15218 réponses à ce sujet

[Blackraven]

Thanks Aasim and Serg for the commiserations and for the info.
I do have Fixpack, including its Free Action protects against Stun component, but not PnP Free Action.

[Alesia_BH]

 

I think Fixpack fixed it, if semiticgod plays w/o that would explain it. 

 

Yes: That's it. Semiticgod plays without a Fixpack.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Serg BlackStrider]

Thanks Aasim and Serg for the commiserations and for the info.
I do have Fixpack, including its Free Action protects against Stun component, but not PnP Free Action.

Spoiler

 

The whole list of immunities: Slow(40), Stun(45), Paralyze(109), Movement rate bonus(126), Entangle(154), Web(157), Grease(158), Hold(175), Hold2(185), PW:Stun(210).

[Blackraven]

@Alesia,aaah yes: Did you do your homework Larry? hehe

 

Thanks for the confirmation re: Arbane's Sword.

I'm currently divided on what to play. I've thought of a Cleric of Lathander (11) -> Thief dual, which could mechanically be interesting because of Boons of Lathander + speed weapons after UAI + Cleric buffs might create an interesting melee thief. I've already rolled a Shapeshifter (as modified by SCS Improved Shapeshifting). Also, Corey's and Grond0's themed parties appeal....

Edit: Serg, that makes Arbane's sword a lot nicer!

[Alesia_BH]

I wasn't as surprised by the Mariliths, rememembered them from my last SCS/Ascension attempt, three years ago. 

 

Noted. In my experience it has always been one Fallen Solar on Normal, two on Core, three on Insane. I've never seen Mariliths in the opening battle. David must have changed that.

 

Do the Mariliths appear on Core?

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

I'm currently divided on what to play. I've thought of a Cleric of Lathander (11) -> Thief dual, which could mechanically be interesting because of Boons of Lathander + speed weapons after UAI + Cleric buffs might create an interesting melee thief.

 

Do bear in mind that Boons of Lathander won't stack with the Fixpack installed.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Blackraven]

I see. In my experience it has always been one Fallen Solar on Normal, two on Core, three on Insane. I've never seen Mariliths in the opening battle.

 

Do the Mariliths appear on Core?

 

Best,

 

A.

That could be the explanation. I played on Core at the time (always do).

[Blackraven]

Do bear in mind that Boons of Lathander won't stack with the Fixpack installed.

 

Best,

 

A.

Hmm, that's a shame... 5 APR only with Belm & Scarlet Ninja-To then...
 

[Grond0]

I'm currently divided on what to play. I've thought of a Cleric of Lathander (11) -> Thief dual, which could mechanically be interesting because of Boons of Lathander + speed weapons after UAI + Cleric buffs might create an interesting melee thief. I've already rolled a Shapeshifter (as modified by SCS Improved Shapeshifting). Also, Corey's and Grond0's themed parties appeal....

Sorry to hear about Norgath.  If you want 10 APR from Clerics then just do a party of them ...

[Aasim]

The description of Arbane's sword states that it protects against Hold Person only. 

This. It should have Pro Spell opcode, vs Hold person (clerical & mage version) and that's it, judging from it's description alone.

It shouldn't stop anything else imo (neither Web, Hold Monster nor Ghoul's paralyzing attack.

I don't know why either Free action protects vs Stun nor PnP Free Action modifies this item...? The sword never gave Free Action in the first place.

[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: Demon Battle 1

 

Demon Battle 1 saw Aphril and Co. back on their game: no injuries were sustained and no quarter was given. It was good to feel in control again.

 

But first: A note on Balthazar.

 

Prior to Demon Battle 1, I faced the eternal Ascension dilemma: whether to Imprison Balthazar. Balthazar can be immensely helpful in the final fight, however, he has a habit of getting himself killed in the lead up battles. Aphril chose not to risk it. Balthazar will remain cosy-cosy in the bowels of Faerun until it's time to face Mel and the Five. I hope he brought a book.

 

To the fight then.

 

The buffs for this fight were the party's standards with modest adjustment.

 

Here we see the opening: ProMWs all around, with the exception of Nalia. Nalia has targeted her Breaching Wand at the Balor. Incoming.

 

And for those of you who have been wondering what Nalia does on the battle field, you just saw it. Nalia Breaches stuff. That's it. She has a book full of blue and a Breaching wand. She keeps it simple.

 

With the Balor freshly Breached, it was time for the ToD to go to work. Imoen is standing still, but she isn't idle. She's preparing to cast Time Stop.

 

To the North, the sorcerers are prepping a Telefield. Nalia is out of the action. We'll call her when we need to Breach something.

 

The Balor is down, and so is the Gated Marilith. Nice work, ToD. 

 

The Telefield is amped up now, but only minor demons have entered the killing zone. The Infiltrator and the Tank of Doom have the big guns under control.

 

Finish it Immy. No Mislead this time, but she didn't need it.

 

Just one left.

 

Judging from Demon Battle 1, it should be a smooth ride from here to the final fight. I hope so.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

 

I don't know why either Free action protects vs Stun nor PnP Free Action modifies this item...? The sword never gave Free Action in the first place.

 

I'm guessing PnP Free Action is doing it, since I'm running the Fixpack + Free Action Protects Against Stun and I have the regular Fixpack Arbane.

 

I agree that Arbane should not provide Free Action. It always used the Free Action portrait icon, but, based on the description, it was never supposed to provide full fledged Free Action.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Blackraven]

Good progress Alesia! Stay focused

[Aasim]

I'm guessing PnP Free Action is doing it.

It is, I've checked it's code and it (probably wrongfully) modifies it.

[Aasim]

Karthis & her gang, entering BG2 challenge

Here they be (right after using DBG to exit Irenici place):

 

 

 

[Aasim]

Karthis, 1st update

 

Did Circus, traveled to Slums, killed slavers there, went to sewers. I was playing rather deconcentreted, forgot to pick up Lirarcor and went to Slavers ship w/o it. This almost led to a total disaster at very start.

 

Following that, I get Lirarcor, go to Gov District - Gates- Umar Hills, do small stuff there, go to WK (didn't fight statues yet, only mephits, some spiders, golem & some Orogs, picked up the loot from level 1 and left), finally go to DeArnise. I won't be fighting Torgal yet, I'll just assemble the flail for now. Killed the Yuan-ti mage.

[Alesia_BH]

Done, uploaded. I'm gonna do BG2 part a bit differently. I'll record combat only (worthwile, not Shadows in Umar Hills and similar).

And I doubt anyone wants to watch traveling around & shopping anyway. 

 

 

I think that's the right call. IMO, writen posts should be detailed, like CKTs. Videos should be concise.

 

No one wants to watch some else's game for hours on end.

 

Best of luck, Aasim!

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: Demon Battle II

 

In Demon Battle II, Aphril's crew went with a simple, stripped-down strategy, banking on the melee might of Aerie and Imoen. The sorcerers contributed some Energy Blades, but melee weapons did most of the damage here.

 

Here were see the opening. Everyone is running ProMW. The sorcerers are targeting the western Nabassu with their Energy Blades. Nalia is up North, chillin' like a villain. Aerie and Imoen are preparing to engage the Glabrezu and Nabassu to the East.

 

From the first strike, it was clear that this battle would belong to Imoen's Black Blade of Disaster. This was not a backstab: just a good old fashion critical.

 

Imoen says "praeses." Nalia takes that as her cue to run south and Breach the Marilith. Thanks, Nally. I'll take it from here.

 

High APR Black Blade of Disaster Time Stops are like Arrakis sand storms: nothing survives. Imoen could do a whole lot better with Mislead. Three times better: 75-240 damage per strike. That would have been over-kill here.

 

Admittedly, it would also have been cool. I was just too lazy set Imoen's Trigger. Next time.

 

This Babau escaped Imoen's notice. But when time resumed, he didn't escape Aerie's notice.

 

Speaking of Aerie, it recently occurred to me that I haven't always included Aerie's divine melee buffs in her buff lists. The key spells are Holy Power, Righteous Magic, Draw on Holy Might, Blade Barrier, Globe of Blades and, on occasion, Harm. I usually set her up with Sequencer: Fire Shield: Blue, Holy Power, Draw on Holy Might, and Trigger: Blade Barrier, Improved Haste, Righteous Magic. She pulls the Sequencer first, then the Trigger. Sometimes she also gets Chain: Aura of Flaming Death, Globe of Blades, ProMW. That combined with her mage buffs makes her an invulnerable ball of death: the Tank of Doom.

 

We should finish up Demon Battle III this evening. The showdown with Melissan and the Five will take place tomorrow.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

@Grim Jim. I'm beginning to think that Mordenkainen's Disjunction provides an incentive to put Time Stop in a solo sorcerer's book. It may be difficult to take out both of the Fallen Solars before one of them can get off Mordy D. TS could help. On insane, you have to fight two batches of Fallen Solars: one in the opening fight, and another in the Mel fight. In my older install, the Fallen Solars were a lot less aggressive with Mordy D. In v30, they're quicker on the trigger. This may influence future books. I'd like to be able to cast TS at 4. It's a shame a Limited Wish can't be counted on here. If it were quicker it might suffice for Core runs. 

[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: Demon Battle III

 

In Demon Battle III, Mel offered a whole lot of demons. In reply, Aphril offered a whole lot of Imoen. Imoen won. Because Imoen always wins.

 

Standard buffs here. As per usual, Aphril, Adara, Aerie, and Imoen open with ProMW. Nalia Breaches the Balor and gets the rock out of dodge.

 

The ToD and the Infiltrator go to work on the Balor. He doesn't last a round.

 

 

Imoen says "praeses." Nalia! Where's Nalia? Imoen says "alia." Nalia! Get over here! Breach the Marilith! Now! Now! Thanks, Nally!

 

 

Nalia is like the trombonist in the school band who has, like, one note in the entire recital but takes it super-seriously. We'd miss her if she were gone. As for the Mariliths, they wouldn't miss her at all. And they sure wouldn't miss Imoen's Black Blade of Disaster. Imoen brought her Mislead this time. Eat your hearts our kensages. Not a critical.

 

Also not a critical.

 

You guessed it: not a critical.

 

Time resumes. An Alu-Fiend explodes in chunky bits.

 

Only the recently gated Cambions remain. They fire up Power Attack, but the ToD has just refreshed her ProMW. And the Infiltrator still has a Mislead on the field.

 

Most of David's creatures are tuned into the whole Mislead thing, which makes it feel less dirty assuming you leave the Mislead in full view in the center of the battle field. These Cambions had no clue. I felt bad for them.  They didn't suffer long, at least.

 

Aerie has been Queen of ToB, but Imoen took the title in the Demon Battles. Only Melissan and the Five remain.

 

Best,

 

A.

 

Btw. I'm assuming everyone has figured this out, but we're wishing up fresh books in between fights. Aphril and Adara have 84 wishes between them and Aphril can Spell Trap loop if need be.

[Alesia_BH]

Just as an FYI, here are the party's updated kill stats. Note Aerie's dominance in ToB, and Imoen's dominance at the Throne.

 

Throne of Bhaal (Complete)

 

1. Aerie: 211

2. Aphril: 111

3. Imoen: 97

4. Adara: 46

5. Nalia: 0

 

Ascension (Irenicus through Demon Battle III)

 

1. Imoen: 24

2. Aerie: 7

3. Aphril: 3

4. Adara: 3

5. Nalia: 0

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

I don't think my last sorcerer run had an issue with Disjunction. He killed the left Solar with a Sunfire bomb and was then able to set up an image to handle the second one. Perhaps he just got lucky.

 

Alicia didn't have issues with Mordy D either. The Fallen Solars seemed quicker on the draw in v30, though: much quicker. Quick enough to make me nervous.

 

I'm more worried about the ones that accompany Mel (Insane only) than the pair alongside Jon. 

 

What version did you use in your prior run? Did you complete the battle on Insane?

 

Adding Time Stop would be nice, but of course the question is what to drop.

 

Yes. There was a logic to Alicia's Wish, Chain, PW:K, Spell Trap arrangement. I still find that logic compelling. That's why Aphril went with the same configuration at L9.

 

The question becomes whether death by Mordy D is probable enough to justify sacrificing the option of looping. I'd really need to spend some time with the Solars to decide. After this run, I may run some experiments.

 

Best,

 

A.

 

Btw. What has led you to believe that the Fallen Solar entourages are unintended? They definitely threw me off my game. I wasn't expecting them.

[Alesia_BH]

All my experience with SCS is with v30. I did not even attempt the battle on insane.

 

Noted. 

 

It's harder to time insta-obliteration of the Fallen Solars accompanying Mel.

From my amateur reading of their script, Disjunction is fairly high on their priority list but they attempt to use other spells like Improved Invisibility, Creeping Doom, Firestorm, and Earthquake first.

 

Noted. In our NR Challenge battle, we saw Mordy D in the first round. In our replay, we saw it in the middle of round 2. In tests with spawned Fallen Solars, running the same buffs, we've been more fortunate.

 

We may have just gotten seriously bad luck in that fight.

 

• It is the exact same entourage that accompanies the Fallen Solar in vanilla and they are spawned using the exact same code.
• They did not have SCS abilities in my install even when I had the "Ascension demons use SCS abilities and AI" component installed. I do not have the general demon improvements installed, though.
• It is a significant change to an important fight but it is not documented anywhere in the readme.
• It is very much out of character for SCS to add powerful creatures like that unless you tell it to by installing a tactical component.
• Tamah not appearing means that it is not out of the question that there are other issues with Ascension compatibility.

 

Interesting. I wasn't aware that that was the vanilla entourage. That's suspicious.

 

I was inclined to view the entourages as a recent SCS demon enhancement. I now have my doubts- especially since you've observed them in the absence of David's demon enhancements.

 

Of course, Gaider's Fallen Solars were never accompanied, irrespective of the difficulty setting.

 

As an FWIW, in my v15 and v19 installs, Tamah always appeared and the Fallen Solars were unaccompanied.

 

Best,

 

A.