16388 réponses à ce sujet

[Alesia_BH]

I think the bolts were from Ulgoth's Beard.  There's a few more on sale at Durlag's Tower that Rifft did not buy.

 

Which mod puts them in stores? My understanding is that EE makes them available as a super-rare random drop, but I haven't heard of any mods/setups that introduce them to stores.

 

So long as an insta-kill backstab is off the table it should be possible to just melee Slythe (using invisibility to heal up between backstabs if necessary).

 

That's basically the method Amelie used. Since she had critical hit protection, it was safe, but without her ioun stone it wouldn't have been. In the absence of the stone, Slythe could have insta-killed her with a critical.

 

In my install Davaeorn's battle horrors are also affected by fire - just confirmed that this morning .  I'm not sure what would make that difference - BGT might be a possibility, though I think Blackraven also uses that.

 

I'm not sure either. In my SCS install, there are two battle horror cre files: BATTHO.CRE and DW#DAVHO.CRE. They're basically identical except DW#DAVHO.CRE has 100% resistance to fire and electricity, along with a unique immunity ring.

 

I think granting the Davaeorn's horrors resistances was a good move, since it makes Davaeorn less likely to kill them.

 

Anyhoo, nice work with Rifft, Grond0! I look forward to seeing him in Amn.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Grond0]

Which mod puts them in stores? My understanding is that EE makes them available as a super-rare random drop, but I haven't heard of any mods/setups that introduce them to stores.

I'm not sure, but I would think the Item Pack is the most likely suspect.

[Grimwald the Wise]

My drow Cleric/Ranger did not last too long. I thought that because of his magical resistance, Bassilus would be fairly safe, and didn't want to use Algernon's Cloak to get him to fight Zargal. (Using the same tactics gets a bit boring). His resistance wasn't high enough however. He was held and that was the end. I could of course have used a potion of freedom of action, but decided against it.

 

Next character is an Air Genasi Inquisitor. I haven't played many Air Genasis, probably because they aren't that strong. I have chosen a crusader picture with him wearing the cross of Saint George today as it is Saint George's Day. (He is the patron saint of England.)

 

I have several portraits that would have been fine but for the Air Genasi's bluish skin tone. I therefore chose a portrait that shows no skin. I intend getting Photoshop, but up until now haven't bought it.

 

Isla the Inquisitor: Str 18/86 Dex 19, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 17.

 

[corey_russell]

Sorry to hear of your cleric/ranger demise, Wise. By the way, you shouldn't have to use photoshop - I'm quite certain there area  number of picture manipulation programs that are open source (free) - they might not be quite as powerful as photoshop, but can certainly get the job done.

[Alesia_BH]

Try Gimp, Wise.

 

http://www.gimp.org/

 

Best,

 

A.

 

EDIT: And condolences on the loss of your C/R. Best of luck with Isla!

[Grond0]

Rifft - dwarf swashbuckler (3rd and final update)

 

In the City he started by picking up the tomes.  Jalantha died of a couple of traps set under her feet

Spoiler

- that gave Rifft the XP for level 11, though he won't be levelling up before BG2.  Marek's magic missiles were countered by healing potions.  

Spoiler

Ramazith matched his MMMs against lightning bolts - and lost.

Spoiler

 

He also obtained the Helm and Cloak of Balduran and bought everything potentially useful from Sorcerous Sundries, including a Blur Deck.  The Iron Throne was then investigated using stealth before he reported to Duke Eltan.

 

He arrived invisibly at Candlekeep and gave the ogre magi there an invisible wave.  In the secret library he rested to get DUHM before using a potion of firebreath to quickly finish off 3 phase spiders teleporting in.  

Spoiler

After robbing the tombs he stealthed out, stopping just long enough to pummel a pair of greater basilisks into submission.

 

Before resting again Rifft paid the Lake poets to blacken his reputation, so that he would get divine wrath as his last ability, and then restored it back up to 19.

 

On to Slythe where Rifft buffed up, getting his AC to -19 - that was enough for Slythe to miss with his first backstab.  He hit with his second, but for low damage.

Spoiler

By that time Slythe had already taken one slash and damage from a couple of traps had put him at near death - one further hit finished him off.

Spoiler

 

Rifft went straight to the palace and took a potion of magic shielding and DUHM to add to his buffs before activating the dopplegangers.  He used arrows of dispelling to slow them down.  The doppleganger mage managed to kill Liia with a bouncing lightning bolt, but Belt survived without problems.

Spoiler

 

While buffs were still active Rifft meleed his way through the maze.  The Undercity party were killed by stealth shots with exploding arrows.

 

Rifft rested, then moved into the temple.  He initially tried dispelling Sarevok, but missed with numerous shots and eventually stranded him using an invisibility potion while he went to melee Angelo to death.  

Spoiler

Diarmid and Tazok then fell to exploding arrows,

Spoiler

while Semaj had also been critically injured by those and only needed a single bolt of lightning to finish him off.  

Spoiler

Rifft tried meleeing Sarevok, but he had no more potions of mind focusing and could only get his AC to -17.  With the Golden Girdle as well that was enough for Sarevok to miss quite a bit, but Rifft didn't find it that easy to hit himself and Sarevok had 4 times as many HPs!  Rifft had acquired 4 extra-healing potions on his travels and, after using 3 of those, had still only got Sarevok to injured status and decided he had no real chance of winning in toe-to-toe combat.  He therefore didn't muck about any more, but just ran round a pillar using stealth attacks and Sarevok didn't last long against those.

Spoiler

 

He's just arrived in Jon's dungeon.  Looking at his record there I see he has amassed XP of 395k, which is almost enough for 2 immediate levels, never mind 1.  Rifft has obviously been considerably more thorough at ridding the Sword Coast of threats than most of my solo characters ...

[Alesia_BH]

Congrats Grond0! Good luck in Amn!

 

Best,

 

A.

 

 

Btw. What is a Blur Deck? Presumably it applies the blur effect? Where does that come from? Does your setup allow multiple protection items to be equipped? I'm just trying to fill in the gap between Rifft's endgame AC and what's attainable sans-mods. 

 

Can you describe the Import More Items Into Shadows of Amn mod? What items does it allow you to import? How many can be imported?

[Serg BlackStrider]

Nice job done, Grond0! Keep rocking in Amn!

[Grond0]

Btw. What is a Blur Deck? Presumably it applies the blur effect? Where does that come from? Does your setup allow multiple protection items to be equipped? I'm just trying to fill in the gap between Rifft's endgame AC and what's attainable sans-mods. 

 

Can you describe the Import More Items Into Shadows of Amn mod? What items does it allow you to import? How many can be imported?

The Blur Deck does indeed apply blur. I believe that's common to a number of mods, but I think the Item Pack puts it into my installation.  I can't equip multiple protection items - the only slight difference to that in my installation is the Ring of Koveras gets an upgrade in BG2 to +2 / +5% MR and is no longer coded as a standard protection item (so can be worn an an additional item in the same way as Ring of Gaxx).

 

I think the peak AC for Rifft in BG1 would have been as follows:

- potion of defense for AC 0

- dexterity boosted by mind focusing = -6

- single weapon = -1 (at that time, it's now -2 in Amn)

- ring prot = -2

- cloak Balduran = -1

- swashbuckler special = -3

- blur = -3

for a total of -16.  In addition to that he would swap his belt around to get the appropriate AC adjustment against enemies - I think I included the effect of that in my descriptions above although I know that's slightly misleading as I didn't also take account of the AC adjustment from studded armour.

 

The additional items imported into Amn are pretty vicious.  From memory they include: Eagle Bow, Greenstone Amulet, Cloak of Balduran, Ring of Fire Resistance, Bracers of Archery, Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise.

[Aasim]

 

The additional items imported into Amn are pretty vicious.  From memory they include: Eagle Bow, Greenstone Amulet, Cloak of Balduran, Ring of Fire Resistance, Bracers of Archery, Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise.

+ Ring of Free Action I believe.

Congrats!

[Alesia_BH]

The Blur Deck does indeed apply blur...I can't equip multiple protection items - the only slight difference to that in my installation is the Ring of Koveras gets an upgrade in BG2 to +2 / +5% MR and is no longer coded as a standard protection item (so can be worn an an additional item in the same way as Ring of Gaxx).

 

Ok. So there's an extra four available, basically (3 from the Blur Deck, one extra in the ring slot). That and the variable accounting of the damage type specific adjustments would explain the numbers. Thanks for clarifying.

 

The additional items imported into Amn are pretty vicious.  From memory they include: Eagle Bow, Greenstone Amulet, Cloak of Balduran, Ring of Fire Resistance, Bracers of Archery, Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise.

 

And the Item Pack Greenstone Amulet confers immunities when equipped and is undispellable, right? And is the imported Ring of Koveras the upgraded one? And then there is the Ring of Free Action, perhaps.

 

So in the Chateau you'd have access to un-dispellable immunity to Charm, Confusion, Domination, Fear, Hold, Stun, Sleep, Feeblemindedness, and possibly Slow. Plus 35% magic resistance (Balduran + Koveras), 40% fire resistance, additional save bonuses, and additional damage/THAC0 boosts.

 

Do you like those mods? Do you intend to use the items? I'm not being critical, I'm just curious. 

 

Best,

 

A.

[Grimwald the Wise]

I've never seen Molkar at the Bandit Camp. In my install, the Amazonians appear outside Tazok's tent after the letters have been recovered, but I always prepare for that.

 

Best, 

 

A.

 

I could well have mixed up different sets of assassins. Memory plays strange tricks.

[Alesia_BH]

I could well have mixed up different sets of assassins. Memory plays strange tricks.

 

Maybe not Wise. While I haven't seen Molkar spawn into the Bandit Camp, I could imagine it. In my install, he spawns into one of the first areas visited after Mulahey, with only a subset of the game's areas eligible for his arrival (High Hedge, FAI, Larswood, Peldvale, are among the eligible areas). He usually shows up the first time an eligible area is visited, but occasionally it is the second or third time. Were I to go straight from Nashkel to Larswood and then to the Bandit Camp, Molkar might show up there. I'm not sure. I make a point of not doing that. Additionally, your install could differ from mine.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Blackraven]

Congrats Grond0! 

@Wise. I've had Molkar & Co change my plans (flee rather than fight) at the Bandit Camp

[corey_russell]

Nicely done Grond0! Hope you can keep it up in Amn.

[Blind_Visionary]

Natasha in the Cloakwood mines had higher-level spells than I was expecting. Pter fell to a cone of cold.

 

Now he will smite undead for eternity in the land of failed no-reloaders....

 

Next time I think I'll skip that part of the dungeon. Time to roll another!

[Grond0]

Ok. So there's an extra four available, basically (3 from the Blur Deck, one extra in the ring slot). That and the variable accounting of the damage type specific adjustments would explain the numbers. Thanks for clarifying.

 

And the Item Pack Greenstone Amulet confers immunities when equipped and is undispellable, right? And is the imported Ring of Koveras the upgraded one? And then there is the Ring of Free Action, perhaps.

 

So in the Chateau you'd have access to un-dispellable immunity to Charm, Confusion, Domination, Fear, Hold, Stun, Sleep, Feeblemindedness, and possibly Slow. Plus 35% magic resistance (Balduran + Koveras), 40% fire resistance, additional save bonuses, and additional damage/THAC0 boosts.

 

Do you like those mods? Do you intend to use the items? I'm not being critical, I'm just curious. 

I'm not sure what you mean by one extra in the ring slot.  In my installation the Ring of Koveras is just a standard +1 ring in BG1, i.e. can't be worn with another protection item.  There is an opportunity to get an extra +1 by wearing the Claw of Kazgaroth, but Rifft wasn't actually doing that.

 

Greenstone Amulet and Shield Amulet both give benefits from being equipped, yes.  In the dungeon MR would be 30% (RoK = 5%), but there are certainly major benefits available.  I've just escaped from the dungeon and made use of quite a bit of the equipment (though the extra items are not found until you've explored most of the first level).  Items used were Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise, ring +2, Cloak of Balduran, Crossbow of Speed (which I forgot about in my earlier post).  I didn't use the Greenstone Amulet and didn't find the Ring of Free Action (I looked everywhere, so am not convinced it appears in my installation).

 

The bulk of this modded installation goes back to a review of mods I did some years ago when I already knew BG1 inside out, but was still a relative novice at BG2.   At that time I think I was attracted by the prospect of having the Cloak as I'd never been happy that this was an item that existed in BG1, but not in BG2 (and when I first started playing BG2 I sometimes used to transfer it by means of dropping equipment in the short window available before the cutscene and picking it up later).  With greater experience I have more sympathy with the developers' decision not to transfer it, but still think they would have been better advised to nerf the Cloak in BG1 and make it available in both games.  

 

I've taken a pretty varied approach to the additional equipment in games using this installation (or the similar ones I've played in the past), from using none of it to all of it depending on the character and how I feel at the time.  The swashbuckler as a class doesn't actually need to make use of any of the equipment to have a good chance of surviving the dungeon - if you were minimising risks the only potential danger would be the mephit portals due to the radiant mephit and the possibility of a gated steam mephit. Perhaps I should have followed that route, but I suppose I was focusing more on just getting to ToB rather than SoA.

[Grond0]

@Wise. I've had Molkar & Co change my plans (flee rather than fight) at the Bandit Camp

Molkar certainly can appear there.  I've had at least one and I think more games where both Lamalha and Molkar have turned up at the Camp!

 

@B_V.  Sorry to see your chilling experience.  Best of luck with Pter's replacement.

[Alesia_BH]

I'm not sure what you mean by one extra in the ring slot.  In my installation the Ring of Koveras is just a standard +1 ring in BG1, i.e. can't be worn with another protection item.  There is an opportunity to get an extra +1 by wearing the Claw of Kazgaroth, but Rifft wasn't actually doing that.

 

I just misread part of your post. Specifically, I missed the part which stated that the Ring of Koveras is upgradeable to +2  and + 5 magic resistance in BG2. That's why I thought there was an additional +1 available in the ring slot (2 from the RoK rather than one from the CoK).

 

I've taken a pretty varied approach to the additional equipment in games using this installation (or the similar ones I've played in the past), from using none of it to all of it depending on the character and how I feel at the time.

 

Understood. I was just curious about your rationale behind using the SoA Import Mod- especially in conjunction with the Item Pack. I know if I used those components I'd find them unbalancing- particularly due to the undispellable Greenstone Amulet and the Cloak of Balduran.

 

Of course, within the context of your playing style you may not find them problematic. And you may still find them fun to use-even if they are unbalancing. Beyond that, if your focus is on getting deep into ToB this run -as it seems to be- you may want a power boost. There are many reasons why you might want to use them. Again, I was just interested in your perspective on the components.

 

In general, I'm pretty wary of mod added items. Aside from the SCS item nerfs, the only item related mod that I've been tempted to install is Zyraen's Item Nerfs and Balancing Component, which substantially weakens the vanilla item set.

 

 The swashbuckler as a class doesn't actually need to make use of any of the equipment to have a good chance of surviving the dungeon

 

That's a given. Escaping the dungeon is straight forward for most classes, although aTweaks + SCS can add challenge. But having the additional imported items at the start of BG2 is undeniably a boon. From the read me, the full list is as follows: Greenstone Amulet, Wand of the Heavens, Ring of Protection +2, Cloak of Protection +2, Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise, Eagle Bow, Shadow Armor, Boots of Stealth, Bracers of Archery, Gauntlets of Dexterity, Light Crossbow of Speed, Ankheg Plate Mail, Cloak of Non-Detection, Ring of Wizardry, Full Plate Mail +1, Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Ring of Holiness, Cloak of Balduran, Ring of Fire Resistance, and Ring of Freedom.

 

Edit: These are the mods, correct?

 

SoA Item Import: http://www.shsforums...2soa-items-mod/

 

Item Pack: http://www.shsforums...-item-pack-v18/

 

Best,

 

A.

[Blackraven]

That's a given. Escaping the dungeon is straight forward for most classes, although the aTweaks mephits can add  challenge. 

 

I think it must be the aTweaks mephits then for me. I can't really remember the vanilla Mephits, but me and my solo Charnames always need to take a deep breath before entering the Mephit Portal room (similar to the Ducal Palace).

As to the mod, it could be the one you mentioned or BGTTweaks' Import more items into Shadows of Amn component, which seems to import the same items into SoA. I have the latter component installed and sometimes allow one or two items to be 'found' by Charname. Norgath the Bounty Hunter for example found his Shadow Armor and Boots of Stealth there, items that obviously helped him sneak more reliably in the dungeon, but that would have come available soon to him anyway (in Mae'Var's quest). Scintilla didn't find any items there (she had her spells to help her survive the dungeon).
 

[Alesia_BH]

I think it must be the aTweaks mephits then for me. I can't really remember the vanilla Mephits, but me and my solo Charnames always need to take a deep breath before entering the Mephit Portal room (similar to the Ducal Palace)

 

Yes. It's the aTweaks Mephits. And I could see that being a motivation for using the Item Import Mod. But Grond0 seemed to suggest that that wasn't his motivation for using it.

 

As to the mod, it could be the one you mentioned or BGTTweaks' Import more items into Shadows of Amn component, which seems to import the same items into SoA.

 

Those are the same. One is a standalone. The other is the same component in a larger package.

 

 

Norgath the Bounty Hunter for example found his Shadow Armor and Boots of Stealth there, items that obviously helped him sneak more reliably in the dungeon, but that would have come available soon to him anyway (in Mae'Var's quest). Scintilla didn't find any items there (she had her spells to help her survive the dungeon).

 

Understood. That makes sense. Getting the Shadow Armor and the Boots of Stealth a bit earlier wouldn't be terribly unbalancing. 

 

 

Best,

 

A.

[Grond0]

From the read me, the full list is as follows: Greenstone Amulet, Wand of the Heavens, Ring of Protection +2, Cloak of Protection +2, Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise, Eagle Bow, Shadow Armor, Boots of Stealth, Bracers of Archery, Gauntlets of Dexterity, Light Crossbow of Speed, Ankheg Plate Mail, Cloak of Non-Detection, Ring of Wizardry, Full Plate Mail +1, Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Ring of Holiness, Cloak of Balduran, Ring of Fire Resistance, and Ring of Freedom.

 

Edit: These are the mods, correct?

 

SoA Item Import: http://www.shsforums...2soa-items-mod/

 

Item Pack: http://www.shsforums...-item-pack-v18/

I've got the Item Pack, but not the other mod you mention.  Some of the items in your list are found in my dungeon - presumably as a result of the Item Pack, though it doesn't say exactly what it adds.

[Alesia_BH]

I've got the Item Pack, but not the other mod you mention.  Some of the items in your list are found in my dungeon - presumably as a result of the Item Pack, though it doesn't say exactly what it adds.

 

According to your Weidu log, you have this installed:

 

~SETUP-BGTTWEAK.TP2~ #0 #800 // Import more items into Shadows of Amn (WARNING: This can be considered a cheat): 11 (5 Feb 12)

 

The link above is to the stand alone. The BGTTweaks' Import more items into Shadows of Amn component is the same mod, just integrated into a larger package. The item lists are identical. You can see the list on the BGT Tweak website here. It's #8.

 

http://readme.spellh...TweakReadme.htm

 

Anyhoo. Again, I was just curious about your perspective on those components.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Grond0]

The link above is to the stand alone. The BGTTweaks' Import more items into Shadows of Amn component is the same mod, just integrated into a larger package. The item lists are identical. You can see the list on the BGT Tweak website here. It's #8.

 

Anyhoo. Again, I was just curious about your perspective on those components.

Yes - after I did the previous post I saw your response to Blackraven, but then lost connection for a bit.  I agree that it looks like I should have that list, but I've only got about half of it.  Possibly that's due to a mod conflict with the Item Pack over-writing the contents of the same containers?

 

In relation to motivations for using items, I don't tend to make use of the Greenstone Amulet in BG2, but the aTweaks mephits have pushed me into doing it on occasion.  For any character class without spells they make getting out of the dungeon a risk.  I generally find that risk acceptable, but the risk is hugely increased if you want to be able to actually clear the dungeon (as I normally do).  Any mephits can be dangerous with aTweaks, but the steam versions are particularly lethal for a solo character.  Rifft was able to deal with them using traps, but enticing them into traps is not entirely risk-free itself.  For a fighter-type the risk becomes very high - in my installation divine wrath would potentially provide a chance of survival, but you'd still need to be lucky.

[Alesia_BH]

Possibly that's due to a mod conflict with the Item Pack over-writing the contents of the same containers?

 

Could be. The Item Pack does effect some containers in the dungeon

 

In relation to motivations for using items, I don't tend to make use of the Greenstone Amulet in BG2, but the aTweaks mephits have pushed me into doing it on occasion.  For any character class without spells they make getting out of the dungeon a risk.

 

That makes sense. In an aTweaks install, I could see myself using the Item Pack Greenstone Amulet in the dungeon with some characters and then discarding it due to balancing concerns. I used to do something similar with the Preserving Boots from the tactics Ritual encounter: I'd use them through the Pontifex fight, and then discard them to maintain balance.

 

What are your intentions regarding the Cloak of Balduran?

 

In general, it seems like the perspective is to have the items there, and then to just pick and choose among them in such a way that balance is preserved. Is that more or less it? Use it, don't abuse it?

 

Best,

 

A.