Early Battle Strategy Against Vampire Mage

myrophine · Post by **myrophine** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:47 am

Hi I've played through the game once so I have "some clue", but now I am #1 taking my own multiplayer party and #2 Roleplaying that I actually rush to save Imoen rather than gather mega power before tackling the harder acts.

Ok, anyways, so I am fighting the vampires (1st time around) and killed everything except Tahvios (sic) who is a vampiric mage.

He has tons of spell triggers with defensive spells (stone, MI, etc), wards (spell turning (minor?)). And he casts Mislead...ouch!

I've gotten him down to "injured" so far but nevermore (and that might have been his mislead which appeared to be casting spells too? simulacrum?)

I have...

*Kensai 11 - scimitars and dual wield - 2 x +1 scimitars
*Multi Class Ranger/Cleric 9/9 ? - Mace (2), Flail (2), Hammer (2) - flail of ages, wyvern stinger, disruption mace +1
*Archer 10 - Tuigan warbow w. +1 (or 2) arrows, Lilacor
*F/M/T 9/9/11 - Blade of Roses +3, Longsword +1 (dual wielding)
*Blade 13? Frostreaver, Shortsword of B'stabbing +3, Elven Court Bow +3
*Sorceror 11

Anyone got any feel for my chances

or ideas on how to win (better yet)...

Before I would have overpowered with surround and breach tactics plus easy true sight from kheldorn...

myrophine

Ravager · Post by **Ravager** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:53 am

I'd upgrade that Mace of Disruption.

Cast any spells that could help you disrupt the illusions. IIRC that vampire has Spell Trap, so you should just surround with any weapons like Flail of the Ages (elemental damage bonuses) and batter away. The Flail bonuses will bypass the stoneskin and hopefully disrupt the spellcasting.

Protect against the obvious spells- Fear and maybe Hold and Chaos on your fighting types.

Mislead creates a copy that mirrors the original, so that probably isn't casting- if you can't dispel it, destroy it. The spell Detect Illusions or a thief high skilled in that may disrupt the illusion.

If you really have to, you could dismiss one of your party members for Keldorn or another NPC temporarily.

Good luck myro

Lonelypilgrim · Post by **Lonelypilgrim** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:18 am

I agree that you will need prot from fear first of all.The next step would be casting chaotic commands on the main fighters.Breach is also very useful here,or Shield Breach,but i don`t know where to get a scroll.Definately Haste and stoneskin on your mages.

So much for preperations...the best tactic here would be just rushing in with the hasted fighing team and kill it fast.However you could aslo try some different area effect spells and see what kind work on the Vamp.You can also roll your luck and give some char the mace of disruption and then use an invisibility potion or spell,both are good.If you are using the Tactics mod then the Vamp might cast true sight.I don`t know about unmodded games though.

When you are cose enugh to the Vampire then just roll your luck and see if you hit.If you do,then see if the Vampire saves...if he does,too bad,try again.So at a time you will kill the beast for sure.

Thrifalas · Post by **Thrifalas** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:06 pm

You can also try the standard, engine-exploiting tricks of summoning skeletons (which are resistant to an awful big amount of spells) and send them towards the vampire one by one. They will not be affected by fear or other mindtricks, and since the vampire just casts spell against it she will deplete an awful lot of spells just to kill that skeleton.

The skeleton itself will not do any damage at all against the vampire, but it's a well-known fact that mages in BG starts of with their most devestating spells... So after a couple of skellies (and maybe a rest) she will not be so well-prepared when you suddenly charge in with a bunch of hasted warriors.

I don't think she'll cast death spell as I recall having used this tactic during one of my first playthough. I might be wrong however, this might not at all work here, but you can give it a try. ^^;

myrophine · Post by **myrophine** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:24 pm

@everyone

thanks for the hints. I am ready to do battle!!

notes:

I only have 25% detect illusion for thief. My most powerful defense against illusions (otherwise) is dispel magic and oracle (only works against 5th level or lower i believe).

Good idea on using elemental damage (weapon).

Very good idea to wear down with skeletons.

Also I don't have many spells to use (see character levels) so I'm going to have to accept that some of my guys get dominated etc

the vampire constantly casts true sight...apparently having unlimited spells (kind of makes up for the skeleton engine exploit).

I'll report my successes (or failures) later

myro

PS - @ Ravager - do you post on IWD2 board as well (as ravager) ? If so, how's it going?

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:57 pm

Search some scroll of true sight. You'll only need once, the vanilla game usually dont have a backup mislead, also, in the modded game mislead is not used all the time. But a scroll of true sight might help. Also, summons are always handy, even if they're not skeletons, because the vampires will chose to atack - and drain - the first target that tries to atack him melee. Or at least that's what it seems to me. If your summons can win you enough time to avoid his mislead, the rest of it should be a bargain for hack and slash and a few magical spells, specially with a powerfull kensai on your party.

krunchyfrogg · Post by **krunchyfrogg** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:56 pm

Equip your fighters with non magical versions of their weapons and haste them.

Even though Tanova is a vampire, mundane weapons will work against her, and you won't have to remove her "Protection from magical weapons"

stramoski · Post by **stramoski** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:21 am

Jelly

Polymorf Self / Mustard Jelly...

Cast from a scroll or from memory, the cloak version is worthless...

Also, Tanova creates a Simmy, not a mislead IIRC

Send in your Sorceror, equiped with that Amulet of Power (the one that protects vs lvl drain). Let him absorb all of her spells, and the last thing she'll do is attack you physically... When that happens, bring forth everyone else.

The only problem with that is that Tanova's simmy will run out first, and attack physically before Tavona herself does... A good way to defeat the simmy is to simply draw the simmy a little away, and bring your other characters to just within missile range... Your archer and blade could take her out singlehandedly.

Ravager · Post by **Ravager** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:10 am

What about sending someone with Protection from Magic active?

Send in that person with the Mace of Disruption if the vampire summons any allies get the rest of your party to fire missiles at it.

Lokk at Waukeen's Promenade for the scroll. Ribald probably sells it.

PS - @ Ravager - do you post on IWD2 board as well (as ravager) ? If so, how's it going?

Yes that's me. Just a new avatar. I'll get around to updating the other thread with my progress sometime soon

.

Deadalready · Post by **Deadalready** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:42 am

Fireball her stupid backside and use Melf's Minute Meteors, simple spells that you hopefully have.

Vampires are highly suspectible to fire, not only that but fireball has a tendancy to bypass spell protections. Alternatively you could try using a single mage with a bunch of Sunfire spells memorised.

Ravager · Post by **Ravager** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:52 am

I'd recommend area-effect spells too. Spells like Cloudkill will do continous damage, and a Protected form Magic character will probably be immune.

So one fighter in close quarters and a mage firing area-effect at the back. Overkill

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:27 am

[QUOTE=Ravager]I'd recommend area-effect spells too. Spells like Cloudkill will do continous damage, and a Protected form Magic character will probably be immune. [/QUOTE]

The only problem is that it's limited to, what, two scrolls in SoA? So they're very precious. You want to make sure your use of a PoM scroll isn't going to deprive you of it at some more critical point, and that it will do the job.

Ravager · Post by **Ravager** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:30 am

I agree with the short duration, but hopefully some of the nastier spells that the Vampire commands will be expended

I use PfM scrolls very scarcely and I think there may be 5 or more available, I remember from one of my earliest runs through stockpiling them. Ribald probably has some in addition to the Black Market merchants that come out at night. It's possible the Blacksmith in Trademeet has a copy (not sure about that though). It may also be possible the scroll-seller outside at Waukeen's Prom. may have one.

Fighting this particular Vampire isn't optional though, unlike many liches and other magic-powerful foes- if attacking the Vampires you need to get past it to later attack Lassal (think that's the name) in the Pit of Spikes area. Though I do agree use them only when neccessary.

myrophine · Post by **myrophine** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:04 am

Good strategies by everyone...

I tried spells to no avail until I realized that if I timed everything right I could hit with a bunch before Tanova's spell triggers even go off. (off the edge of the screen with the archer as a "spotter")

So an icestorm, fireball x2, and holy smite later I search and can't find anything left of that pescy mage.

Well thanks everyone! i may get stuck again as I am headed for asylum with this same imo low level/item party. At least now my sorceror has selected true sight at 12th level.

cheers,

myro

Deadalready · Post by **Deadalready** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:38 am

If you're using Protection from Magic or Protection from Undead scrolls one of the best things to do is equip it in a quick slot and use project image, then cast it on the monster you're fighting for a laugh.

Protection from Undead won't work on Tanova. I should bring up that I think you have to kill her to stake her?

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:53 pm

Once I killed Tanova with a solo 6th level mage (was in truth a dualclass with the first class still inactive).

Cast invisibility, placed the character carefully on the side of Tanova, perfectly facing the opposite side wall.
Cast a straight lightning bolt (becoming visible in that moment), a few bouncings, Tanova dead.

Just move your character away quick enough

Thrifalas · Post by **Thrifalas** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:27 am

Umm... Didn't myrophine say that Tanova constantly casts True Sight? And IIRC, she does. -_-

myrophine · Post by **myrophine** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:24 pm

you have enough time to get in a backstab but I don't know about a spell? hmmm....

maybe with casting time lowering items (which I haven't the gp for...and if I did I'd be able to overpower her easy anyway).

Anyways I'm in the Bodhi assylum maze now and having a blast

myro

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:20 pm

[QUOTE=Thrifalas]Umm... Didn't myrophine say that Tanova constantly casts True Sight? And IIRC, she does. -_-[/QUOTE]

But its not a neverending hability. If you use potions, you can make her cast, run before she unleashes the spell, shake and bake till she wont do it anymore.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:28 pm

Yep, now that I think of it, I remember I waited for the spell to end, as Luis Antonio says.
A bit on the cheesy side, but hey, I had just a lousy low level mage, and I had cleared the whole dungeon already.

Anyway, you can also overcome True Sight casting Spell Immunity: Divination.

About the casting time, you should have at least the Amulet of Power to reduce it.
Or maybe you could use a scroll, which is uninterruptable