility potions to travel.  My normal alternative using roughly your mod set-up was to get Brennan's invisibility ring.  Concentrating initial attacks on him almost always killed him and then I would use exits as necessary to dodge mage spells while finishing off the rest of them.

[corey_russell]

Reklan the Human level 13 Kensai > level 17 thief continues his adventure - micro update

Reklan defeated the hostile party in the warehouse. He one-shotted the mage before the mage got protections. Then use of invis ring and backstab and melee fiinished the cleric. Another use of a different invis ring finished off the archer, then basic HIS to finish the last enemy, also with a backstab.

As for Captain Dennis, approached with improved invisibility and one-shotted the mage and ran outside. Two enemies came outside and were finished off by running/hiding/backstabbing. Couldn't backstab the druid, he was too close to the wall, but melee finished him. Got one one more guy upstairs...and...what? Drats, the ONE guy I might have wanted was not to be found, the one with the +2 dagger. What's interesting is when I ran outside for a MOMENT I saw 3 enemies, but then was 2 -- maybe the 3rd drowned?

Reklan is feeling REALLY tough now, so decided to gulp a invulnerability potion (to put all saves to negative) and entered the Guarded Compound. The Glaberezu was defeated by backstabs, but a Nishruu and Efreeti were not fazed by Reklan's hiding, so he had to defeat them straight up - in fact, Reklan gulped 2 fire resistance potions, unless he wanted to get tore up on the genie's fire shield. Eventually both Nishruu and Genie defeated. The remaining weak summons defeated by running/hiding/backstabs.

Time for the enemies upstairs! Reklan activated invisibility vis ring on the LEFT stairs. He de-strapped the two nearby traps. He equipped the staff of striking - his first target? Not the mage but the guy with the celestial fury! If that thing hits me even once, easily could be game over. Reklan easily ran away, hid and came back for more backstabs. He repeated this until only the rogue and mage was left.

Hmm, what to do, what to do. I COULD force the rogue to show itself with detect illusions - but leaves me wide open for a backstab! Decided would send Kithix toward the mage -- the rogue backstabbed and killed Kithix - but did NOT bother to rehide! (guess because Reklan was not in his line of sight).

Reklan of course knew his next play - staff of striking on the rogue! That finished the rogue, naturally. Only the mage left. The potion of invulnerability wore off, so Reklan's saves were NOT negative. Decided better send all his summons first (one at a time), then risk himself - it was unnecessary, as the berserker summon got 2 criiticals and killed the mage.

I found something scary on Ketta the rogue TEN invisibility potions! No wonder this rogue gives me heck in party play throughs.

EDIT:
Reklan returned to the druid grove to clear out all the enemies here for experience. His main defense was potion of stone form + potion of mind focusing, this plus his shield amulet put his AC at -10, which was quite good for the trolls and such. Lots of backstabs when possible. Sword of flame used to knock them out. One troll would not die to the sword of flame and got back up. I had to kill him again and used FoA and that worked. I got level 18 here. I found out that the dualed class does NOT count for the 3,000,000 experience to get HLA. So my thief class must get 3,000,000 before my first HLA. This does change things, more of a challenge.

Major Equipment Change:
Removed the +2 ring. Put on the Claw of Kazgarath and Cloak of Protection (+1). This left Reklan with a base AC of 0, his spells save is 1, all other saves 0 or less, except death which is 5. This should help a lot when I deal with Casters.

Modifié par corey_russell, 23 août 2012 - 04:02 .

[Shadow_Leech07]

that's some sweet damage corey, I like it!