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[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: Gromnir's Castle (or Imoen's Day)

 

All of Aphril's victories have been team efforts. Nonetheless, there have been times when Imoen has felt left out. Aerie has shined. Adara has shined. And Aphril has certainly shined. But when has Imoen played anything other than a support role? Gromnir's Castle gave Imoen a chance to show what she can do.

 

Being a team player, Imoen was more than willing to defer to Aerie in the undead prison. 

 

Spoiler

 

But from there on out, Imoen took the lead, deferring to Aphril only in mage fights.

 

In the trapped corridors, a Mordy Sword x2 + Mislead Chain gave Imoen a chance to sneak away for an opening backstab with her favorite weapons: the Black Blade of Disaster.

 

Spoiler

 

NW: I'll let Imoen use Mislead in this run, but she can neither hide the Mislead nor cast Invisibility on it.

 

She snuck away again a couple times... 

 

Spoiler

 

But there was little need, in truth. Imoen's Tenser's + Improved Haste + ProMW Trigger gave her all the melee might she needed: 6 APR and a negative THAC0.

 

 

And she hits pretty hard, too- even when she isn't backstabbing.

 

Spoiler

 

Well done Immy, well done.

 

Spoiler

 

Turning the corner, Imoen saw a mage. This was a job better left to Aphril and her lightning fast Abjuration assaults.

 

Spoiler

 

Heading up to the second floor, Imoen was ready to take the lead again- although a little refresh from Adara didn't hurt.

 

Spoiler

 

Upon arriving on the second floor, Imoen cast Time Stop.

 

Spoiler

 

She then pulled a Mislead + Improved Haste + Tenser's Trigger. 

 

 

That granted her 6 backstabs per round for the duration of the Time Stop. Imoen's Time Stop assaults will get much better once she has a second L9. Celestial Fury is no Black Blade of Disaster. Still, it got the job done.

 

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

 

Imoen dropped the last of the warriors just as time resumed.

 

Spoiler

 

Just the mage now. Time to hand off to Aphril. 

 

Spoiler

 

I'll post on Gromnir soon.

 

Best,

 

A.

 

 

Aerie the Avariel Tank of Doom, L17/15 C/M: Kills- 433; XP Value- 26%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Hive Mother; Favorite Spell- Holy Smite; Favorite Weapon- Flail of Ages;  Revivals: 0

 

Imoen the Quick, L7/19 T->M: Kills- 91; XP Value- 10%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Kangaxx the Demi-Lich; Favorite Spell- Stoneskins; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 0

 

Adara the Bold, L21 Sorcerer: Kills- 432; XP Value- 30%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Bodhi; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 1

 

Aphril the Almost Famous, L21 Sorcerer: Kills- 450; XP Value- 32%; Most Powerful Vanquished: Firkraag; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors

[Alesia_BH]

Thanks. I think Jim has a decent chance of making it to ToB, but beyond that I don't know. Even with reloads I was not able to beat the final Ascension fight with a solo sorcerer.

 

Understood. One step at a time. 

 

Best,

A.

 

 

FYI: Alicia is available for consultation: free of charge. 

 

FYI2: There are reasons why I full buff and stand in the center of the action in every fight. I find it more satisfying tactically, and more plausible from an RP perspective (In RL, I'd be the type to take every precaution: playing fast and loose and racing into battle unprepared detracts from realism for me). Another reason is so that I'll be well prepared by the time I get to the Throne. Practice, basically. Jim may want to consider doing the same. And yes: I understand that Jim can just obliterate stuff with minimal buffs or hang behind his PI and Planetar, but, he should consider taking the opportunity to work out the details of his defensive strategy in the relatively safe environments of SoA.

 

PS: I probably shouldn't be getting all soap-boxy. I'm sure Jim will do fine with out me yapping. Sorry! Just keep up the good work!

[Serg BlackStrider]

Great performance, Alesia! And thanks for all your warning and insights concerning PP challenge 1! Last time (with Avatars) Bodhi doesn't appear at all in it (party level dependence?) but who knows how it will be this time?

[Alesia_BH]

Great performance, Alesia! And thanks for all your warning and insights concerning PP challenge 1! Last time (with Avatars) Bodhi doesn't appear at all in it (party level dependence?) but who knows how it will be this time?

 

Thanks.

 

The spawns are level dependent. I have SCS's Mildly Increased Spawn Difficulty component installed, and we got Bodhi. Our levels are about the same as yours, I believe.

 

What is your spawn setting?

 

Best,

 

A.

[Serg BlackStrider]

What is your spawn setting?

I have // Increase difficulty of level-dependent monster groupings -> Mildly increased difficulty: v21// as well (WeiDU is in the signature). But now I recall that Avatars were sans-tactical challenges so that's the reason, I presume. Well, we are warned at least...   Thanks for that again!

 

BTW, what are your thoughts about //Treat mages' and priests' High-Level Abilities as innate abilities rather than memorisable spells// component? Is it overpowered?  I'm leaning to install it next time but I hesitate... With full party I usually have 2-3 level 9 spellslots for my mages, too little to try all of them (HLA).

[corey_russell]

Millen the solo level 12 fighter/level 13 illusionist - Update 5

 

Millen got a lot done tonight.

 

* First task of the session was dealing with Dracandros and gang - Millen did max buffs then tried chaos/web and tried to kill the mage - this was not effective at all, partly because at this point, Milllen couldn't get rid of spell turning or stoneskins. Millen did win without using  a heal potion, but was badly wounded. He's going to have to use potions, and probably pretty soon.

Spoiler

 

* Next task were the minor quests in the Umar Hills area - no problem there. Time to go to the old temple and fight the undead there. Millen's save vs death was 2, so he had to use the shield of harmony for most of this area. For the major ambush of shadows at the entrance, Millen summoned an army of his own, hasted his army, and go to work, including using Daystar Sunray

 - success! Millen used a protection from undead scroll for many of the undead inside the temple, but he had to rest first before talking to the Amaunator priestess guardians (else Millen wouldn't get the shadow dragon wardstone). For the next group of undead, Millen used Daystart and also the lightning wand against the greater mummy there. Was tough fight as there was a bone golem there too, and yet another bone golem nearby that also had to be deal with.

 

As both a fighter and an illusionist, Millen was not about to back down from Thaxxy. So Millen did resist fear, equipped the shield of harmony, made sure his AoP was in place,and opened with a pierce magic (from scroll) on Thaxxy. Millen then spammed the lightning wand on Thaxxy for the whole fight - the wand was extremely effective.

Spoiler

Just a few more rounds and success!

 

Millen did max buffs against Shade Lord, including Millen's new spell Improved Haste (this is first time I have ever used this spell, in any run) - Shade Lord died quick, and his minions/altar didn't last much longer either. There was a very welcome item in the loot, the Duskblade. This is a halberd that does cold damage - could be very helpful  against mages (which in fact it was when doing the Unseeing Eye quest, fighting a Yuan-Ti mage).

 

* Fortunately, Millen's saves were absolutely perfect for the Unseeing Eye task - save vs. death 1, and save vs. spells -1. He has his trusty Shield of Balduran as well. He was also prepped with an undead scroll - he didn't want to face all this ugly straight up.

Spoiler

 

The biggest fight was actually against the Blind priests.

Millen did max buffs, and tried to silence the priests, but the Namurraa only had one charge - apparently resting doesn't recharge it while it's in Millen's bag of holding.  Hmm, okay let's try cloudkill from wand (during battle) - this helped and eventually success. Balduran's trusty shield was used for the Beholders, and the rod was once again effective against the Unseeing Eye. Unseeing Eye tried a lot of Power Word: Stuns but luckily they weren't effective.

 

Lots of buffs used against Gaal as well - his team didn't far well against Millen's improved hasted attacks. Took a while to loot the Unseeing Eye follower quarters, but with knock eventually finished.

 

Millen will keep at it....

[Serg BlackStrider]

Solid work, Corey!

[Alesia_BH]

I have // Increase difficulty of level-dependent monster groupings -> Mildly increased difficulty: v21// as well (WeiDU is in the signature). But now I recall that Avatars were sans-tactical challenges so that's the reason, I presume. Well, we are warned at least...   Thanks for that again!

 

Understood. Since we're both on the same spawn setting and our Imoens are (or were) at the same level, you should expect Bodhi. She's crazy fast, she regenerates quickly, and she has a long range, low speed factor weapon. She's dangerous. Watch out for her.

 

I've also seen Jonicus go crazy with the demon summoning in that fight. Some screen shots from Alessandra's PPC1. She's fighting Sarevok, Bodhi, five demons, one Planetar, and Irenicus. 

 

Spoiler

 

In the v15 install that Alessandra ran in, I found PPC # 1 substantially more difficult than the Slayer in Hell fight.

 

I can't really say what the v30 fight will be like since I didn't get deep into Jon-Jon's script. 

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

BTW, what are your thoughts about //Treat mages' and priests' High-Level Abilities as innate abilities rather than memorisable spells// component? Is it overpowered?  I'm leaning to install it next time but I hesitate... With full party I usually have 2-3 level 9 spellslots for my mages, too little to try all of them (HLA).

 

I'm not certain. I haven't tried it and I'm reluctant to comment on things that I haven't tried. Truth is sometimes counterintuitive. You have to test to know.

 

Whatever. Here's my guess. Aphril and Adara would hate it. Imoen would love it

 

For sorcerers, Edwin, etc it's probably a significant nerf, since you only get one casting of each HLA per day. For an unkitted party mage with 2-3 L9s it would likely be a boon.

 

Again, I'd have to try it to comment further, but that's my guess.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Serg BlackStrider]

Understood. Since we're both on the same spawn setting and our Imoen's are (or were) at the same level, you should expect Bodhi. She's crazy fast, she regenerates quickly, and she has a long range, low speed factor weapon. She's dangerous. Watch out for her.

 

I've also seen Jonicus go crazy with the demon summoning in that fight. Some screen shots from Alessandra's PPC1.

 

Spoiler

 

In the v15 install that Alessandra ran in, I found PPC # 1 substantially more difficult than the Slayer in Hell fight.

Got it, thanks! I just hope those demons are vulnerable to GDB...

 

BTW, you might call me a lame but I just only now (after all those years of running BG) discovered that Mazzy's Invoke Courage ability not only prevent/remove fear/panic but also grants +1 THAC0 and +1 to all saves bonus (and stack with itself) for 5 turns! I love her even more now!

 

And thanks for your thoughts about HLA. I'll most likely try this component next time.

[Aasim]

And thanks for your thoughts about HLA. I'll most likely try this component next time.

It makes AI mages a bit more difficult, since they have both 9th level slots and "free" HLAs.  I'm divided wether this is a good tweak or not - for balance, probably yes (you're limited to  one Planetar/DB per mage), but it makes high-level mage fights rather repetitive (there's *always* a Planetar summoned, a Comet thrown etc.). I do use it. 

One thing it does buff up significatnly for PCs is multiclasses when they start getting HLAs; since it opens their precious spell slots.

[Serg BlackStrider]

It makes AI mages a bit more difficult, since they have both 9th level slots and "free" HLAs.  I'm divided wether this is a good tweak or not - for balance, probably yes (you're limited to  one Planetar/DB per mage), but it makes high-level mage fights rather repetitive (there's *always* a Planetar summoned, a Comet thrown etc.). I do use it. 

One thing it does buff up significatnly for PCs is multiclasses when they start getting HLAs; since it opens their precious spell slots.

Thanks, Aasim, as well for your input! 

I agree it will buff multiclassed chars but I have my personal rule here - only pick a HLA for class in which char got a level. I.e. if I for example level up Impish Face both in fighter and mage simultaneously and got 2 HLA then I'll pick 1 Fighter's and 1 Mage's HLA and not 2 Fighter's or 2 Mage's.

 

Enemies Mages will be more tough, sure. But I'll have more variety and flexibility for my mages as well. 

 

 

edit: just found a nice video of what might happen in Joh's Hell fight with aTweaks/SCS2 even with power party in the hands of experienced player who defeated the Improved Irenicus in Hell with the same party without much difficulty .... whoooaaa!   Impish Face & Co were very very lucky there!

[Aasim]

edit: just found a nice video of what might happen in Joh's Hell fight with aTweaks/SCS2 even with power party in the hands of experienced player who defeated the Improved Irenicus in Hell with the same party without much difficulty .... whoooaaa!   Impish Face & Co were very very lucky there!

I kind of knew the ending of this pretty soon- melee vs an aTweaksed Balor w/o Death Ward....cccc. That can't be good  .

 I'm surprised there weren't more chunkings. :DThanks for video! I'm not much into 200HP sorcerers but nice.

[Serg BlackStrider]

I kind of knew the ending of this pretty soon- melee vs an aTweaksed Balor w/o Death Ward....cccc. That can't be good  .

 I'm surprised there weren't more chunkings. :DThanks for video! I'm not much into 200HP sorcerers but nice.

Yeah! =)

And he is not Sorcerer. He is Kensai (13) > Mage dual. Here is a topic with this run. 

[Aasim]

Got it. Nice videos there, can't believe I missed this guy's run.

[corey_russell]

Millen the solo level 13 fighter/level 13 illusionist - Update 6

 

Just a quick note. Millen has defeated Kangaxx. Millen used a pro magic scroll and the giantkin hammer for the demi-lich form. It was a bit nerve wracking, as the demi-lich form broke its morale and was running everywhere (Millen was out of haste potions) - Millen was afraid his pro magic scroll would run out and then he would be imprisoned. Fortunately, Kangaxx got hung up on a wall and was finished. The buggy ring  of earth control can now be retired, and the Ring of Gaxx to be put in its place.

 

Prebek and Sansha were defeated, pretty much with the same pro magic scroll I had used on Kangaxx. "Montaron" was returned to Xzar.

 

There was a little bit of time left in the session before work, so headed to the Temple Sewers. Tarnor's gang had already been defeated (pretty much with a few summon distractions and a chaos), so headed for Mekrath's. Millen did max buffs then engaged Mekrath with the Duskblade - this halberd has proved its worth against mages over and over, as it was effective at both disrupting Mekrath's spells as well as the many Yuan-Ti mages guarding the planar gem.

 

The gem was returned to Haer'Dalis troupe, who duly got captured. Millen will go rescue them next session.

[corey_russell]

Solid work, Corey!

Thanks! I'm finding solo is easier than party play - mainly as I get the upper levels of my character's power much faster (spells, saves) - with a party and splitting it 6 ways, takes a long time before the party becomes resilient. There's also less margin for error, so I tend to play more slowly, to make sure I'm not missing anything. (Like MIllen did SI:E so Mekrath's lightning bolt wouldn't kill Millen - although Mekrath wasn't able to do that play due to the Duskblade interrupting many of his spells...)

 

Millen also did SI:E for the lightning bolt trap on the way to Amaunator's temple while doing the Unseeing Eye quest.

[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: Gromnir (or Dynamic Duo)

 

Having demonstrated her abilities in the Castle, Imoen earned a prominent role in the fight against Gromnir. Aphril took the lead in this fight, but Imoen sealed the deal.

 

The buffs were the party's standards, with modest adjustment

 

As soon as the battle begun, the party moved slightly south and east to get away from Gromnir and, more importantly, Berena Elken, whose weapon dispels and causes casting failure. Aerie, Imoen, and Adara cast ProMW and then stood in position to shield Aphril as she cast Improved Alacrity.

 

Spoiler

 

Success.

 

Spoiler

 

Time for Gromnir to die. Note the Chains firing, clearing some of the fodder.

 

Spoiler

 

Time for the back wall casters. Ruby Ray X 3 for each, followed by Remove x 3 and Dragon's Breath.

 

Spoiler

 

Karun's specific protections survived the Removes, and so he survived the Dragon's Breath. Not to worry. Aerie's aura had just cleared: Breach. Adara's had cleared, too: Planetar.

 

Spoiler

 

And Imoen was ready to take over. Finish it Immy.

 

Spoiler

 

Ramazith

 

Spoiler

 

Berena

 

Spoiler

 

Eler

 

Spoiler

 

 

And finally, Karun the Black.

 

 

Easy as pie- if you have Imoen on your side.

 

I'll post on Yaga-Shura later today. 

 

Best,

 

A.

 

 

Aerie the Avariel Tank of Doom, L17/15 C/M: Kills- 433; XP Value- 25%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Hive Mother; Favorite Spell- Holy Smite; Favorite Weapon- Flail of Ages;  Revivals: 0

 

Imoen the Quick, L7/19 T->M: Kills- 95; XP Value- 11%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Kangaxx the Demi-Lich; Favorite Spell- Stoneskins; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 0

 

Adara the Bold, L21 Sorcerer: Kills- 433; XP Value- 30%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Bodhi; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 1

 

Aphril the Almost Famous, L21 Sorcerer: Kills- 453; XP Value- 32%; Most Powerful Vanquished: Firkraag; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors

 

And for the curious, current character records and inventories.

 

Aerie

 

Spoiler

 

Imoen

 

Spoiler

 

 

Adara

 

Spoiler

 

Aphril

 

Spoiler

[Aasim]

I tought you don't use Mislead!

[Alesia_BH]

I tought you don't use Mislead!

 

 

I usually don't. But I felt a little bad for Imoen. She's been having trouble keeping up.

 

I'll let Imoen use Misleads, but I won't let her hide them or cast invisibility on them.  

 

Imoen's Time Stops will get pretty nasty once she has a second L9 for BBoD.

 

Best,

 

A.

 

 

PS: Basically, everyone in the party gets a super-power. Aphril's is Improved Alacrity with Vecna. Adara's is Imprisonment. Aerie's is Tank of Doomness. Imoen lacked a super power, but now that I've relaxed my Mislead restriction, she has one: Time Stop->Trigger: Mislead/Improved Haste/Tenser's.

[Alesia_BH]

Nah, you make some good points. 

 

That's kind of you to say.

 

I had only completed the Ascension fight once before, and that was with an uncapped F/M/C

 

 

Noted.  Experience helps, no doubt.

 

 I always give myself the unofficial goal of completing SoA and ToB in under 100 days and projected images and summons go a long way towards that. 

 

 

Makes sense. And I respect that.

 

(Just don't let the summons and the sacrificial Jim's make you lazy!) 

 

 

 I was initially planning having him take greater malison, but I know that I don't need it whereas teleport field could be a life saver.

 

Makes sense. I think that's the right call. You'll do enough damage, even without Malison, and Teleport Field brings a unique tactical tool to the table.

 

Keep up the good work!

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

 

Irenicus forgets to take protection from fire and falls to dragon's breath and flame arrows.

 

 

What is up with that anyways? Someone needs to give him Pro Fire. 

 

Sometimes I pretend he has it and hit him with Breach or a Dispelling Arrow or a Remove before torching him. Sometimes I just blow him up. I wish he had it.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: The North Forest (or Aerie's Turn)

 

After Imoen's display at Gromnir's Castle, it was time for Aerie to put on a melee show.

 

Aerie is a freight train. She is the Tank of Doom. She can take way -way- more abuse than Korgan or Sarevok or whomever. Playing on insane, with a full SCS install -including full pre-buffs and all tactical components- Aerie has been our tank from beginning to end. She has never died, and she has barely been hurt. She has never been hurt by a melee weapon. Let's see Korgan try that.

 

Some, however, doubt Aerie's ability to deal damage in melee- some doubt her ability to drop foes in melee. Surely Sarevok is superior here? To that Aerie replies: "Just wait until you see me get my Mindflayer on. Talk to the tentacles, Sarevok."

 

But...but Deathbringer Assault, Sarevok might say. "Deathbringer Assault? Are you kidding? That's random and It rarely happens. You can't count on it. And when it does happen, it doesn't even do that much damage. What, 200? I have Harm. I can do it whenever I want. Talk to the hand, Sarevok." Refuse if you like Sarevok, but you're no Tank of Doom.

 

Aerie doesn't have Shapechange yet. But still: she can be pretty mean in melee. Here we see Aerie's combat stats, although with her AC not fully buffed yet. She's dual-wielding now. And before you ask, her THAC0 is fine.

 

 

Her APR is 4. Using Polymorph Self of Shapechange, she can double that. But even without shapeshifting, her effective melee APR is much higher than 4- higher than 10 in some circumstances. With Improved Haste active, and Blade Barrier running alongside Globe of Blade, she gets additional attacks at 8d8 and yet more additional attacks at 10d10. And remember: that's AoE damage- multiplying the effective APR in crowds. Use Malison for extra goodness. Throw in an Aura of Flaming Death and a pair of Fireshields for additional effective APR.

 

There are those who think that Aerie can't do damage in melee. They all have one thing in common, I bet: They have never given her a chance.

 

Step right up boys! Jump into the blender!

 

 

There's plenty of room for everyone!

 

 

Who's next?

 

 

You don't want the blender? You want some Ages? Fine: Have some Ages!

 

 

Lucky you, lonesome archer: the circus is coming to town! I bet you can't wait!

 

 

Giants. Time to rebuff. Shadow Door

 

 

Sequencer: Holy Power/Defensive Harmony/Draw on Holy Might

 

 

Trigger: Improved Haste/Blade Barrier/Righteous Magic

 

 

Ok. Let's do this: quick and painful.

 

Giant 1: ProMW->Chunkage

 

 

Giant 2: Harm

 

 

Nice work Aerie. Can you give us one last critical? Maybe with the offhand this time?

 

 

Thanks, Aerie: You're a sweetie...I mean...I mean you're a freight train. I mean you're a Tank of Doom.

 

And that she is. Our Aerie: Our Tank of Doom.

 

Best,

 

A.

 

Aerie the Avariel Tank of Doom, L18/16 C/M: Kills- 461; XP Value- 26%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Hive Mother; Favorite Spell- Holy Smite; Favorite Weapon- Flail of Ages;  Revivals: 0

 

Imoen the Quick, L7/19 T->M: Kills- 95; XP Value- 11%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Kangaxx the Demi-Lich; Favorite Spell- Stoneskins; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 0

 

Adara the Bold, L21 Sorcerer: Kills- 433; XP Value- 29%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Bodhi; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 1

 

Aphril the Almost Famous, L21 Sorcerer: Kills- 453; XP Value- 32%; Most Powerful Vanquished: Firkraag; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors

 

[corey_russell]

Nice post Alesia. Such contrast - in my runs, Aerie isn't the tank of doom, she's...chunked. Even though I've recruited her many times, she's only survived to Melissan in ONE run of all my runs....