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Hey there!



Names Rob, just finished reading the guide to soloing BG2-SoA via Kensai Mage. Seems incredibly interesting, I have a throng of questions about it though if you fine people dont mind taking a few minutes answering them.



**Note** At this point, I have made the character, gotten out of Irenicus' dungeon, pickpocketed ribald like advised, and dismissed my party. I dual classed mage at level 9 Kensai and got to about level 8 Mage with all the scrolls from the dungeon. But im a little stuck now.







1. I really dont see how I can solo anything yet. A level 8 mage? Will I not be downed by pretty much any mob in the game? Can you give me some low level soloing strats?



2. After I dualed mage, Im pretty much unable to wear anything except jewellry... Have any tips on where to stock up on some nice items? Adventurer's mart is a little pricey.



3. Ok so I dual classed at level 9, what mage level do I go back to kensai? 18?



4. Writer mentioned something about only being able to get level 9 spells with "exp cap remover". Is that a download? Is it on game banshee? Or do I just have to progress to a later chapter.



5. A bunch of the spells writer said were important had the note (before reactivating kensai). How come?



6. Unlike sorcerer, it seems I cannot choose a spell or 2 with each level. How am I going to find scrolls of lets say simulacrum? I guess I can just google it?



Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've played through this game countless times and it would be awesome to solo it.



Thanks a bunch,

- Rob

Novos wrote:Hey there!

Names Rob, just finished reading the guide to soloing BG2-SoA via Kensai Mage. Seems incredibly interesting, I have a throng of questions about it though if you fine people dont mind taking a few minutes answering them.

1. I really dont see how I can solo anything yet. A level 8 mage? Will I not be downed by pretty much any mob in the game? Can you give me some low level soloing strats?

2. After I dualed mage, Im pretty much unable to wear anything except jewellry... Have any tips on where to stock up on some nice items? Adventurer's mart is a little pricey.

3. Ok so I dual classed at level 9, what mage level do I go back to kensai? 18?

4. Writer mentioned something about only being able to get level 9 spells with "exp cap remover". Is that a download? Is it on game banshee? Or do I just have to progress to a later chapter.

5. A bunch of the spells writer said were important had the note (before reactivating kensai). How come?

6. Unlike sorcerer, it seems I cannot choose a spell or 2 with each level. How am I going to find scrolls of lets say simulacrum? I guess I can just google it?
- Rob

Hey Rob.

I'll start from the end (because that's how i roll!)

6. Check every container, visit every merchant, kill every high level mage. You may want to visit some places earlier than others!
5. I'm not sure what you mean. The spells that you need will be protection from magical weapons, stoneskin, improved haste.. et cetera. Possibly even black blade of disaster if you make it this far with xp-cap remover. Here's a list of spells that i find the best, but it's for sorcerers
4. Sorcerer's Place - Download BG2_lvl50.zip
3. I say you shouldn't reactivate kensai at all.
2. Robe of Vecna, Ring of Gaxx.. etc. etc. The pricey stuff. As a solo char you'll be swimming in gold soon. Flail of ages + defender of easthaven is the best combo imo.
1. Skull trap is an I-WIN spell that you should already have. Even a lvl 8 can kill stuff. All you need to do is get to lvl 9, and it's smooth sailing then. Some scrolls give you an extra edge too, so instead of memorising them you can use them now, before having kensai levels back.

With this beign said.. Pitiful kensai-mages sorcerer's rule the BG2 world!

Stworca wrote:Hey Rob.

I'll start from the end (because that's how i roll!)

6. Check every container, visit every merchant, kill every high level mage. You may want to visit some places earlier than others!
5. I'm not sure what you mean. The spells that you need will be protection from magical weapons, stoneskin, improved haste.. et cetera. Possibly even black blade of disaster if you make it this far with xp-cap remover. Here's a list of spells that i find the best, but it's for sorcerers
4. Sorcerer's Place - Download BG2_lvl50.zip
3. I say you shouldn't reactivate kensai at all.
2. Robe of Vecna, Ring of Gaxx.. etc. etc. The pricey stuff. As a solo char you'll be swimming in gold soon. Flail of ages + defender of easthaven is the best combo imo.
1. Skull trap is an I-WIN spell that you should already have. Even a lvl 8 can kill stuff. All you need to do is get to lvl 9, and it's smooth sailing then. Some scrolls give you an extra edge too, so instead of memorising them you can use them now, before having kensai levels back.

With this beign said.. Pitiful kensai-mages sorcerer's rule the BG2 world!

Thanks ST!!!

@ #3, so basically you're saying that I should do straight out sorcerer right from beginning to end? Sounds fun! Maybe I should restart...

@ #1, I keep getting interrupted. WHat do do while getting charged by a mob? At this level I really just dont have enough spells to take them.

Also, as a sorc, should I specialize in any sort of magic school? Or just take the general package?

edit** NM stupid question sorcs cant spec... Disregard last question

Thanks again!
- Rob

1. As Stworca mentioned, Skull Trap is a really powerful spell, but you can also use summons to help you early on. You shouldn't need them at all after a while. However, my favorite route is to use those wands! They really provide smooth sailing.

2. As Stworca pointed out, you'll be swimming in gold soon enough, just do the side quests. Also, the Ring of Gaxx (the best ring in the game) can be received (even two of them) practically right off the bat. You just have to make use of the tools available to you.

3. You don't have a choice on when you reactivate your first class. It will automatically reactivate as soon as the level of your second class exceeds the first, so in your case, you will have access to your Kensai abilities at Kensai 9/Mage 10.

4. An experience cap remover is an unofficial mod to the game which essentially lets you gain as many levels as you want, whereas originally you are limited to three million experience points.

5. It's just the writer's opinion on what spells are important for the character.

6. Again, as Stworca pointed out, you will find a lot of scrolls on enemies, in stores, random containers or during some quests. After you learn the game, you'll pretty much remember where you need to go for which scroll. Also, I'd like to point out that even if you do get Simulacrum and memorize it, you won't be able to use it until your later levels.

Novos wrote:Thanks ST!!!

@ #3, so basically you're saying that I should do straight out sorcerer right from beginning to end? Sounds fun! Maybe I should restart...

@ #1, I keep getting interrupted. WHat do do while getting charged by a mob? At this level I really just dont have enough spells to take them.

3. Well Kensai-Mage with xp-cap remover can grow more powerful than a Sorc. What i meant was - once you start leveling the mage levels (at 9th kensai level) never go back to kensai. It's not worth it. Never reactivate the first class.

1. Interruptions are a bane of all spellcasters. There are three ways to deal with them :
- Immunity to damage that the opponents deal
- Boots of haste / oil of speed / other speed improving items / potions / spells.
- Greatly improved spellcasting speed (amulet of power + robe of vecna)
edit : And yes, As Cren pointed out - summon's take the beating off you. So that's four.

Ofcourse you want to have ALL of the above

Regarding sorc. Try it out after you beat the game as kensai/mage. One plan at a time! keep in mind that all classes are capable of soloing the game, and while many say that K/M is the easiest one, imo it would be Sorc. But then again, i know the class through and through.
Each one has his own 'favourite'.

As an example : Crenshinibon can easily solo the game as a blade, while i would pull out my hair out of frustration.

@ ST & Cren,

That pretty much covers everything,

Thanks so much again

- Rob

You had to mention the Blade. Interestingly enough I'm currently soloing with one right now (who also saved the Sword Coast from disaster in less than an hour).

As I started before, once you dual class, the reactivation of your first class is automatic. You can't level it or anything. The class is, for all purposes locked.

The matter does come down to playstyle. I personally get really bored with pure sorcerers and mages, and tend to play them as overbuffed melee characters anyway, whereas a Blade gives me the flexibility I want (not to mention VERY fast development) right off the bat.

It's too bad they can no longer backstab as they did in the first Baldur's Gate.

Novos wrote: 1. I really dont see how I can solo anything yet. A level 8 mage? Will I not be downed by pretty much any mob in the game? Can you give me some low level soloing strats?

Pick your fights, and remember you don't have to finish everything you start right away. There is one 'lock in' (that I recall), the Planar Sphere, but you aren't likely to be able to go there for a while.

Novos wrote:2. After I dualed mage, Im pretty much unable to wear anything except jewellry... Have any tips on where to stock up on some nice items? Adventurer's mart is a little pricey.

Stworca has it pretty much covered, I was about to mention bracers but I don't think you can wear those as a Kensai.

Novos wrote: Ok so I dual classed at level 9, what mage level do I go back to kensai? 18?

Level 10, I don't understand Stworca's reply to this question at all.

Novos wrote: Writer mentioned something about only being able to get level 9 spells with "exp cap remover". Is that a download? Is it on game banshee? Or do I just have to progress to a later chapter.

That's only true if you don't have Throne of Bhal installed, but use the file Stworca links to anyway is my advice.

Novos wrote: 5. A bunch of the spells writer said were important had the note (before reactivating kensai). How come?

I haven't got a clue as I don't know which article you are referring to. Stworca's list that he links to is good, I would add

Armour*#*

Chromatic Orb* (great for finishing off Trolls as well as having an instant kill possibility once you reach 12th level; I never use it between 10th and 12th level though, the secondary effect can be a blood nuisance at those levels.

Detect Invisibility*

Strength For summons and to cast on such things as Giants to reduce the damage they inflict

Web*$

Dispel Magic

Fireball Skull trap is good but its range can sometimes be a problem

Ghost armour#

Monster Summoning I

Protection From Normal Missiles#

Vampiric Touch*#

Enchanted Weapon Until you have a +3 weapon you can use.

Minor Globe of Invulnerability

Monster Summoning II

Spider Spawn

Spirit Armor#

Wizard Eye

Animate Dead


Cloudkill* I think this being absent from Stworca's list must have been a typo!

Feeblemind Dumb opponents are easier to kill, especially if you are using Shape Change - Mind Flayer late in the game

Hold Monster

Monster Summoning III The monster summoning spells are for enemies it's useful to swamp with annoyances, won't be useful very often, but a good shot to have in your locker.

Phantom Blade Useful for fighting undead if you don't have a better option

Protection From Normal Weapons#

Chain Lightning

Contingency*

Death Spell

Globe of Invulnerability*

Improved Haste#

Pierce Magic

Protection From Magical Weapons#

Summon Nishruu*

True Sight*

Delayed Blast Fireball

Mantle#

Mordenkainen's Sword*

Project Image

Ruby Ray of Reversal

Spell Sequencer


Summon Hakeashar*

Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting*

Improved Mantle#

Pierce Shield

Simulacrum*

Spell Trigger*

Chain Contingency

Shapechange

Time Stop*

Improved Alacrity*

Summon Planetar/Dark Planatar

Energy Blades

* Spells I'd always have memorised # Spells a solo Kensai Mage in particular needs

$ a combination of Great Malison , Web, stinking cloud then Cloudkill on enemies before they can see you can be very devastating.

Novos wrote:6. Unlike sorcerer, it seems I cannot choose a spell or 2 with each level. How am I going to find scrolls of lets say simulacrum? I guess I can just google it?

Stworca has this covered.

What i meant was - once you start leveling the mage levels (at 9th kensai level) never go back to kensai. It's not worth it. Never reactivate the first class.

You are seriously confusing the issue Stworca, you have no choice in the matter, once your level of mage exceeds your level of Kensai the Kensai is automatically reactivated. You don't reactivate it, the game does, whether you like it or not, and you'd be crazy not to like it!

And of course Kensai-Mage is more powerful than a sorcerer, isn't that the whole point?

galraen wrote:You are seriously confusing the issue Stworca, you have no choice in the matter, once your level of mage exceeds your level of Kensai the Kensai is automatically reactivated. You don't reactivate it, the game does, whether you like it or not, and you'd be crazy not to like it!

And of course Kensai-Mage is more powerful than a sorcerer, isn't that the whole point?

Wasn't it possible to go back leveling the first class of the dual at some point? Say, you get 9 levels of kensai, switch to mage, and after XX levels of mage you level the kensai back up?

I could've sworn it was possible. And if it is, i advice against it. If it ain't possible, just ignore my rambling on the subject. I must've confused it with some other system.
As for cloudkill - My list was somewhat shorter, due to it beign a sorcerer one. They're somewhat less flexible, and a spell that is 6th best for the given level is not worth taking.

Last but not least. No, Sorcerers are more powerful. Due to their 1 extra spell per level

edit : Ah, blast and damnation! I just lost an hour of playtime in ME due to elevator bug!

Stworca, this was never possible. None of the Baldur's Gate games ever allowed this. After you dual classed, you had absolutely no control over your first class, you just kept the benefits of it, that's it.

I don't think Cloudkill is worth taking simply because you can access it through a wand (which you can find almost immediately).

Also, Tenser's Transformation should be added to the list. It makes a great fighter out of anyone.

Also, if a Blade casts Protection from Magic on a Sorcerer, then, well, the Blade wins. xD

Between the classes that can compete for the "most powerful character", it's all dependent on the circumstance, or, what is allowed and what isn't, who does what and how fast.

In my experience, magic is very easily nullified.

Hmm, My bad about the dual classing. Excuse me the confussion.

As for protection from magic - you just run around in boots of speed until the scroll wears out (or use one of milion invisibility tricks) I was constantly fighting with my friend during our multiplayer games, and he used all the cheap methods all the time.

On the other hand i used imprisonment.. fun!

Now if stoneskin was working as it does in 3rd edition.. And pfmw would be gone (as it should, balance wise) then mages would be in world of pain. But Cheesy-puffs edition BG2 runs on is what it is

But that was offtopic!

It's a bit late now, but Welcome to GB Rob! Enjoy your stay.

Well, Imprisonment (and all all other spells and "special effects" for that matter) can be protected against through certain scrolls, spells and potions. As for running around, that can easily be ignored, assuming that both characters have the same speed. After all, there are weapons that prevent movement, or ranged weapons that have sufficient range to hit the enemy. A sorcerer without their spells or protections goes down really fast.

What does PFMW stand for?

Crenshinibon wrote:
What does PFMW stand for?

Protection from magical weapons. Aka king of cheese. Aka 24 seconds of immortality (if you've permanent normal weapon immunity from SoA epilogue)
Aka "what the hell!?". Aka "Weapon ineffective" and many more

I bet many, many mages died to Ascensions Sarevok due to relying on it too much.

Mmm. I only rarely use it on my bard. I love my Tenser's Transformation way too much to sacrifice any casts. If I'm feeling really cheesy, I'll just have a fighter cast Hardiness twice, and proceed to actually heal from the damage.

Crenshinibon wrote:Mmm. I only rarely use it on my bard. I love my Tenser's Transformation way too much to sacrifice any casts. If I'm feeling really cheesy, I'll just have a fighter cast Hardiness twice, and proceed to actually heal from the damage.

Is TT really that useful for a Kensai/Mage though? He/she won't start to benefit from it until level 20 Mage, and by then surely it won't matter.

While the Kensai/Mage won't get the full benefit of the spell, it will still get 2 +(Mage Level - Kensai Level) bonus THAC0, +2 to damage, along with (in my opinion) the more important double hitpoints and -4 AC.

Novos wrote: 2. After I dualed mage, Im pretty much unable to wear anything except jewellry... Have any tips on where to stock up on some nice items? Adventurer's mart is a little pricey.

6. Unlike sorcerer, it seems I cannot choose a spell or 2 with each level. How am I going to find scrolls of lets say simulacrum? I guess I can just google it?

Well, since you've played the game before, you should know by now that Bernard in the Copper Coronet keeps the lowest prices in Amn (after you do a certain quest, that is). His weapons are quite useful at the begging, plus he offers some high-level spells (including Simulacurum).

Also, the easiest level to get to mage lvl 9 is to carefully select quests that require minimum fighting.*SPOILER*

Spoiler

Enter the circus tent and solve the genie's riddle correctly. Then you can either finish the circus tent (the battles are easy, use Aerie as cannon fodder if you have to), or leave and "reforge" Lilarcor and solve the Bridge district murders.

Majorman wrote:Well, since you've played the game before, you should know by now that Bernard in the Copper Coronet keeps the lowest prices in Amn (after you do a certain quest, that is). His weapons are quite useful at the begging, plus he offers some high-level spells (including Simulacurum).

Also, the easiest level to get to mage lvl 9 is to carefully select quests that require minimum fighting.*SPOILER*

Spoiler

Enter the circus tent and solve the genie's riddle correctly. Then you can either finish the circus tent (the battles are easy, use Aerie as cannon fodder if you have to), or leave and "reforge" Lilarcor and solve the Bridge district murders.

Hey all!

No worries about scroll locations, I've located all the ones I need. And @ ST, no worries about the confusion, I understood what you meant from the beginning. I didn't expect this much of a response, thanks a bunch everyone!

Currently Mage level 10, still having trouble with most encounters, I simply dont have enough offensive spells to take down more than a couple of enemies at a time. Thankfully I got my Kensai power back, so thats making things much easier. Also just picked up stoneskin which is helping the interruption problem tenfold. Any other cool tips for low level mage fighting? So far my win rotation is stoneskin, melf's minute meteors, magic missile, and skull trap/fireball when Im far enough. Again though, I usually cant take out more than a couple...

Did the tent solo no problem, and the littleman quest. Planning on doing the mourning pally when I get home. I completely forgot that the bridge district murders require no fighting... Totally doing that asap.

Thanks for the warm welcome all
- Rob

Use summoning spells, you don't have to be alone! OK the low level ones die quickly, but whilst the enemy is killing them he/she isn't attacking you!

Remember if you sell a wand that has at least one charge you can buy it back (or steal it if you have a good enough rogue of course) fully charged, and you should have got a wand of monster summoning before exiting Château Irenicus (as well as a wand of cloudkill as Crenshinibon pointed ouit).