Btw. When solo, it's a good idea to use Maze precautions each and every time you encounter a high level mage. I do that with all of my solo characters, arcane or otherwise.
I hear you. Some characters don't have a defense at all to mazes - so in those cases I just avoid the encounters. The only mazer in BG 2 that must be faced is Irenicus.
Alesia_BH said...I had high hopes for Millen.
Me too. I think he had the potential to go all the way - his progress was much easier than Picenon's.
Some characters don't have a defense at all to mazes
The best defense against Maze is available to everyone: stay out of touch range.
There is no reason to let a high level mage touch you. Missile weapons will kill them just as easily as melee weapons.
If you see a mage walk toward you -and you aren't protected from Maze- walk away.
It's super simple and it works.
Best,
A.
The best defense against Maze is available to everyone: stay out of touch range.
There is no reason to let a high level mage touch you. Missile weapons will kill them just as easily as melee weapons.
If you see a mage walk toward you -and you aren't protected from Maze- walk away.
It's super simple and it works.
Best,
A.
While you may somehow make that work, I've never found that tactic very effective. I also remember a number of Gate70 and Grond0 solo runs who were mazed at extreme range. Also, I remember Grond0 saying some mages have ranged (e.g., far beyond touch) maze spells, like N'ashtar.
Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: The Fire Giant Temple (or Teamwork)
Every member of Aphril's team has had their day in the sun. But few battles have allowed them all to display their talents in a single fight. The final battle at the Fire Giant temple furnished on of those rare opportunities. Even Sarevok had a chance to prove his worth.
Who Wants Cake?
After yet another day in the melee trenches, Aerie, party leader, fearless warrior, Tank of Doom, approached Sarevok with a request.
Sarevok: Aerie! You're here. To speak with me. I'm coming with you this time. I can feel it. I stand ready.
Aerie: Actually, we were hoping you could make us some cupcakes...
Sarevok: But...but Deathbringer Assault!
Aerie: Sarevok, we've already had this conversation...So: cupcakes?
Sareveok: (Sigh) What kind?
Aerie: What kind?
Sarevok: What kind of cupcakes.
Aerie: Right. Banana with vanilla buttercream for Imoen, red velvet with shaved chocolate for Adara, pumpkin spice cream cheese for Aphril, and lemon meringue for me. Please.
Sarevok: What is this!? Four: Four different gourmet cupcakes. Do you realize how hard that will be?
Aerie: No Sarevok: No I don't. I'm a warrior. I'm the Tank of Doom. I know nothing about baking. You figure out the cupcakes.
Sarevok: Fine. But I'll need a full day. And an apprentice to work the mixing bowl. Cromwell rules. Bring me Anomen: Priest of Helm.
Aerie: No Sarevok. You get one hour. And you don't get an appren..
Imoen: Actually, Aerie: that's a great idea: give him Anomen. Think about it.
Adara: Yes. Aphril, summon Anomen post haste...And two aprons.
Sarevok: No! I refuse...Unless...
Aerie: Unless what, Sarevok?
Sarevok: Unless...Unless I can make five cupcakes: chocolate lava fudge with caramel cream. I'd like that very much.
Aerie: Ok Sarevok. You can have your cupcake. But remember: Anomen gets nothing.
Sarevok: I understand.
Aerie: And Sarevok.
Sarevok: Yes?
Aerie: Don't lick the spoon.
Fire and Brimstone
Ok. Enough cupcakes: It's time for war.
This is a great fight. There's a Red Dragon, a pair of deadly Fell Cats, and oodles of Fire Giants- all in a spacious arena. I've always been fascinated with the possibilities of this battle. Unforunately, in all my prior SCS runs, solos, fear -fear of the Fell Cats and their fire resistance lowering on hit ability in particular- has sent me cowering to the other side of the doorway. Some of you may remember Weirdo's run, and the glorious battle he had at the Fire Giant Temple. I've always longed for a similar fight. I finally got one.
In retrospect, I wish I had switched to a higher resolution for this fight to better convey the scope of the battlefield. We'll just have to do with my cramped 640 x480 screenshots, sadly.
The buffs for this fight were the party standards, with mild adjustments.
Ok. Let's do this.
Here they come: the Fell Cats, who see through invisibility, rushed us immediately. The Brimstone, who also sees through invisibility, buffed and readied his attack. Imoen, Aerie, and Adara responded with ProMW casts. Aphril fired up Improved Alacrity.
With ProMW up, Aerie and Adara went to work with Energy Blades. Imoen, who had a Black Blade of Disaster equipped, prepared to cast Time Stop. Once Aphril's Improved Alacrity kicked in, she trained her sights on the Brimstone, landing a Ruby Ray and a LR x 3 Trigger, while Adara and Imoen's saw their Chains fire.
(It was a relief to see that Fell Cat fall, but there's still another out there.)
Despite being under Improved Alacrity assault, the Brimstone headed straight for Aphril. This was planned. Aphril is not running ProMW. She is the only viable target. The Brimstone can't resist, but he's running straight to his doom.
Ok. He's here: Blind him Adara!
I'll fire up ProMW and bring the Wiltings!
He's getting desperate!
We've got him! Finish it Imoen!
And take out that Elite behind our lines!
Incoming Fell Cat! Refresh the ProMWs!
Take some of the heat off, Adara.
Keep backstabbing Imoen! Use those PoIs!
I'll fall back behind the Tank of Doom!
Nice work!
Adara: your ProMW is out! Join me behind the Tank of Doom. Energy Blades!
Nice shot Imoen!
The Tank of Doom is out of ProMWs! Give her some relief, Adara!
Give us one last backstab Imoen and we'll finish with our Blades!
Fin!
Fun fight. Yet another victory with no injuries. And you know what? Those cupcakes were delicious. Thanks, Sarevok!
Best,
A.
Aerie the Avariel Tank of Doom, L18/16 C/M: Kills- 489; XP Value- 28%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Hive Mother; Favorite Spell- Holy Smite; Favorite Weapon- Flail of Ages; Revivals: 0
Imoen the Quick, L7/20 T->M: Kills- 100; XP Value- 11%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Kangaxx the Demi-Lich; Favorite Spell- Stoneskins; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 0
Adara the Bold, L22 Sorcerer: Kills- 445; XP Value- 29%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Bodhi; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Revivals: 1
Aphril the Almost Famous, L22 Sorcerer: Kills- 464; XP Value- 30%; Most Powerful Vanquished: Firkraag; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors
While you may somehow make that work, I've never found that tactic very effective. I also remember a number of Gate70 and Grond0 solo runs who were mazed at extreme range. Also, I remember Grond0 saying some mages have ranged (e.g., far beyond touch) maze spells, like N'ashtar.
If you run away from them after they've initiated the spell, it will look like it's ranged. Mages only have to be in touch range for a moment to initiate the spell. They can complete the spell if you've run away after the fact.
With warriors and thieves, I always stay as far away from high level mages as possible and use my bow, darts or sling.
If circumstances force proximity to a mage, active, undispelled, RoAC II can frustrate targeting. This is rarely necessary.
Traps and psionic maze are different. The former can be avoided, the latter allows a save.
I've never lost a character to Maze- not in vanilla or SCS. I've done a lot of soloing in both.
I acknowledge that there may be differences across installs.
Best,
A.
While you may somehow make that work, I've never found that tactic very effective. I also remember a number of Gate70 and Grond0 solo runs who were mazed at extreme range. Also, I remember Grond0 saying some mages have ranged (e.g., far beyond touch) maze spells, like N'ashtar.
If you run away from them after they've initiated the spell, it will look like it's ranged.
They only have to be in touch range for a moment to initiate the spell. They can complete if you've run away after the fact.
With warriors and thieves, I always stay as far away from high level mages as possible and use my bow, darts or sling.
If circumstances force proximity to a mage, RoAC II can frustrate targeting.
Traps and psionic maze are different. The former can be avoided, the latter allows a save.
I've never lost a character to Maze- not in vanilla or SCS. I've done a lot of soloing in both.
I acknowledge that there may be differences across installs.
My memory is so unreliable it's difficult to comment authoritatively. I don't specifically remember problems with ranged maze from N'ashtar, though there may have been. One nasty maze trick he has is to use mislead to allow him to sneak up on you invisibly (potentially well out of sight of his mislead) and maze you.
However, I have seen without any doubt at all a number of ranged maze uses that have ended runs. Abazigal for instance has done that more than once. It's difficult to know whether such attacks are intended or represent bugs, but in the case of Abazigal it does seem clear that he has the consistent ability to cast ranged maze, i.e. it's not just a one-off event caused by some movement flaw bug (highly likely to happen in multi-player runs given that the action is shown differently on different computers and it is not consistent about which computer determines the outcome (i.e. the host computer does not prevail).
As Alesia notes there may be differences in installs. Based on my experience I would be surprised that anyone who had done a lot of soloing of fighter types had not been on the wrong end of a ranged maze. With spellcasters, being careful (which Alesia obviously is) 
can prevent any danger and thief types can probably win encounters before maze becomes an issue.
I had said I would try a party of human fighters, who would dual to thieves in BG 2 - going to give that a go. I'll restart Millen once of these days. He was so powerful in the end...
Sorry to see that Corey, but it sounded like you've become much more comfortable with using arcane abilities during that run anyway. Best of luck with your warrior thieves.
My memory is so unreliable it's difficult to comment authoritatively. I don't specifically remember problems with ranged maze from N'ashtar, though there may have been. One nasty maze trick he has is to use mislead to allow him to sneak up on you invisibly (potentially well out of sight of his mislead) and maze you.
I saw moves like that back when I played vanilla, but I always found RoAC II effective in those circumstances.
With the new RoAC II, which is flagged as illusionary, that method would be less effective, however, since the CoND would not protect II from True Sight.
Incantation recognition is helpful, too. If a mage sneaks up on me somehow, and I hear the Conjuration incantation or see the Conjuration graphic, I quaff a Potion of Invisibility to interrupt. That happened with Gaius once. Maze is a 3, however, so the window is small.
There's also a counter window between the time of casting and the arrival of the projectile. Distance will widen that counter window. I've used Pro Magic Scrolls and 100% magic resistance in those circumstances.
Btw: I can think of exactly three times when I was unable to use distance and or RoAC II to thwart Maze targetting. I successfully foiled the spell all three times.
However, I have seen without any doubt at all a number of ranged maze uses that have ended runs. Abazigal for instance has done that more than once. It's difficult to know whether such attacks are intended or represent bugs, but in the case of Abazigal it does seem clear that he has the consistent ability to cast ranged maze, i.e. it's not just a one-off event caused by some movement flaw bug
I defer to you expertise on things that you have witnessed and that I could not have witnessed.
I've always played with Ascension and, consequently, haven't really seen much of vanilla Abazigal's script.
If it is the L8 spell Maze, then it could rightly be regarded as a bug: the L8 arcane spell, Maze, is a touch spell. If it's a maze special ability, that's a different story. I don't believe Abazigal has a maze special ability.
Of course, it may be one of those bugs that players have chosen to accept. I'd respect that approach.
SCS has definitely cleaned up that behavior: I've never seen a ranged L8 arcane mage cast in my games, and I take fewer Maze precautions in SCS than I did in vanilla.
Best,
A.
Btw. I should note that most of my "vanilla" experience was with Ascension, the Questpack, and, occasionally, Tactics.
Sad of your misfortune, Corey... 
At least Aerie made me laugh soon after - thanks for that, Alesia! And impressive fight with Brimstone & Co - Impish Face is eager to try it himself!
About differences between SCS versions - I had only familiar with v.21. Never able to try v.30 and reluctant to do that still. But I trust your experience - do you think v.19 is better than v.21? What are major notable differences?
About differences between SCS versions - I had only familiar with v.21. Never able to try v.30 and reluctant to do that still. But I trust your experience - do you think v.19 is better than v.21? What are major notable differences?
I can't compare v19 to v21: I could speculate, but I lack first hand experience.
The comparison that I'm best able to make is v15/v19 versus v30. I'm not ready to make that comparison yet. I'll reserve commentary until after I've finished my run.
For now, here's all I'll say. The majority of players seem to prefer v21. You should probably stick with it.
Best,
A.
I can't compare v19 to v21: I could speculate, but I lack first hand experience.
The comparison that I'm best able to make is v15/v19 versus v30. I'm not ready to make that comparison yet. I'll reserve commentary until after I've finished my run.
For now, here's all I'll say. The majority of players seem to prefer v21. You should probably stick with it.
Got it, thanks!
At least Aerie made me laugh soon after - thanks for that, Alesia! And impressive fight with Brimstone & Co - Impish Face is eager to try it himself!
Thanks. The Brimstone/Berenn fight is a lot of fun.
Watch out for the Fell Cats! And do consider using a high res for that fight. Weirdo got some awesome screenshots there with high res and widescreen.
For example:
Best,
A.
Bertha, 5th BG2 update
Returned to Nalia's keep as finished Torgal. Again, I witnesses a very cool bug. MGoI/GoI kept mages (this applies only to AI mages, my mages don't use this spell yet) safe from Remove Magic. That allowed Yuan-ti mages to survive a 2xRemove + Malison sequencer. Fixed, however, so no more of that unfair advantage.
(This bug is specific to my install this time).
Chaos, however, worked.
Planar Sphere troubles
I dealt with the minor enemies with 3xSkull Trap sequncers followed by Malison, then Chaos.
Did Tolgerias first. He didn't live a second. Backstab+Skulls.
One more death - Mini, to Fire Elemental.
Lavok went horribly. I had to use scrolls to debuff him, my sorceress doesn't know a single spell removal yet. He started out with a Planetar - this is an ugly side-effect of "HLAs as innates". I think I'm gonna pass out on this option in the future.
Lavok was very focused on dispelling our Death Wards, and Mini was the first to die to Planetar.
Pelina picks up the scrolls from her and goes to debuff Lavok. He does the same.
She also Breaches the Planetar to remove his Globe of Blades. I always forget this spell is breachable with vanilla spells. 
Lavok enters Time Stop and gates in an Ultroloth. I summon some skeletons which he turns. Insect Plague is casted, and Pelina dies. I don't know what exactly killed her.
Things start to look really grim.
I get out of there, drink 3 healing potions + Invulnerability potion, and rush back in. Oils of speed are on my dead mages.
Planetar gets unsummoned quickly. Pheew...I hate that thing.
Bertha picks up an Oil of Speed, drinks it, and downs the demon first.
Lavok did some minor spells like MMs and Acid Arrows, but w/o high-level spells he falls.
I raise my dead and go to Demon Plane. This wasn't really hard - Nabassu failed his gating while Lea'liyl got in succubi - females have a big advatage here. Especially those with sequnecered Skull Traps.
We throw her heart to the machine, return to home plane, do some selling, and rescue Haer'dalis. Planar Prison is next.
Nice work, Aasim!
I'm glad you survived Lavok!
Best,
A.
Btw. With regards to HLAs in SoA: Did you choose the "all" or "selected" option?
Bertha, 6th BG2 update
Planar Prison troubles
We get a lovely start here. 3xSkulls do the mage, ADHW does the rest (sorceress is 16 here).
Yuan-ti - same. They weren't hurt by skulls, but ADHWs bypass their globes.
Nabassu died w/o gating anything and isn't really worth a mention. I start buffing for the Warden, and then a Yuan-ti mage Dimension-doors to us. Casts two Breaches. I *hate* distrurbance when buffing. 
I kill him with ranged attacks.
To get Warden, I buff Mini. These are her buffs. (no SI other than Abjuration, I allow myself one single SI to be active at a time).
She triggers the dialogue, runs back. Pelina and her summons attack - she whips and ADHW followed by 3x Skull Trap at Warden's Simmys .
That clears out the trash. Warden himself summons a Planetar. Not again....this one does massive damage with Firestorm(s).
Pelina dies (that Yuan-ti from the start breached her Pro Fire and I didn't want to rest to re-cast it).
I try to do something against it using summons, but to no avail. His Dispel on hit is too powerful. Insects don't help either.
Mini starts taking massive damage. She got to 3 HP, and Bertha does the play of the day, killing her companion with a sling shot to prevent chunking.
Bertha now avoids the Planetar until it dissapears. I can do nothing against this. (Yet, but that will change quickly).
I summon skeletons and Aerial Servants now to tank the Warden while Bertha slings at him. She has Everard sling, and managed to disrupt his Time Stop through Mantle 
. I avoid melee as much as I can not to take Fireshield damage.
He tries to do something with his spell sequence of PW:Blind, PW: Silence, Tenser/Imp.haste/something else trigger, but Bertha has no fear of him in one-on-one combat.
Now we sail to Spellhold; and are standing in front of the door that leads to loonies.
Whatever is there was ADHWed, Lich included.
Btw. With regards to HLAs in SoA: Did you choose the "all" or "selected" option?
All. But I'm not gonna use that "HLA innates" option again. I can understand the reasoning behind it, but it creates spikes in difficulty (neither Lavok nor Warden get Planetar; at least I have not seen it; if that option isn't used) and is a significant buff to multiclasses. Having innate HLA's won't help fighter/cleric that much, but a 3 million XP x/mage benefits immensly from it.
Moreover, I like spamming Dragon's Breath.
Mini starts taking massive damage. She got to 3 HP, and Bertha does the play of the day, killing her companion with a sling shot to prevent chunking.
It feels good to kill your own characters, doesn't it. And to be able to do that justifiably - sweet 
.
All. But I'm not gonna use that "HLA innates" option again. I can understand the reasoning behind it, but it creates spikes in difficulty (neither Lavok nor Warden get Planetar; at least I have not seen it; if that option isn't used) and is a significant buff to multiclasses. Having innate HLA's won't help fighter/cleric that much, but a 3 million XP x/mage benefits immensly from it. Moreover, I like spamming Dragon's Breath.
Makes sense.
Best,
A.
@Aasim: Hmm... your experience with Lavok and Warden might force me to re-consider of using that component... 
Glad you survived both encounters!
@Aasim: Hmm... your experience with Lavok and Warden might force me to re-consider of using that component...
Yea - even tho Impish Face could benefit a lot from this. You get your 9th level spells (I don't know what spells will you use on him - but a TS can't be bad in any case !), and you get free HLAs to boot.
Probably this component isn't as drastic if you don't install HLAs for casters in SoA. Mix&match, you get this s**t.
Yea - even tho Impish Face could benefit a lot from this. You get your 9th level spells (I don't know what spells will you use on him - but a TS can't be bad in any case
Probably this component isn't as drastic if you don't install HLAs for casters in SoA. Mix&match, you get this s**t.
No HLA for casters in SoA at all wouldn't be that fair, I think... Give those to selected ones might be better option. For SoA they will be Alchra Diagott; Suneer; Irenicus (all forms); Shangalar; the Shade Lich; the Elemental Lich; Layene; Kangaxx the Lich; Lagole Gon (who is this??? ) as Mages and Matron Mother Ardulace, Stalman, Hindra Jae'llat as Priests. Those I could endure, I think.
And yes, while Impish Face could benefit a lot from those, Ozzy (my Cleric/Illusionist) will benefit them even better . I was intended to run him after Impish Face but now, being greatly inspired by semiticgod's run of Sil (Priest of Lathander > Mage) over there at beamdogs, I'm going to try this with my own similar char Grim (Face): PoL(11)>Mage. I've already rolled him so he is ready to go once Impish Face's run will end one way or another.
Lagole Gon (who is this???
Never heard of him.
Bertha, 7th BG2 update
Spellhold is done.
Irenici had just one spell protection we took care of immediately.
He attempts to cast his TS, precluded by trigger with Imp.Invis. Delayed Blast Fireball foils it.
I must say, loonies played their cards right this time. Ruby Ray from Wanev
Followed by a Breach from Mini left him wide open.
He gives up shortly.
Bertha got her first HLA upon exiting (Deva). We took Saemon's boat and killed some Sahaugin. I left Prince alive, for some odd reason.
Entering Underdark, both mages get HLAs (Fallen Planetar & extra 6th level spell). Planetar makes short work of any Drow we find.
And Deva was used to clear Kuo-Toa lair.
Right now we're preparing to fight Demon Knights. Shouldn't be too difficult I reckon.
; Lagole Gon (who is this???
Aha, found him. It's the lich from Cernd's quest. No wonder I never saw him.
No HLA for casters in SoA at all wouldn't be that fair, I think... Give those to selected ones might be better option.
I use the selected casters only option in SoA. I'm happy with that, although I would like to see the set of selected NPCs extended slightly.
Best,
A.
Quick Note on Aphril's Game:
Prior to his showdown with Aphril and Co., Yaga Shura consulted with his best tactical advisor.
His prediction was spot on.
Aphril and Co. have prevailed again. They remain uninjured in ToB.
I'll post on the fight soon.
Best,
A.
Retour en haut
