16405 réponses à ce sujet

[Grond0]

Another depressing death for Brev. He made it through to the conflict with Slythe, but missed his backstab and hence Slythe survived. Brev retreated, stealthed and left the area to go back to the inn. However, Slythe displayed the same behaviour as Molkar in the previous run to follow him stealthed and a backstab finished him at 1 hour 13 minutes.

That included a 5 minute delay when I realised I had not taken the papers from Mulahey's chest, so I think an hour and a half is definitely on if I can avoid mistakes.

[corey_russell]

Tough break there, Grond0.

[After5CST]

BelgarathMTH wrote...
...unless you really enjoy the writing.

I'm enjoying the writing.  I just wish I was a better writer: it takes me two or three passes to get the stuff you see here (which could be better).  I see it as a process: as things go along perhaps I'll get quicker and require fewer drafts.

Plus, i suspect that slowing things down is helping me to be a little more prepared for the game.  As long as I'm thinking about motivations, and what the logical next course of actions are, it helps me be a little less sloppy (even though I'm missing out on some good equipment like the Girdle of Piercing).

I hated to use Lathander's vision as a form of Deus Ex Machina, but James' most likely next steps were to the Nashkel mines, something I was not yet prepared (game-wise) to do.  In thing of alternatives, the most likely candidates were Arghain's +1 Two Handed Sword or Bjornin's shield quest, so those were the route I ended up taking.

Perhaps there's a better way (*shrug*), but a Paladin vision was the best I could come up with on short notice.

[Blackmalkin]

Asati is gone, so I start with a new wild mage, Ayakanya:

(I forgot to make a screenshot at the beginning.)

First thing she did was summoning a familiar – fairy dragon with Invisibility 10' Radius once per day. When Ayakanya heard what sounds her familiar does, she decided to call him Mutalisk. Thanks to the mass invisibillity Ayakanya and Imoen could safely travel to Beregost and then to the basilsik area to get a few levels. Plan was to use Korax the Ghoul. Unfortunately, he got hacked to pieces by some gnolls before he could kill any basilisk, so Ayakanya decided to look for some strong warrior. She found Ajantis, a half-wit paladin (level 2, 20 HP). He was no match for improved basilisks though, and had to retreat after killing only one of lesser ones (and drinking 2 potions). He wears pink now, as a sign of his shame. Ayakanya and Imoen started calling him Pinky.

After that failure, they killed some things south of Beregost, most notably an ogrillon with a letter and a Flaming Fist mercenary with a plate mail (Ayakanya treated him Sleep, her favourite spell). Pinky’s sword have broken, and party soon learned that there were no two-handed swords to buy at Beregost’s smithy. Ayakanya was sure they must have some, stashed in one of those chests, but no one was able to open them and they had to go to Friendly Arm Inn (avoiding Tarnesh by invisibility). Then party went to catch Brage (traveling safely under the cloak of Mutalisk’s Invisibility). In Nashkel they welcomed Minsc to the party (level 1, 11 HP) and equipped him with Brage’s sword. On their way to help Minsc’s damsel in distress, they were waylaid by a cave bear. Thanks to Mutalisk the bear couldn’t see them, but Minsc had gone bersersk (‘None shall see me... though, my battle cry may give me away’). Bear killed him, while the second one (which I didn’t notice before) killed Imoen, who tried to aid Minsc with a bow. Ayakanya and Pinky grabbed their equipment and run back to the Helm’s temple to expend 300 gold pieces. Ayakanya and Imoen started calling Minsc Idiot. He wasn’t happy with that, but Ayakanya and Boo managed to convince him that it’s a very heroic name (as anyone blindly charging at something he can’t defeat is an idiot),

Ayakanya bought a stone to flash scroll, used it to recruit Branwen, and party went back on track. While traveling through the waterfall area, Idiot did it again. I tought the party was far enough from those winter wolves, but apparently not. Idiot was killed with the first hit, but Pinky took his sword and avenged him.



At least it was a profitable heroism (two pelts). Ayakanya decided that it will be better to leave the sword in Pinky’s hands (especially that he didn’t really want to part with it) and armed Idiot with two maces. She also made a note of the temple prices: resurrecting Pinky is cheaper them removing curse – good to know.

Party status:
Ayakanya – wild mage 2, 15 HP, fav. spell: Sleep
Ajantis, aka Pinky – paladin 2, 20 HP
Minsc, aka Idiot – ranger 1, 11 HP (262 exp – dead people don’t learn fast)
Branwen – cleric 2, 17 HP
Imoen – thief 3, 17 HP

Modifié par Blackmalkin, 07 avril 2012 - 07:59 .

[After5CST]

Love the nicknames.

there were no two-handed swords to buy at Beregost’s smithy.

I didn't know that. James found his 2h sword at Feldepost's : an unusual place to find non-magic weapons, but in my game that's where one was (that was ultimately renamed Good Intentions).

[Grond0]

Brev failed again at Slythe - this time at 1 hour 17 mins. I was surprised that he survived - soaking up a good backstab and a potion of firebreath. I tried to use charmed courtesans to use his potions of invisibility up, but had to stay in visual range to stop him hiding. Thus when Krystin cast a skull trap at one of them it accounted for Brev as well. I guess I'll have to spend a bit more time preparing for that fight next time!

[Gate70]

SCS Slythe is tough from what I remember.

Grond0 wrote...
60 fps does make quite a big difference I think - why don't you give it a go and see if you like it?

I think it would just highlight my aging control as I struggle to scroll quickly enough with my battered and torn mousemat.

Of the items in your picture I don't bother with the bracers on the grounds there's not much shooting done anyway (when I first started my speed run I took Meilum's bracers, but concluded they were not worth it either).  I also don't take the fire resistance ring as the intention is to avoid any fireballs anyway and don't travel up to Ulgoth's Beard for the items from there (I agree that they do make things easier, but none of them are essential if you want the fastest possible time).  You also mentioned Nimbul - I don't bother with him any more either on the grounds that my character should not be exposed much to missile fire anyway.

Agree about the bracers, could do without the cloak but the staff has been very useful. Dagger of venom could be a good alternative though. Was thinking about ignoring Nimbul as I haven't used his boots in the last couple of runs. I find I need the ring otherwise Angelo destroys me, suppose a potion of fire resistance and/or scroll of fire protection would work after the scroll of magic resistance and remove magic.

[Blackmalkin]

After5CST wrote...
James found his 2h sword at Feldepost's : an unusual place to find non-magic weapons, but in my game that's where one was.

In mine too, but I didn't notice that until later.

[Gate70]

19m 16s to...
Buy potions, scrolls & arrows
Investigate the Iron Throne HQ for Duke Eltan
Return to Candlekeep and escape into the catacombs
Obtain two tomes, fire resistance ring and scroll of magic protection.
Return to the city and identify tomes/scroll.
Kill Slythe. A delay as Larze and the yakky woman then prevented Blushing Mermaid rests.
Get to the coronation...and eaten by doppelgangers.

I really would like a proper fight with them so aiming for that next run (dagger of venom and a shield perhaps edit & ankheg plate) but any suggestions welcome.

Modifié par Gate70, 21 mars 2012 - 07:15 .

[BelgarathMTH]

After5CST wrote...

I'm enjoying the writing.  I just wish I was a better writer: it takes me two or three passes to get the stuff you see here (which could be better).  I see it as a process: as things go along perhaps I'll get quicker and require fewer drafts.
...
I hated to use Lathander's vision as a form of Deus Ex Machina, but James' most likely next steps were to the Nashkel mines, something I was not yet prepared (game-wise) to do.  In thing of alternatives, the most likely candidates were Arghain's +1 Two Handed Sword or Bjornin's shield quest, so those were the route I ended up taking.

Perhaps there's a better way (*shrug*), but a Paladin vision was the best I could come up with on short notice.

You're a very good, writer, James, and I love reading your chapters.

On the metagaming vis a vis narrative issue, we all have to do something about that if we decide to write stories. You really can't be successful at no- or minimal reload without using some foreknowldge. I'm playing an Inquisitor right now whom I'm imagining is like a Star Wars Jedi, and he gets precognitive visions from "the Force."

Another solution I've used is to have a Diviner in the party. Since most of the Divination school spells are not that useful in practice, I think that the class is easy to use as a justification for extensive metagaming. It's easy to imagine that a Diviner would get lots of useful information about possible futures using that particular school of magic.

And your solution of using divine visions for clerics and paladins makes perfect sense.

@Blackmalkin, good luck with your new run
@Gate70, Grond0, sorry for your latest speed run losses. Good luck making it next time.

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 21 mars 2012 - 07:43 .

[Gate70]

My previous quickest (edit: to Sorcerous Sundries) 1h 26m 22s. A stalker (Tunner) with dagger of venom has got there in 1h 2m 27s.

Will edit the time to investigate the Iron Throne HQ, deal with Slythe and the doppelgangers if I can survive the coronation. Can't use the armour so wondering if a potion of absorbtion would help (not sure what their attack is as think it varies between BGT, vanilla and EasyTutu).

+27m 15s (total 1h 29m 42s). Where is Tunner?

He's standing inside the temple of Bhaal. The doppelgangers were no match for venomous backstabs with cloud giant strength, absorbtion, heroism, mind focusing and an oil of speed. Tunner found they stood idle as he hid in the shadows before they transitioned, allowing Belt and his men to get a free hit or two, this could be exploited for a no risk approach but more fun to fight.

& this time required an additional shop at High Hedge because I glugged potions in Sorcerous Sundries thinking I was going for Slythe, then realised I had to return to Candlekeep first. Keep up brain!

Modifié par Gate70, 21 mars 2012 - 10:36 .

[Gate70]

+11m 40s to kill Angelo, Semaj, Tazok and Sarevok. Total 1h 41m 22s.

Had to glug a potion of invisibility as couldn't hit Sarevok with arrows of dispelling and Angelo was frying me. Once invisible buffed with mind focusing, cloud giant strength, heroism, invulnerability, fire resistance (only got to 90% because 1 wasted earlier) and an oil of speed. Next arrow from shadows dispelled his haste. He got lost in a corner so the other three could be dropped, ended up backstabbing Sarevok as arrows weren't doing enough damage.

[corey_russell]

Grats Gate70 - what was your experience at the end?

[BelgarathMTH]

@Gate70: Awesome, man! All of BG1 in under 2 hours! There really needs to be a section in the Guiness Book for this kind of thing!

[Blackmalkin]

Gate70 wrote...
+11m 40s to kill Angelo, Semaj, Tazok and Sarevok. Total 1h 41m 22s.

Why not only Sarevok? You would save some time.

[Blackmalkin]

BelgarathMTH wrote...

@Gate70: Awesome, man! All of BG1 in under 2 hours! There really needs to be a section in the Guiness Book for this kind of thing!

I've seen original BG 1 done in 45 minutes with a bard. And the time included character creation. But there were a few moments which depended only on luck (like approaching the bandit leader in Larswood, hoping not to get shot on the way). And some bug, which allowed skipping Iron Throne HQ.

Modifié par Blackmalkin, 22 mars 2012 - 12:40 .

[corey_russell]

Picenon the level solo gnomish 7 fighter/level 8 thief continues his adventure....

Picenon has continued to make progress, despite his enemies. The entire cloakwood was pretty much meaningless to Picenon, but he did get one scare. He was in the spider area, and he detected traps forever, but couldn't pick one up. He scooted up a foot and saw and enemy -- AND a web trap set off! He ran back and tried to hide - hiding failed and he was webbed! A single giant spider moved up AND poisoned him! I thought this was going to be it...but he broke out of the web next round! He of course booked it out of the area of effect and took down the spider. Enough was enough, he used a freedom potion, hid in the shadows and traveled to the Cloakwood Mines surface area. Somewhat oddly, despite traveling in the shadows, he hit EVERY ambush on the way! Of course he doesnt need the experience, not to mention a waste of resources to fight the wyverns/spiders, so he just ran out of the ambushes.

Finally he gets to the Cloakwood Mines surface area. He tries to rest but has to fight off a few guards. Once more and he rests successfully. He takes down two more guards by the small bridge in melee. Time for Drassus and gang. Once, more he used his Fireballs-from-the-Shadows technique. Required no fighting at all (well, other than a single backstab, but I just did that for fun). Boots of speed of course was immediately equipped. Had to leave to sell and also get what resources I will need for Davaeorn.

Gold is good, so Picenon only talked to the slave by the plug, Rill, backstabbed two ghasts in the way, and stealthed through the entire mine to the bottom level. Had to fight a guard in melee.

Picenon had a number of potions prepared for Daveorn -- fire resistance, cold resistance, potion of absorption, perception (important for traps, Picenon trap skill is only 50% otherwise), strength potion, but perhaps most important - potion of magic shielding. This way I will always save vs. horror, hold person or domination ( I don't have the greenstone amulet as it poofed). I was able to de-trap all the traps.

I opened with a fireball but it did nothing -- maybe Daveorn has MGoI up? So instead Picenon just kept firing arrows of biting at him. Davaoern did his dance, but nothing very effective -- then when is mirror images wore off, he got interrupted twice by arrows and then finally dead.


Picenon took care of the jelly by hitting it from the shadows, hiding, hitting it from the shadows, etc. then looted what he could. Naturally with no bag of holding, much of it had to be left behind. But Picenon was glad to leave the cloakwood and get to the City of Baldur's Gate.

Somewhat surprisingly, Picenon did VERY few things in the City. He was at his cap, so the only upgrades were the shield from the Priest of Tymora (which Picenon isn't even sure he will use, as he intends to backstab Sarevok), Razamith's ring, the intelligence and dexterity tomes, and the helm of balduran. Picenon also pickpocketed Dushai's free action ring, as he needed that to clear a path in the sewers for his future return to the city. Also the ring helps immensely with the Ogre Mage pets down there. I did that quest for the gold.

Time to get the main quest going. Picenon's only prep for the Iron Throne? 20 arrows of detonation and protection from magic scroll. He stealthed to the top floor and started unloaded the arrows of detonation. He was able to kill everyone except Naaman and Gardush. Gardush got a pretty good hit in. One thing people need to remember is that with the scroll active, Picenon can't do magic anything not even heal potions as I am vanilla BG 1. So instead he went downstairs and hid the shadows. He came upstairs for a backstab on Gardush -- Gardush survived, so PIcenon went downtairs two more times then Gardush fell to backstabs. Naaman of course was defeated in straight melee as Naaman's spells were ineffective.


After looting everything, selling and getting what resources I will need for Candleekeep, Picenon is now read to report his results to the Grand Duke.

Modifié par corey_russell, 22 mars 2012 - 04:19 .

[Grond0]

Well done Gate70.

Blackmalkin wrote...
I've seen original BG 1 done in 45 minutes with a bard. And the time included character creation. But there were a few moments which depended only on luck (like approaching the bandit leader in Larswood, hoping not to get shot on the way). And some bug, which allowed skipping Iron Throne HQ.

I had a look at some speed runs a while ago. There was one done in 26 minutes as a single playthrough, but it depended on exploiting several bugs that are no longer available in BGT / Tutu.

[corey_russell]

Picenon the solo gnomish level 7 fighter/level 8 thief continues his adventure...

Picenon got sent to Candlekeep by the Grand Duke. While in the library proper, he did very little. He accepted a ring from Koveras, rested until he got his DUHM, and got arrested for killling the iron throne leaders, a false accusation..

With no bag of holding, he could loot very little in the crypts as well. However, with the aid of potions of perception, he was able to detect and de-trap all traps in his way. His lock-picking is 100%, so no problem there. He took down the spiders with a few shots from his necklace of missiles and protected by free action ring.  After looting the crypt with the strength tome, he used an invisibility potion (more reliable than stealth) and skipped the next level of the crypts with all the dopplegangers. I did take down Prat for his +2 axe (which I'm now sure why now - as I am not tanking Sarevok, I am kiting or backstabbing, and I must use a bow to dispel his haste). I used magic blocking potion and arrows of detonation.

As for the basilisks, just in case my hiding in shadows failed, I gulped a potion of mirror blocking, hid, then ran past them.

I was going to travel in the sewers then thought -- wait a minute, I'm a thief! Just travel the city in stealth, the guards should be no problem (which they weren't).

First task was to deal with Cythrandria. I used arrows of detonation on the ogres and went down the stairs to run on the other side a few times. As for Cythrandria herself, Picenon used his patented strategy of Fireballs-from-the-Shadows ™ -- Picenon wonders if he will be able to this same idea in BG 2....this took her down.

Slythe was next. Using arrows of dispelling, got rid of his buffs then backed off. Picenon fired 3 acid arrows, then switched to his staff. A single staff hit finished Slythe. Krystin was out of range, so Picenon just left her alone, since he didn't need anything she had.

Time for Coronation problem. Picenon switched to fighter gear again, plus frost giant potion, heroism, haste potion and DUHM. He stayed close to Belt and attacked any doppleganger attacking him. He assumed Lia was a lost cause (which she was, as she was killed), but Belt did survive. Sarevok was forced to retreat. Picenon will be pursuing Sarevok tomorrow.

Modifié par corey_russell, 22 mars 2012 - 06:38 .

[Shadow_Leech07]

Blackmalkin wrote...

I've seen original BG 1 done in 45 minutes with a bard. And the time included character creation. But there were a few moments which depended only on luck (like approaching the bandit leader in Larswood, hoping not to get shot on the way). And some bug, which allowed skipping Iron Throne HQ.

Is entering Larswood even necessary? Perhaps for the original BG1 and not BG1+TSC? I never enter Larswood in my runs anymore. I go straight to the Bandit Camp ready to rock and roll.

[corey_russell]

Picenon the solo gnomish level 7 fighter/level 8 thief - FINAL BG 1 update

Time for the big showdown. Below is the preparation:


The scroll of magic protection is to be used to get through the maze and the Undercity stealthed. Everything else is for Sarevok. I do successfully stealth to the Temple of Bhaal. One thing interesting is that the traps killed both skeleton warriors. I rested and used all the potions/scrolls.

Time to attack. Picenon moves up to the left, out of sight. He fires a single fireball from his necklace of missiles, runs back a ways then stealths. Only Sarevok and Semaj come, but Sarevok is a bit to the left. So Picenon goes to the bottom right corner of the temple and dispels Semaj's protections with a dispelling arrow. Next, Picenon quickly mows Semaj down with biting arrows.

Time to take care of my "brother".  Again, arrows of dispelling take care of Sarevok's haste. Picenon even manages to get two acid arrow hits before using an invisibility potion. Then Picenon moves in for his first backstab.


Picenon moves to the far left pillar, gets zapped by lightning (but Picenon is immune) and stealths. Sarevok of course moves to Picenon's last position. Picenon then goes in for another backstab.


Picenon goes to the other side of the pilllar and hides, but gets a critical miss. So he goes to the other side once more, hides and finishes Sarevok!


Here is Picenon's final stats:


He is moving onto BG 2 - he WiLL be solo there as well. Note that if I die in BG 2 (which is quite likely), the intention is to keep playing him in either minimal reload or campfire thread until he gets as far as I can with him.

[Grond0]

Finally completed a speed run with Shorty - another halfling fighter/thief.  Time was 1 hour 27 minutes so that's under the hour and a half target I had in mind, but there's still definitely some further improvement possible.

If anyone's interested I've posted the script I was using and a few screenshots on the thread I was using for speed runs previously.
http://social.biowar...8354/3#10448780

[corey_russell]

Congratulations Grond0 -- interesting we both finished our runs almost the same time.

[Grond0]

Indeed - Sarevok's been busy today! Good luck in Amn.

[BelgarathMTH]

Gratz Grond0 and Corey.