Help in Underdark (Possible Spoilers)

[sonny]

Sorry to bother you guys again so soon.

I've come across this sphere like thing not to far north of the place where you find the trader near the entrance. When you click on the window like areas, hostile NPC's appear. The 1st two were not to hard, but now I've come face too face with a dude named Diagott and he keeps cleaning my clock and giving me a lesson on how to kick butt.:speech:

I've tried casting Breach, Sunfire, and Dispel Magic. I have cast Haste, Bless on my party. My guys are equipped with the following weapons;

My NPC Fighter=Daystar
Minsc= Mace of Disruption +1
Anomen= Flail of Ages +3
Jaheira= Spear +3 Impaler
Imoen= Rod of Terror and have also used Short Sword +2
Jan= Quarter Staff +2

Can anyone give me any idea's on any other spells or weapons I can used so in the event I have them I can use them. I have other weapons stored in a bag of Holding I brought.

I did not want to check the threads on this because I did not want to much info, just enough to get this done. Also is it a required thing to do or just a side quest. Would like to get it done, because the first 2 had good xp's as a reward.

I just remembered that I have this ability to change myself into a slayer? Could I use this here and what would be the consequences on me and my party?

I'm not even sure I should use it at all.

Thanks in advance

[galraen]

You could try setting traps with Jan if you've put any points in it. What level are your characters now?

As for the Slayer, the consequences aren't good if you want to be a good character, and keep your reputation high. If it gets too low the romance with Jaheira will be compromised. Oh, and don't sleep with anyone but her if you can possibly avoid it.

I trust you haven't just attacked everyone you've released (the 'dome' you refer to is a form of prison, and by activating the panels you are releasing the inmates, not all of whom are evil).

If your characters keep getting hijacked, remember Chaotic Commands (5th level Cleric spell) offers a lot of protection, as does berserking. Imoen should concentrate on casting spells.

In case you hadn't noticed Alchra Diagott is a Lich, so Daystar should hurt him, the mace of disruption won't though (see below), shame you didn't get it upgraded before heading for Spellhold, c'est la vie.

Electrical and cold damage don't hurt him, and he's immune to anything less than 6th level spells, he also requires a +3 or better weapon to hit him.

[anarchistica]

Diagott is a Lich. He's worth 22K XP. He's got 90 HP, an AC of 0 and is Immune to non-Magical Weapons. As a high-level mage, he knows a bunch of Level 8/9 spells, including Horrid Wilting, Wail of the Banshee, Timestop and Imprisonment.

Beating him can be very simple to fairly hard. If you've got the spell Polymorph Self, you can turn yourself into a jelly with 100% magic resistance. You should also have picked up the Cloak of Reflection in Spellhold, making you immune to many spells. With either of these on a character, you can distract him while you fire Breaches to dispel his Stoneskin. Sunray might kill him in one go. The Mace of Disruption might kill him too. In any case, keep your weaker party members at a distance and make sure the guys up front have good saving throws. Just keep beating him with the 4 warriors while the mages try to get rid of his protections. Make sure you read what protections he casts.

Note: If anyone besides the PC (player character: you) gets Imprisoned, let this slide as long as you manage to kill him and you're not in a romance with the character. You're going to cast Freedom in the vicinity anyway.

[galraen]

Unfortunately as noted in my previous post, Breach and Sunfire won't affect him, and neither will the Mace of Disruption. I hope you picked up Liracor, the talking sword, for Minsc from the cellar below the Copper Coronet Sonny, that will hit the Lich.

One tactic which might help, is to move your party well out of the way, cast Improved Invisibility on, say, Jan, get him to trigger the activator then run away. Then summon monsters/animals and send them in to make him waste his spells, memorise as many summoning spells as you can first of course. Once he's run out of spells, go in for the kill with those who have +3 or better weapons.

[sonny]

One tactic which might help, is to move your party well out of the way, cast Improved Invisibility on, say, Jan, get him to trigger the activator then run away. Then summon monsters/animals and send them in to make him waste his spells, memorise as many summoning spells as you can first of course. Once he's run out of spells, go in for the kill with those who have +3 or better weapons.

OK, finally did it. Moved my party out of the way. Then sent my NPC Fighter in equipped with the Cloak of Mirroring that I got back in Sahuagi City, and the sword Daystar and had buffed with haste, and bless.

Just had my Fighter keep banging away and using healing potions until I saw the message that he was badly hurt, then I brought Imoen up a little, used the Wand of Summoning twice and in a few seconds it was over.

I worked at this today for over 2 hours and must have reloaded a couple dozen times. I'm beginning to wonder if my party is to weak to be here. I've had to do a lot of reloading since around the middle of Chapter 4.

My NPC is Lv 12
Minsc is LV 11
Anomen Lv 12
Jaheira F-LV 10 D-Lv 12
Imoen M-LV 12 T-Lv 7
Jan ILL-LV 11 T-LV12

Thanks again for all the help.

[fable]

No, not too weak, in my opinion. It's more a matter of facing a foe that is quite powerful, with a very specific weakness that you need to think out in advance. Just remember that when facing an extremely powerful mage, your best bet is magic resistance, and the easiest way to achieve that is the Cloak of Mirroring or polymorph.

Of course, if you switch to running a mod that ramps up the opponent AI so they choose spells more intelligently, then you won't find those solutions as helpful. It helps to know the game's foibles, as well.

[sonny]

No, not too weak, in my opinion. It's more a matter of facing a foe that is quite powerful, with a very specific weakness that you need to think out in advance. Just remember that when facing an extremely powerful mage, your best bet is magic resistance, and the easiest way to achieve that is the Cloak of Mirroring or polymorph

Thanks. I keep reading up on the spells in the game manual, but I'll admit it's hard to remember what they do when you're about to start combat, but I'm learning slowly but surely. Same thing with the weapons. I think I've either stashed somewhere or have in my bag of holding every weapon I've found that has a + something on it. By the time I start a 2nd play through, I'll probably be better at this.

I know one thing for sure. After the battle with Diagott, the Cloak of Mirroring just became my most prized possesion.

Thanks again.

[VonDondu]

I worked at this today for over 2 hours and must have reloaded a couple dozen times. I'm beginning to wonder if my party is to weak to be here. I've had to do a lot of reloading since around the middle of Chapter 4.

My NPC is Lv 12
Minsc is LV 11
Anomen Lv 12
Jaheira F-LV 10 D-Lv 12
Imoen M-LV 12 T-Lv 7
Jan ILL-LV 11 T-LV12

Thanks again for all the help.

I wouldn't say your party is too weak to be there. You're just a first-time player, so you need time to learn the finer points of combat, especially with the most challenging monsters in the game. Lichs are definitely in that category.

The Cloak of Mirroring will also come in handy elsewhere in the Underdark. You'll see.

Enemy Mages and Liches are very challenging, but there's one group of melee-oriented monsters that is even more challenging, in my opinion. The Cloak of Mirroring won't help you. You need to work on other combat techniques as well.

While you're in the Underdark, always be on the lookout for chances to gain experience. Some of the encounters aren't really quest-oriented; to me, they seem like they are there mainly for the experience. That (along with treasure-hunting) is what dungeon-crawling is all about.

[sonny]

I wouldn't say your party is too weak to be there. You're just a first-time player, so you need time to learn the finer points of combat, especially with the most challenging monsters in the game. Lichs are definitely in that category.

The Cloak of Mirroring will also come in handy elsewhere in the Underdark. You'll see.

Enemy Mages and Liches are very challenging, but there's one group of melee-oriented monsters that is even more challenging, in my opinion. The Cloak of Mirroring won't help you. You need to work on other combat techniques as well.

While you're in the Underdark, always be on the lookout for chances to gain experience. Some of the encounters aren't really quest-oriented; to me, they seem like they are there mainly for the experience. That (along with treasure-hunting) is what dungeon-crawling is all about.

Yea, you are right. I'm still having problems with the combat. Having a hard time getting to know what spell to use when, and after BG1, I'm still relying on Bows and Slings to much.

Don't get me wrong, I love the game, its just after 2-3 hours trying to win a battle, I get a little frustrated, and don't want to keep bothering you guys.

So far I've not run from any battles in the game (want the experience) but some of them have been long with a lot of reloads

That's why I've made the decision, that after I get through SoA (if I get through SoA), I'm going to replay it before doing any part of ToB.

Thanks for all the help. Sorry to keep bothering you guys.

[Crenshinibon]

Try experimenting with different spells. Note that some spells get more powerful AT certain levels.

Use protective spells for your melee fighters (such as those that boosts stats, AC and resistances) and spells that can null damage altogether (such as stoneskin and mirror image for Jan). Draw Upon Holy Might and Armor of Faith are two very useful spells for example, those that augment your character's abilities.

For fights, I assumed you are currently talking about Kua-Toa and Drow skirmishes scattered throughout the Underdark, is that correct?

And don't be afraid to bother us. We enjoy it, especially since you're new to the BG world and we have no other purpose in this forum, other than to answers questions, because we enjoy doing so.

[sonny]

Try experimenting with different spells. Note that some spells get more powerful AT certain levels.

Use protective spells for your melee fighters (such as those that boosts stats, AC and resistances) and spells that can null damage altogether (such as stoneskin and mirror image for Jan). Draw Upon Holy Might and Armor of Faith are two very useful spells for example, those that augment your character's abilities.

For fights, I assumed you are currently talking about Kua-Toa and Drow skirmishes scattered throughout the Underdark, is that correct?

And don't be afraid to bother us. We enjoy it, especially since you're new to the BG world and we have no other purpose in this forum, other than to answers questions, because we enjoy doing so.

Well yes, but I've also noticed that Bows and Slings did not seem to be as effective in other areas (like in some of the quest in Ch.2) as they were in BG1

One of the spells that is really doing me in is the one where you get imprisoned in a cage. Seems like it's a matter of seconds and its over. Still trying to figure out a defense for that one. Didn't find any thing in the manual that covered it.

And thanks very much for your comments about wanting to help. It makes me feel a lot better. When I get stuck like this, and come here to post, I'm thinking someones reading the post and thinking "Whats that old fool need now":laugh:

Thanks again.

[Crenshinibon]

I assume that you are talking about the Maze spell. Its duration depends on your characters' intelligence scores. There are ways to protect yourself from it. The level 5 priest spell Chaotic Commands and Minsc's Rage ability are those that you might have at your disposal.

That's true, they aren't as effective, but they sure do their job against spellcasters, disrupting them. Also, the characters that do use ranged weapons, can inflict a significant amount of damage to an enemy that focuses on someone else.

If you want to use ranged weapons, try an Archer kit for your next playthrough.

If you don't feel like posting, feel free to send a private message to me and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. All of us are here to help.

Hope this made life (and combat) somewhat easier for you.

[galraen]

Bows and Slings are less effective in BG2 than they were in BG1, although you should have the string to a very good shortbow now, the other part is in Athkatla if you haven't already got it, but you won't be able to combine them until you get back to the city. It shouldn't really affect you though, your party make-up isn't condusive to using them. Imoen and Jan should never do anything in combat other than spell casting, and the others can all be more effective using the melee weapons you have.

The only defence I can think of against imprisonment is a berserkers Enrage special ability or Minsc's enrage special ability. Maybe someone can suggest something else, but Mincs is the best one in your party to handle monsters that have Imprisonment spells, unless your main character is a Berserker, which kit (Berserker, Kensai or Wizard Slayer) did you take, if any?

[anarchistica]

Unfortunately as noted in my previous post, Breach and Sunfire won't affect him, and neither will the Mace of Disruption. I hope you picked up Liracor, the talking sword, for Minsc from the cellar below the Copper Coronet Sonny, that will hit the Lich.

Hmm, i confused Sunfire (L5) with Sunray (L7). Still, according to NearInfinity he's only immune to non-magical weapons. I do seem to recall he's got some immunity to magical weapons but it's not listed. It's also weird he's got protection against many <L6 spells. And are you sure Breach won't affect his Stoneskin? It's not like it affects him.

[Dummy]

One of the spells that is really doing me in is the one where you get imprisoned in a cage. Seems like it's a matter of seconds and its over. Still trying to figure out a defense for that one. Didn't find any thing in the manual that covered it.

You will see that the manuel does not cover everything, would be a quite big book if it would.

By a cage im not quite sure what you mean, i will list the possible explanations below.

1. Maze, this is a Spell which is shown as a "closing" cage around the Char, it is not dangerous for the Char it self, it just sends the target into a Maze where it needs to find out, which will take some time according to its intelligence.

2.Imprisionment, this spell is shown as the same "effect" like maze, but it works a bit different, its kind of the "big brother" of maze, it just banishs the target into a sub dimension for eternty, this is a REALLY nasty spell since there are very few protections.

3.In a certain location in the underdark you can get imprisioned, but its not vital just a plot twist/side quest

__

while your characters and enemys get more and more powerfull different strategies will get more or less important
as u meantioned you realized bows and slings are getting "weaker", and while those are getting weaker the spells your spellcaster can use are getting stronger

a short example

a bow with usuall ammunition could deadl 2 d 8 dmg which is up to 16 ( 2 shots a round with each 1 d 8 dmg)
and Magic Missiles will do just 1 d 4+1 dmg, BUT while your caster gains level he will be able to shoot up to 5 Missles at once with 1 Spell, so at level 11 he will do 5 d 4 +5 dmg
and beside that you will get more spells and more powerfull once

__

and for your party it is not quite as strong as i COULD be, but it is still strong enough and since you did the sea city and picked that cloak you have quite a nice item to defend yourself against the most incomming spells

and dont fear to ask us any question, for my part i really enjoy to read your posts because it reminds me of my own first run-through

---
edit:

The only defence I can think of against imprisonment is a berserkers Enrage special ability or Minsc's enrage special ability. Maybe someone can suggest something else

Spell immunity: aburation will do it also since its a banishment

[galraen]

Hmm, i confused Sunfire (L5) with Sunray (L7). Still, according to NearInfinity he's only immune to non-magical weapons. I do seem to recall he's got some immunity to magical weapons but it's not listed. It's also weird he's got protection against many <L6 spells. And are you sure Breach won't affect his Stoneskin? It's not like it affects him.

I checked him out using SK, and he wears a ring called 'Lich', I checked that out in IEE and it's that that grants him the immunities I referred to. The downer is that because they are item effects, spells that lower resistance or dispel such things as Minor Globe of Invulnerability and Globe of Invulnerability are useless.

Good question about Stoneskin, I'm not 100% sure on that, but I'm not sure he uses it, as Sonny (and I on several occasions) took him down I suspect no. If they have one Stoneskin, they usually have contingency type spells or affects that put them up again, at least once, sometimes more than once. He's also susceptible to traps, of course, which begs the question 'Does Stoneskin protect against them?'.

[Crenshinibon]

Stoneskin does NOT protect against traps and certain types of elemental damage, such as cold and electrical.

[sonny]

By a cage im not quite sure what you mean, i will list the possible explanations below.



2.Imprisionment, this spell is shown as the same "effect" like maze, but it works a bit different, its kind of the "big brother" of maze, it just banishs the target into a sub dimension for eternty, this is a REALLY nasty spell since there are very few protections.

3.In a certain location in the underdark you can get imprisioned, but its not vital just a plot twist/side quest

__


and dont fear to ask us any question, for my part i really enjoy to read your posts because it reminds me of my own first run-through

Yea, Imprisionment, thats the one, you end up in a cage and then you're dead.
Some guy named Vithal, here in the Underdark wipes me out with it when I tell him his rewards not enough. This was also cast on my party somewhere else, can't remember where, I must have gotten lucky. The way I'm looking at it, is even if it's just a side quest, (don't know, have not beat him yet) would still like to figure it out.

Thanks guys. I don't mind asking the questions, in fact I really enjoy seeing all your input. I just don't want to become a pain in the butt.

Crenshinibon, thanks for the offer. If things get to bad, might have to take you up on it. Although I hope I soon get better at this.

[VonDondu]

I'm not sure whether Minsc's berserk ability protects against Imprisonment. I've read conflicting reports, and I can't remember the results of my own testing.

Sometimes it is possible to backstad a spellcaster before Stoneskin takes effect, but you have to be quick about it. (In my opinion, it is not unrealistic to get the first shot before a Mage casts his protection spells.)

Vithal is easy enough to deal with if you take the right approach. He asks you to protect him from the elementals while he searches for an item through the portals. The item he is looking for is very evil, and he says he would like to have been friends with the evil Mage who created it. I get the feeling that despite his polite demeanor, Vithal is a thoroughly evil person. Anyway, if you intend to kill him, you can let the elementals bring him to "Near Death" before the quest is over. Just make sure they don't kill him before you get a chance to do so.

The only thing that bothers me about your messages is that you keep apologizing for "bothering" us. In case you hadn't noticed, we enjoy talking about the game and helping other players. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here.

[galraen]

When VonDondu raises doubts, I check my facts!

I had also mixed recollections about Minsc's Bererk SA, but was relying on assurances elsewhere, my bad.

Having checked the two effects, whilst Minsc's Berserk offers most of the same bonuses as Enrage, it doesn't protect against Imprisonment as far as I could see. Maze yes, and it also offers strength and dexterity modifications that the other doesn't, but not imprisonment. Unless, and I was unable to check this, it's covered by the 'Spell Effect' Berserker', or it's associated resource key, but I suspect not.