HOF- it's a bugger!

takara · Post by **takara** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 7:09 am

Hi,
I'm Currently working my way through the game on HOF and it has caused much gnashing of teeth. Currently I'm trying to exit the citadel in the underdark, into the fight with the red wiz. and elementals. Now, my party is fairly hard (all at level 24) but I'm buggered if I can figure how to fight this one. I just get pasted. I was wondering if anyone who has got though here had any tips.
If you are wondering, I have a fighter, Paladin, beserker, cleric, thief, and wizard.
ta.

takara · Post by **takara** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 9:30 am

I've finally battled my way through to the hand and , while there is still some way to go, I thought I might post some advice for those considering Heart of Fury.
There have been 3 things that I have found invaluable in conquering the dale.
1. Summons! A bunch of summoned creatures can give you an edge in a fight. It's more damage to the enemy, whilst providing a shield against thier damage.

2. Mass dominate. Since leaving the underdark this spell has saved my bacon in all major fights. It gives you a valuable shield whilst trying to get some summons into the fray. The most memorable time for me was when I took on the orog priest in Hrothgar's glen.

3. Finger of death. Whilst this spell may not kill more heavy enemies, it can really hurt those red wizards. Definately worth the mention.

Still, don't underestimate HOF. It has still caused me more frustration than I'm sure it's worth.

Ron_Lugge · Post by **Ron_Lugge** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 3:44 pm

Originally posted by takara
Still, don't underestimate HOF. It has still caused me more frustration than I'm sure it's worth.

Just out of curiosity, what changed were made for HoF beyond "harder enemies better items" (I've never played it...)

takara · Post by **takara** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 2:41 am

There weren't too many changes made. The biggest two I found were more xp available and MUCH better equiptment. The thing with IW2 is that playing normally you will never advance beyond level 18-20 with your characters. Even if you import a previous party, the game engine lowers or removes almost all xp for killing monsters. HOF lets you get up to at least 26 poss. more.
For some this may not be too much of a big deal, but I always found the last battle to be bloody hard, so having a substantially improved party was good for me. Also the use of better weapons and armour really gives you an edge.
The big drawback though, is you can't import a HOF party into normal play. The game will let you do it, but it becomes horribly unbalanced and FAR too easy.
Still, at the end I really recommend it to anyone who wants a challenge, because the last few fights will really test your mettle.

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 8:21 am

So, let ME get this straight, all the monsters in an area are the same, except that they're harder, and give more experience when you kill them?

It's too bad they didn't put different/extra monsters (IOW, ones that you generally don't see in the normal game) in some later parts of the game. I was hoping to see Frost Giants soooo bad.

I've been through most the game before, and they only showed up in one certain area (won't spoil for those who are starting out in the game).

takara · Post by **takara** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 3:12 am

Im afraid so. It's a little dissapointing. I mean, you have better equiptment, ie improvements on normal mode weapons, but they couldn't put in any new bad guys.
I didn't play the battle square though. So you may find that the later levels have some really tough monsters. The monsters on level 1 were the ones you encounter around level 6-7. So if you are good, you may find some new beasties to bash.

Galuf the Dwarf · Post by **Galuf the Dwarf** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:08 am

Originally posted by takara
Im afraid so. It's a little dissapointing. I mean, you have better equiptment, ie improvements on normal mode weapons, but they couldn't put in any new bad guys.
I didn't play the battle square though. So you may find that the later levels have some really tough monsters. The monsters on level 1 were the ones you encounter around level 6-7. So if you are good, you may find some new beasties to bash.

Well, uhhhh...

MINOR

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

That's actually where I found them. Why couldn't the developers have at least made an expansion?!

LadyLore · Post by **LadyLore** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 10:09 pm

Let me get this straight

HOF is a patch or an extention to IWDII... and it allows you to get a higher level character...

My biggest grip was where do I get good stuff... when I have the money there is nothing to buy,, when I don't have the money the merchant has everything...

I couldn't get spells until almost the end of their levels... and near the end I got spells for a level I couldn't get to...

go figure..

What exactly is HOF... New to this gaming thing... having a ball and ancious to learn.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 2:07 am

LadyLore if I can I would like to fill you in on Heart of Fury. It basically is a mode the game runs in. You would select this option when you first begin a game and (i think) make a new party or (I know), import an existing party. Basically what I did was finish the game the first time around in normal mode then import my charactors that finished the game, into my Heart Of Fury mode game. {Basically I started the game with six charactors at about 16th level each. They will finish the game a second time through at about 27th level. The best thing is that the NPC's and Beasties are all tougher, thus more exp. and the items are in some cases a great deal more powerful. Its almost like a new game and allows you to play with a full party and come back around to cast you 9th level spells and such.

Well, I hope this help, let me know if I can be of more assistance.

I'll make mine Targos!