15228 réponses à ce sujet

[Alesia_BH]

Welcome to the challenge, Grim Jim!

 

Good hunting with Jim! I like his book so far.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Serg BlackStrider]

Welcome to the Crew, GrimJim! Safe travels to Jim!

[Alesia_BH]

 

Thanks, Alesia. That last time I soloed a sorcerer though my install, his book was heavily influened by Alicia's. I'll probably take a similar path in this run since it's what I'm familiar with.

 

 

I thought that might be the case. When you picked Ice Storm is was like: huh? That's unusual. I wonder where he got that...Alicia.

 

I had given Alicia Ice Storm simply as a Frozen reference, but I came to appreciate it. 2d8 doesn't sound like much, but it's cold damage, which is helpful, and it's 2d8 per round for four rounds, meaning 8d8. Three of them in a sequencer? Now we're talking serious damage. No save. It looks super-cool, too.

 

I'm probably going to go with Malison in Aphril's book, but I'm tempted to select Ice Storm, if only so we'll be able to unleash epic blizzards. 4 mages means 4 Sequencers and 4 Triggers. 24 Ice Storms. 48d8 per round for 4 rounds.192d8. That sounds hilarious. Perfect for Firkraag.

 

 

This is a long winded way of saying that even though it's possible to sneak around the left edge of this one and even though Jim would almost certainly survive it, I send him back to the Copper Coronet for his reward.

 

 

I understand completely. Aphril did the exact same thing. I felt bad for the kiddies up there. 

 

Best,

 

A.

[Golden28]

Alexander the barbarian, 1st episode BG2.

 

'How could I get myself get captured? I need to get out of here soon. Good thing I have allies, like Imoen and Yoshimo to aid me.'

 

In Irenicus' dungeon an assassin gets a backstab in.

 

This is why we kill them and not just run: 2 invis potions. 

 

Imoen gets spirited away. We save Aerie and recruit her (planning a romance with her, never did it before, only with Jaheira, Viconia, Dorn and parts with Neera). 

 

We also get to the slums and we recruit the powerful, 99hp, level 7/11 fighter/cleric Anomen. This guy has always been my shield.

 

Aerie gets backstabbed by a rogue in an ambush after she used stoneskin + firebreath potion to kill a few.   

 

Eldarin falls while Suna is hacking up Alexander.

 

She also falls.

 

Here we are cleaning up the sewers with skeletons.

 

Rakshasha falls very easily by skeletons, guess his protections got interrupted or never triggered..

 

A backstab was not enough to take out Gaius, only got him to near death status.

 

Our skeletons fall like chaff.. We run for it. Gaius and Rengaard follow us outside!

 

We decide to take a stand against those two. Unfortunately the powerful mage kills half our team with spells. But then he finally gets splattered after his whole spellbook is empty in the building of a most noble order. 

 

We outrun the rest and flee to the bridge disctrict. A robber tries to ambush us and a vampire tries to kill us, so we run and are laying low in the five flagons right now with a pint...

 

Cheers!

[Alesia_BH]

@CKT. I thought of Sir Gawain's Hell Trials dilemma while riding my bike today.

 

The Hell Trials are suppose to be an exploration of self, a chance at self discovery. Play it that way. Let Sir Gawain realize that he has learned a valuable lesson. Let him learn that he has been guilty of pride, and let him further realize that his pride in killing, in warrior-hood, is connected to the taint. Let him feel regret, but let him also feel empowered. Let him realize that his deeper understanding of self will ultimately aid him in his quest of becoming the right and honorable defender of good that he envisions himself to be. Let the experience strengthen him, not weaken him- even if it does raise temporary self doubt within the narrative.

 

Anyhoo. That's how I'd play it. I defer to your judgement though. You have a better understanding of Sir Gawain than I.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Serg BlackStrider]

Update of Impish Face & Co (Suldanesselar).

 

I made some of this pre-vacation so just quick coverage.

 

Golems are no longer a threat, even Nalia could make some melee killing of those:

 

Spoiler

.

 

Nabassu gated in like a swarm of Cambions, cursed Viconia and went etherial. I was worried he will stay there long enough (5 rounds) for her to turn into Ghast permanently but he returned soon and Viconia lifted the curse by herself (later I realized I could just cast Remove Curse on her). Without their master the Cambions are just free source of exp.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

We buffed for Raamilat extensively but he was one-shotted by our Elementals (unintentionally) and dropped a Blackmist +4, a Halberd of Lesser Demon Lord from Ust Natha (first time ever I got this, Blindness 10' Radius could be handy sometimes) and a Shapechange scroll which Nalia eagerly scribed into her spellbook and immediately memorized.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Rakshasa are troublesome (with their multiple ProMW and spell level immunities) so after struggling them badly on the streets we went in Demin's house invisible and just hit with ADHWs on Adsaan & Co. He dropped Hammer of Thunderbolts +3 and Fortress Shield +3.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

Nizi is quite formidable opponent with 600HP and outstanding stats. We made sure everyone is protected vs acid at least on 50%. We found only one Pro Acid spell scroll during our travels so Impish Face cast it on himself (as he will be a main tank) and Nalia (as main damage dealer). Viconia equipped Shadow Dragon armor and cast Pro Acid green scroll. Jaheira, Mazzy and Imoen applied green scrolls (they will stay out of harm way mostly). Nalia opened with Pierce Magic/Lower Resistance x2 Trigger and tried Feeblemind (Nizi saved) while Impish Face hit with Breach and went melee. Our summons didn't last long vs Nizi (Greater Elementals and Planetar just bought us few rounds). Meanwhile Viconia cast Harm but foiled it with Vith'ir (critical miss). She retreats to prepare another Harm while Nalia hit with double ADHW and changed into Mind Flayer. This was a mistake as she (1) lost her acid immunity and (2) she will not be able to hit a -12 AC with her THAC0 of 0 reliably unless Nizi is disabled anyway. Fortunately Nizi used his breath weapon just before her shapechange so she is safe for long enough to switch into Iron Golem form. Meanwhile Impish Face was stripped of his stoneskins and cornered. ProMW immediately! Viconia wasted her second Harm as well but at least lured Nizi away from Impish Face. He cast another Stoneskins and rushed forward. Imoen added her own ADHW while Jaheira and Viconia spammed Wands of Heaven. Few rounds later Jaheira joined the Dragonslayers ranks. Nizi dropped Armor of the Hart +3 and Gorgon Plate +4.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Temple we immediately put all three artifact on the altar to summon a Leaf Lord but seems he is unable to nix Suneer while he is under Improved Invisibility/Immunity Divination. He just nixed Suneer's Simmy and Glabrezu and that's it. We were forced to fight Rakshasa, Iron Golem and gated Nabassu ourselves. And only after Suneer was visible he nixed him as well but the fight was won at the moment anyway.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

Suneer dropped one last SoA randomized item (Azuredge). It's also polytweaked just like Mace of Disruption.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Checking my records revealed that I missed three randomized items: Boneblade +4 (which originally belongs to Qilue), Amulet of Spell Warding (we need to kill Adalon to get it) and Tansheron's Bow +3. The only place uncovered is *Underdark, kuo-toa tunnels, gang of drow*. I know only one gang of Drow there (guards of exit) and I'm absolutely sure they had just ordinary Drow equiment. Oh well...(sigh).

 

At the Tree of Life Irenicus had no chance. He got Khelben's followed with Breach few rounds later and even a desperate Improved Invisibility/Immunity: Divination/Spell Shield Trigger is of no use when you haven't weapon protections vs i-see-you-through-invisibility-just-fine Planetar.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Speaking of 80's music - just fits the moment perfectly: Slayer '85 - "Hell Awaits".

 

to be continued...

[Blackraven]

Nice updates Serg (you're a very good player, fine work with Nizi) and Golden too (bloody as always)!

I'm wishing you the best on your Journeys to Glory.

 

[Alesia_BH]

Nice work Serg!

 

Finish strong!

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Has anyone had trouble finding the Kuo-Toan Prince in SCS v30? Is he just missing in my install? He wasn't where I expected him to be.

 

Best,

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Ok. The Kuo-Toan Prince is out to lunch and so is the Elder Orb. The Hive Mother and the Elder Brain are my only options then?

 

Is that how it's suppose to be in SCS v30?

 

Best,

 

A

[corey_russell]

Ok. The Kuo-Toan Prince is out to lunch and so is the Elder Orb. The Hive Mother and the Elder Brain are my only options then?

 

Is that how it's suppose to be in SCS v30?

 

Best,

 

A

While I can't comment on SCS ver. 30, I can say I have never heard of any mod that removes those NPCs. They seem kind of key to the story line for the Ust Natha quests. The missing Elder Orb in particular seems un-fun - that amulet he drops is real helpful (+2 to all saves). Is this EE? You MAY have to CluaConsole them in, which is un-fun in itself, but what can you do...

[Blackraven]

Ouch Alesia, here's hoping you haven't run into another weird bug. I agree with Corey that it would make no sense if the Prince and the Mother were removed. Clua consoling would be an option. Have you cleared the entire areas?

 

[Alesia_BH]

Ouch Alesia, here's hoping you haven't run into another weird bug. I agree with Corey that it would make no sense if the Prince and the Mother were removed. Clua consoling would be an option. Have you cleared the entire areas?

 

 

The Mother is there, but the Elder Orb isn't. More precisely, the Elder Orb wasn't where I expected him to be.

 

I'm not even sure if the Mother has a droppable eyestalk, although I believe she does. I'd really rather not fight her.

 

As for the Prince, he definitely wasn't over by the pool with the Captain like he usually is. Did David do something cheeky and place him over by the western tunnel beholders or the drow entrance guardians?

 

Best,

 

A.

[Blackraven]

The Mother is there, but the Elder Orb isn't.

 

Sorry, mixed those two up. 

 

Did David do something cheeky and place him over by the western tunnel beholders or the drown entrance guardians?

I've no idea. Maybe you'll just have to go and see for yourself

[Alesia_BH]

Now I really hate Kuo-Toans. I finally -finally- roll into their tunnels with a party well positioned to obliterate them and the Prince doesn't show up. That's just dirty.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

 

I mostly appreciated ice storm because it gave me a damage spell at every level except 7. In previous sorcerer runs, my projected images couldn't really make use of their level 4 slots, so even if it doesn't do much damage it's still better than nothing.

 

Yes, that was the other reason, aside from the Elsa reference, why I gave Alicia Ice Storm. But in my book, the choice is between Malison and Ice Storm and Malison is, to my way of thinking, a damage spell. Increasing the odds of failed saves on Skull Trap, Sunfire, and Wilting can have a significant impact on total damage during an Improved Alacrity.

 

I'm not sure which way I'll go with Aphril. I'm leaning toward Malison. It would be nice to add another damage type to the toolkit though.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, neither delayed blast fireball nor prismatic spray really appeal to me so there's still a gap at 7. If only it were delayed blast thunderball...

 

 

I'm right with you there. L7 is great, but it's weak on damage. 

 

 

Yeah, you'd just have to get him to hold still long enough

 

 

I think that can be arranged.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Quick Note on Aphril's Game:

 

All is right in the world (or at least in the Beholder Lair). Mommy dearest is dead, killed by Aerie, and the Elder Orb has been found.

 

 

I think the SCS/Questpack Improved Beholder Lair component moved the Elder Orb- ether that or I just forgot where he usually is in vanilla. It's been a long, long time since I've done this quest. I usually just let Phaere die and then break for the Kuo-Toan tunnels. Adalon doesn't make out well in my playthroughs.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Grond0]

Wrecking Crew {13} - dwarf fighters (update 8)

 

In the Windspear dungeon a group of golems headed up by a juggernaut caused problems for Carlo and he resorted to a rare use of an invisibility potion.

Spoiler

Rather amusingly, some chasing orogs were looking for an alternative way to get to the others (with Carlo sitting in the doorway) and triggered traps on the fake doors .  

 

A bit further on and more golems got everyone up to level 14.  

Spoiler

The berserk warrior was left behind to occupy Conster briefly while the gang sorted themselves out for the attack - using non-magical weapons rather than waiting for PFMW to end.

Spoiler

 

Samia's party found their magical assets reduced before they knew what was happening and Samia did not have long to repent her actions.  

Spoiler

 

Firkraag was again a dragon left for another day as the gang returned to Athkatla.  After sorting out their inventory they headed for some illithid.  The first room was cleared without problems, but the ulitharid in the second room stunned Carlo.  

Spoiler

I thought after killing him the illithid would go after Vito's simmy, but instead they all teleported to the rest of the gang.  

Spoiler

Even by my standards that looked exceptionally dangerous and everyone immediately took potions of invisibility.

 

After laboriously picking up equipment and going to get Carlo raised the gang ventured back in to the illithid lair.  Carlo used the RoAC to improve his saves and managed to occupy some attention while the others tanked a few illithid that teleported to them - only Baby Face resorting to an invulnerability potion early on.  Vito was mazed, but the others were unaffected.

 

For the third room Carlo once more attacked on his own using the RoAC.  A couple of illithid who teleported to the others were quickly killed, although Vito - with his intelligence of 7 - needed to quickly withdraw and switch to ranged after losing most of what little brains he had.  

Spoiler

The remaining standard mindflayers and umber hullks didn't last long, but the gang then had a treat when they faced Alhoon.  A mindflayer running PFMW, Tenser's & improved haste, teleporting around the party and using malison in combination with normal illithid disablers is a pretty fearsome enemy !  Fortunately though he proved to be distractable by Ras and didn't have the vast numbers of PfMW that some casters have - attacks with elemental damage ammunition soon sorted him out once his initial protection had gone.

Spoiler

 

Looking for some more major XP to get to level 15 the gang have arrived in the Planar Sphere.  They've already taken more damage from the sahuagin than I expected, so I'll have to be careful not to underestimate the challenges here.

Spoiler

 

Stats (cont. from BG1)

Al - L14, 101 HPs (incl. 5 from Helm, -14 from Claw), 917 kills, ***** longbow / *** long sword

Carlo - L14, 119 HPs, 995 kills, 5 deaths, ***** flail / ** sling / * bastard sword

Baby Face - L14, 109 HPs , 841 kills, 5 deaths, ***** 2-handed sword / *** crossbow

Vito - L14, 113 HPs, 773 kills, 2 deaths, ***** halberd / *** shortbow

Mad Dog - L14, 110 HPs (incl 10 from ioun stone), 757 kills, 2 deaths, ***** axe / ** 2-weapon / * long sword

Bugsy (chunked at L9)

[Grond0]

Second, I am pretty sure I remember reading that if you are travelling and get ambushed, you will not get ambushed again if you continue toward your original destination. I'm not sure if this is 100% true, but I don't remember it ever not working for me. 

 

Thankfully, the mages miss with their meteors and Jim is able to turn invisible again, rebuff, and finish them. I vow to make this mistake only 4 or 5 more times in the future.

Sounds like good progress Jim - keep it going.  I see that you learn much faster than I do, so I'm sure you'll be fine .

 

The point about no further ambushes is correct if your destination is the next point on your travel route.  This will not necessarily be the case.  For instance if you are travelling from the Temple District to Watcher's Keep your route will go via the City Gates (and thus you could get ambushed in the city).  Continuing on from the ambush you could get ambushed again in the countryside.

[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: The Underdark (or Where My Dreams Are All Too Clear: Part 3)

 

Yet more Underdark coverage. If I needed a reminder as to why I usually let Phaere twist, I've gotten it. Wow this takes forever...

 

Anyhoo. Here we go.

 

The Skirmish

 

In Ust Natha, Aphril got her first look at a beholder. It wasn't a long look, mind you, but it was a look. Sequencer: Skull Trap x 3 from Adara and Sequencer: Flame Arrow x 3 from Imoen took the platform beholder down before he had a chance to act.

 

Spoiler

 

In case anyone is wondering whether Spell Shield is still useful against beholders now that it is dispelled by a single anti-magic ray, I vote yes, without hesitation. You just have to be aware of its limitations are have a suitable battle protocol. For Aphril, Adara, Aerie, and Imoen that protocol is to immediately drink a Potion of Invsibility once the Spell Shield comes down and to then recast Spell Shield before breaking invisibility and returning to the fray. That works, although in the presence of multiple beholders, there is still a chance of getting tagged with anti-magic ray.

 

Blood for Blood or Blood for Free?

 

Seeking blood for free, Aphril and her team raided the Kuo-Toan tunnels with the knowledge that they would be untouchable. The party used its standard buffs here, although Aerie swapped out her reserve Spell Shield for a ProNW. With the Reflex, ProNW, comprehensive specific protections, Spell Immunities, and a Spell Shield protected by GoI, Aerie was invincible. The Kuo-Toans have excellent magic damage resistance, but they are vulnerable to fire. The party marched straight to the Prince's court, blasting fishes as they went.

 

Spoiler

 

I can't tell you how disappointed I was when the Prince was a no show. Actually I can: I was, like, disappointed. Not "Oh frack: they took the Love Boat episodes off of Youtube" disappointed. More like, "Darn: the grocery store is out of sun dried tomato stuffed olives" disappointed. You know what I mean, right?

 

Spoiler

 

Anyhoo, with the Prince MIA, Aphril et al were forced into the beholder lair.

 

Air War

 

The baby beholders were easy enough. They were just punked with Sequencers.

 

Spoiler

 

Mommy Dearest would require a more considered approach. First, a recon mission. A Farsight from Aerie revealed Mommy Dearest's position. A Mordy Sword from Imoen allowed us to see Mommy in action.

 

Spoiler

 

Mommy quickly Death Rayed the Mordy, as she well should, but she looked slower than expected. Imoen approached to get an even better look. We were all delighted to see that Mommy Dearest had a flaw in her script: she tossed Remove at SI:A as her opening move. That meant she was vulnerable: highly vulnerable. The party returned to Ust Natha and formulated a plan. Adara set Trigger: LR x3. Imoen, Sequencer: Skull Trap x 3. Aphril, Sequencer: Skull Trap x 3. Aerie, wearing Vecna, prepared Holy Smites.

 

Since Imoen had revealed herself to Mommy Dearest, it had occurred to us that Mommy may have pursued and left the lair. As a precautionary measure, Aerie sent a Wizard Eye ahead to scout. As a further precaution -in the event that BG has implemented the DnD rule where in a successful petrification on a Wizard Eye petrifies the casting wizard- Aerie readied a Pro Pet. Aerie's Wizard Eye confirmed that the coast was clear. The party approached the tunnel and then rebuffed in preparation for their show down with Mommy Dearest. All together now: Adara Trigger: LR x3, Imoen, Sequencer: Skull Trap x 3. Aphril, Sequencer: Skull Trap x 3.

 

Spoiler

 

Bring that Holy Smite, Aerie!

 

Spoiler

 

Hurdle cleared. Next, it was time for the Elder Orb. There were way, way too many beholders near the Elder Orb for us to safely do this in one shot. Stage one entailed clearing the nerfy beholders.  Get out of here Imoen! You've been compromised. You're no good to us with your Spell Shield down!

 

Spoiler

 

Everyone else continue the assault!

 

Spoiler

 

Following a recon mission on the Elder Orb, in which Aphril scrutinized the Elder Orbs buffs and learned that he was 100% resistant to both fire and magic damage, a plan was devised. Aphril: Ruby Ray of Reversal, Aerie: Spell Thrust, Adara: Trigger- LR x3, Imoen: Breach, Aerie: Harm. Nice work everyone!

 

Spoiler

 

Finish him Imoen!

 

Spoiler

 

Will it finally happen? Will I finally -finally- finish the Dragon Egg Quest?

 

Probably not. I always screw this up: Always.  

 

Best,

 

A.

 

Aerie: Slayer of Mothers, Killer of Children, L14/13 C/M: Kills- 302; XP Value- 28%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Hive Mother; Favorite Spell- Holy Smite; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Cumulative Damage Taken- ~50HP

 

Imoen the Not-So-Beautiful in the Eye of the Elder Orb, L7/14 T->M: Kills- 29; XP Value- 4%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Lich; Favorite Spell- Stoneskins; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Cumulative Damage Taken- 0HP

 

Adara the Rotten Apple of Beholder Eye, L16 Sorcerer: Kills- 333; XP Value- 34%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Saemon Havarian; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Cumulative Damage Taken- 65HP (one death)

 

Aphril the Still Rolling Her Eyes at the Terrible Nicknames, L17 Sorcerer: Kills- 328; XP Value- 31%; Most Powerful Vanquished: Baalor; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Cumulative Damage Taken- 0HP

[Alesia_BH]

 

In vanilla the Elder Orb is right at the beginning of the beholder lair. Good to see that you found him, although that still doesn't explain the missing Prince.

 

 

Yeah. That's what I was expecting: I was expecting to see the Elder Orb at the entrance. I'm sure it's the Questpack/SCS tactical component.

 

The Prince is a cowardly-coward face and I hate him

 

 

I always forget about greater malison when planning a sorcerer book. I guess I used to do a lot a weird things with my level 4 picks.

 

 

That's understandable. People think of it as a save or else booster. And if you're skipping save or else stuff, then Malison seems like an easy pass. But all the great damage spells offer a save for 1/2 damage so Malison remains relevant even if you pass on the rest of the Enchantment school.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

What's Dagny up to, Blackraven?

 

Best,

 

A.