Why do you guys like Battle Squares so much?

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Wed May 21, 2003 6:39 pm

I finally focused all my energies on completing this branch of the game in Heart of Fury just so I could say I've done it (didn't do it the first time around in HoF). I never liked this part of the game, it's tremendously repetitive and the rewards are horrible. At least I got one of the swords on my 'to collect list' - not that I'm going to use it. And those bracers (Bracers of Icelandic Pearl) really annoy me, sure they have their own special image but they are of no real use.

So I want to know, why are there many occurences of people in these threads saying that battle squares is their favorite part of the game? I just have to know.

lonely wolf · Post by **lonely wolf** » Thu May 22, 2003 7:45 am

firstly, how did you complete this battle squares with six charecters? is that because you're in HOF mode?
secondly, I think everyone loves those squares because of the challenge...

gekk0lias · Post by **gekk0lias** » Thu May 22, 2003 2:21 pm

I didnt like it that much either.

BTW, what is your party made up of, they look pretty damn tough

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Thu May 22, 2003 4:53 pm

reply to lonely wolf:

i'm not sure if i understand the exact question you're asking, so if this doesn't answer what you had in mind, let me know.

i had only one character do the entire battle squares. i am unsure what in the screenshot indicated to you that i was using all six guys to complete it. HoF does not change the number of characters that can participate in battle squares at a given time, of course you can have different people do different ranks, but it's nice to get in a rhythm.

if it looks like the other five were involved because of the spell effects on them here is the reason: all of those effects are from items that they have equipped - the only character who has stuff currently cast on them is the one i selected to do battle squares (she has haste and improved invisibility).

does it sound obvious to you? if so, that's probably coz i'm answering the wrong question.

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Thu May 22, 2003 5:25 pm

reply to gekk0lias:

the rationale:

i wanted to create a brute force (heavy melee party) so i wouldn't have to get too cute while playing the game, particularly while fighting (since i love melee classes). all the characters are bred for a certain purpose and none are multi-classed or are, for the most part, what most would consider balanced. however, the class deficiencies in one saving throw or the other are evened out because all the party members are *gasp* human (think tons of feats plus luck of heroes).

the main idea was to have a non-exotic but brutally effective party, and i am quite happy with the results. a good number of you may not think so, but it fits my style and that's what's important.

now the make-up (from left to right):

cecilia laerboche - level 28 human fighter (polearms, small blades, axes, hammers - 3 slots each)
xariach darkblade - level 28 human fighter (large swords, great swords, axes - 3 slots each)
raven stormwaker - level 27 human evoker (direct damage)
lia kaelis - level 27 human rogue (we all know what rogues do, she's also the person i use to talk to everyone)
march redstone - level 27 human fighter (bows, flails - 3 slots each)
fist of lathander - level 27 human morninglord of lathander (healing and direct damage)

if you wanted to know their stats, skills, feats etc. just let me know. i just assumed those would kinda belabor the point, so i didn't include them.

in the end, it's really about making a party that suits your style - this party may or may not sit well with other people, but that is beside the point.

oh, and by the way, i'm working on compiling the locations of the good armor that you asked for (i haven't forgotten about that).

gekk0lias · Post by **gekk0lias** » Thu May 22, 2003 9:10 pm

thats pretty cool

Its funny cuz im the opposite. I cant bring myself to put a human in my group, because of the simple fact that they're humans! (I mean basic humans, not theilflings, and aesmier)

I have a crazy bad party but their diversity brings me happiness

I also dont have a healer, hope that doesnt screw me over in HOF

lonely wolf · Post by **lonely wolf** » Fri May 23, 2003 12:35 am

Originally posted by lightningpig
reply to lonely wolf:

i'm not sure if i understand the exact question you're asking, so if this doesn't answer what you had in mind, let me know.

i had only one character do the entire battle squares. i am unsure what in the screenshot indicated to you that i was using all six guys to complete it. HoF does not change the number of characters that can participate in battle squares at a given time, of course you can have different people do different ranks, but it's nice to get in a rhythm.

if it looks like the other five were involved because of the spell effects on them here is the reason: all of those effects are from items that they have equipped - the only character who has stuff currently cast on them is the one i selected to do battle squares (she has haste and improved invisibility).

does it sound obvious to you? if so, that's probably coz i'm answering the wrong question.

What I meant in the question was: how did your'e party got so much XP? (I see it from the HP they have), is it because HOF mode???

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Fri May 23, 2003 4:53 am

lonely wolf:

ah, the answer to that is simple, this is the third time around this particular party of mine is playing the game.

i finished normal at 17/16/16/16/16/16, heart of fury 27/27/26/26/26/26 and now since my characters have ridiculously high levels i don't get experience from monsters (and i'm already in chapter 4). what i'm really trying to do is get to the level cap.

gekk0lias:

i'm going to go crazy with the classes and races once i finish with this party... i want a max-leveled monk!

lonely wolf · Post by **lonely wolf** » Tue May 27, 2003 8:37 am

aren't bored to play three times at the same game with the same missions???

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Tue May 27, 2003 10:43 am

Like with IWD1, lonelywolf, the game is playable at different levels of difficulty, with different parties. And the fights are never the same anyway.

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Tue May 27, 2003 1:55 pm

lonely wolf:

there is nothing boring about working to achieve a standard you have set for yourself. whether this standard is low or high is entirely up to. in my case, i try to maximize the games i play by trying many different ways of completing them as well as reaching the level cap. like grunt boy said - the fights are never the same - which is definitely true unless you are the type who confines himself to a single strategy in which case it would be tremendously boring.

besides, i love dungeons and dragon as i've played it since i was in elementary school with *gasp* pencil and paper. i've been on and off with playing over the years but the affection for the game always remains.

lonely wolf · Post by **lonely wolf** » Wed May 28, 2003 8:45 am

i'll see if it's not boring by playing again with a single charecter...

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Wed May 28, 2003 7:24 pm

I finished the game (again) this time with my two character party - I call them the 'Supplicants of Ilmater' (Aasimar Paladin of Ilmater and Drow Monk of the Broken Ones)

The final statistics were:

Game clock: 29 days 21 hours

Lamarc the Battered (Level 21 Aasimar Paladin, ECL: 22)
Ariel Falconeye (Level 20 Drow Monk, ECL: 22)

I'm really pleased with myself coz I was able to beat Isair and Madae in one try. Now to push them up to Heart of Fury and that elusive level cap.

Following is a spoiler of sorts (I don't consider it much of a spoiler, but just for the picky ones out there). You have been warned. (text is in black - highlight to read)

The most frustrating part for me was Dragon's Eye for the following reasons:

1.) I had no decent Alchemy or Intimidate skills so the brew quest was a pain.
2.) I had no thief and there were these chests (containing two of the ropes) that couldn't be forced open so beating Zil T'yor was a bit tricky (also because I had no area effect spells)
3.) I had no Search skill to speak of so I had to waste thirteen hours of game clock watching the timed door and waiting for it to open.

Despite all of that, I'm really hyped coz I was able to rush-level two of the classes I wanted to try out when I bought this game - and they beatdown more fiercely than I expected.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Thu May 29, 2003 1:55 am

Battle Squares

At least personally how I feel about battle squares is I bought the Special edition of the game directly through Interplay fot $60.00. I feel if they did not include the hours of extra hack and slash roleplay and chalange, I would have been out cold with disapointment.

I have another question.
Can one play IceWind Dale/ heart of winter in heart of fury mode and able to import charactors?

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Thu May 29, 2003 5:43 am

on a humorous note, one wonders how you 'roleplay' battle squares.

The chill of the icy air of the Aurilite temple mingled with the odor of sweat and drying demon blood. Cecilia rested her slim hand on the aged haft of her axe Coward's Flight, steadying her breathing. Her sharp gaze looking intently upon the grid of squares etched into the cold floor, she straightened as the worn symbols of axe and sword crossed over a shield magically embossed themeselves upon the corner square.

"Square obtained!" the toneless voice of the automaton boomed throughout the room, jarring her into alertness.

"Select destination square!"

Grimly she drew her ichor-stained axe blade across the nearest square, marking her choice. The rush of magical energy surged through her and she beheld through swirling green mist the shadowy outline of her foe.

The demon's scream rent her soul with its ferocity.

"By Selune," she rasped, "not another Gelugon!"

Having just slain scores of the foul hell spawn she had grown familiar with its sickly yellow hide and corded muscle. Her eyes scanned the lashing limbs and seething maw. In a heartbeat the beast was upon her.

Cecilia ducked under the creature's frenzied charge, her axe working swiftly into its armored underbelly in a learned routine. Once, twice, thrice, Coward's Flight tore again and again into the demon's unholy flesh binding it to the ground with a magical stupor.

Seeing that the evil was now sluggish with the axe's magical shackles, she ran quickly to the other end of the chamber, casting aside her weapon and selecting the long Swizarnian polearm from her abandoned pile of equipment. With a fierce battle cry she was upon her opponent once more, driving the long point into the demon and rending its hide with the weapon's bladed hooks. Many times the Gelugon lunged at her, roaring in pain, but she was too quick and by now too versed in the art of demon slaying.

Finally the beast succumbed to the power of the holy weapon - brilliant white light flared from the shaft and coursed into its shuddering form. The green life magic ensconced the howling demon, ripping its presence from the prime material plane.

Then it was over again.

"Battle square obtained!"

"Select destination square!"

Cecilia Laerboche walked to the end of the room and retrieved her axe.

lonely wolf · Post by **lonely wolf** » Thu May 29, 2003 5:55 am

Re: Battle Squares

Originally posted by Patrick
At least personally how I feel about battle squares is I bought the Special edition of the game directly through Interplay fot $60.00. I feel if they did not include the hours of extra hack and slash roleplay and chalange, I would have been out cold with disapointment.

I have another question.
Can one play IceWind Dale/ heart of winter in heart of fury mode and able to import charactors?

I think you can, though I hadn't played in heart of fury mode...

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Thu May 29, 2003 5:57 am

hehe, i got carried away.

anyway, on to Patrick's question:

Can one play IceWind Dale/ heart of winter in heart of fury mode and able to import charactors?

Could stand to be a bit clearer, so I will answer most of the variants of this question.

You can import:
IWD/HoW/ToTL - back to the start of IWD (normal/HoF)
IWD2 - back to the start of IWD2 (normal/HoF)

You cannot import:
IWD/HoW/ToTL - IWD2 (and vice versa)

I hope this answered your question.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Thu May 29, 2003 11:05 pm

Heart of fury

Lightningpig Sorry I was not so clear but you were. Can I ask you, Does heart of fury with Icewind dale 1 have additional or increaced magic items like the second one. DOes also give more exp. like the 2nd. If so, I never new this, I feel I was missing out. I will have to check it out. Thanks

lightningpig · Post by **lightningpig** » Fri May 30, 2003 5:17 am

i had to do some research in order to accurately answer this query (nothing like research early in the morning!)

the heart of fury mode was introduced when the heart of winter expansion was released. that being said, applying it to your game does the following - increases monster experience rewards and increases the power of the monsters. in some notable areas in the game, more monster occurences are added.

it does not add new items to the game. the item system in IWD is as follows: if found on a specific monster/opponent the item is fixed; in most cases, a static item location (chest) has a random item table to select from and the identity of the item inside will vary from game to game. setting the difficulty to heart of fury does not increase the item pool.

there are new items to be had in HoW, but you get these even if you are playing HoW on non-HoF mode. there are no HoF versions of the items found in IWD.

so in a sense, the replay value of the game generated by the HoF mode is largely based on the difficulty of the monsters and the experience they provide. if you wanted to naturally acquire the all items, you would have to play the game again and again and hope for the best (at any difficulty).

oh and i forgot, naturally lowering the difficulty below normal (tweaking the difficulty meter) in IWD will result in an experience penalty, while naturally raising it above normal will not result in an experience bonus - to increase the experience gained you would have to select HoF mode.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Fri May 30, 2003 11:42 pm

That was good info LightningPig. Thanks