GameBanshee Forums

The only reason I bring someone that has healing spells is so that I can use the "Rest Until Healed" option. I never cast healing spells during a battle (unless not doing so would result in a party member's death), and instead of healing after a battle, why not rest?

When I used Jaheira as my main cleric/healer (if you can call her that) I just used Iron Skins and elementals. Level drainers can be easily handled with the Amulet of Power (which Jaheira can use) and a few Lesser Restoration Scrolls. She memorized a few of the more potent healing spells, but just for the "Rest Until Healed" option.

Why do you think mind flayers are a problem without a cleric. A signle mordekainen sword is completely immune to all ttacks and psionics in the mind flayer dungeon. Just put hast or boots of speed on one character. Have the char open door to a room with mindflayers. Then run back. Summon a morde or 2 and sen them in. Listen to the swords slice away. When silent go look at the mess.

The only problem with Mord's sword (or any other summon for that matter....Undead are also immune) is that you only get a few of them before you have to rest. I also point out the Uthilllid are *tough* and it takes a couple of tanks pounding on them in my gaming experience anyway to take them down consistantly.

I never said you *couldn't* do mindflayers w/o a full cleric (said the opposite in fact), but frankly C-C gives full immunity for a very long time which makes Illithid *so* much easier.

I will also agree in principle about low saves, but would point out that you have to make several said saves in a row when facing mind flayers. In my experience (esp for tanks) when facing mind-flayers, a stunned character was equal to a dead one in just a couple of rounds (if that). Perhaps I am just unlucky, but I have found that anyone not protected from psionics always gets stunned vs mindflayers, low saves or no.

-Polaris

Guys,

Sorry...one last thought. While I agree that the game is very easy on resting, you really don't want to do that too often in the M-F dungeon if you visited the matron mother first:

**SPOILERS**

Once you accept the M-M's commission to get the blood, you are put on a three game-day timer. If you rest each time you get dinged, you will fail to meet that deadline, and you lose all chance of retrieving those eggs (or even reentering Ust Natha).

-Polaris

I still haven't decided whether or not to get Anomen. My main gripe is his dexterity of 10 (The Gauntlets of Dexterity will go to Keldorn). That, and the fact that he will suck up some experience.

As for the mind flayers, I actually killed them by pulling them to a door way and pelting them to death with missile weapons. It works easily, with no loss of hp (or intelligence) most of the time. Even the bigger ones (the Ulthid-something-or-other) drop before they reach a group of five guys with bows, crossbows, and slings. And since my main is an archer, this should make things even easier.

One more thing, do people here think it's better to wield a Holy Avenger or a Purifier and Foebane (or a Flail of the Ages)?

Thanks for all the feedback so far,
- Quellin, level 8 Archer

i've found that the mind flayers are much easier to solo, just use your best ftr / paladin / ranger type, equip the green stone amulet (there is one in the beholder dungeon, also much easier to solo) and go kill,

use boots of speed to stay away from int drain, drow x-bow of speed + kua toa bolts make short work of mf's at range. (brine potion is also very good, only need one really, save rest for later...)

Oh..I forgot about that time limit. I usually do the Illithids, Beholders and Kuo-Toa before I go to the Drow. But, if you don't, then resting is a big problem.

Felanan,

I usually do those dungeons first TOO....now. However, that is the voice of experience talking. The game tends to push you towards going to Ust Natha first (and thus I will assume that the majority of players will have visited the M-M before doing the M-F dungeon) which is what prompted my comment.

You are correct though. If you do it your way, then you can rest all you like and the dungeon is a lot easier (you don't even have wandering monsters).

-Polaris

here's a thought: what does everyone think about dropping Keldorn and just getting Anomen instead?

It is your game, but Keldorn is the *only* NPC that can use Casomyr and the other Paladin-only special items (and they are NICE). In addition, the Inquisitor kit is the best anti-mage kit in the game for any class short of another mage (and perhaps even then).

You certainly could drop Keldorn for Anomen and have a perfectly good and solid party. I just think that Keldorn kicks butt and takes names....no two ways about it.

-Polaris

@Polaris, can't your thieves use Casomyr after getting the ability to use all items?

Actually Jan can wield Carsomyr if he gets UAI. Good luck having him hit anything with it though LOL.
There is also a possibility of having Sarevok wield it too if you bother to dual class him to a thief and get UAI.
Also to those who suggest MK swords, a word of warning, the ToB version is bugged. There were occasions when mindflayers, Nyalee's nymphs and a succubus dominated one of my summoned swords and TURNED ON MY PARTY.

[ 08-09-2001: Message edited by: jeremiah ]

Jeremiah,

Cheers. You are correct. In ToB, MK swords can be dire-charmed. It happened to me in WK when facing succubi. That was *no* *fun* when that happened.

In addition, the UAI ability is overrated. I mean if you go through the full arc (Chapters 1-10), do you really want to hang unto a TH sword in the hopes that *eventually* Sarevok can use it in Chapter 9, or do you give it to a great fighter type (Keldorn) that can use it IMMEDIATELY in Chapter 2. I personally think the answer is obvious, but that is just me.

-Polaris