Dear Aasim and Arcadia,
Im loving your posts so much (especially Aasims playthroughs, you're a beast!) that Im going to do my own no reload minimal npcs support challenge soon. Its going to be an asassin10/fighterxx half orc (for rp purposes) called Eren.
Regards GL
Phoe Gyi, entering BG2 challenge
As so far, he set Jaheira free from her cage, picked up Claw of Kazgaroth and used Dungeon-b-gone to exit to surface. Should be finishing the circus tomorrow.
Quick Note on Arcadia's Game:
In need of gold, Arcadia accepted Valygar's offer to explore the Planar Sphere. She successfully neutralized it, and has now established a stronghold in Athkatla. It will serve as her base of operations as she plans her final assault on Irenicus.
NW: My characters typically receive a personal item. Arcadia has not gotten one. I am tempted to let the apprenti fashion a Spell Shield scroll for Arcadia, in lieu of the items they typically forge, and have that be her personal item.
Best,
A.
NW: My characters typically receive a personal item. Arcadia has not gotten one. I am tempted to let the apprenti fashion a Spell Shield scroll for Arcadia, in lieu of the items they typically forge, and have that be her personal item.
T-up. The latest SCS versions have an option "more Spell Shield scrolls", so I guess DavidW also feels that the damn scroll is too hard to find.
Phoe Gyi, 2nd BG2 update
First things first, we cleared the circus. Now at level 10, Phoe Gyi gets an ability called Abudant Step. It works like a short-distance teleport. Very cool.
With no protection from critical hits, cunnning is often better part of the valor...
After CC it was time to gather my troops. First, Viconia (I forgot to pick up the final WIS tome from Catacombs in Candlekeep 
, -1 to level 5 slots....grr.)
and Jan. The group guarding Viconia can be rather deadly if not prepared for. They still cost quite a bit of healing potions.
Now, to get some critical immunity asap. This here shows why - 42 damage crit. 
It was worth of it, since the skeleton had a Spell Sequencer scroll on him 
Down below, a horrible thing happened. Phoe Gyi got hit by small spider - taking nasty 5HP damage ticks. He tried to use his innate Cure Poison, but then got critically hit again! Nobody has Cure Poison memorized! Cure Light wounds, quickly!
This is where it stopped ticking...phew. This was the closest he came to death so far. Ironically enough, next level up will grant him poison immunity. 
Pai-na - Insects + Chaos.
I prebuffed extensivly for Suna Seni, including Imp.invisibility on Phoe Gyi. Jan's Chaos was the deal.
Now to docks. Here I bought a new set of bracers for Jan - unlike in the vanilla game, they have to be bought, but are decent enough for any thief.
+5% to critical hits can help with poor THAC0.
I agreed to do the bidding of the Shadow Thieves and looted Mae'var's guild. Now to Goverment District, Jan gulps down a thievery potion, and pickpockets Tolgerias.
This is why:
Down below, a horrible thing happened. Phoe Gyi got hit by small spider - taking nasty 5HP damage ticks. He tried to use his innate Cure Poison, but then got critically hit again! Nobody has Cure Poison memorized! Cure Light wounds, quickly!
This is where it stopped ticking...phew. This was the closest he came to death so far. Ironically enough, next level up will grant him poison immunity.
Nice escape Aasim. I remember one of my monks did die of spider poison when on the verge of getting the necessary XP to gain immunity 
.
Yes! Aasim, your runs are the best! , so creative.
T-up. The latest SCS versions have an option "more Spell Shield scrolls", so I guess DavidW also feels that the damn scroll is too hard to find.
Noted.
Glad to see Phoe Gyi survived the poison, Aasim.
Best,
A.
Glad to see Phoe Gyi survived the poison, Aasim.
So am I, it would be very dishartening to see him go like this. I should have been more careful around those creatures, and let Jan tank them.
Be that as it may, Phoe Gyi doesn't need to concern himself with poisons anymore.
Phoe Gyi, 3rd BG2 update
Started the session by dealing with the Harpers. Fwiw, I plan on romancing Jaheira. This means several things:
1) slightly more XP
2) slightly longer game
3) I can only play when my wife isn't around
Improved invisibility was used on Phoe Gyi to deal with the enemies safely here. I was pretty concerned about possible Flame Arrows.
Now, some quick money gathering. Pooky, Mencar & co. Here we pull off our wombo-combo - Ice Strom + skeletons (immune to cold).
Followed by Chaos+Greater Command+Insect Plague. Total galore. 
Nobody survived apart the dwarf, who was slain with Flame Arrow.
Same tactic vs Temple Sewers gang.
Phoe Gyi killed the sole survivor.
Finally, Edwin needs to join us. I have great respect for Gethras, so I bought two Magic Shielding potions before tackling him. I didn't have to use them, Phoe Gyi stunned him from invisibility and he never recovered.
As for Mae'var, Jaheira (she's single-class druid) pulls out some heavy artillery - Earth Elemental. As a sidenote, the one component of aTweaks I really can't digest is PnP Elementals - that I generally skip. With Spell Revisions, elementals are more powerful and diverse than vanilla, but nothing close to aTweaks versions of these creatures.
As soon as Phoe Gyi ventures in, Mae'var starts some Divination crap - disrupted.
Unfortunately, his buffs kick in, Fireshield removes Insects from him.
Never the less, we do our standard disabling casting - Greater Command and Chaos. Mae'var saved against all.
He managed to do three things - hit us with Remove magic, fire off a Spell Thrust at casters, release a Chain Lightning attack, and then his Globe dissipated. Edwin and Jan stand ready with Flame Arrows (Mae'var was already in a near-death state), and it was done. Edwin now joins as (probably, I'm thinking about Mazzy to do some real physical DPS) final party member.
I have a problem in Firkraag's lair. I think that it is to do with Vampire Tales.
I have fought against the vampires. Two of my party were killed two others ended up on the other side of the door where Semia is. I resurrected and healed everybody. Sadly all the equipment of those who died is on the other side.
I am wondering if this is what is supposed to have happened, or is it a mod incompatability?
A weapon was being used that could have caused panic for instance. Could that have got characters through the door?
If I had known that I would be coming across those vampires, I would have planned the strategy differently, but I prefer not to know what is coming next.
@Grimwald
there is an effect which can indeed launch people through the door, it's used for example in Wing Buffet/Smite HLA and similar. Panic wouldn't do that.
Aha. I've checked, and indeed Miriam's hand weapon MIRIAMH6.itm (maybe others, didn't check them) indeed has a Wing Buffet opcode used (save vs Death to avoid). I'd teleport over the door fwiw. That door shouldn't even require a key - Fixpack does that due to a false assumtion that if a key exists doors must be locked in a way they can't be opened by a thief (imo, this is a bug Fixpack introduces - one of many); in vanilla game a thief can use Open Locks/Knock to open them.
Arcadia, Half-Elven Fighter/Mage
After a few days on the streets, playing the blues for coppers, and wallowing in depression, Arcadia and Captain Swarmi got themselves together and went back to work. They secured a stronghold, fixed some broken paladins, and returned a bow to its former glory.
They also did some community service in the Temple District.
Sion got served first. Arcadia had just one word for him: Power Word- Stun.
(No save chance for you, punk.)
Then she had just one flail for him.
Stalman was next. No spells out of him, aside from pre-buffs.
Nixed Koshi, who was having trouble hitting anyways.
Stepped back, cast True Sight, revealed Ketta.
Time to finish.
I'll post on the Planar Sphere relatively soon, followed by the Planar Prison.
Best,
A.
Nice work, Aasim. I've noticed you're using a lot of Ice Storms. How does that behave in SR?
Best,
A.
Welcome, Golden28! We're looking forward to seeing your character!
Best,
A.
@Grimwald
there is an effect which can indeed launch people through the door, it's used for example in Wing Buffet/Smite HLA and similar. Panic wouldn't do that.
Aha. I've checked, and indeed Miriam's hand weapon MIRIAMH6.itm (maybe others, didn't check them) indeed has a Wing Buffet opcode used (save vs Death to avoid). I'd teleport over the door fwiw. That door shouldn't even require a key - Fixpack does that due to a false assumtion that if a key exists doors must be locked in a way they can't be opened by a thief (imo, this is a bug Fixpack introduces - one of many); in vanilla game a thief can use Open Locks/Knock to open them.
Thanks for the information. Presumably the writers of Fixpack hadn't thought of such a situation arising and the writers of Vampire Tales didn't know what Fixpack were going to do. A different location for Miriam and everything would have been fine. A different decision by Fixpack likewise.
Now that I know about the bug, I can easily avoid it by opening the door and running so that the fight takes place elsewhere. Near the entrance would make sense.
That effect may well have saved the party from destruction as two were dead and those alive had been level drained with no way of restoring level. Will try your suggestion, making sure that party are invisible until those who died have some armour and weapons. Of course, having had two dying party members sent through that door, I should have used invisibility at that stage. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Pity that we don't have it at the time.
I was lucky that Viconia was one of the survivors. Restoration and healing were possible.
Nice work, Aasim. I've noticed you're using a lot of Ice Storms. How does that behave in SR?
It has several important features:
- it reduces movement speed of those caught in AoE (any kind of Free Action prevents this effect tho)
- damage isn't really high (2d8 per round, lasts 4 rounds) but stacks up if you cast three of them
- it allows to get another spell off before enemies close on you
- it bypasses MGoI and eats up Spell Deflection charges
- Ice damage resistance is very uncommon in enemies
- Imp.invisibility can't protect from it
- probably most important feature - it's completely harmless to Undead - this means skeletons/Shadows (yes, in SR mages summon shadows, not skeletons as a 5th level spell - they can "Animate Skeleton warrior" as 6th level) are perfect when paired with it. I've yet to try how Nishruu/Hakaeshar behave within the storm - if it heals them - woo-hoo! 
I'm planning on using a lot of summons in this run, unlike my other attempts - Phoe Gyi isn't a real "tank" character like my other protagonists (yet).
The spell looses quite a bit of it's edge relatively soon, however in late BG1 and early SoA it's quite powerful. By itself it's nothing to write home about (damages anywhere from 8-64 points of damage if someone is stuck in it for the whole duration, which never happens unless you pair it up with some other spell ) but when used in conjuction with other spells (Undead summons, Web, Entangle, Slow, Chaos, Greater Command- whatever either messes up movement or makes them confused/slowed) it's power rises drastically. Fwiw, I think I could probably get more milage out of Skull Traps + Web sequencers but Ice Storm has this wonderful graphic effect which I'm totally addicted to.
Phoe Gyi, 4th BG2 update
Temple Ruins
I decided to skip Mazzy. She's undeniably powerful and would fit this party like a glove with her ranged expertise, but I'm holding a soft spot for Sarevok, if we ever meet him.
Now, I don't use SCS upgrade to Shade Lord no more (it's a bit wacky sometimes), so this was pretty easy. Not without crazy stuff happening.
First we try to kill him before he does anything. Jan backstabs (with IR, Short Sword of Backstabbing is a la RR version - +1 to backstab multiplier when used by thieves), Phoe Gyi strikes as well. He survived.
Then all kinds of crazy starts to happen. First he Spellstrikes Jan. WTF? 
Next he does something - I see message in log - Level Drain:Jan. I check his sheet, no level drain. Blindness? 
Meh. Edwin kills him with a Flame Arrow (on a sidenote - this spell is slightly changed with Spell Revisions. The arrows created can strike at additional targets - even if the prime target is killed, the rest seek out enemies and plunge into them. Heat-seeker!
We report back to Umar Hills, sell most - if not all loot (I kept the armor for Viconia - it makes her immune to Disease and Fear), and take a brief visit to WK. Unfortunately, Wraiths spawned I don't feel as tackling those yet.
Payed Shadow Thieves, and did first two missions. 3rd one will have to wait since there's a Lich there I'm not yet comfortable killing. Besides, some slavers are just waiting to be killed anyway. This was Phoe Gyi's turn to shine.
A little divination reveals - your doom!
I must admit, apart from the Cavalier, KR Monk is the most fun kit I played so far. Whoooop....call me Jumpin' Jack Death! 
Now we are going to descend into sewers (one thing BG2 lacks is a fully developed sewer system like the one in Baldur's Gate imo).
It has several important features:
- it reduces movement speed of those caught in AoE (any kind of Free Action prevents this effect tho)
- damage isn't really high (2d8 per round, lasts 4 rounds) but stacks up if you cast three of them
- it allows to get another spell off before enemies close on you
- it bypasses MGoI and eats up Spell Deflection charges
- Ice damage resistance is very uncommon in enemies
- Imp.invisibility can't protect from it
- probably most important feature - it's completely harmless to Undead - this means skeletons/Shadows (yes, in SR mages summon shadows, not skeletons as a 5th level spell - they can "Animate Skeleton warrior" as 6th level) are perfect when paired with it. I've yet to try how Nishruu/Hakaeshar behave within the storm - if it heals them - woo-hoo!
It sounds like a great spell in your install. I'd use it heavily, too.
Even with the vanilla Ice Storm mechanic, which is nerfy in comparison, I've found Ice Storm x 3 Sequencers helpful on occasion- mostly against mages running MGOI and enemies particularly susceptible to cold.
Fwiw, I think I could probably get more milage out of Skull Traps + Web sequencers but Ice Storm has this wonderful graphic effect which I'm totally addicted to.
Yeah. But popping off Skull Trap sequencers gets old quick- just like Sunfire Triggers and Wilting Chains.
I too love the Ice Storm animation.
Keep up the good work!
Best,
A.
It sounds like a great spell in your install.
Fwiw, most spells are great with Spell Revisions. There's no "bad pick". Some of the imbalanced ones are nerfed (i.e. Emotion; which is by all means an AoE save-or-die for AI) but all are perfectly viable. Example: Remove Curse, highly situational in vanilla, and probably never a pick for a sorcerer.
With Spell Revisions- Break Enchantement - it works exactly as it's PnP version, negating the effects of level 5 and lower disables (it can cure Charm& Confusion for example), making it exellent.
Info here is a bit outdated, but it's a nice read.
Arcadia, Half-Elven Fighter/Mage: The Planar Sphere
Arcadia is in an awkward situation right now. She's seriously overpowered, and at the same time one spell short of where I'd like her to be for the end game. She's also broke, and yet eager to do some last minute shopping before heading on to ToB.
As a consequence, she's now basically wandering Athkatla aimlessly, smiting foes with ease, but unwilling to move on to ToB. The plan is to keep punking stuff until one of two things happens: either she finds Spell Shield as a random drop, or she gets Improved Alacrity. With Arcadia's luck the latter will come first: the girl hasn't even found a Remove Magic scroll yet. She's gotten awful random drops this game.
As mentioned, another possibility is that her apprenti may come to her rescue. I'll acknowledge that I find that option appealing since I don't fancy whirlwinding SoA enemies with Ages much longer.
Ok. So: the Planar Sphere. At this point, there's nothing vaguely threatening here for Arcadia. Coverage will be mercifully quick. Arcadia doesn't belong in SoA anymore.
The Hungry, Hungry Halflings
Arcadia started Karyadi off with a PW:S.
Captain Swarmi heard Mogadish say "manos" and figured Remove Paralysis was on the way, but Arcadia chose to stay on Karyardi rather than run up to Mogadish to interrupt him. These guys were totally dead either way and Mogadish was, like, far. Kayardi was freed, his buffs fired.
Whatever. Punked Mogadish.
The only annoying thing that Kayardi could have done was summon a demon, and thus waste Arcadia's time. Popped off a Sunfire when he went Conjuration.
An enemy ProMW means unenchanted Whirlwinds from Arcadia. Unlike most warriors, Arcadia can safely fight high level mages at close range, since her buffs protect her from both debuffs and spells.
More long sword whirlwinds.
Lavok
He took his buffs.
He stopped time, but was stumped by Arcadia's buffs.
Lavok's Simulacrum got a Seeking Whirlwinf when time resumed.
Lavok said "vita," Arcadia said "manos."
Mordy Sword furnished an opportunity to take a VT hitpoint buff.
Unenchanted Darts peeled Lavok's Stoneskins, but his recast timing was spot on. Ages ultimately finished him.
Tolgerias
Tolgerias was stunned, peeled, and walloped.
Arcadia turned to Tolgerias's study-buddy and asked her what she wanted: Ages or the long sword? She cast ProMw.
One long sword coming right up...
Oops...
I got all the way to the engine room and then realized I was missing something. (Yes: I am rusty...)
Onto the Planar Sphere, followed by Firkraag.
Best,
A.
@ Alesia
I'm curious - how did you stun Tolgerias? I am rusty (actually, completely ignorant) about vanilla game stunning darts. Have you used those? In my install, the bastard has 96 (!!!!) HP - I call this pure cheese on SCS part.
@ Alesia
I'm curious - how did you stun Tolgerias? I am rusty (actually, completely ignorant) about vanilla game stunning darts. Have you used those? In my install, the bastard has 96 (!!!!) HP - I call this pure cheese on SCS part.
Yes: I use Darts of Stunning often. The effect is save v spell or suffer stun for 7 rounds. With a base APR of 3, they can be pretty devastating.
Tolgerias was stunned with darts.
I, personally, wouldn't mind seeing more +90HP mages. PW:S is no hope insta-death for too many, in my opinion.
(At the same time, I find walking up to a powerful mage and incapacitating him with a single word irresistible...)
Best,
A.
Hmm how do you show pictures right away like Aasim?
Thanks!
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