15218 réponses à ce sujet

[Gate70]

Possibly, although I was wary about the ranger quest timers with a low level or badly equipped character so wanted to stay well away. Never mind.

& I don't use protection from undead scrolls, same as I never used to glug any non-healing potions. Obviously I've died to undead a lot as a result.

[Gate70]

Grond0/Gate70 multiplayer attempt 8 : Pendal (Gate70, protaganist) and Thimble (Grond0).
Hold monster stops a badly wounded Tazok, leaving Thimble to shred Chieftain Digdag. With him eliminated is is just Conster and Firkraag left, no pressure then. Pendal finds himself practicing necrobreachery as Thimble eliminates Conster a fraction before the de-buffs arrives.

On to Firkraag. Thimble has Flail of Ages/Belm and Pendal has the red shield/helm/Dragonslayer. Potions of strength, speed and (for Thimble) fire resistance are active plus maybe a heroism, with spell buffs too. Firkraag takes a few hits from either side and stoneskins, so Pendal casts pierce magic while Thimble adds breach. Another pierce magic and hold monster is attempted, but unsuccessful. As is a second hold monster; back to melee with some magic missiles and a couple more summons. Thimble takes two huge hits but responds to take another mighty scalp. Time to sit down next to the huge corpse and read more of Icewind Dale II.

A tough day with slow and laggy play not helping. The goblin/troll horde inside the tunnels can be killed but goblin warg-riders target Salde and have to be carefully dealt with. After a slow grind the tunnel exit is reached and the exterior of the horde fortress is next. A few orc archers and verbeeg are cleared, then as Bulwark looks for treasure he finds an orc shaman instead. Salde deals with the shaman and a goblin sorcerer as Bulwark fends off orogs but a "high" caster (sorceror or witch doctor?) arrives and things go from bad to worse. More archers arrive on the wall as shamans and orogs attack from the opposite flank, leaving Salde under attack with nowhere to retreat. A web traps both Bulwark and Salde, she fights back while glugging potions or casting Larloch's minor drains but after a few hits and more enemies arriving she can't survive any longer. Bulwark is alone, webbed and  charmed; allowing more enemies to converge. His 36hp is removed by two sets of magic missiles and a host of attacks at once. The chapter ends with a reload to an auto-save to do this battle again - going to be tough so perhaps look at what potions we have stashed away.

Bulwark is level 8 with 360 kills and 74hp, Salde level 9 with 200 kills and 12hp.

Pendal Fighter 11 / Illusionist 12. 212 BG1 kills. 243 BG2 kills. Adamantite golem.
Thimble Fighter 11 / Illusionist 12. 196 BG1 kills. 499 BG2 kills. Firkraag.

Modifié par Gate70, 08 septembre 2012 - 10:54 .

[Krazy Solo]

I'm out of ideas at the moment what to play. Any suggestions involving minimal party size that would be challenging? After all easy mode is not my intent by doing No Reload. I just want to see what my skill level is only way I can find that out is actually pushing myself to do the hardest stuff.

[ussnorway]

@corey_russell, I think that Cleric in SCS is just played well when paralleled to vanilla but personally I don’t allow every Cleric/ Mage to have HLA because it is often ridiculous how powerful some of the peon casters become... allowing only select Cleric/ Mage to have HLA is far better balanced.

These are some suggestions;

Tactics; SCS changes the playing field and you have to put up the ‘Mirror Images’ and set your traps before the battle now... generally I fight Clerics at range but you were fighting with one hand tied after all.

Strategically; I think going to the docks was a mistake because of the possible ambushes (both slavers and vamps)... If it were me then I’d;
1. Collect Nalia to gain access to higher spells... if she fits into your mage-thief restrictions.
2. Do the circus, because you can rest/ cast without the local spell enforcers becoming a nuisance... assumes you have access to magic weapons like ‘Melf's Minute Meteors’ or even ‘Enchanted Weapon’.
3. Get out of Dodge! ... IMO Umar Hills is the easiest area to start with if you get the Valygar quest from Tolgerias then even better and not a Cowled Wizard in sight.

@Alesia_BH, in my build, If she turtles then I counter ‘Improved Invisibility’ with his ‘Insect plague’... target a friendly summon and the plague will sense/ spread to any enemy in the area regardless of invisibility.

@Krazy Solo, You could try an all divine party?

[Alesia_BH]

Alyssa v Yaga Shura

Ok. I have just enough time to dart off the Yaga post. Here it goes.

The Plan: Set 3 Time Traps in the Northeast portion of the map. Take standard, long duration buffs and then initiate the encounter.

Wait out Yaga's army invisible and then time Improved Alacrity's start for his crew's arrival. Immediately Power Word: Stun the Lieutenant Mage, fill in the rest of the buffs (including Fire Shield:Blue) and then pump out some low level damage spells to finish off the Mage quick. Next, take down the Lietuenant Cleric, Fighter, and Thief remembering that Invisibility can be cast repeatedly during IA and that an Assasination is available for the task.

Once the Lieutenants are dead, pull the triple Ice Storm Sequencer and go to work on Yaga ProMW. When the last ProMW is cast from book, pull the ProMW + Improved Haste + Tenser's Trigger. When that ProMW runs out, lead him to the Time Traps and finish him.

Execution:The battle went exactly as planned.

The Improved Alacrity cast.


Quick PW:S on the as yet unbuffed Mage.


Finishing the Stunned Mage.


Taking the BBoD, casting Invisibility, and then swinging Southeast to knock off the Cleric.



North to Assasinate the Fighter and Thief.




The Ice Storm.


The Trigger.


The Finish.




Fin!

Best,

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 09 septembre 2012 - 03:51 .

[Alesia_BH]

@Alesia_BH, in my build, If she turtles then I counter ‘Improved Invisibility’ with his ‘Insect plague’... target a friendly summon and the plague will sense/ spread to any enemy in the area regardless of invisibility.

Understood. I was referring to the times when Cernd fights her out of the party. Meaning I'm just stuck watching. It's not a big deal: just boring...

As a side note Insect Plague can also be targetted on an item placed on the ground by the player if there aren't any summons around. It will spread to foes.

Xiz wrote...
@Alesia: thanks for the clarification on the backstabs, one more question for now -- what was the reasoning behind the vampiric touch? It seems like chugging a potion would have had the same effect HP-wise and aura-wise. I guess there's not a lot of variety at spell level 3, apart from the obvious skull trap, but VT seems like a bit of a waste.

VT is a great spell. Effectively it grants a 33% to 50% HP boost while also doing a non-trivial amount of damage if used in combat. For Alyssa -whose base HP total is right on the edge of the PW:S range- it is especially helpful since it grants her additional margin for error. When she can't use it in combat, she uses it as a pre-buff.

Potions of Heroism and Potions of Power will also grant HP boosts but those are 10% and 20% (base only) respectively while also being non-renewable. Even when Alyssa uses those, she uses VT.

Could you allocate the Level 3 to another Skull Trap instead of VT? Sure- that would be a fine choice as well. Personally, if I need to chose between additional damage and additional defense/margin for error, I go the latter route. It's a matter of playing style. 

Best,

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 09 septembre 2012 - 03:12 .

[ussnorway]

Alesia_BH wrote...

@Alesia_BH, in my build, If she turtles then I counter ‘Improved Invisibility’ with his ‘Insect plague’... target a friendly summon and the plague will sense/ spread to any enemy in the area regardless of invisibility.

Understood. I was referring to the times when Cernd fights her out of the party. Meaning I'm just stuck watching. It's not a big deal: just boring...

As a side note Insect Plague can also be targetted on an item placed on the ground by the player if there aren't any summons around. It will spread to foes.

So am I... didn't know you could target items but he can target himself if no summons are around... "huh?" ... why are there no summons? Nevermind, you must play Druids different to me.

p.s. Why 'Ice Storm'?

Modifié par ussnorway, 09 septembre 2012 - 10:20 .

[Xiz]

ussnorway wrote...

p.s. Why 'Ice Storm'?

(Improved) Yaga Shura's resistances to physical damage and fire/lightning/ice/magic damage are all absurdly high. But his cold resistance is only 50%, so this is the easiest way to hurt him.

[Alesia_BH]

p.s. Why 'Ice Storm'?

Redheads in hotpants don't like winter.

Edit: In other words, what Xiz said...

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 09 septembre 2012 - 12:54 .

[Xiz]

Alesia_BH wrote...

VT is a great spell. Effectively it grants a 33% to 50% HP boost while also doing a non-trivial amount of damage if used in combat. For Alyssa -whose base HP total is right on the edge of the PW:S range- it is especially helpful since it grants her additional margin for error. When she can't use it in combat, she uses it as a pre-buff.

I guess your improved invisibility under Spell Immunity: Divination and Abjuration wear off during long battles?

[Alesia_BH]

That's one of the ways she could be potentially exposed to a PW:S. I can think of others and it's the ones I can't think of that worry me even more.

When it comes to defense, redundancy is advisable- especially when you are talking about one of the major threats in BGII (triple Flame Arrow Triggers, Tamah's Sleep, and Mel's Time Stop->Greater Whirlwind are the others). When the opportunity cost is just some extra AoE damage- and you also get a substantial boost in damage absorption capacity as a bonus- allocating a slot to VT isn't a difficult choice from my vantage point.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 09 septembre 2012 - 04:18 .

[HoonDing]

Sadly I've been out of the loop for a while. I'm wondering, was Alora's solo game ever finished? That was a quite entertaining playthrough while it lasted.

[Alesia_BH]

Alyssa at the Oasis (Or Neuron Souffle, Served at 37C)


In the aftermath of Saradush's fall, Alyssa heard rumors of a bounty on her head, advertised by a note with a "rough but accurate description."


Having tired of bounty hunters in her Sword Coast days, she chose to travel incognito.


Sadly, Alyssa's disguise didn't deceive Jamis's men. But it did gain her entry into an all you can eat buffet serving none other than neuron souffle. 


Alyssa enjoyed all that was on offer, but she's a busy girl and chose to eat on the go: 10 servings per 6 seconds.


Where oh where does a girl with her figure put all those brains?


Mystery. 

Sendai is next.

Best,

A.
 

[Alesia_BH]

HoonDing wrote...

Sadly I've been out of the loop for a while. I'm wondering, was Alora's solo game ever finished? That was a quite entertaining playthrough while it lasted.

Hi HoonDing!

I didn't finish Alora's run actually, and I feel a little bad about it. Had I known so many people were interested in her, I would have played her out.

I abandoned her in the Underdark. This was partly because I find piloting Thieves through the Kuo Toans tedious, but also because my own interests laid elsewhere at the time. A forumite who was semi-offended by my goofy role playing with her (the "Happify Athkatla" campaign if you recall) helped seal the deal.

I suppose I could play her again sometime, but it feels a little "done"  at this point. We'll see.

Best,

A.


PS- I'm thinking about revamping my install with more difficulty enhancing components. Now that I think about it, it may be fun to let Alora be the one who gets the first shot at the new setup...

[Alesia_BH]

Alesia_BH wrote...

Understood. I was referring to the times when Cernd fights her out of the party. Meaning I'm just stuck watching. It's not a big deal: just boring...

So am I... 

Just to clarify, we are talking about different situations here. I was referring to the case where Cernd challenges her without joining the party. In that case, it's a fully scripted fight -the player watches and can not control Cernd at all. So, if Faldorn casts II and chooses to stand there you can get stuck waiting. 

But sure, if you are controlling a Druid, II doesn't preclude use of Insect Plague: all you need is something (anything) to target.

As a side note on insect spells, David's Fireshield Blocks Insect Spells component makes sense to me. In its absence, higher level mages should at times take SI:C as Oversight Sendai does.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 09 septembre 2012 - 09:33 .

[DMWW]

Alesia_BH wrote...
I'm not sure what you mean by "as is" exactly. SCS is designed to be configurable and I suspect that David didn't spend too much time meditating over which option is say, 1 or 2 on the various lists- especially in the cases where he borrowed components from other mods. 

Virtually none.

As for the final Irenicus Battle, SCS provides a number of options: Westly Weimer's Tactics Improved Irenicus, Weimer Tactics-SCS Hybrid, and Pure SCS.

Just to be clear, you get "pure SCS" Irenicus just by installing Smarter Mages and Improved Fiends. Both of the "Improved Irenicus" subcomponents are part-Tactics.

The Westly Weimer Tactics version is the largest departure from the original and its author had a noticeably different attitude towards modding. If you are seeking something approaching a "canonical" SCS playthrough, it may not be the best choice.

Agreed. I only coded it because someone asked me to; I probably wouldn't use it myself. (I should probably make that a bit more prominent in the readme or something.)

Modifié par DMWW, 10 septembre 2012 - 12:44 .

[Gate70]

Grond0/Gate70 multiplayer attempt 8 : Pendal (Gate70, protaganist) and Thimble (Grond0).
The entire Planar Sphere quest is done, our smoothest MP-sphere to date although Thimble was mazed by Kayardi and later held despite her many buffs. Pendal half expected this so had kept behind her what a gentlegnome and summoned a golem before using greater malison and hold monster to ensure she stayed alive. Other than that he allowed Thimble to do all the work before stealing a kill then did a bit more work (but by no means 50%) to steal another kill.

On exiting the sphere Gaelan Bayle arrives to introduce himself this is the "usual" multiplayer problem meaning we have to go back to the last decent save which is...the start of the planar sphere losing 1.5 hours. & Grond0 thought a missing golem arm in his run was annoying. Rather than us both redo this I have re-played it (consoled the xp down slightly to the original amount, checked hit points and proficiencies were the same after Thimble levels up and the number of kills was reasonable - correct for Thimble but Pendal has 1 kill too many). I suspect the maze has started this problem although there is something nasty about the slum district in multiplayer.

Pendal and Thimble don't really need to think during the action replay so cracked open the IceWind Dale II book for another read.

Attempt 2 at the fortress exterior starts off well, but by this time Salde has almost exhausted her spells. Bulwark explores a bit too far and is stunned by a chromatic orb. Enemies surround him with a shaman beyond, so Salde uses three flaming oils but the orcs survive long enough to kill Bulwark. Salde is emptying a scrollcase and casts skulltrap but the casting is so long that the enemies have passed it. She decides to run a circuit of the fortress and lead them into the skull, only to discover a lot more enemies are waiting to de-buff her and kill her with various imbued missiles. Reload 3 (I think, possibly 4), 2nd in this fight.

Salde is careful to only cast spells when required as Bulwark is coping well and more oomph will be needed as enemy casters arrive. Bulwark evades a huge lightning strike, not once but twice and the southern side of the fortress is finally clear. As the looting commences Salde is fiddling in her inventory when another lightning strike hits her - dropping her to 1/12hp so she moves away and glugs a healing potion glug potion, deep breath, save game.

Bulwark is level 8 with 403 (+40) kills and 74hp, Salde level 9 with 219 (+19) kills and 12hp.

Pendal Fighter 11 / Illusionist 12. 212 BG1 kills. 263 264 (+28) BG2 kills. Adamantite golem.
Thimble Fighter 11 / Illusionist 12. 196 BG1 kills. 550 (+47) BG2 kills. Firkraag.

[Alesia_BH]

DMWW wrote...
Just to be clear, you get "pure SCS" Irenicus just by installing Smarter Mages and Improved Fiends. Both of the "Improved Irenicus" subcomponents are part-Tactics.

Thanks for clarifying.
Sorry for muddying. 

Agreed. I only coded it because someone asked me to; I probably wouldn't use it myself. (I should probably make that a bit more prominent in the readme or something.)

Understood. I'm happy the Weimer Tactics version is there, but from my vantage point, it's mostly of historical interest now. 

Adding a note might make sense.

Best,

A.

Btw. I'm going to try to install v. 21 soon. I would have already, but tweaking my install is kind of a hassle right now. Thanks for the continued good work!

[Alesia_BH]

 Quick Note on Alyssa's Game:

Alyssa is currently standing in front of Sendai's inner sanctum. I was about to send her in, when I realized this will be my first time facing Sendai with Improved Fiends installed. That worries me. Sendai's chamber is a tough venue for a thief and with demons teleporting around, it could get dodgy. The thought of ighting demons in close quarters with mages around -and a limited number of slots at 5- worries me. This would be a good time to have friends (or at least be a gnome...).

Pondering...

Best,

A.


Btw. I still love the multiplayer No Reload idea Gate70 and Grond0. Sounds fun. It's a shame multiplayer doesn't work on my install.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 10 septembre 2012 - 09:22 .

[Gate70]

Multiplayer has quirks that make it feel harder to play than single player (lag, pause/unpause and having to talk about even the most basic things such as which way to run in an ambush or why you've I've just webbed/fireballed me you) but after a few games I feel Grond0 and I are working around that. Having another person watching your back is making up for most of those issues - hence our repeated forays into mid-SOA. It's done wonders for my single player approach in BG1 and now getting there for BG2.

BGEE may be a solution for you with multiplayer, link below. From what I've read it appears they have similar views on the multiplayer issues and intend to resolve them.
www.cinemablend.com/games/Baldur-Gate-Enhanced-Edition-Has-Cross-Platform-Multiplayer-40971.html

I assume you're on a mac and the issue is directx directplay, hotel/cafe(/cave) internet or similar. If you wanted to pm me to discuss further I'd be interested in understanding what the issue is and if there are options.

[Alesia_BH]

 Quick Note on Alyssa's Game:

Alyssa has ripped the Bhaal-essence from Sendai's very soul. 

I'll post on the battle soon.

Best,

A.

[Gate70]

Grond0/Gate70 multiplayer attempt 8 : Pendal (Gate70, protaganist) and Thimble (Grond0).
With the Planar Sphere returned a shopping trip is made before the day of the lich arrives; Thimble has spell immunity running while Pendal has an emergency backup of protection from undead.
Crooked Crane Lich : Elemental Lich : Shade Lich (edit - duplicated a bit here, sorry) : Kangaxx the Lich : Kangaxx the Demi-Lich

A few timestops are endured, Thimble is mazed three times and wilted once - but Pendal the yougofirst is uninjured.

Ketta is the odd one out (unless you count the Ships Bounty pirates which are tidied up on the way to Kangaxx). After a good days destroying it is time to read some more of IceWind Dale II

The final part of the fortress exterior battle is carefully done then the interior sees a group of chieftains followed by Guthra and his casters then ending up with the Jailkeeper and a pair of cooks. Once the enemies are defeated the lone prisoner (Braston) is returned to his partner (Ennelia). A good session, and as Grond0 noted the sorcerer buffs to a monk make for a potent combination.

Bulwark is level 9 with 441 (+38) kills and 86hp, Salde level 10 with 245 (+26) kills and 13hp.

Pendal Fighter 12 / Illusionist 13. 212 BG1 kills. 274 (+10) BG2 kills. Adamantite golem.
Thimble Fighter 12 / Illusionist 13. 196 BG1 kills. 602 (+54) BG2 kills. Firkraag.

Modifié par Gate70, 11 septembre 2012 - 03:53 .

[Alesia_BH]

 Alyssa v. Sendai (Give Me Spell Immunity or Give Me Death)


Despite a major mistep, Alyssa defeated Sendai without much difficulty. I was worried about this fight heading in. Sendai is an endurance test. That's potentially problematic for Alyssa and not because of her relative lack of high level slots. Mage battles are ultimately won or lost a the mid levels: 4,5, and 6- especially 5. My concern was that fighting consecutive mage battles would leave her tapped at 5 and vulnerable to debuff. Her solution here mirrored her early/mid SoA approach: maximize access to midlevel Abjuration spells while using physical attacks for offense. This worked.

The Plan: Set Chain: SI:A+SI:D+Spell Shield, Contingency: ProMW, Trigger: SI:A+SI:D+Spell Shield. Allocate 4 to Stoneskins and Improved Invisibility, 5 to Spell Immunity and Spell Shield, 6 to ProMW, 7 to Spell Turning, 8 to Pro Energy, and 9 to Improved Alacrity. Be ready to fully buff and lock in for each of the mage encounters. Use scrolls and thief abilties for damage.  In sum, stay buffed, stay safe: the rest will follow. 

Execution: A goof up on my part caused Alyssa to lose her opening Contingences (I accidentally clicked rest in the Mindflayer lair when I meant to click Pocket Plane. I then forgot to reset her Contingencies after they were triggered by ambushers.). That boxed Alyssa into using tactics I would have rather not used and also cost her a couple scrolls. Aside from that it was an enjoyable battle.

Once Alyssa noticed her Contingencies were missing, she huffed at me, dug into her Bag of Holding, and then pulled out a Shapechange scroll.

That made sense. Buff the Mindflayer form, lay a Time Trap to the South, drop the Cleric, and then end the Mage while time is stopped.

The Cleric dies, the Mage statue activates, the Time Trap trips.


No more Mage.


Problem solved.

Now committed to the Mindflayer form, she used it against the next statues.


The price for my error got a little higher when Alyssa was forced to use a Spell Immunity scroll by one of the Drow support mages. She was not pleased and even grumbled something about replacing me with another forumite- maybe Gate70...
 

Used another Time Trap to thin out the support drow.


Finished off the final statue in Human form in preparation for the real Sendai's arrival.

And there she was: Sendai herself.


She took a lot of buffs.



But note that last line entry: Alyssa- Casts Improved Alacrity. Soon Alyssa was fully buffed as well. 

Dropped the Chained Deva under ProMW.


Then Level 5 did it's heavy lifting. Insect Plauge? SI:C


Khleben's?


Caught by the Spell Shield.


Remove? SI:A.


With no hope of debuffing Alyssa Sendai's damage spells would go to waste.

Sendai's summons were turned against her when they were used to trigger the Time Trap that ended her. Strip->Assasination.



Fin!

Abazigal is next.

Best,

A.


Btw. @Gate70. Thanks for the offer of help with multiplayer.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 11 septembre 2012 - 05:56 .

[Grond0]

Good stuff Alesia - always nice to see some quality play.

[corey_russell]

Nice work Alesia_BH. I think solo of Sendai, vanilla or otherwise, is a great achievement. Picenon did it too, but he had several scary moments, especially after Sendai got a Harm on him! Walking around with 1 HP is scary in ToB for sure...