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1) Pal2FighterX (Gold Dwarf) str18dex14con20int3wis3ch18

Note: maybe add monk 1-3 depending on what special abilities I gain/lose for wearing armor. light armor and evasion would be nice especially with save bonus for an eventual 20 in charisma.

-2 Handed Sword (the weidu modded cera sumat is 2 hands), Hammer

2) MonkX (Half Orc) str20dex18con16int1wis18ch1

-Axe

3) Ranger1Monk1ClericX (of mask) (Human) str18dex18con16int3wis18ch3

-Bastard Sword (weidu modded), Short sword, Mace

4) RogueX (Drow) str16dex15con16int18wis10ch5

-Halberds

Note:thats why the strenght is higher than dex (massive halberd of hate is an AWSOME weapon)

5) sorceror 1 - lore

6) sorceror 2 - talker

myro

Thanks for the summary, myro.

I think you should change the monk class on your cleric to something more substantial like Fighter. A monk needs more backup at the lower levels especially.

The Tempus discipline for clerics is quite good- bonuses in combat and proficiency in axes to start. Mask is more rogue-based.

2 sorcerers then? That should be powerful!

I think Monks lose their abilities when wearing armour - may apply to feats too.

Otherwise that looks good.

In my game, I'm still struggling through titantic battles. 5 sword spiders (10000XP) 5-6 trolls (7600XP) and bombardier beetles (nasty acid clouds with stunning attached) all in a single battle. Retreat to rest and come back again to find another battle against 3+ spiders and trolls (3+ each). So, quite nasty . Had to summon 2 earth and 2 fire elementals and haste them to stand a chance .

In my game, I'm still struggling through titantic battles. 5 sword spiders (10000XP) 5-6 trolls (7600XP) and bombardier beetles (nasty acid clouds with stunning attached) all in a single battle. Retreat to rest and come back again to find another battle against 3+ spiders and trolls (3+ each). So, quite nasty . Had to summon 2 earth and 2 fire elementals and haste them to stand a chance .

I have an idea Wanna hear it? Its kind of cheap tactic but hey it worked in BG2...

animate some dead and have everything attack them. Cast multiple "sticky zone" spells(grease, web, stiking cloud, spike stones, entangle, whatever is available)...I guess web won't work on the spiders but at least it would devide their forces in 2! Now whatever 5th level mage spells you have on you cast cloud kill The dead don't feel the pain at all. If the dead get killed hopefully they will stay stuck in the sticky zone for awhile and get cloud killed...

end of black text..

myro

Unfortunately the Animate Dead spell in my game is rubbish- It summons a skeleton or zombie for every level of the caster. No Apocalytic Boneguards for me .

A skeleon would be dead like that *snaps fingers* against an amped Sword Spider .

Cloud Kill is alright but all the monsters have at least double their normal HP, it would take longer than the spell lasts to kill them.

I think you should change the monk class on your cleric to something more substantial like Fighter. A monk needs more backup at the lower levels especially.

,

I lose a BAB for taking monk. But I needn't find armor anymore (high wisdom), I get evasion, high basic saves (this is a key point), can boost already blossiming stealth skills.

The Tempus discipline for clerics is quite good- bonuses in combat and proficiency in axes to start. Mask is more rogue-based.

Mirror Image is a sweet domain spell for a warrior cleric. Plus Tempus can't be lawful and get to be a monk (who also gets axe prof. though not focus). I take Ranger for starting stealth, dual wield. There are deadly Bastard swords in the weidu mod.

I think Monks lose their abilities when wearing armour - may apply to feats too.

I'm going to test this with the dwarf Pal2FighterX (monk?). I'm positive I still get the high basic saves. And I may still get evasion in light armor (rogues do). I don't care about the stunning attack as unless you are pure monk the dc would be low to lowerish...

good luck with the spidas!

myro

Heres another cheesy tactic...

cast invis on someone (to be a spotter). Now they see the monsters. Have a mage cast a cloudkill on top of the enemy. Hopefully (since there is a spotter) the mage is out of sight of the monsters. The monsters AI would say to attack if they see you but somehow they are two dumb to notice that they are choking on poisonous gas. Its important that the spotter and caster are different characters or when you cast the cloudkill you turn visible and attract a whole lot of unwanted attention (for a mage certainly).

you could also do a similar tactic with otilukes resilient sphere...

myro

PS - whats your favorite kind of cheese? Mine is Gouda with some bladebarrier/sanctuary added in?

I think I'm mainly onto trolls and bombardier beetles, can't be too many of those spiders left.

Evasion is probably different for monks, but yeah, test it and see what happens. Good luck with it.

My main cleric keeps getting battered lately, so that Sanctuary spell is coming in handy. Blade Barrier is 6th level, I think. Heal spells are way to useful to give up. And I think I only have 3 or 4 slots (I also have Resurrection in there- that may be level 7 though).

Looked into Blade Barrier/Sanctuary combi. Doesn't look good.

In IWD the caster is immobile after casting Blade Barrier for the 2 rounds it lasts.

Either you allow your cleric to become a pincushion by deliberately sticking him in harm's way or cast Sanctuary and then is ignored by the monsters .

The only way it might work is if the caster was improved invisible and casts the spell in a confined corridor and then someone acts as bait behind the cleric luring the monsters through. Still not as good as BGII though...

Got into a really big battle yesterday. Lots of trolls and Talonite priests. Cast Grease, Web, Cloudkill and Skull Trap on a narrow corridor and lured in an enemy army. Cast in a few fireballs and summoned a few elementals and it was till tough. Annoying Silence spells...

Any tips I can give you regarding the new party? Have to try to get more off the top of my head now my guide has proven faulty...

it sounds like IWD1 is pretty hard! I read in the UPP guide (to IWD2) that druids "ruled" in IWD1...

I wonder why that would be the case?

BTW, is stoneskins a self-cast that absorbs like 8 attacks or is it the damage resistance spell found in IWD2?

I'm still working on the party. They have a background story now (see other thread). Definately it will consist of...

Some Paladin figure who is consulting with the Black Raven Monastery...

A monk of that monastery (probably a half orc) who has pity on slaves...

A drow ex-pit fighter...

a deep gnome merchant scoundrel (rogue/illusionist) who gets info pertaining to the house intrigues from the pit fighter in return for help in escaping (of course both end up getting hunted by Llothien priests)...

A sorceress hunted by the hosttower for hiding her powers (she was a student)...

A double agent bounty hunter...hired by the hosttower...but who really works for the church of Mask. (mumbo jumbo about orders from above concerning Mask's will...perhaps he's sparring with Bane? and wants to interfere with the legion of the chimera)

My goal is peak power at levels 1-20ish (Severed Hand)...
Note: some characters have captivated my imagination and I am unwilling to change them he ha (ie don't wanna write another background). Also I played (before) with the default party so this one should rock (relatively).

So...

Tank - Barbarian 15 then Diviner (3-5)
*the Pit fighter Drow, Ebed Abajim

str 18 dex 20 con 16 int 13 W 8 Ch 5

*Wields Halberds which he mastered in the arenas..
*initial problem with will save BUT SR/wiz levels/drow +2 will/immunity charm
*More of a Rager/slasher untill MI x3
-------------------------------------------
Tank and Cleric - Ranger1ClericX (of Mask) then Monk1 (when Every God Ring)
*the double (triple?) agent of Mask and bounty hunter Teira Halsen

str16 dex18 con18 int3 W18 Ch3

* Wields a Bastard Sword with a shortsword
* Cool Mask domain spells: MI,invis type, shadow magic, exec. eyes,...
* Is trying to manipulate the party (or keep tabs on them?)
--------------------------------------------
Tank and Ranged Attacker (Axes). Well since the big advantage (other than HP) of the shield dwarf over the orc is the saves I will take Half Orc instead (monk already high saves .

Also this is a monk of the black raven monastery.. 2nd generation descendant of a duergar slave (orc) and black raven monk (adventurous being I guess?).. So its gotta be half-orc folks!!

str18 dex18 con 18 int1 W18 Ch1

* Wields Axes (eventually fists)
* Note: I don't know which stat to pump???
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Inquisitor - started the ball rolling in black raven monastery as he exposed the drow and deep gnome as run aways. He's a very intimidating Aasimar man

Geordio Singari - Paladin X

str18 dex10 con18 int3 wis 11 (+1 Holy Avenger +2 incandescent stone) charisma 20

* Wields Cera Sumat (weidu modded 2 hander)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok I'm tired now (of babbling) I also have the zany but brilliant sorceress Greyda Hayjik str 8 dex10 con18 int 18 wis 4 ch 18 (lore, talking) and the baffling deep gnome merchant rogue Ahzmos Shai-day str 10 dex20 con18 int18 wis6 ch1

Kind of low on casters, I know but it will be MUCH less of a challenge than the default party (fighter str10 ; rogue dex10 = example, ). And I found that to be all too easy...

Probably the deep gnome will take wiz levels as he SLOWLY levels up in pace with the scrolls. His MI spell will be very durable. And he'll bring the party average level down I suppose..

myro

IWD1 isn't too bad. I just complain a lot...

HoF is a lot harder than Normal mode, so be warned.

Stoneskin does operate like in BG, absorbing attacks rather than damage.

I'm surprised you bother coming up with character bios. I could never be that come up with that much detail, besides by the time I've fully created 6 charcaters I just want to play the game.

I've never found Druids to be more powerful than any other classes in-game. The wildshape abilities are nice but don't outstrip other classes. I think druids have more offensive spells than clerics though.

Probably the deep gnome will take wiz levels as he SLOWLY levels up in pace with the scrolls. His MI spell will be very durable. And he'll bring the party average level down I suppose..

Does that mean you're going to level squat him? Otherwise the game will run off the ECL I think.

Why are you going for a Barbarian/Diviner? It's probably better to get your rogue to go towards arcane spells. I know you're fed up of rogue-mage types, but rogues are going to generally saty back from the conflict anway, so they are the ideal class for it.

Ahhh back from some craziness in my personal life!!! (I'm actually living in a different state now...so its serious enough that no more of the matter will go to the internet aside from saying be careful what woman you trust!!!!!)

As far as the deep gnome goes... I think that it does NOT go by ECL (the calculation for xp). Perhaps I will test to confirm this?

Drow Barbarian/Diviner - Hmmm its been awhile since I made this party...but I think I wanted a tough warrior to wield halberds...so I made a barb. I think drow are good because they have SR and charm immunity (i noticed that while my other barb was the mvp he often got charmed or fear). Then I made the bios with drow pit fighter and now its set in stone virtually.

The bios are kind of fun but only if you think it as not a chore but rather as something to tinker with (ideas).

Later,

myro (back to the world)

myro returns! Wow, that just seems too interesting to let go... but I respect your privacy. Thought you were going to the Uni. of Florida?

Anyway back to IWDII, I think Duergar have an ECL of +3 or 4. So they need to get that amount of experience to level up. And squatting is only going to be the same as a regular character.

With the amount of time it takes to create party members in IWD (I and II) I usually leave them out, if it was only for 1 character I might consider writing one. Writing in the Scattered Embers thread uses enough creativity on it's own.

Need any tips?

a level 2 deep gnome has an ECL of +3 so they are ECL 5.

BUT for purposes of XP they are considered level 2. Hence the ECL races lead to more XP...

I WAS University of Florida but wasn't too happy working on my graduate degree, had a messy break-up, and decided to look for work elsewhere. What a life!!

Anyhow the bios just happened as I was thinking... For the most part my party composition revolves around what guys I thought were cool wielding which weapons.

myro

BUT for purposes of XP they are considered level 2. Hence the ECL races lead to more XP...

So it could be used as an alternative to level squatting?

Have you started the game with those characters then? Once you get time, of course .

Good bios. by the way .

I'm doing massive "moving in" chores currently. But eventually, I will play those characters and give you an update...

BTW. how did the IWD1 go? Did you beat the HoF? That would be an impressive accomplishment.

What did you do with the thief char?

myro

I made it down another floor. Defeated a ton of Sword Spider, Talonite priests, Bombardier Beetles and the odd Wraith Spider just to get into bigger fights against the undead. I haven't played it in a while now though. I'll have to go back to it eventually.

I went for a Gnome Thief/Cleric. I thinks she's Level 7/7 now. 100% in Find Traps and Pick Locks- All from 1 level and bit of combat . Annoyingly she only has 1 quick weapon slot, so if you want to change you have to go into the inventory to do it. Otherwise it's a case of switching between better AC metal armour and leather armour for thief abilities.

The undead battles are pretty tough. Upon entrance, one Undead Lieutenant (tough Skeleton Warrior type) and maybe 15 Cold Wights -with their bonus cold damage. And this was right at the entrance. Retreating would mean losing summons . And that pretty much sets the tone for the level, lots of Lts. and Cold Wights, not to mention the odd trap.

Have to keep working at it really... glad you reminded me .

Good luck with the moving in chores. Should be worth it .

ADDITION- Cleared out at least half of the undead level. Keep summoning 3 earth elementals (fodder- can't damage wights - magical weapons required) and 2 fire elementals. Other summons as required (and often are ) and haste everyone. Wights worth 7600XP each, Lts. 10000XP. Also went up against Imbued Wights- They open with Magic Missiles- 2/ 3 of them killed my 67HP cleric/thief with just those . So I countered with a Shielded mage - Immunity. Yay!

Sounds very strategic (shielded mage vs. MM using wights). Thats really unexpected when you face monsters that have special abilities not in the run-of-the-mill type.

As far as IWD2, my greatest accomplishment is finding the power cord that powers my computer!

Maybe if I felt I've been productive enough during the day I'll get to play a little bit...

Or I could look and see what laboratory jobs are out there in my area...

hmmm...

Undead are a joke in IWD2 (normal). disruption mace + fighter + haste = no more undead (and lots of xp).

Does your other cleric have sunray? that was pretty decent in bg2 vs undead... (or false dawn the lesser version).

myro

Sounds very strategic (shielded mage vs. MM using wights). Thats really unexpected when you face monsters that have special abilities not in the run-of-the-mill type.

The Imbued Wights always open with MM, though it's probably higher-level in HoF. I was quite proud of the Shield tactic- first time I used it against those enemies .

I don't think there's an equivalent to the Mace of Disruption in IWD1- unless HoF mode adds it.

No spell equivalent to False Dawn though there may be a Sunray- not sure. Not too many undead left in the game now + I'm not sure if my main cleric has access to 7th level yet. I don't think so .

Sunray turns out to be different in IWD- more damage to those directly hit, but no chance of instant death by sunray .

Good luck with finding a lab. job

I cleared another floor and am almost at one of the toughest battles of the game- Yxunomei!

High AC and high damage dealing on normal mode. On HoF, it's going to be an incredible challenge.

Hope you're settling in well, myro

The IWD2 Mace of Disruption is paralleled by the "Three White Doves" that can be bought in the HoW expansion in Lonelywood. It gives a percentage chance to destroy undead and "outsiders" outright. Undead get toasted easily, but planar creatures are only destroyed on 5% of hits, iirc.

HoF undead should be pretty easy, I thought. I killed 98% of the undead in the Vale of Shadows with the Turn Undead of a high level paladin. Not strong enough for cold wights?