301 réponses à ce sujet

[The Potty 1]

Gate70 wrote...

Likewise.

I was expecting Irenicus based on an earlier setup, forgot about Bodhi and Sarevok. Which component have I failed to install to not get that (feeling like a fraud as I doubt my monk would have got through easily against her - if at all).

You really don't need to feel anything of the sort. For a start, this is the Ascension / SCS challenge, which to me means beating the five ToB bosses and the final fight is the only measurement of success. Anything in the pocket plane is really incidental. Plus, the way you have mastered monks is pretty damn cool. I have twice installed oversight and rolled a monk in SoA, but never got very far with him. Starting in ToB is a brilliant solution to what must be the latest blooming class there is. I may do that for fun later, although I'm not gonna enter him in this challenge so I can cheat mercilessly to get past the pocket plane fight.

[Alesia_BH]

 Abigail v. Gromnir (Or A Shocking Victory)

Abigail's battle with Gromnir began simply, but it ended in an electrifying fashion. Gromnir would agree (if he weren't dead and all that is...).

Abigail began the encounter buffed and Invisible. When the battle started, she ran east and then opened with Harm->Potion of Firebreath on Berena- hoping to take her dispelling spear out of the action. Sadly, this did not quite work due to her Fire resistance buffs. Abigail is wishing she had vanilla Harm now...



Four Time Stops passed uneventfully (save a Dark Planetar) due to Shield of the Archons.


When the fourth ended, Abigail landed a Critical with The Thrower and finished Berena.


Lashara got it next via Potion of Firebreath.


Then the thining of fodder before the endgame. Turn for the Skellies.


Energy Blades for Ramazith.


With more space to work, Abigail could cast now. Bring on the Deva.


Smites for the Battle Mage.


A little Free Action on the Deva post  Power Word: Stun from Karun the Black (I have G3's Free Action Protects Against Stun installed).


Now for that pesky Holy Smite immune mage. Poison may be an unispiring spell, but at least is casts quick, and the damage isn't bad when it lands.



Finished him with a little lightning from Jon-Jon's staff.


At this point, it's Eler Had, Halb, an unamed soldier, and Gromnir. The first three can't hurt good path Abigail and the latter is too slow to pose a threat. The battle is over. So, Abigail chose to have some fun.

Vhailor Simmy- with the Cloak of Reflection equipped.


Then a game of catch. Abigail (Simmy): Casts Lightning- Abigail. The result is a deadly, bouncy lighning bolt controlled by immune Abigail and her equally immune Simmy.


Abigial and her Simmy kept on the move as the bolts flew- with the occasional pause for a melee blow that is.


Just Gromnir now. He soon decided fighting Abigail was not good fun after all...


Fin!


Abigail will head for the Marching Mountains soon.


Best,

A.


ToB Reloads: 0


Btw. Current character record and inventory.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 07 octobre 2012 - 04:40 .

[Gate70]

Diaytha next. It doesn't start well, hit with a cause serious wounds and my GWW disrupted so I race outside for 6 seconds. An Abishai, Demon Knight and vampire follow so I Spectral GWW/WW them and glug an extra healer. Diaytha has a Blade Barrier active so I wait her out by adding a Gargoyle stoneskin. She tries Greater Command while I Spectral GWW her before switching to fists for her arial servant. The Hive Mother takes an entire GWW and I stupidly try a second. Reload24 as I am Hive Mothered.

My second attempt sees the vampire, Demon Knight and Abishai killed again but Diaytha and the Hive Mother have followed. I run and glug to stay alive and summon Kitthix in case they follow. Kitthix immediately attacks Diaytha so I follow when healed and GWW her. Then I send a Spectral Blade ahead and use two GWW's to drop the Hive Mother.

A Spectator Beholder convinces Captain Egeissag to fight me in single combat. Stupid captain, there is only me so he gains no advantage. I already have Stoneskin and Hardiness active so add a GWW and watch his Power Attack fail to connect. I allow the Spectator to leave and prepare to fight illithid. Some liquid mercury looks interesting so I ask Cespenar to upgrade Angurvadal - would be handy against trolls so I keep it close.

As I return a rush of teleports start so I dive into a cell and GWW a vampiric illithid. GWW bullets drop a mind flayer and then they are on me. A series of GWW's keeps whoever is at the door at bay and then I plane-rest. The next room has more flayers, hulks and thralls. I use one thrall as a shield and clear whoever is behind him with GWW's. A mage casts remove magic and an Ulitharid finally hits - but I save the effect whatever it is. Then an umber hulk confuses me, allowing some brain-draining to happen for Reload25 (forgot to save so have to go back to the first illithid battle). The first battle goes as before, and the second. Reload26, at least I saved the game this time.

Mithykyl is enticed out and chunked, then I draw two thrall fighters but get stunned. The fighters are next to me as I am hidden in the shadows but not for long. Reload27  - forgot to rest so only have some abilities left.

Mithykyl has followed me again and is GWW'd again. His companions are after me too so I run into an alcove and slam the door. Good job too as I am stunned and my brain has been chewed. I recover and slam another door, leaving me with an ulitharid, two flayers and an umber hulk. Once they are down I remove the remaining flayers, thralls and umber hulks before sending in the Spectral Blade for the mages. The Berserk Warrior and Kitthix follow, then I wait for the mage buffs to die back. Once fire shields, mirror images and Mordyswords have gone I set to work. With all my GWW's used I land a Stunning Blow on the last mage. Stoneskin, rest & save.

Sendai. Apologies for the 15 screenshots but that's what I ended up with. My vision blurs (screenshake throws the view off so I have to pause and refocus on my character). Sendai1 falls to 1 WW and 1 GWW so less than 2 rounds.


I had seen a second red Sendai earlier (with the staff on the 5 o'clock pedestal) so rush over to find no sign of her until a chain contingency fires and can do nothing about her immunities so retreat to fight her drow. As she casts Timestop a third Sendai (thief) backstabs me. As the Timestop concludes I GWW the thief but have to fight the drow as I am stuck.


I break out superior healing potions, glug one and move back - perhaps a mistake. As a precaution I enable auto pause (enemy gone).


One drow is down but Sendai has cast a Timestop again. She (in my view) wastes a load of spells and I decide to save my abilities if possible and try glugging a few potions. It is hard to time (the game is running very slow due to the screen activity and, I assume, the SCS scripts) until I work out I have four attacks per round and use that as a measure.


I try to keep my health up while glugging other potions and bring my dexterity to 25 with malisoned saving throws of -3 1 0 3 0. 90% fire resistance and 93% magic resistance also helps. I add a potion of insulation for good measure and glug some more healers. I switch to the Skeleton Warriors as a drow casts fireshield.


I move slightly and a Mordy sees me - not a good idea. As I move back a Sendai teleports to me so I switch to her. My fist bounces so I GWW with Spectral Brand for some cold damage. After a couple of hits she fireshields so I switch to fists against the nearest drow. A Melf's Acid Arrow hits me so I use a scroll of protection from acid. Sendai and the remaining drow have two fireshields each so I glug two potions of cold resistance (cold 100%, fire 90%) and fell the drow.


I'm not certain how many Sendai's I have removed (at least two) but the tally is just about to go up by 1. As soon as my health drops to 107 I glug an extra healing and am fully healed. Another 10-20 hits later I'm almost ready to glug another but Sendai isn't.


I apply a stoneskin and send the berserk warrior out. Three more Sendai's deal with him, a berserker, one with PfMW and a third with (edit) a bow. I GWW the last of these only to see her teleport away. My monk speed is so great I land three hits in three pillars and a fourth hit on the third as she panics.
[

Berserk Sendai takes much of a GWW until Mage Sendai casts Timestop. A few spells and a few hits.


Thief Sendai turns up -a second thief then. I'm badly wounded (29/134hp) and blocked in so move to the back and glug. Berserk Sendai follows so I speed through the gap and decide to play in the middle with these three. The thief hides but I'll be running constantly, barely stopping to hit Mage Sendai whenever I pass. I check my resistances and saves, then continue to glug healing potions. Mage Sendai resorts to a Globe of Invulnerability so I taunt the Berserk version instead. I hear the definitive sound of a weapon being poisoned (assassin Sendai instead of thief Sendai then) as I disrupt a spell/ability from Berserk Sendai. I return to Mage Sendai to test my fist against her globe and something unexpected happens. I pause, and eventually work out Berserk Sendai has been operating with less than 15hp. Silly and annoying, as I wanted to kill her myself.


My fist bounces off the globe so I lap the room and find Spectral Brand cold cuts through it nicely. Assassin Sendai stikes on my third hit, and I take two frontstabs in return for two GWW's.


I decide to heal up before removing this last Sendai. She has three stoneskins, casts a minor sequencer then sanctuary. Another Minor Globe but not for long.  


Will the real Sendai step forward. I punch and injure her, so GWW. She super-contingencies but I have the centre of the room and not even her Planetar will stop me.


Not even her other Planetar will stop me.


I start glugging again as her spells go into overload. She summons a Mordy into her area effects and it attacks her. I'm still glugging, then we trade a few tactics until an implosion almost catches me out, especially as she hits me twice before I escape (thought it was curtains there).


I test her defences some more then start to GWW her. Her stoneskins break briefly and she contingencies a heal.


Reloads : 27.
Illasera - 6.
Kiser Jhaeri - 1.
Saradush Prison - 4.
Gromnir - 2.
Watchers Keep level 1 statues - 1.
Watchers Keep level 3 Demon Knights - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 killer mimics - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Gith - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Ulitharid - 1.
Imix - 1.
Sendais Enclave Woodcutter party - 1.
Sendais Enclave Ogremoch - 3.
Sendais Enclave Hive Mother - 1.
Sendais Enclave Illithid - 3.

Modifié par Gate70, 07 octobre 2012 - 05:39 .

[Alesia_BH]

Great job against Sendai Gate!

[Gate70]

Thanks, a monk is a good option against her. I'm expecting Draconis and Abazigal to be a lot harder if not impossible. Then again, I thought that about Ogremoch last night.

Impressed with your elimination of Gromnir, I could hardly stay in the room against him.

& The Potty 1, thank you for your kind words. I have tried Oversight and Refinements monks now and in most situations I prefer the vanilla ability of GWW. Crude but effective, and once you need a weapon other than fists GWW makes the monk 10 times more deadly per round - a huge difference.

Modifié par Gate70, 07 octobre 2012 - 06:00 .

[Gate70]

As I leave Sendai's enclave I find three new items including an ioun stone made or worn (or even owned) by Wong Fei, likely to be the best protection there is for my head.

Marlowe and Vongoethe are next. I try to save Marlowe but he has no chance, so hand Malla 5000gp and tell her to get on with her life. I'm in need of scrolls or potions but nobody has any for sale (this is the ultimate cost of starting in ToB as certain potions are extremely rare). How difficult can Abazigal be anyway (cue hysterical laughter).

Draconis is first so I discover he can summon Mordenkainen's Swords and throw Melf's Minute Meteors. I draw the sword away before returning in the shadows to catch a fireball. He hides behind a pillar and I note it in case I need it later (not sure it would stop a dragon). His offensive spells are soon depleted, and his defensive ones follow shortly after. A few more hits and the real work begins.


I check the hidey-hole and confirm it is more of a death trap but escape after taking 47 + 42 breath damage). I hide and run while my ioun stone slowly regenerates health. I get a set of Magic Missiles, and a Remove Magic / Haste / Stoneskin combo. I decide it is best to leave for a while (preferably before I am killed).

Once back at Amkethran I pocket plane for a forgotten challenge. I meet a "part of myself" which transforms into the Slayer. It level drains me (only one level fortunately) so I quickly switch to Spectral Brand and GWW as quick as I can. I have to run and glug a superior potion, and am relieved as the Slayer remains badly wounded - massive hit points rather than massive regeneration then. Two more GWW's finish the job and I regain a Draw Upon Holy Might ability that lasts for a turn (I check - 60 seconds). Eat your heart out Irenicus, although the demons have probably done just that to him.

I'll have to visit Sister Garlena to get restored, and while there I may dig around the Keep (go have a look at Demogorgon). I pack the wardstone and ritual scroll, pay the bargain sum of 500gp to be restored and step inside the Keep. A portal takes me to the Lower Reaches where a Helmite Ghost awaits. The Horde, a Green Dragon (which healed twice) and a riddling imp are all dealt with, handing me (groan) Hindo's Doom for convenient restorations.

My usual buffs have evolved from two stage to three stage (Improved Invisibility, Hardiness & now DUHM). Devil Shades and Shadow Fiends fall to GWW Spectral Brand then I embody the Eternal Warrior. I don't want to carry two keys around so open one of the seals to release Azamantes. His three flaming skulls are GWW Branded but I've used both healing abilities to remain alive and Azamantes remains. I send in the Spectral Brandlet and hide as I heal and various buffs expire. The Berserk Warrior and Kitthix help a bit, then I GWW with Spectral Brand and pick up an improved sling for my troubles.

I turn a second key, and realise I'm up against it (thought I was getting the faceted enemy and got the final seal guardians instead). Y'tossi and her crew have been summoned and the Hive Mother almost kills me with her magical attacks but I run around them all and slam a door to heal next to the Eternal Warrior. I get bored though, and have a peek outside far too early. I retreat in the shadows but Nalmissra follows with Xei Win Toh behind. Nalmissra is immune to my GWW and her fireshield burns so I switch to Xei and land one hit before he/she/it GWW's. I'm still badly wounded so run outside and slam the door on them again. Four skeletons are waiting so I punch them out and consider my options (too late to continue, so will carry on another day).

Reloads : 27.
Illasera - 6.
Kiser Jhaeri - 1.
Saradush Prison - 4.
Gromnir - 2.
Watchers Keep level 1 statues - 1.
Watchers Keep level 3 Demon Knights - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 killer mimics - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Gith - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Ulitharid - 1.
Imix - 1.
Sendais Enclave Woodcutter party - 1.
Sendais Enclave Ogremoch - 3.
Sendais Enclave Hive Mother - 1.
Sendais Enclave Illithid - 3.

[Grond0]

Good work Gate - nice to be able to use your recent experience in multiplayer as well!

[BBMorti]

Alesia_BH wrote...

It would be nice to see some Bards, Mages, and Thieves (How about entering your Assassin BBMorti?).[/i][/b] 

I will consider it

I absolutely loved that Sendai update Gate70, great job! hehe

Alesia_BH I am really curious about your staying power in fights like that, with your cleric, looking forward to it.

[Gate70]

(The episode where Veyel washes his hands of Watchers Keep).

I slowly heal then re-engage. Nalmissra and Xei are closest with Y'tossi to the NW and the Hive Mother to the SW. I shut myself in the Eternal Warrior room with Nalmissra and Xei. The succubus can see my shadow and re-buffs so I emerge to hit Xei once and circle the room. They're both slow so I draw the special abilities out of Xei by approaching and retreating (a bit risky due to lag) then sling Xei to pass the time a bit more quickly. I decide she is female from the shouts of pain.

Xei has wasted several Critical Strikes and Kais by the time Nalmissra drops her fireshield. I strike at Nalmissra with my scimitar and she is badly wounded in one hit but her fireshield burns me (must have still been there with the visuals gone). Another hit or two will be fatal for her so I cast WW. My fire damage isn't too bad so I switch to Xei for what remains of the WW (with fists).


We're both badly injured, she glugs a superior healing and kai's as I glug an extra healing. She keeps glugging so I GWW her to find she's glugged all her potions; not only have I wasted a GWW I fail to benefit from any potions. I let my wounds heal (1hp/round) as I update my journal and consider whether Y'tossi will be susceptible to Spectral Brand or Angurvadal through her marilith stoneskins.

I have a quick look outside while still wounded (repeated impatience) and decide to clear two summoned skeletons but Y'tossi can see me and adds three more. I'm surrounded so punch past one and escape as Y'tossi closes in. Ameralis Zauviir is with her and I don't know who or what I'm dealing with. He casts doom so I assume is a cleric. I've moved too far and the Huntress joins in, calling the Hive Mother over too. Cause serious wounds hits once and is resisted a second time before I shut the Helmite Ghost door. Perhaps I can briefly split them up again.

The Hive Mother is covering all angles, so I summon a Brandlet (banished) and GWW with the Erinne sling. Her stoneskins collapse and I score two hits but her wound attacks and the Huntress arrows almost kill me. I slam a door again and heal, then confirm that I am receiving regular dispels so no point buffing. They've all clustered together and the Hive Mother has healed, but I manage to draw Y'tossi aside and close a door. I leave her there, retreat into the riddling imp room and as they are all uninjured I pocket plane rest. I return with a blunted katana in reserve (she will PfMW so might as well try it) and Spectral Brand with Improved Invisibility, Hardiness, DUHM and GWW.

Y'tossi starts with stoneskin and PfMW but the blunted katana does nothing - back to Spectral Brand again. After a WW and two GWW's I finally hit her with cold damage. A little longer and my blows hit as well as the elemental damage. I GWW again knowing there is only one outcome here.


I'm unable to use her Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialisation. Another plane-rest sees me inspecting the buffs of Ameralis and wondering if I can draw him aside. They've regrouped, and Ameralis adds more buffs as I approach so I wait for his Blade Barrier to die down. He follows and I hit with a bullet - he also sounds female so I will refer as such from now. She refuses to come any further and the Huntress and Hive Mother have followed, meaning I've been de-buffed and injured. They allow me to move away so I return with another bullet - she glugs a superior potion so I move back, WW and aim again. I have to retreat and she glugs another potion. My next GWW is prepped for Ameralis but the Hive Mother is closest. I manage two GWW's before having to retreat. I heal and return but only manage part of a GWW before the Hive Mother and Huntress make me retreat again (one or two near death experiences here).

I return with Hardiness, DUHM and GWW already active. I manage 3 GWW's and almost kill the Hive Mother but she has cured serious wounds. I escape with 14/137hp so glug 2 superior healings and one extra. Improved Invisibility, Hardiness and GWW are active as I return.


The Huntress has activated Called Shot but I decide to trade missiles and add a second GWW. She disrupts my third so I step inside the dragons lair to add another in safety. When that is done I switch to Spectral Brand, close the gap and GWW again. She has a two handed sword and Ameralis joins in but I'm getting the better of them.


The Huntress is down but Ameralis is hitting me until five hits convince her to heal instead. Another GWW disrupts that spell and my next blow finishes the last of what I now know was an all-female party. I need to find a third key, which requires me to deal with blue balls, red balls, purple balls and green balls. This is strangely (and painfully) reminiscent of my monk training, much of which was spent doubled over in agony.

Blue. Mage, Mage, Mage, Mage.
Red. Hobgoblins, Kuo-toa, Trolls (Angurvadal) and Greater Wolfweres.
Purple. Skeleton Warriors, Devil Shades, Vampires, Lich and Elemental Lich (1 crash).
Green. Mutated Spiders, Umber Hulks, Greater Earth Elementals. Finally a Death Tyrant, Elder Orb and a Hive Mother - the Hive Mother gets me three times for reload28-29-30 as I'm trying to extract too much from my GWW's.

Ferrumach Rilmani is similar to Sendai. Given the increased area to play in and lack of assistance the many instances of him are easier to kill though. I plane-rest before entering the final portal then speak to the Imprisoned One. I have questions for Odren such as why go all the way through this Keep when there is a door that would take me straight to the Imprisoned One. Stupid Helmite.

Odren leaves to sort the mess out and I can't stop Sister Garlena from going either. I head downstairs to be met with a Timestop that slams me into a corner surrounded by mirrored demons before time starts again. I try to GWW my way out but one more hit is enough for reload31.

I decide to check his Timestop out more carefully. Not very nice.


Two fist GWW's injure him, then a Spectral GWW is less effective and I run. I do a circuit past the portals and GWW with my fists before setting off on another circuit, but get held for reload32. I decide to wimp out and seal him in with a scroll instead (another monk with BG1 tomes, Hell Trial upgrades and SoA equipment will be along at some point to deal with him, I'm sure of it).

Cespenar upgrades the Erinne sling and I find the biggest stoneskinned target available to practice on. After several hits I check Spectral Brand, only to discover Draconis is resistant to it (cost 45+49 damage to confirm this). Some of the time he isn't bothering to chase me so I am able to pocket plane and think (regenerate). I manage a sling WW, then mess a GWW up (switched to fists to run and forgot to switch back. My next GWW sees me retreat from an acid breath but I am so eager to return that I get hit by the same breath on the way back. Reload 33 but a plan is forming.

Know your enemy - Draconis
PfMW. Pocket plane (duration 4 rounds).
Haste. Run (longer duration).
Stoneskin. Use bullets to count the skins (think there are 9).
Otherwise try to spot him at the edge of vision and sling a bullet.
Save potions, abilities etc for later, in case an opportunity is presented.

Draconis seems to be regenerating health and I cannot wound him quickly enough. I scrub out plan B and start thinking what else could annoy him.

Reloads : 33.
Illasera - 6.
Kiser Jhaeri - 1.
Saradush Prison - 4.
Gromnir - 2.
Watchers Keep level 1 statues - 1.
Watchers Keep level 3 Demon Knights - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 killer mimics - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Gith - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Ulitharid - 1.
Imix - 1.
Sendais Enclave Woodcutter party - 1.
Sendais Enclave Ogremoch - 3.
Sendais Enclave Hive Mother - 1.
Sendais Enclave Illithid - 3.
Watchers Keep level 4 Hive Mother - 3.
Watchers Keep level 5 Demogorgon - 2.
Draconis - 1.

[touch_of_the_void]

I have been reading this thread and had a couple of questions that perhaps someone wouldn't mind answering (mostly due to my limited experience of SCS):

1- Gate70 do many enemies cast Lower Resistance or similar to reduce your monk's magic resistance?
2- Do SCS mages use Breach to get rid of Hardiness?
3- Are all the Ascension / notable Bhaalspawn battles clearly harder with SCS AI vs just Ascension? Or is it dependent on what character and so forth you have?

[Gate70]

1 Not in ToB that I've seen so far. The only one I can remember was the woodcutter mage so I was expecting similar from Mage Sendai or her mages. Brimstone lowered fire resistance.
2 Not that I've observed in ToB.

Ilasera didn't seem harder for me, the Ascension version is fairly tough. I ran a stalker through recently and that was a lot easier than the monk.

Gromnir was a lot harder than I remember. He was constantly chasing and it was only towards the end that a line of sight failure allowed me to take advantage.

The skeletons in the swamp (cleric, mage, assassin) were hard. Can't remember their actions in Ascension (or if they are even there).

The Fire Giants clustered together so it was tricky to separate them. Can't remember Ascension doing that but it could allow tactics like cone of cold to be very effective.

Improved Yaga Shura is tough with or without SCS. In SCS he uses oils of speed, can't remember him doing that in Ascension.

I didn't find Sendai much harder than in the standard game, but then a monk is a good foil for her. There was a lot more variety from the AI though. I can remember in the past really struggling with the standard Sendai and can understand why Ascension didn't change her. In hindsight, the SCS version is easier in some respects as 3-4 Sendais means your one set of buffs foil them all and they end up injuring each other or throwing in so many summons that they can't get in for melee.

Not sure I'll get a monk past Draconis and would dearly like to tag-team one of the many cavaliers I've rolled in the past.

SCS glugging of potions makes life harder. I'd normally take a controlled route and finish enemies in my own time but under SCS they'll recover themselves and do you out of the potions you're in serious need of.

Pre-buffs is also noticable, I'd probably struggle with a paladin or fighter but a monk or ranger can just hide up and wait for them to expire.

Finally, SCS enemies tend to follow you even when hidden so you can get hemmed in. Tougher enemies will see you anyway (don't think this was the case without SCS but not 100% certain).

[Alesia_BH]

Grond0 wrote...

Good work Gate

BBMorti wrote...

I absolutely loved that Sendai update Gate70, great job! hehe

Agreed. That fight is Veyal's greatest-hit-so-far in my opinion. I'm hoping there are more to come.

Best of luck against Draconis Gate!

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 08 octobre 2012 - 07:53 .

[Alesia_BH]

@ToV. It's good to hear from you. I hope Malin will be joining us soon.

touch_of_the_void wrote...
1- Gate70 do many enemies cast Lower Resistance or similar to reduce your monk's magic resistance?

I haven't run a Monk, but in my install lowering MR is not a strategy consistently used by SCS mages.

I've seen occasional LR triggers targetted on summons but that is all.

2- Do SCS mages use Breach to get rid of Hardiness?

SCS Mages will use Breach against non-mages. I have not noticed Hardiness in particular triggering Breach casts however.

3- Are all the Ascension / notable Bhaalspawn battles clearly harder with SCS AI vs just Ascension? Or is it dependent on what character and so forth you have?

It's very much dependent on you character. As a humorous example from a minor encounter, Abigail did not find the Master Wraith noticeably more difficult under SCS....


Setting aside the tactical components, with my Bounty Hunter in the No Reload Challenge, SCS didn't make a meaningful difference outside of Melissan herself (who is much, much more dangerous in SCS due to her aggressive use of Time Stop->Melee as well as her movement in the endgame). With other characters I noticed meaningful difficulty increases from Illasera onward.

In general, I'd say the changes are pervasive and generally in the direction of substantially increased difficulty. But with a given character with abilities suited to an encounter, the changes may not be difference makers.

Hopefully you'll join us and find out for yoursefl. 


Best,

A.

Gate70 wrote...
I didn't find Sendai much harder than in the standard game, but then a monk is a good foil for her.

This is an excellent example of class dependence. For some characters, SCS Improved Enclave Sendai would be far, far more difficult than vanilla Sendai.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 08 octobre 2012 - 11:16 .

[Gate70]

Yes, I was very pleased with the Sendai battle, 2-3 places where I thought I was out of my depth (swarmed before buffing, blocked in by the last 3 images and the implosion) but for my first Ascension/SCS run I'm not sure I could have done better. Anyway, next victim!


Draconis is a beeping monster so I have a part-formed idea. If you can't beat them...

I decide to try being the Slayer. I've never had any success with this before as the standard duration is too short but Ascension has changes in this area.


Draconis goes invisible twice and I wait. I start to take damage, eventually realising that I no longer lose control - the damage just accumulates, (5hp first then 10 then 20 or something like that and I saw a 50 or 60 in there). I try to change back but have left it too late. Reload34 and once more I have no success as the Slayer but just one more attempt.

This time I realise I can become the Ravager - a bigger bleeping monster, and 50% resistances become 90% with Hardiness.


Draconis hides and my control slips. He re-appears and I am able to GWW so I stay as the Ravager.


He hides again and heals. I take a second or two to recover and GWW again, taking him from uninjured to badly wounded.


I'm out of control but he is almost dead.


I can't get another GWW to activate so stuck at just 5APR.


Who's the daddy?


How about this for my first bracers, a gift from Tzu-Zan. +15hp, +1 to AC,

I apologise now to anybody who hasn't played Ascension and has an all-consuming need to become the Ravager. I will experiment offline as to what can happen around loss of control - can it end the game for example and does it get more damaging/risky the longer you stay.

Edit, & the readme is a bit inconclusive as to exactly what happens. Copied below.
"1) The Slayer form that the player picks up in Spellhold all the way back
in BG2 now upgrades. It does so when you exceed 2 million, 4 million and 6
million XP. The upgrades get considerably stronger and deadlier, and one
big change you will notice is that occasionally you will lose control over
yourself. The Slayer can sometimes go berserk and will attack the nearest
target...this can last one round or go on for several...although there will
always be a respite in the very last round before you take too much damage.
The last upgrade gives the player the option to become the Ravager...the
ultimate incarnation of murder...which is incredibly powerful but also the
most difficult form to control. Once the mod is installed, these upgrades
are available in both BG2 and ToB."

Reloads : 34.
Illasera - 6.
Kiser Jhaeri - 1.
Saradush Prison - 4.
Gromnir - 2.
Watchers Keep level 1 statues - 1.
Watchers Keep level 3 Demon Knights - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 killer mimics - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Gith - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Ulitharid - 1.
Imix - 1.
Sendais Enclave Woodcutter party - 1.
Sendais Enclave Ogremoch - 3.
Sendais Enclave Hive Mother - 1.
Sendais Enclave Illithid - 3.
Watchers Keep level 4 Hive Mother - 3.
Watchers Keep level 5 Demogorgon - 2.
Draconis - 1.
Staying in Slayer form too long - 1.

Modifié par Gate70, 08 octobre 2012 - 08:06 .

[Alesia_BH]

Abigail Micro-Update

I haven't really had time to play Abigail this evening but she did have a micro session from Saradush to the Marching Mountains. I'll briefly post on the opening Fire Giant Battle in Yaga's Lair. I usually find this fight fun even if it isn't difficult. It was enjoyable with Abbie.

Abigail finds most Fire Giants un-threatening (Note the Fire and Crushing Resistances).


The axe wielding Elite Fire Giants are the exception. They of course become priority targets.

Entering the lair invisible, Abigail slid past the lacky giants and sought out the Elites. The first one caught a little Blade Barrier + Globe of Blades.


Followed by a Harm.


A follow up melee blow ended him. Abigail then set her sights on the second Elite.


The second Elite got a Harm followed by some Holy Smites.



Once the Elites were out of the picture, Abigail settled in for some melee with the remaining Giants. Running Regeneration -and with 95% Crushing resistance along with 127% Fire resistance- they had no hope of hurting her..


Only one way this can end...


Best,

A.


ToB Reloads: 0



Btw. Congrats Gate!

I'm curious to hear the results of your Slayer/Ravager shapechange experiments. For whatever reason, I've never tried either of them.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 08 octobre 2012 - 08:36 .

[The Potty 1]

I haven't been keeping proper track of my reloads, so these are estimates. It's been a while since I've played through ToB, and never solo, so I generally get killed at least once in most fights, while I suss them out.

Reloads :
Illasera - 0
pocket plane #1 - 8 to 10
Kiser Jhaeri - 1 or 2
Saradush Prison - 1 or 2
Saradush barracks - 1 (got mobbed, pathetic)
Saradush Sewers - 3 to 4 (demon wraiths, and once in the centre)

I need a weapon with an area effect damage spell, gunning for Storm Star, but in the interim perhaps I should buy back that 2-handed sword with the fireball I sold.

The demon wraiths level drain, so I start with a rage, and then tried my new critical strike to finish them off quickly, because I've noticed my rage ability often gets disrupted if I'm mobbed. Fortunately HLAs seem not to get disrupted.

Alesia_BH wrote...

touch_of_the_void wrote...
2- Do SCS mages use Breach to get rid of Hardiness?

SCS Mages will use Breach against non-mages. I have not noticed Hardiness in particular triggering Breach casts however.

Wait, can breach remove HLAs? That would be disastrous.

Modifié par The Potty 1, 09 octobre 2012 - 09:11 .

[touch_of_the_void]

Thanks for the replies.

Alesia_BH wrote...
I hope Malin will be joining us soon.

Heh, now that would be a challenge. Even vanilla BG2 will be a huge step up from BG1 though. Getting out of Irenicus' Dungeon alone is probably going to require bending some of my rules.

The Potty 1 wrote...

Alesia_BH wrote...

touch_of_the_void wrote...
2- Do SCS mages use Breach to get rid of Hardiness?

SCS Mages will use Breach against non-mages. I have not noticed Hardiness in particular triggering Breach casts however.

Wait, can breach remove HLAs? That would be disastrous.

Yeah, Hardiness and some of the rogue abilities count as combat protection spells so can be Breached (but not dispelled).

[Alesia_BH]

Quick Note on Abigail's Game:

Yaga is down.


I'll post on the fight soon.


Best,

A.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 09 octobre 2012 - 04:08 .

[Alesia_BH]

Abigail v. Yaga-Shura


Against Yaga, Abigail took an agressive, thief-like approach. This worked, but I'm tempted to let her try the fight again with a looser strategy.

In the first phase of the battle, Abigail's plan was to take down Yaga's Lieutenants with backstab like attacks using Harm and Potions of Invisibility.

The Lieutenant Mage was the first to get it.


Then a Potion of Invisibility, followed by a Harm on the Lieutenant Cleric.


The Lieutenant Thief was next on Abigail's hitlist, killing her proved awkward however: Yaga was often too close to allow a Harm cast and if Abigail was too far from the Thief, she'd Hide in Shadows.

Abigail found just enough room to cast True Sight.


But even then the spatial details were not working in Abigails favor. She instead decided to switch targets.


A Potion of Firebreath followed by a Thrower smack finished him.



Back to the Thief. By this point, heavy traffic hindered Yaga's movement allowing Abigail to cast Harm near the Lieutenant Thief while she was revealed.


It was just a matter of landing now.


Finishing Yaga. Started him off with Energy Blades.


The movement rate boost from the Blades let Abigail create the space she needed to use her offensive spells.


When the damage spells were tapped, Abigail brought the Deva.


The Deva, in turn, gave Abigail time to buff. By the time she engaged, she was 127% resistant to Fire Damae, and 95% resistant to Crushing while also having solid combat stats. Yaga was overmatched.


Ages and The Defender did much of the damage but the double Globe of Blades kept pace thanks in part to a Doom cast.


The finish.


Not sure what's next: Amkethran or Watcher's Keep Level 2.


Best,

A.


ToB Reloads: 0

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 09 octobre 2012 - 05:00 .

[touch_of_the_void]

Nice going. All your characters seem to have a Potion of Fire Breath handy when they need it. Do you know how many there are in total? Aside from the one in Irenicus' Dungeon and buying some from (I think) Roger are there others?

[Gate70]

Nice going, I see you collected more of an entourage than my monk did - only Yaga Shura would follow him when hidden so made it easier for me. I'd assumed your fire/blunt resistances would allow you to melee him regardless of the rest so interesting to see a different strategy used.

Anyway, a busman's holiday for Veyal using an earlier savegame, Haer'dalis (Timestop), Sarevok (failed regeneration damage test) and improved Demogorgon to test the ultimate Bhaalspawn abilities.

General Slayer / Ravager notes
The forms can be activated every 2-3 minutes, or after resting.
It is either/or, you cannot activate one then the other without waiting/resting.
A random chance per round of losing control (like Berserk Minsc).
Reputation decreases by 2 (Slayer) or 3 (Ravager) each use.
Reputation stops at 1, so no limit to the number of uses.
Attacks anything in sight when out of control, stands still if no targets.
Cannot see invisibility (tested earlier with Draconis).
Not immune to Timestop (I thought the Ravager might have been).
After about 6 rounds you take 5 (Slayer) or  5 (Ravager) damage.
A round later you take 10 or 5 damage.
A round later you take 25 or 13 damage.
A round later you take 50 or 25 damage.
A round later you are dead.
Returning to natural form stops further damage (sound effect still plays).
I didn't check regeneration in detail - Veyal had Wong Fei's helm on.

Slayer (remove 40% fire resistance as Veyal had a ring on).


Ravager (again fire resistance is 40% higher than it should be)


How tough is the Ravager
Veyal has a Hardiness active and switches to the Ravager with the desired enemy closest (3rd attempt to get the desired enemy in sight & range). Two Glabrezu, a Marilith and a Cambion are all nearby - while Veyal took a Cambion hit before transforming.


The Ravager HP has dropped to 137 for absolutely no reason (this might be a dispel bug as Veyal has 137hp), of which he has 132. His THACO has been lowered from -21 to -10 too (energy drain perhaps) but even this isn't enough to end his challenge. GWW2 has Demogorgon barely wounded and the Ravager is down to 103/137hp. GWW3 has Demogorgon injured and Ravager at 87/137hp, GWW 4 near death and 80/137hp.


GWW5 expires with the Ravager exclaiming "I require assistance" but it could be worse.


Veyal kills a Glabrezu, berserks a second and then recovers. I've lost track and run to transform back to a monk then Alt/F4 to close as the experiment is over; any monk with a fresh 137hp could have killed the Marilith, Cambion and just around the corner a Balor.

That was with 137hp and gimped THACO, no wonder Draconis was in trouble.

Caveats
I haven't checked for class-specific features. e.g. Monk/Shapeshifter melee benefits or Barbarian damage resistance spring to mind.

Modifié par Gate70, 09 octobre 2012 - 06:42 .

[Gate70]

The huge battle with Draconis will have alerted everybody for miles around about my entrance, so I expect a hostile reception. A greater werewyvern is a welcome relief, falling to a Brand GWW in case of level-drains. I switch to fists and GWW four lizardmen, then have to move and heal twice despite Hardiness (lay on hands, mass healing) to deal with two more (check and one took 160 damage to put down, they did about 8-10 damage a hit and were able to hit with 14 upwards). As I plane-rest I realise Abazigal must have hand-picked the largest lizardman eggs he could find (presumably feeding them liberally with monks once hatched).

I'm crafty and sneak past two lizardmen shamans and their lizardmen guards. Abazigal has been craftier.


Well I had to try (hat off to DMWW. Alesia, would you humour me and see if females are better at multi-tasking!)


Anadramatis invokes a wish (I wish for my enemies' magical defences to be utterly destroyed!) and an obliging djinn casts Combat Protections Removed (I wonder if I can GWW the djinn). Down goes my Hardiness (how prescient of you with the earlier comment, touch-of-the void). I decide to run around a cave the size of a small dragon, not easy when a large dragon is sharing it with you. Yellow Dragon Scorching Sand isn't nice and I decide to leave. Or I could just tough it out (another nice touch there).


He's stopped to breath in so I hide in the shadows (yes, I know dragons can see me but it just feels safer). I start my buffing but he charges and stamps on me for reload 35. This time I kill the lizardmen and plane-rest before considering my next move.

Reloads : 35.
Illasera - 6.
Kiser Jhaeri - 1.
Saradush Prison - 4.
Gromnir - 2.
Watchers Keep level 1 statues - 1.
Watchers Keep level 3 Demon Knights - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 killer mimics - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Gith - 1.
Watchers Keep level 4 Ulitharid - 1.
Imix - 1.
Sendais Enclave Woodcutter party - 1.
Sendais Enclave Ogremoch - 3.
Sendais Enclave Hive Mother - 1.
Sendais Enclave Illithid - 3.
Watchers Keep level 4 Hive Mother - 3.
Watchers Keep level 5 Demogorgon - 2.
Draconis - 1.
Staying as the Slayer too long - 1.
Anadramatis - 1.

[Gate70]

Getting there. One or two minor openings so far.

Anadramatis cast PfMW last time so I have to find a way of staying alive for 4 rounds, easier said than done. I start by summoning the Spectral Blade and as my defences are removed by the djinn I add Hardiness. He switches to me and I am luckier with my saving throw against his Scorching Sand.


He turns back to the Spectral Blade and I call out the Ravager. He's gone invisible though and I attack the Blade in a fury (curses). We're both buffeted to the back of the cave and I waste more time on the sword. Always good to let a dragon get some free hits, but a few moments later I regain control. GWW on the correct target.


He has stoneskins but my first GWW removes them as the Spectral Blade vanishes.


He's cast PfMW and I have to wait it out (berserk). I guess a time and GWW (his four rounds against whether I am in control). My fourth blow connects as do 5 and 6, then he casts PfMW. I've lost it again and as I recover I transform back to a monk and run (magic resistance has been lowered from 93% to 33%). I survive a few blows and an incendiary cloud as he stoneskins and casts PfMW then use a Rod of Resurrection to heal.

I've wandered to the east of the cave and discovered he can't get on top of me so if I keep running he struggles to hit me with melee or breath. I may even be able to stand safe in one area but it is too risky to try unless I can heal beyond the pain of his breath. He takes advantage of my reduced resistance to hit me with three flame arrows so I lay on hands then fluff a mass heal (the sound is immediate but the effect takes seconds).

He adds a Magic Missile (I glug a superior potion) then ADH Wilting - and I can't glug a potion so take 43 damage, down to 54/137. I glug an invulnerability then another superior as a second ADHW hits - would have just survived without the healer. (my rat-run is the lighter-shadow section but doing u-turns is giving him some openings too).


I get another wilting for 52 and glug just in time - 35/152hp. I glug another superior but he casts Improved Haste. A few moments later I take another breath full on and hit reload36 - should have used the Rod of Resurrection earlier. I retire to my pocket plane to think some more.

Reloads : 36 (will retain full list but post it less often).
...
Anadramatis - 2.

[Gate70]

Will it be third time lucky for Veyal against Andramatis, using auto-pause for spell cast (after GWW to re-target) and end of round (timing). I start by Ravagering outside, losing a round before I can convince myself to step inside. I manage two hits with my GWW before he contingencies PfMW. I remain Ravagered through a second PfMW after using a Rod charge but lose control and am unable to use it a second time for Reload37.

Next I try a Ravager WW before entering. After one hit Dragon Fear hits me and I'm killed on the run without recovering for Reload38.

Same start with extras - Improved Invisibility and Invulnerability. I land one hit before I am de-buffed and he addss PfMW. The extras are still active so I add Hardiness and Heroism - a mistake as my HP drop to 134 - considering this a bug but might as well continue. I glug two extra healers as he PfMW's again. A superior healer as I have taken 13 damage, then I switch to human form and run. The transformation heals me and I turn into the rat-run. He casts another PfMW and is barely injured. I take a full scorching sand and glug a superior potion, having to run blind and getting buffeted to boot. He adds a Pierce Shield to drop my magic resistance to 33% so I glug another superior for almost full health.

I hear a distinctive rumble and another scorching sand is on the way but I'm out of range this time (maybe it helps that my vision is restricted). Another PfMW (3) and I decide to test what looks like the safest area to stand. Scorching Sand for 41+25 hits so I glug and run. An incendiary cloud is next so I try to draw it away, only to be buffeted into the northern area and trapped. A few hits see Reload39.

Remove Magic drops max HP to 152 - seriously bugged - but at least it removes the de-buffs he has applied. I glug a second Invulnerability and attack again. Two hits and I have to return to human form - full HP and 93% resistance but a single breath kills me for Reload40.

Know your enemy - Andramatis I'm not counting this as an attempt.
I console in a few items.
50% of the breath weapon is unavoidable melee damage.
Hardiness etc helps.
Saving throw vs breath helps.
There are two (at least) positions where he can't melee.
Switch from one to the other if a cloud is used.
I manage to kill him with two consoled items (Ring of Gaxx and Inertial Barrier).

I try again (without consoled items but with better knowledge). Starting with Invulnerability and Improved Invisibility. Adding Invulnerability and a Stoneskin after being de-buffed (repeating invulnerability often and stoneskin once). Using extra, superior or rod of resurrection to heal. Standing like a lemon whenever I am blinded. Used spectral Blade, Kitthix, Berserk Warrior, wand of cursing, wand of the heavens all to no avail. After the PfMW's wear out I GWW endless bullets +2 until stoneskins are removed then switch to bullets +4 (then +3 after the +4's have gone). I have a few moments with less than 50hp, then one with less than 30hp and something has to give.


Reloads : 40.
Anadramatis - 6.

[Alesia_BH]

touch_of_the_void wrote...
Nice going.

Thanks.

All your characters seem to have a Potion of Fire Breath handy when they need it. Do you know how many there are in total? Aside from the one in Irenicus' Dungeon and buying some from (I think) Roger are there others?

i haven't done a thorough accounting. However, I'll note that Ribald has one, Roger has three, and the Ust Natha potion merchant has another three. My characters typically end up working with those 7. I usually don't get the one in Irenicus' Dungeon.

Modifié par Alesia_BH, 10 octobre 2012 - 02:12 .