Novice Questions

Tutoric · Post by **Tutoric** » Wed Mar 28, 2001 3:13 pm

Two for starters:
1) how do you execute a backstab, I have tried several times with Yoshi and it doesn't seem to work?
2) what do you use to defend against level drains from vampires (Bodhi's gang), I just got ambushed by Tanova (in the Govt Dist of all places) and got my A*$ kicked by level drains?

Any help appreciated...

Satyr · Post by **Satyr** » Wed Mar 28, 2001 3:21 pm

1. Go stealth and get BEHIND your target. Attack. (note that only certain weapons can be used for this: dagger, s swd, katana for sure. Maybe others?)

2. Restoration spells/scrolls fix you up afterward. Not sure what preventative medicine is available.

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"There's nothing I like better than the sound of the banjo. Unless its the sound of a chicken being strangled."

Hazim ibn Gorion · Post by **Hazim ibn Gorion** » Wed Mar 28, 2001 3:35 pm

1. An important thing to remember is that while backstab can be very powerful when successful, thieves have generally lousy thac0s. So one thing to ask when the backstab goes awry is whether he just missed the target. Also, the initiative roll for the speed of your weapon is still taken into account. So if you're trying to backstab with a weapon with a high speed factor (that is, high number and therefore slower), you may be losing the initiative, which nulls the backstab. That's what makes Celestial Fury such a great backstab weapon, really low speed factor.

2. There are 4 methods of preventive medicine regarding level drain: A) Play undead hunter--he's immune. B) Get the Amulet of Power--I won't say how, that'd be a spoiler. C) Get the Mace of Disruption +2--it grants immunity. On this item, I'm tempted to give a spoiler since it's very easy to blow it and sell/give away something that's necessary. If you want the spoiler, look it up on the BGII walkthrough. D) Have your priest cast negative plane protection on your melee characters. This grants immunity from level drain, but it has a very short duration, so you have to open up a major can of whoopass if you're relying only on this. Also, you might have problems with this tactic in the outside vampire encounters since you can't cast outside in Athkatla without shilling for the permit.

Personally, I think the early outside vampire encounters are really tough on a low-level group--frequently overlooked on "most difficult fight" polls.

Anglachel · Post by **Anglachel** » Wed Mar 28, 2001 3:35 pm

The spell "Negative Plane Protection" or the amulet of power will stop level drain. A protection from undead scroll works even better (they can't attack at all).

Ajax · Post by **Ajax** » Wed Mar 28, 2001 4:06 pm

Hazim ibn Gorion: Clerics and Druids can cast their spells in the city without the Clowns getting on them, so cast NPP to your hearts content. Only Mages, Sorcerers, and Bards get into trouble for casting spells. I guess the Clowns know better than to mess with a deity.

Sojourner · Post by **Sojourner** » Wed Mar 28, 2001 4:18 pm

Another tatic for dealing with vampires in the government district: Run away toward the government building and the guards there will automatically help out. If you have a druid, have him/her summon fire elementals and call lightning. Get your cleric to cast sanctuary really quick and start turning undead.