Overwhelmed and forgetful (spoilers)

[dragon wench]

I wasn't certain whether to place this here or in the ToB forum, but hopefully this will work. To the mods, if not, obviously, please move accordingly.

Anyway, while playing last night I was sorting through my inventory, and realised there were several items in my pack that I have never used, or used very rarely. Among these was the Ring of the Ram. I've read it can pack a nice punch with some enemies, but in every game I've ever played, I've always forgotten that it's there.

Any other items you never seem to get around to using?
I find with this game, especially once you get into ToB... you are just overwhelmed by high-powered weapons, armor and magic, so it's easy to forget about all the arsenal at your disposal.

[Mr_Snow]

I usually find that I get a certain "package" of items for the different characters and they stay there, I don't usually change rings/weapons/armour/necklaces etc just for one battle.

The only time things change is when during the coarse of the game they go "up" in items as I come across them.

So in the end if I have something that I know I'm not going to use, even if it's good I will sell it. by the time if I really want it for something I can always buy it back.

I just don't usually lug something around for just "one" battle. My characters/NPC's have their equipment to suit most situations and they stay that way bar buff's/upgrading etc.

[Crenshinibon]

I never realy used the Ring of the Ram as well.

What you say is true, but there are some items in Shadows of Amn that are too good or to useful to ditch.

I am speaking of items like the Crom Fayer, Robe of Vecna, Scarlet Ninja-To +3, the Ring of Gaxx and so on.

Most of the powerful items that you find are in Watcher's Keep.

There are great items, like the Answerer +4 or Shurplack's Plate, which you can find during the main quest, but whether you you use them or not really depends on what character you are playing and your playing style.

[Deadalready]

Many skills and weapons don't really get much use after certain power levels anyway.

I usually use the Ring of Ram early on but later find no need for it. It tends to go for traps, bard songs, beserker rage, charm animals, shapeshifting and many other skills too.

Things like the charm abilities of the Nymph Cloak and other things don't even get touched.

[Philos]

Natural Abilities too

I have noticed the same for many items I have as well. But I find myself forgetting many NPC's natural abilities too. Since Minsc is a fighter I usually have him wearing armor with a good AC and so I don't use his stealth ability (tried it once or twice just as a curiousity). Even though I know Jaheira can shape shift, I usually would rather have her casting spells so that ability rarely gets used. I have even used healing spells on her when I could easily have her shape shift and get most if not all the damage healed.

But getting back to the original point with so many great items that have some nice effects, I too have a problem letting go of some even though I end up not using a number of them. The best items to me are the ones that use their ability or function without my having to actually remember and activate it (many weapons that do special damage and effects automatically upon hitting, items that boost an ability upon wearing or wielding, or provide certain protection by wearing like the robe of mirroring, etc.)

[dragon wench]

@Philos,
I have exactly the same problems with natural abilities myself
I find Jaheira more useful as a spellcaster, I usually forget about Minsc's Bersker Rage.... And then when the High Level Abilities kick in it's even worse.... I use some, but I almost always neglect to use those powerful combat moves.

And indeed, when it comes to items, I'm happiest if they just do their thing with no intervention from me

[Rav]

I've always kept those staves in my backpack, the ones that kill elementals. never took them out when I actually encountered those elementals.

That stone to flesh once per day ability of the ring of earth? I once traveled 3 in-game days for a scroll just because I had forgotten about that. (Later in the game I looked at the ring's description and thought: "DOH!")

Using potion of magic shielding/blocking against magic? Nah, leave them in my back pack, I hear they are great with a martini.

Basically, yeah, I am guilty of forgetting about everyhting interesting, abilitywise, in this game. Even when I equip the short sword of mirroring as a secondary weapon specifically to use its ability, I use it maybe three times in the entire game (when preparing tofight a dragon or something)

[Earnest]

I've used ring of ram a few times in tight spots, i think it bypasses MR. Great for those 'almost dead' nasties that are about to kill 'almost dead' hero.

I was always a hoarder, not just of items but SCROLLS - knowing they would be useful some time... especially with UAI rogues: stacks of stoneskins and fireshields, blurs and mirror images. Usually no time to use them.

My current game and my last game I have played with no bag of holding (or wolfskin bag) allowed, this time with a party of just three. The self-imposed limits on inventory space has largely cured me of item hoarding. That sword with mirror image - and the one which dances, the battle specific armor with fire resists, the rods that hurt elementals or golems, the sword thats good on dragons, the bracers of blinding strike .... all of it sold so easily with no regrets.

[Ian Kognitow]

I've used ring of ram a few times in tight spots, i think it bypasses MR. Great for those 'almost dead' nasties that are about to kill 'almost dead' hero.

Hmmm, while I have usually been in Deadalready's camp of finding the Ring of Ram more useful in the early game (of course when I manage to remember having it) this statement gave me an interesting thought. Ring of Ram typically does about 20-30 damage, and while there's probably something that blocks it, that protection is at least rare enough that I seem to remember it punching through most anything. Now, as with Earnest (and myself), it's normal to turn to it for a finishing shot when other options are running low [or, similarly, it's other function is to push stuff away when you're short of alternatives and an enemy is *coming at you*], here's a suggestion for it to be used as a primary kill agent in 2 rounds: Have it worn by a mage able to cast simulacrum. Have both the mage and sim use the rings to hit an enemy immediately for roughly 50 damage. Follow up with power word kill to, well, kill. Sure, it would only work on enemies with around 100-110hp (since PWK only works on <60) but that would at least include most enemy mages in the game. I guess it would also be necessary to have someone with true sight up to make sure the PWK can be targeted, but it sounds viable. I'll have to do some testing.

Of course, this can all be multiplied by using the pick pocketing cheeses to get 2 or 3 rings of ram--if one is so inclined.

***

To qualify this post more in respect to the original question, I seem to perpetually neglect the girdle of fortitude. It's in part because those that really need it (aerie/viconia) I often end up giving needed strength belts--not to fight but simply because I get tired of moving around inventory (which I'll also neglect and never actually use) due to their inability to carry anything. But even when I left it on Viconia for the majority of one game, I'd forget to turn it on 80% of the time, even though it lasts all day.

In general, I've found it laughable that now that I'm versed in all the intricacies of the game (as opposed to my first game when I didn't really use stuff like stoneskin or true sight but still did quite well) that I'm usually so forgetful and inefficient in prepping battles that I have to fall back on the same old hamhanded tactics.

[svendj]

The first time I encountered Kangaxx the Demilich, I used the Ring of the Ram to do the final few points of damage

[UserUnfriendly]

The first time I encountered Kangaxx the Demilich, I used the Ring of the Ram to do the final few points of damage

use the ring to push kangy into some traps preset before the battle...lots of fun...

I use the ring quite often...it totally bypasses damage, and knocks back...stick into a bag of jewels, and it immediately recharges...:devil: :devil: :devil:

[Pellinore]

I am always lugging around wands, potions of Giant Strength and a few weapons "just in case" but I never have used them. There are quite a few things I lug around and never use but they are "cool" so I keep hold of them....

[Armycardinal]

Use of Ring of Ram (SPOILERS)

SPOILERS























I like to use Ring of Ram on the second version of Kangaxx - when he is a Demi-Lich. I place a Berserker/Slayer (Immune to Imprison) in the upper right corner, in preparation for the Demi-Lich. The ring wielder shoots the skull - doing serious damage (he only has 50 HP) AND knocks his head right next to my Berserker/Slayer and he/she finishes him off. I usually only lose 3-4 characters to imprisonment lol.

Also the ToB upgraded item with the Ring of the Ram is just awesome!


AC

[Berethor]

I frequently forget to use the Ring of the Ram as well. I can easily get 30 damage in on an enemy for free, with the Pickpocket Glitched RotR as well as the real one from Tolgerias' corpse.