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[Alesia_BH]

Quick Note on Alastria's Game:

I almost had a heart attack when this happened...



A.

Btw. Nice work with Alexis Shadow_Leech!

[Shadow_Leech07]

Alesia_BH wrote...

Quick Note on Alastria's Game:

I almost had a heart attack when this happened...



A.

Btw. Nice work with Alexis Shadow_Leech!

Thanks! What is that in your picture? I know it's not call lightning(or was it?)! I had similar experiences when playing Icewind Dale, stuff just randomly came down, I never knew what it was.

Modifié par Shadow_Leech07, 15 mai 2011 - 01:01 .

[Alesia_BH]

Quick Note on Alastria's Game:

Yeah! Time for some Transmuting Madness!

Shadow_Leech07 wrote...

What is that in your picture? I know it's not call lightning(or was it?)! I had similar experiences when playing Icewind Dale, stuff just randomly came down, I never knew what it was.

It's lightning...

You know, weather. It's a lightning storm.

I don't know if it can actually hurt a character but it sure startled me!

[Alesia_BH]

Quick Note on Alastria's Game:

Alastria is making her way through the Cloakwood. She got past the Spiders and their traps using Polymorph Self: Mustard Jelly. She's been handling everything else in Flind form.

There is a problem though. The SCS Giant Spiders waylay and insta-cast Web. Polymorph Self doesn't last long enough to get her between areas. Potion of Freedom right? But guess what: she's out. Surprise, surprise...

I'm not sure what to do at this point. The options are:

1) Head back, grab Imoen, and pick-pocket the Ring of Freedom (mentioned by Grond0) off Dushai.
2) Try to make it through area transitions using the Tweedles' Invisibility 10' Radius.
3) Sally forth.

I'm not sure what she'll do. This is the most important decision she's had to make yet...

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 15 mai 2011 - 03:56 .

[AnonymousHero]

Alesia_BH wrote...
You know, weather. It's a lightning storm.

I don't know if it can actually hurt a character but it sure startled me!

It can. I've both: 1) Lost a no-reload character due to it, and 2) Lost the EXP for a high-EXP kill (can't remember what it was) due to the target being killed by lightning.

I now always turn weather off in the game options.

EDIT: Oh, and about Alastria's dilemma... buy a Ring of Invisibility? It lasts quite a long time (usually enough for travel, but there are a few very long treks in the Cloakwood...).

Modifié par AnonymousHero, 15 mai 2011 - 04:37 .

[Alesia_BH]

AnonymousHero wrote...

It can. I've both: 1) Lost a no-reload character due to it, and 2) Lost the EXP for a high-EXP kill (can't remember what it was) due to the target being killed by lightning.

Wow! That really was a close one then!

She was wearing the Boots of Grounding at the time but still...Yikes!


A.

[Vaclavc]

Sadly, another of my characters bites the dust.
Mage Qenurhir died in ambush by band archers, similar to my previous character.
However, I am not giving up on my intent to beat the game with (any) solo mage on maximum difficulty.

V

[Grond0]

Alesia_BH wrote...

AnonymousHero wrote...

It can. I've both: 1) Lost a no-reload character due to it, and 2) Lost the EXP for a high-EXP kill (can't remember what it was) due to the target being killed by lightning.

Wow! That really was a close one then!

She was wearing the Boots of Grounding at the time but still...Yikes!

A.

I was actually a bit surprised on your picture that no damage was shown.  In the vanilla game I don't remember lightning ever causing damage, though it could be treated as an attack (causing a neutral creature to turn hostile for instance).  However, since I've modded my game lightning has always caused damage (I think 50% of HPs), which can be a real pain.  It may be an effect of BGT and not of Tutu or possibly the 50% resistance from boots of grounding acted to cancel the way the 50% damage was implemented - why not take off your boots and stick a sword up in the air next time it's raining and see what happens.

[Alesia_BH]

Grond0 wrote...

I was actually a bit surprised on your picture that no damage was shown.

I think it landed right next to her- not on her. The animation overlaps her circle but it isn't centered. She was also Mirror Imaged, maybes it just hit one of her illusions? I don't know. I'm just happy she's still alive.

Why not take off your boots and stick a sword up in the air next time it's raining and see what happens

Let me think about that...Hmmm. No. I think Alastria will go Jelly the next time it rains.

Best,

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 15 mai 2011 - 05:49 .

[Alesia_BH]

Vaclavc wrote...

Sadly, another of my characters bites the dust.
Mage Qenurhir died in ambush by band archers, similar to my previous character.

Hoping you'll evade the Bandits next time V!

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Alastria v. Drasus and Co. (Or Why You Should Run if You Ever See a Hasted Mustard Jelly Wearing a Necklace)

Since Alastria's spellbook is so peculiar, I end up doing odd things with her. This one worked well- a little too well in fact. It actually felt kind of dirty. I honestly started feeling bad for Drasus and his cronies. You'll see why.

After the Bandit Camp ordeal, I decided to do a little recon before sending Alastria into another major party fight. It was the regulars: Drasus, Genthore, Kysus, and Rezdan. Two mages, two fighters- just like always. I was happy to see that.

Now, with full SCS prebuffing active, this was going to be tricky. Alastria might Blind one mage before the Globes came up but certaintly not two. And then there is a Hasted fighter and an Axe tosser.

Clearly Human form wasn't going to work- she only has 1 Spell thrust scroll and those mages are pretty well levelled. Dispel could be a big problem.

Jelly? Perhaps. With 100% resitance to Magic, 85% resistance to Missle Damage, and a Missle Weapon AC in the negative teens, only Drasus would be a threat. But a Hasted Warrior with a Magical Blunt weapon can kill a Jelly pretty quick...Alastria does have an Oil of Speed... Jellies aren't exactly offensive juggernauts though...Necklace of Missles.

Sounds like a plan.

The Plan

1) Prebuff with Polymorph Self, Shield, Protection from Evil, Blur, Mirror Image, Oil of Speed. Shift into Jelly Form.
2) Approach Invisible and discharge the Necklace. Then, just race around blasting. Alastria will be immune to the Necklace in Jelly form. And so long as Drasus doesn't catch up, she's safe and they're all helpless. Simple.

Execution

Here's the approach.


Alastria got the first salvo in but killed no one.

The Globes went up as expected. That didn't concern me: so long as the melee attacks and magical attacks are sepearated in time or space, Alastria will win. I assumed she'd kill the fighters first, and then settle in for a long Jelly fight with the mages. It didn't quite work out that way.


See the fire inside of the Globes? Yeah. The Necklace bypasses MGoI. Rezdan fell first, Kysus disappeared. Alastria tried to target him blind, but just ended up killing Horses. Genthore croaked at least.

So now it's just Drasus, and an invisible Kysus. Drasus ran after Alastria. Alastria blasted him for lack of anything better to do, but her mind was on Kysus. Polymorph Self doesn't last forever and she didn't want to burn an Invisibility scroll just to flip and re-buff if she could avoid it.



Fortunately, Kysus was kind enough to Dimmension Door in. Fireworks.



So, now that it was just Drasus, Alastria could get out of Jelly form. She decided to go Human so she could refresh her Mirror Images with ease. Endgame.


Comments 

That was fun in away, but I don't think I'll use that trick again. It's a little too simple and effective to be interesting. I'll try to come up with something else for the Iron Throne Fight.

Best,

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 15 mai 2011 - 06:47 .

[SpiffyKeen]

The end is in sight!   

Back at Candlekeep, Tolman had nostalgic feelings which were quickly ended when the first doppleganger burst forth from the Priest of Oghma.  Back to business, the party sold what they could at the inn, since they forgot to do so before leaving town.  Inside the main keep, Tolman found out about a strange man named Koveras who was interested in the Bhaal prophecies.  On higher levels of the keep, Tolman found another doppleganger and then found a letter from Gorion which revealed a great deal of information that answered a lot about what Tolman had been trying to figure out about himself.  Before moving on to interrogating the Iron Throne leaders, the entire party was arrested while trying to talk to Tethtoril.   

One thing led to another, and eventually the 6 found themselves in the catacombs trying to escape with their lives.  In exploring the place, a great many powerful items were found including two tomes.  Then, more dopplegangers, of course!  Kagain was a fantastic tank, and his support troops dealt ranged damage quickly to back him up.  For one large group of shapeshifters, fire was used to great effect to start the battle.  



Below that, a group loyal to Sarevok challenged the party.  Tolman instructed Qualye and Yeslick to send skeletons to follow him, then the rest of the party rounded the corner and let fly ranged attacks both regular and magical.  Kagain as tank did well again, including saving vs. spells.  Tolman landed a nice backstab then joined Kagain in melee.  



Then came spiders, which Tolman handled, and basilisks, which the skeletons handled by themselves.  And that was it.  They were free again.  Tolman led them back to the city where they learned of Duke Eltan's illness from one of Sarevok's female followers.  Even though they were tired, they raided the Fist compound and brought Eltan to safety.  Then they rested, during which time Tolman had another dream.  

Next came a return visit to the Iron Throne compound.  They met another Sarevok supporter who was not as helpful, but a double bombardment of magic missles followed by a backstab took care of her, and the summoned ogres were no match for Kagain and skeletons with ranged support.  After that, they all headed down to the undercellars to clean up the assassin pests.  Kagain tanked to great success in those battles too.  



With invitations in hand, the party purchased what they needed (potions, ammo, etc.) and rested until the ceremony.  They entered the palace, summoned more skeletons, hasted everyone and buffed the fighters with strength potions.   Then they moved into position to protect the two Grand Dukes still standing.  The battle turned into complete chaos with all the hasted goodguys and badguys running around, slapping each other, and all the fire columns.  But with a lot of careful selection of targets (lots of pasuing) all the dopplegangers fell with both Belt and Liia still alive.  (I always wished there was a way to see the health of blue circle characters.) From there, Belt took the lead and gave Tolman a chance to argue his case, after which Sarevok went crazy trying to kill everyone, then ended up running away.  

The party followed him, but part way through the maze everyone realized how exhausted they were from the hasted battle, and Quayle/Garrick/Yeslick began to complain about their wands being out of charges.  So, doubting that Sarevok would come out of hiding after just a few hours, they traveled back out to recharage wands, minds, and bodies.  It was then that Tolman had one last dream which gave him a sure mind about a final confrontation with his nemesis.  (It has been a while since I saw that dream sequence.  It seems that most times I get this far in the game (which is not all that often), I end up not resting after the palace battle and never get that final special ability.)  

So they went back through the maze.  Tolman took care of the traps around the skeleton warriors using invisibility from Quayle.  Then he backstabbed them to death, but did take some significant damage.  At one point, the party did have to retreat back down the maze tunnel a bit to give Tolman more room to work with.  Then in the underground city, Tolman scouted around and assisted Quayle in blasting a lot of the undead with wands.  Tolman also convinced Tamoko not to throw her life away.  The biggest threats (three skeleton warriors and a mean looking adventuring party), Tolman saved for last.  

The Iron Throne merecenaries were quickly dispatched by a fire-protected Kagain supported by Quayle and Garrick.  Even the archer's own exploding arrows worked against his party.  The mage lasted the longest, but she could do nothing against Kagain in melee it seemed.  



Then came the final battle.  Tolman disarmed a few traps and led the battle horrors out to be killed.  Then he snuck up to the throne.  Sarevok yelled to him anyway with taunts, so Tolman boasted back and retreated to the ambush at the entrance.  Semaj showed up first and was met with skeletons and Kagain up front with everyone else back a ways ready to unleash their ranged weapons, spells, and wands.  Immediately after engaging Semaj, Tazok and Angelo showed up.  As far as I could tell, Semaj only got off greater malison.  The party did damage to Semaj very quickly, and then fireballs started to blast Kagain and the skeletons.  Luckily the others were far enought outside the blast.  



Though the skeletons were killed and Tazok was only injured a little bit, Semaj and Algelo died as a result of the fire and a few more quick hits.  Kagain took a hit or two, but Tazok went down in a couple rounds.  Then it occured to them that Sarevok was missing.  Tolman scouted again and found him still on his throne, so he back stabbed him and ran, taking a hit himself.  From there, Sarevok chased the little hero into the arms of Kagain and a group of knolls.  This time Kagain took a lot of damage while trying to keep Sarevok busy.  A few gnolls died too, but before Kagain could be completely slashed up, Tolman snuck up behind his nemesis and sealed the deal.  



Tolman finished at thief level 9 but just short of fighter level 8.  He should get that right away in BG2.  It was nice to have everyone survive the final battle.  Phew.  Off to the BG2 thread.  Gate, sorry to hear about your game.  I was hoping to join you.  

-------------------

Related to the weather lightning strike:  I think one of my past no-reloads (Tutu with Vardamir?) got hit by one along the coast for no damage (although heart attack would definately describe what I felt at that instant).  Further back and less sure in my memory, I think I remember Khalid dying to a lightning strike in one of my games, but that was probably in the out-of-the-box version of the game. 

Modifié par SpiffyKeen, 15 mai 2011 - 06:54 .

[SpiffyKeen]

By the way, A, I always wanted to know more about the luck spell and effect.  I read somewhere that a thief can avoid a pickpocket failure for a roll of 1 by having luck cast on him/her.  Basically, with 100+ pickpocket skill and luck, a thief should be able to pick pocket bystanders without risk of failure.  (I have no idea if this is true, or if it would work with saving throws or critical misses.) 

Back to topic, is something like that why Alastria's special item grants luck?  While +1 is not a huge bonus, it does stack with protection rings, etc., right?  The only permanent luck item I can remember was a scimitar from Icewind Dale plus expansion.  I guess I am wondering if I have under-valued the benefits of luck.  

[Gate70]

Congratulations SpiffyKeen - don't think I've seen as many fireballs in one go as the Iron Throne mercenaries witnessed.

Interesting watching your run Alesia. I don't usually solo so nice to see what can be done.

Bad luck Vaclavc, tough enough in core rules but insane arrows must be lethal. One thing I've seen other people do solo is travel while invisible so ambushes are less troublesome (and anonymoushero has said much the same I see).

I've started a half-elf blade but progress will be slower from now on (reason being I have a concurrent Icewind Dale 6 player run started. I installed Icewind Dale, Heart of Winter, Trials of the Luremaster and Icewind Dale 2 all under Wine, then Neverwinter Nights which doesn't need Wine, and now going to find that unused copy of NWN2 to see if it will install. Star Wars KOTOR installs but the graphics are dud - fog is polygons and characters are white blobs - will try fiddling later and see if KOTOR2 has the same issue).

[Alesia_BH]

SpiffyKeen wrote...

By the way, A, I always wanted to know more about the luck spell and effect.  I read somewhere that a thief can avoid a pickpocket failure for a roll of 1 by having luck cast on him/her.  Basically, with 100+ pickpocket skill and luck, a thief should be able to pick pocket bystanders without risk of failure.  (I have no idea if this is true, or if it would work with saving throws or critical misses.)

Luck is one of the least understood effects. Most of the information available on it is inaccurate- including the spell description. The modding community seems unclear on many points as well. I haven't done extensive testing here so I'll use a lot of qualifiers. 

Luck effects To Hit rolls and minimum damage with physical weapons. It will not however, push damage over the maximum for a given weapon. It does not appear to effect saves, and some reports indicate that it does not effect skills either.

On forums, posters often state that it will prevent Critical Misses, but that appears to be inaccurate. I have not noticed an effect on Critical Hit chance though I haven't done systematic test with a large sample size.

Some reports suggest that it can influence spell damage.

Back to topic, is something like that why Alastria's special item grants luck?

When creating items for my characters, I try to makes ones that suit their personality and tactics- much like those used by Bioware NPCs. I try to put the items in the middle of the power distribution of NPC items, not as powerful as Edwin's Amulet, Nalia's Ring, or Haer Daelis' Chaos Blade, but more relevant then, say, Mazzy's Bow.

In Alastria's case, I came up with the idea of a powerful protective robe that was purchased by a worried Gorion and then mutilated by a fashion obsessed Alastria first. Then I came up with it's effects. The Charisma Bonus and Friends spell made sense on the "fashion" side, but I wanted some hint of the robes previous protective qualities. At the same time, I wanted something that would enhance her melee performance. That led me to Luck.

The Luck effect was also a joke of sorts. Alastria's SoA No Reload attempt was my first game in a couple years. I was feeling rusty, facing SCSII for the first time, and unsure of her abilities. I felt she needed "Luck."

It's a nice item. Not unbalancingly powerful, but distinctive and helpful. I enjoy it. In SoA, I "combined" it with Vecna's Robe- nerfing Vecna's Casting Speed Bonus and Magic Resistance in the process. If Alastria gets that far again, I'll do the same.

Best,

A.

Btw. Congrats on finishing BG1 Spiffy-Keen! Loved the final backstab on Sarevok! Should I wish you "luck" in BGII?    

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 15 mai 2011 - 09:38 .

[Alesia_BH]

AnonymousHero wrote...

EDIT: Oh, and about Alastria's dilemma... buy a Ring of Invisibility? It lasts quite a long time (usually enough for travel, but there are a few very long treks in the Cloakwood...).

Thanks for the suggestion!

Alastria does want that ring, but she can't afford it. The Tweedles can cast Invisibility 10' Radius and that last 24hrs as well but the Ring would allow her to cast it quicker and more often. It's definitely on the wish list.

Best,

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 15 mai 2011 - 09:51 .

[Grond0]

Alesia_BH wrote...

Some reports suggest that it can influence spell damage.

There is a mod-added belt in BG2 - Tymora's Gift - that gives +3 to luck.  This has a huge effect on the amount of magic damage taken by the wearer.  I presume that this is implemented by reducing die rolls by 3 to a minimum of 1.  For instance a  10d6 fireball would on average do 35 HPs.  With the belt on the average will be reduced to 10 x ({1/6x4} + 2/6 + 3/6) = 15 HPs, i.e. a reduction of more than 50%.  This belt tends to be worn by my main character.

For just +1 luck the average would be reduced to 10 x ({1/6x2} + 2/6 + 3/6 + 4/6 + 5/6) = 26.7 HPs, which is still a very useful contribution.

Modifié par Grond0, 15 mai 2011 - 10:19 .

[Alesia_BH]

Grond0 wrote...

For just +1 luck the average would be reduced to 10 x ({1/6x2} + 2/6 + 3/6 + 4/6 + 5/6) = 26.7 HPs, which is still a very useful contribution.

That's my understanding of the math as well. I haven't replicated, but that was aVENGER's interpretation of his experiments. It's a nice bump- and the primary protective effect of luck.

Best,

A.


Btw: The Spell Damage reduction hasn't had a meaningful effect in Alastria's BG1 run so far since I decided to avoid mages altogether untill she got Polymoprh Self: Mustard Jelly. The unexpected appearance of the mage, Venkt was the only exception. He only got in a Slow and a Magic Missle (foied by Shield). It could definitely be helpful in upcoming fights if she decides to use the Telelport Field+Human Form approach.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 16 mai 2011 - 07:32 .

[Alesia_BH]

I might as well use this errant double post...

Footnote on the Drasus and Co. Battle:

It turns out Genthore wasn't killed. He actually took refuge indoors when he reached Injured. He likes hanging out in there- it gives him a chance to fight in close quarters where he has a comparative advantage. Smart.

Best,

A.

EDIT: Here she is finishing off Genthore in Flind form.


Btw. Ooooh! I thought of the perfect music for the Sarevok fight: the last two tracks of David Bowie's Diamond Dogs album- Big Brother followed by The Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family. I hope Alastria gets there...

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 16 mai 2011 - 03:07 .

[touch_of_the_void]

Yes, the luck stat reduces damage per die from elemental and magic damage as Grond0 says.

It's worth bearing in mind (although mods may alter this) that the Cleric spell Chant grants a simliar 1-point-per-die reduction in magical damage, which stacks with the Wizard Luck spell and other luck effects.

[Alesia_BH]

touch_of_the_void wrote...

Yes, the luck stat reduces damage per die from elemental and magic damage as Grond0 says.

That's my understanding. I wrote hesitantly because I haven't experimented myself and didn't want to risk contributing to the misinformation on Luck that floats around but aVENGER's experiments demonstrated that effect nicely.

He equipped an item that set luck to 5 and then had a level 10 mage cast Fireball. The damage was exactly 10 (10d(6-5)) each time. Removing the item returned damage to normal. Bad Luck produced the opposite effect.

It's worth bearing in mind (although mods may alter this) that the Cleric spell Chant grants a simliar 1-point-per-die reduction in magical damage, which stacks with the Wizard Luck spell and other luck effects.

Interesting. I wasn't aware that Chant has that effect. That's another one where the description leaves much to be desired.


Best,

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 17 mai 2011 - 06:39 .

[Alesia_BH]

Quick Note on Alastria's Game:

Alastria is making her way through the mines now. I'm starting to worry about Davaeorn. If he's alone, that's fine. But if those Battle Horrrors that used to be seperable are flanking him things could get a little dicey.

Current Character Record and Inventory




A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 16 mai 2011 - 03:11 .

[AnonymousHero]

Very interesting read Alesia_BH.

For the battle horrors, you could use >100% fire resistance to your advantage to heal you from the physical portion of the damage they do. (That's assuming you don't just buff to get extremely low AC.)

[Alesia_BH]

AnonymousHero wrote...

Very interesting read Alesia_BH.

That's kind of you to say Anonymous Hero.

For the battle horrors, you could use >100% fire resistance to your advantage to heal you from the physical portion of the damage they do. (That's assuming you don't just buff to get extremely low AC.)

Thanks Anonymous Hero. I'll file that one away.

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 16 mai 2011 - 05:38 .

[Yogohong]

Wow, this thread has moved pages since my last visit.

Just a brief update: The Gilded Rose has completed the No-Reload challenge (actually way back in April) and the lack of updates have been due to diverting attention to other projects, namely assignments and such. Once those are finished, I will continue where we left off

Until then...

Modifié par Yogohong, 16 mai 2011 - 11:23 .