16409 réponses à ce sujet

[Wierdo]

of course, there is more to Razor's run than just a mad spree of backstabbing - although backstabbing is certainly an important part.

He needs his friends to help at times. Selina's spells are invaluable. For example, her sleep spell has been handy on many occasions. Imoen ("Bait") is also useful for distracting foes and occasionally gets and arrow into the right place as well. She is very useful as an alternative spell target.



Selina, asa Priest of Talos, also has access to Lightning Bolt from level one. A tricky spell to use in close quarters, it is much less risky when used outside:



Having a few friends around is useful for many other situations, such as devastating and pillaging xvart villages. Selina's Stinking Cloud and Sleep spells do much to stem the tide of xvarts, and Imoen's bow added to Razor's helps to keep them at bay:



The best part about raiding the xvarts was when Nexlit summoned Ursa the cave bear to help ... and she responded by eating Nexlit first!



it also helps to have friends around when you get innundated by over 60 gibberlings (with the female paladin):



Having one or two friends sure helped with defeating the kobolds at the very bottom of the Nashkel mine. Good timing meant that Razor backstabbed the Shaman just as Selina's Sleep spell came in:



Selina also proved her worth by Turning Undead during the fight with Mulahey - thus allowing Razor to concentrate on the half-orc cleric.



The small party travelled with Xan briefly, on the way out of the Nashkel mines. Of course, teams members are not limited to just party members. For example, in the fight against the assassin Nimbul in Nashkel, the Amnish guards joined in to help (note that Xan started casting Meif's Acid Arrow BEFORE the SCS auto-buffing gave Nimbul his MGoI:

[Wierdo]

of course, there is more to Razor's run than just a mad spree of backstabbing - although backstabbing is certainly an important part.

He needs his friends to help at times. Selina's spells are invaluable. For example, her sleep spell has been handy on many occasions. Imoen ("Bait") is also useful for distracting foes and occasionally gets and arrow into the right place as well. She is very useful as an alternative spell target.



Selina, asa Priest of Talos, also has access to Lightning Bolt from level one. A tricky spell to use in close quarters, it is much less risky when used outside:



Having a few friends around is useful for many other situations, such as devastating and pillaging xvart villages. Selina's Stinking Cloud and Sleep spells do much to stem the tide of xvarts, and Imoen's bow added to Razor's helps to keep them at bay:



The best part about raiding the xvarts was when Nexlit summoned Ursa the cave bear to help ... and she responded by eating Nexlit first!



it also helps to have friends around when you get innundated by over 60 gibberlings (with the female paladin):



Having one or two friends sure helped with defeating the kobolds at the very bottom of the Nashkel mine. Good timing meant that Razor backstabbed the Shaman just as Selina's Sleep spell came in:



Selina also proved her worth by Turning Undead during the fight with Mulahey - thus allowing Razor to concentrate on the half-orc cleric.



The small party travelled with Xan briefly, on the way out of the Nashkel mines. Of course, teams members are not limited to just party members. For example, in the fight against the assassin Nimbul in Nashkel, the Amnish guards joined in to help (note that Xan started casting Meif's Acid Arrow BEFORE the SCS auto-buffing gave Nimbul his MGoI:

[Wierdo]

One of the best parts about playing Razor, an evil fighter/assassin, is that you get to choose some of the funnier conversation options. This includes telling Imoen exactly what you think:



The party took on Garrick temporarily in Beregost, just so that they could abuse his pickpocket ability to steal Algernon's fine pink cloak. However, that didn't mean that Razor actually *LIKED* him or saw him as having any other use ... except perhaps to help carry stuff:




There are also plenty of great retorts for the average grunty monsters. For example, I never realised before that there were so many KNOBgoblins terrorising the Sword Coast as well:



Such much for niceties! What do you expect for a half-orc with 5 charisma?


 

Modifié par Wierdo, 16 janvier 2012 - 04:34 .

[Wierdo]

Having a few friends around sure helps when you are beset by a vicious group of high-level female assassins, such as Lamahl's band.

Razor and Selina (and Bait, err ... Imoen) were just leaving the FAI at around level 5-ish when they were attacked by Lamahl's band. Naturally, the first thing they did was do run inside. That might not have been such a good idea. Firstly, the guards outside might have actually helped. Inside, no-one helped (not quite true, see below). Secondly, there were more innocents inside which limited opportunities for area-effect spells.

Razor was the first to fall (temporarily), victim of a Command spell (actually two of them). Then Imoen got backstabbed by an invisible assassin (nasty, -30hp), and went invisible via potion. Lamahl has cast Animate Dead on Razor's dust mephit familiar ("Dusty"), trapping it there in the middle of hostile skeletons. Selina got injured by missile fire. The situation was dire. She did the only thing that a chaotic evil priest/mage could do ... she ran!

However, Selina didn't run away - she ran to the top-left corner as fast as she could. Because there, she knew, were Jaheira & Khalid (whom Razor had been ignoring up until now). These guys were old mates of Gorion, and suckered in by Razor's sad orphan story. Hopefully they would help!

Razor managed to get to his feet and quaff his only potion of speed ... and, despite being "Doomed", scored a lucky critical hit with a 19 (single weapon style) on Zeela as she was casting a spell!



J & K joined the fray without hesitation. The only drawback was that they were only level 1/1 (I have level 1 NPCs installed, but it doesn't seem to work properly when you ask chars to join during combat) - just level 1 hit points + 20 (from level 1 NPCs). Nevermind.

Selina immediately went over to where Dusty was, turning undead as she went. This had the desired effect - getting the skeletons to run away and leave Dusty alone (Dusty was down to "near death" at this point).



Razor finished disposing of Zeela, while Dusty the mephit familiar cast Glitterdust on Lamahl ... blinding her!  Unfortunately, not before she got off another Animate Dead (on Imoen).   Maniera insisted on wasting a good potion (heroism) in a vain attempt at survival and victory.




Maniera then wasted another valuable potion (extra-healing) just as Razor turned her into mush ...



There was one more thief ... she had fled upstairs (with some tunred undead!) after backstabbing Imoen. She was disposed of easily.

Razor bid farewell to Jaheira ("I am ready" - sounds like foreplay is over, time for the main event) and Khalid ("C-c-can I help?" - probably not) after the battle. This evil party doesn't need losers (at least, no more than they already have (Imoen)).

Modifié par Wierdo, 16 janvier 2012 - 05:09 .

[Wierdo]

Razor had another near-death experience against the Sword-Coast Sirenes.

Razor, half-orc fighter (5)/assassin (6)
Selina, half-elf Priest of Talos (6)/Mage (5)
Imoen, thief (6)

The entire party was temporarily charmed by three Sirenes (except somehow Selina, a half-elf, seemed to resist the charm - even though her portrait had the charmed icon). Imoen also got herself Feebleminded (no great surprise), blinded and held etc. Even Razor's dust mephit "Dusty" got charmed and blinded temporarily. To top it off, in the middle of all this, Selina found herself pursued by two worgs.



Selina ran and ran. Luckily, Safana was hanging around nearby so she quickly found her (worgs in hot pursuit) and got her to join (but she was only level 1, similar problem to what happenned in the FAI earlier with Khalid and Jaheira). Anyway, Safana helped to distract the worgs while Selina got out a Command spell onto one of them. Between them, the girls managed to kill one worg, but then Safana bobbed instead of weaving and found herself dead. Ooops.



Nevermind. This gave Selina just enough time to successfully use a scroll of Color Spray on the other worg. Just goes to prove that this spell can actually be useful sometimes!



At about this time, Razor and Dusty came out of their charmed state. Fortunately for them, most of the other Sirenes were focused on making Imoen's rmaining life miserable. Working together, Razor went into stealth mode (can't remember, but maybe used a potion of invisibility this time) while Dusty distracted a Sirene. Razor crept up behind and got her with one of his trademark massive backstabs.



Razor and Selina then tried to save Imoen, but were just slightly too late. Razor hit the closest Sirene with a fire arrow and poisoned her, but with only a couple of hit points left
she managed to kill Imoen! Oooops. Seems like Imoen has once again proven her worth as an alternative target! Then the poison finally killed the Sirene as well.

'Twas then just a matter of cleaning up the remaining Sirene, which Razor and Selina did by a traditional distract-and-backstab.



Because Imoen keeps proving herself useful (and also because Razor and Selina couldn't carry all the stuff otherwise), Selina used a Raise Dead scroll that they'd bought earlier on Imoen. They also went to the temple in Nashkel and decided to raise Safana as well (as she was still level 1, this only cost 100gp). Although this might seem against evil principles, there was a side-benefit to all of this. Safana then taught Imoen a trick so that she was a better lock-picker! This happenned even though they had never seen a lock together.

Anyway, the party then dropped Safana off at the Nashkel Inn and headed back to the flesh golem cave near the lighthouse. After killing the golems there, they finally found a decent magical item - the fabled Gauntlets of Ogre Might.

[Wierdo]

Here is where Razor and Selina (and Imoen) are currently at around 60k experience. They have done most of the areas near Beregost and Nashkel except for Ulcaster, Firewine and Durlag's Tower. Just now heading off to clean out Mutamin's Garden (basilisks).



Razor normally has only 5 charisma, but it has been beefed up by Lord Foreshadow's Ring, Helm of Glory and Algernon's Cloak.

As I have the item randomiser mod installed, magic-item pickings have been fairly scarce so far. Razor has just a +1 longsword and some arrows. However, he did manage to save up enough to buy the Shadow Armor from the blacksmith in Beregost (many of the nice magic items normally found there have been randomised away!). In combination with the Stealth Boots, he is able to hide very easily. He also carries around some full plate armour for special occasions. He also managed to find the Golden Girdle recently (from Sendai's group in the Cloudpeak Mountains I think).




Selina now wears the Gauntlets of Ogre Might (normally she only has 8 strength).



Selina other main cool item is the Ring of Wizardry (doubles first/second mage spells). Mostly she keeps her distance and uses darts or daggers.

[ussnorway]

Wierdo wrote...

Imoen ("Bait") is also useful for distracting foes and occasionally gets and arrow into the right place as well. She is very useful as an alternative spell target.

@Wierdo--- I use a simular tactic but with ‘Glitterdust’ because unlike ‘Blind’ it won’t blind friendly targets.

[Alesia_BH]

Good to see so much activity here.

My interests lie elsewhere at the moment, but I'll likely get back in the action at some point.

Best of luck to all!

A.

[Wierdo]

ussnorway wrote...

Wierdo wrote...

Imoen ("Bait") is also useful for distracting foes and occasionally gets an arrow into the right place as well. She is very useful as an alternative spell target.

@Wierdo--- I use a simular tactic but with ‘Glitterdust’ because unlike ‘Blind’ it won’t blind friendly targets.

Actually, it was an enemy mage (Jemby) casting that Blind spell at Imoen ... I normally only use Blind from scrolls, when a mage's memory is running low on better spells.

Razor's dust mephit familiar ("Dusty") uses Glitterdust a lot on enemies - comes in very useful a lot of the time! Dusty will even chew on a kobold or skeleton occasionally. At these lower levels I am more comfortable with Dusty playing a more active role, out of the pack. He also comes with two "Glass Dust" attacks which seems to give opponents a negative on to-hit rolls (if they fail a save vs breath weapon, I think). It has a small area of effect, making it more useful. Seems to cut through MGoI as well, which is handy.

[Gem Hound]

I haven't posted in this thread lately because I've began Baldur's Gate 2 for the first time. I've blundered my way to Chapter 3 and the capturing of the De'Arnise Stronghold.

[Shadow_Leech07]

I'm currently running six different games, five solo games with a f/c, f/m/c, f/illusionist, f, bard, and a random party. Going to run through each chapter separately one by one, I'll see how far I can get using this method. All on core. Random party is actually very solid surprisingly.

[Wierdo]

Shadow_Leech07 wrote...

I'm currently running six different games, five solo games with a f/c, f/m/c, f/illusionist, f, bard, and a random party. Going to run through each chapter separately one by one, I'll see how far I can get using this method. All on core. Random party is actually very solid surprisingly.

Interesting - no solo thief-type. What is your random party?

[After5CST]

Wierdo wrote...

I normally only use Blind from scrolls, when a mage's memory is running low on better spells.

I'm missing something, then.  Blindness is one of my favorite BG1 spells.  Simple saving throw, cheap to cast, and basically is a "save or else" spell since blinded targets can't see anyone at range for combat or spellcasting.

Perhaps SCS or similar affects its usefulness.

(No update right now:  I'm working on a Sorc in the challenge, but am spending most of my time lately with RL).

[Shadow_Leech07]

Wierdo wrote...

Shadow_Leech07 wrote...

I'm currently running six different games, five solo games with a f/c, f/m/c, f/illusionist, f, bard, and a random party. Going to run through each chapter separately one by one, I'll see how far I can get using this method. All on core. Random party is actually very solid surprisingly.

Interesting - no solo thief-type. What is your random party?

A paladin, ranger, two clerics, fighter/mage, and a thief. Well rounded with decent stats, basically an upgrade to the palindrome game I was running earlier. The thief even rolled a high "Find Traps" ability score. I used the excel random number generator for this party.

As for a solo thief, I was running one a bit earlier but after this particular mess up with the potion of freedom I realized it would be much agonizing to run one through. And even then I don't think I would do particularly well. I'm hoping just to get through my unfamilarity with Chapter 5 because I always seem to have a tough time in Chapter 4.

Modifié par Shadow_Leech07, 18 janvier 2012 - 04:56 .

[Wierdo]

After5CST wrote...

Wierdo wrote...

I normally only use Blind from scrolls, when a mage's memory is running low on better spells.

I'm missing something, then.  Blindness is one of my favorite BG1 spells.  Simple saving throw, cheap to cast, and basically is a "save or else" spell since blinded targets can't see anyone at range for combat or spellcasting.

Perhaps SCS or similar affects its usefulness.

(No update right now:  I'm working on a Sorc in the challenge, but am spending most of my time lately with RL).

SCS is not a factor in my non-preference for Blindness.

The fact that it is a 'save-or-else' spell is one reason I don't usually choose it. there are also many alternatives: for the same level 1 spell slot you can have Charm Person (but with +3 save modifier), Color Spray (no save if < level 6) or Spook (only last 3 rounds, but with up to -6 save modifier).

There are also my other favourites with almost assured damage + effects like Magic Missile, Laroch's Minor Drain, Chromatic Orb, Sleep (area effect, -3 save, but limited to < level 5) ....

The other thing is that there always seems to be a lot of Blindness scrolls just lying around (e.g. on gibberlings etc). On the odd occasion that you want to use Blindness (say) on a level 7 fighter, you'll usually be able to find a scroll.  

[Wierdo]

@After5CST

Just realised that I normally play BG1 under tutu, which means I have the slightly different BG2 spellset. Under vanilla BG1 Color Spray allows a save but effects up to 6 creatures, Charm has no save bonus but lasts for 17 turns(!), and there is no Spook spell in BG1. Chromatic Orb is actually much more powerful in BG1, causing damage automatically and allowing a save against other effects (varies by level, includes blindness) but with no bonus (in BG2 save is at +6).

Modifié par Wierdo, 18 janvier 2012 - 06:09 .

[Shadow_Leech07]

Some bad news, I lost my fighter/mage/cleric due to my experiments with stinking cloud. I do actually have another F/M/C game however I kind of swore off that game because that particular game has a character with very good statistics and I just feel uncomfortable playing a character with crazy good stats. I'm replacing my F/M/C with a fighter/mage. While I do have a fighter/illusionist already in here, I feel I might as well play with this F/M as well. I'll get the game up to speed and go back to my original intentions.

Modifié par Shadow_Leech07, 18 janvier 2012 - 11:43 .

[After5CST]

@Weirdo

That explains it then.  In my BGT install, Chromatic Orb has +6 to save vs. effect, so it's 30% more likely to fail even in BG1, and failing is really bad in "save or else" spells.  Charm Person has +3 to save vs. effect, a duration of only 5 rounds, and only affects humanoids.  I like the (up to -6) save penaltiues for Spook, but at low levels the save penalty isn't that much and three rounds just isn't that long.

Sleep is an incredible crowd control spell in BG1 until it isn't (when enemies start exceeding the level limit), no argument there.  I have a preference for Blindness over Magic Missile or Larloch's Minor Drain simply because even from the first, one MM or LMD rarely takes down an enemy by itself.  If I have to fire two spells, I'd rather throw two attempts at Blindness simply because the average monster (ignoring undead, who are immune to Sleep and Blindness type spells) has a saving throw roll over 10 against effect... and it's rare indeed that the monster will save against Blindness twice consecutively.

And back on topic, introducting Kini, M E Sorc

Technically, this is Kini IV, as the first three attempts found quick deaths at the hands of wolves, dire wolves, and Tarnesh.  In order to reliably reach the FAA, Kini IV added not only Imoen, but Xzar and Montaron for the journey to the FAA to add Khalid and Jaheira and then down to Nashkel, completing miscellaneous minor quests along the way.

Party theme has morphed into "mostly arcane":  Imoen put all her points into Find Traps and then dual-classed to Wizard at L3.  Kahlid is a multiclass F/M, and Jaheira is my only non-arcane user (F/D).  I'm debating how to fill the last two slots:  I'm debating between Xan, Quayle, and Garrick... or maybe just leaving the slot empty.  I guess I could even do Dynaheir and just never pick up Minsc.

I'll be curious to see if there are enough scrolls to go around, and if not, how various party members will have to be specialized at the spell levels > 1.

[After5CST]

FINAL UPDATE (and First): Kini IV, M E Sorc 3

That was quick.  I thought they were through the roughest part, having hit level 3 before making posting Kini's entry into the challenge today.  However, the group ( Khalid / Jaheria / Imoen / Kini ) rescued Melicamp and walked up towards High Hedge in order to help him out.

However, a random encounter of gibberlings, skeleton archers, and a ghoul (ghast?) ambushed them, and two of the skeleton archers locked onto Kini.  Game over.

(OMG!  They killed Kini!)

I don't know if I'll go for Kini V.  Maybe I'll try something else.  We'll see what comes out of character creation.

[Melchom]

Grond0 wrote...

@ Melchom.  I'm not sure why you want to get intelligence up to 10.  Having 9 intelligence is very useful to allow operation of wands and scrolls.  As far as I know the next benefit up from there is 11 (to allow you to survive 2 hits from a mind-flayer).

Ahh OK - I didn't realise that. Well that's good news for me as once I've upped the Int I'll be able to make full use of those  

[Wierdo]

After5CST wrote...
However, a random encounter of gibberlings, skeleton archers, and a ghoul (ghast?) ambushed them, and two of the skeleton archers locked onto Kini.  Game over.

(OMG!  They killed Kini!)

Wow! That is a deadly combo for a random encounter! Are you sure it wasn't on the High Hedge map itself?

Bit late now, but Shield is a great level 1 spell that gives extra bonuses against missiles ... keeps on being useful into higher levels as it also blocks magic missiles.

BTW, Although I don't use the spell much myself, I believe that Blindness does actually work on undead, even though I originally thought that it wouldn't. Nearly a year ago, I and some other regulars like Gorthaur and Grond0 previously explored the issue on this very thread (page 22 & 23 I believe).

[AlexDeLarge]

 
I'm back! Thought you would get rid of me, didn't you? Wrong! Alex is here for the long run. After a brief hiatus where, between submitting foreign college applications (i'm romanian, wanna start my 2nd college - Law - in the UK, fingers crossed) and playing poker, i just couldn't find the time to continue the challenge, i've now resumed it. 
However, in this session, i'm gonna be straightforward in my description; no lengthy narrative because, frankly, not too much interesting stuff happened. 
The last time i played with Alexander, i had just arrived in Baldur's Gate. This, to me, is the easiest part of the entire game, because it mostly consists of running errands and being involved in the politics and machinations of the city.Also, i consider my main char and party to be absolute top tier, and i've already arrived at a point where i got so much squad depth, strength and flexibility, that i can handle any situation with ease. My only downfall could be if i start to get overconfident and sloppy.

The only real problematic moment was the Marek encounter. He confused most of my party, and as a result, many innocent bystanders were killed. My reputation actually dropped down to 3 (!!!), which, if i'm not mistaken, 1 point more below and all my good aligned party npc's would leave. The only true beneficiary in all this was the Temple of Helm, who received donations of around 10000g in order to get my reputation restored again.

Some noteworthy fights. I goad and then pummel through the mages above the Sorcerous Sundries. They reponse is weak and meager, but it still proved one of the more non-trivial fights today. I actually lost some HP!



After doing the whole Ramazith - Nymph quest, and freeing her, i take her lock of hair to the Sorcerous Sundries owner and he used it to forge a cloak. Turns out, this cloak is made from the finest threads known to mankind and gods alike, otherwise i can't explain the exorbitant cost.



Not sure if it's a bug, but i'll be damned if i'm gonna turn down 90k gold! I use the money to get all the great items, potions, scrolls and arrows (roughly 60 xDetonation, 60 xDispelling) available in town.

Afterwards, i smash my way through the Iron Throne compound. One of the lackeys on the top floor actually manages to weasel his way out of the battle, running and hiding on the rooftop. I found him a day later after the fight ended, but made sure he had the same fate as his buddies.

On to Candlekeep. A band of ogre mages await in ambush as i arrive at the gates, thanks to SCS bounty hunter relocation. Turns out the Arrow of Slaying i bought for Coran to use, is useless if the said ogre mage has mirror image buff. There goes 2k gold down the drain. All in all, it was an interesting fight, Coran used about 10 dispel arrows to bring their protections down, and it was easy peasy after that. 

Going into the keep itself, i make my way to the 3rd floor where i find and confront Rieltar. Fight ensues, fight is over almost as fast as it began.

After being framed and arrested for my necessary act of killing, we escape and find outselves in the catacombs beneath. I tread very carefully on the first level, heeding Boo's wise advice to watch out for traps. Only one lightning bolt trap gets off, which almost kills Coran, but he disarms the rest. And as a reward, we find some very powerful tomes.

The 2nd level of the catacombs is infested with doppelgangers, who try their best into manipulating and deceiving me, even taking the form of Gorion and Elminster. This rouse greatly angers Alex, as he unleashes all his demigod wrath upon them.

The 3rd level proves to be a bit more challenging. I buff up and prepare very well for the upcoming battle (Prot from Evil 10'" Radius, Haste Chant, Protection from Fire, Shield, Greenstone Amulet, Blurs, Mirror Images, etc). I use a few more arrows of dispelling, and win it without casualties. Unbeknownst to me, one of the enemy mages sneaks out of the battle.



As i explore a bit more, i come across two phase spiders who also set up a web trap on me. Just behind them, the aforementioned mage pops up and surprises my party. Between being webbed and confused and fatigued from haste expiration, while having to fight a couple of powerful spiders and an even stronger mage, Coran and Edwin fall to the heat.



Eventually, our rag tag group of survivors makes their way out of the catacombs and breathes the fresh air of relief. A quick trip to the Temple of Lathander, and everybody is back at full health.

Now, lies a fork in the road. Do i want to return to Baldur's Gate and confront Sarevok head on? Or do i want to take an alternate route - which is Ulgoth's Beard and subsequent adventures, lay low for awhile, increase my strength even further, and come back in full force to battle the big boss. I'm gonna go with the latter.

Also, keeping in mind the experience cap and tomes, my main char reached his peak. Personally i'm very proud of him.





The next chapter will either make or break me, as it's probably the toughest in the entire game. The Demon Cultists in particular are a very daunting challenge. By the way, does anyone know where i can find Raise Dead scrolls? I think i activated the mod that reenables the removed items in the game, but not sure where they are located. Definitely gonna need them in the dungeon crawl that is Durlag's Tower.

Modifié par AlexDeLarge, 20 janvier 2012 - 03:07 .

[Wierdo]

Temples at Beregost and Nashkel have Raise Dead scrolls at reasonable prices. At least, they are reasonable (ie a few 100 gold, no more) at lower levels.

[AlexDeLarge]

@ Wierdo Nope. Couldn't find any in either temple. Only scrolls for sale are Stone to Flesh. Oh well, i guess i'm gonna have to be super, super, super careful as not to die in the Tower.

And especially not in Werewolf Isle, for two reasons. One, there's no posibility to find a temple and revive there. And two, from a roleplaying viewpoint, the dead NPC body would probably rot and be unressurectable by the time i get back to the mainland via boat (several months).

[Grond0]

I'm not sure there were raise dead scrolls in vanilla. If that's correct their availability depends on the mods you've installed. In my installation I think I've only got one in Beregost.

I'm not sure you need to worry about bodies rotting.  I'm pretty sure that the resurrection spell in 2nd edition D&D was intended to be able to bring life back just from bones.

Modifié par Grond0, 21 janvier 2012 - 03:36 .