Insect Plague = Wizard killer (possible spoiler?)

EtherImp · Post by **EtherImp** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 8:49 pm

I dunno about you.. But everytime I run into a party of mages/clerics, I just have Jahiera cast Insect Plague and I make VERY short work of them.

The great things about this spell are:

1: It rips through stone skin like nothing (which means alot considering that's usually one of the first protective spells a mage will cast)

2: I BELIEVE it bypasses most spell protections due to the fact that it can pass from 1 person to another so I THINK it is treated somewhat like an area effect spell. I have never seen it (to my knowledge) stopped by anything outside of dispel magic or the spell expiring. It may not work on dragons?

3: It effects up to 6 people (as large or larger than most enemy parties you encounter)

4: It causes all spells of the victim to fail making wizards defenseless

5: It doesn't effect your own party members! Which allows the fighters of the party to run in and hack and slash.

6: It bypasses armorclass so 1 damage per round is dealt no matter what!

7: Has the potential to make enemies run away.

8: No saving throw vs damage or effects.

9: The range is "Sight of caster", which means your spellcaster is easier to protect (or have run away).

10: The level of the spell isn't too high so it can be obtained rather quickly.

Not sure how obvious everything I've written here is.. I dunno why but in my latest trip through BG2 I have found this spell EXTREMELY useful. Jahiera probably cast it more than anything else. I don't think I had it available in my last game, but I was really surprised at how nice of a spell it is.

Anyway..

I have never seen a topic/thread concerning Insect Plague, nor have I even seen it brought up to my knowledge so I was wondering if I'm the only one who noticed how powerful/effective it is.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:03 pm

Yes, it's one of the best-loved spells of all, probably *the* best-loved of the druids. Been strongly praised up here since the game first appeared. Personally, I'd never do without a druid, unless I'm playing to make a game more "interesting" by making it much tougher.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:36 pm

It is partly for this spell that I almost always have Jaheira in my pary.

DrSlikk · Post by **DrSlikk** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 7:02 pm

It affects all creatures in an area regardless of invisibility or sanctuary, etc. There are some enemies that cast it on u, particularly druids and another character (won't say who), and once uve got all your guys with it, running around in panic, having their spells fail, and just losing hp like crazy, i think u won't be as crazy about it.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 7:15 pm

Originally posted by DrSlikk
It affects all creatures in an area regardless of invisibility or sanctuary, etc. There are some enemies that cast it on u, particularly druids and another character (won't say who), and once uve got all your guys with it, running around in panic, having their spells fail, and just losing hp like crazy, i think u won't be as crazy about it.

Why? The best spells in the game can always kill my party the most easily. That's also the reason they're the best spells to use on my enemies.

And since my enemies seldom include druids, it's a very good spell to have around.

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 7:56 pm

better is storm of vengence...think each and every enemy, inv or not being hit with foa every round...has the same identical spell disrupt capability, and best of all, aerie can cast it...viccy and even anoweenie...

and the poison is really nice...

try it. you will like it...

Giant space ham · Post by **Giant space ham** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 12:27 am

Quote
"I THINK it is treated somewhat like an area effect spell. I have never seen it (to my knowledge) stopped by anything outside of dispel magic or the spell expiring. It may not work on dragons? "

If it works like an area effect spell can zone of sweet air get rid of it?

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 1:30 am

no....
only dispell magic...

if you are hit...

try chain contingency or contingency dispell magic...

or use item, like holy avenger to cast dispell...

all otehr attempts will fail...believe me...

Querschen · Post by **Querschen** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 9:47 am

I usually take cernd because he is much more powerful than Jaheira later on, and he goes in my evil parties. Insect plague is excellent and later on you can get the badass version called creeping doom. I recommend all your 5th level memorizations be IP and then get all wondrous recalls for 6th level.

Leonardo · Post by **Leonardo** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 1:32 pm

It is sad that it does not disrupt scripted-in spells (like the ones cast by Dragons).
But it's biggest sister (Creeping Doom) was indeed the key to win the Ascension last battle.

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 4:20 am

It really shouldn't effect those hit only by magical weapons... or are we talking enchanted insects here

.

EPKJ · Post by **EPKJ** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 10:15 am

Insect Plague is indeed a devastating spell. Jaheira also has another killer spell called Summon Woodland Being. This summons a Nymph who can cast a special dire charm that almost never fails on humanoids. The Nymph can also cast mass heal. The fact that the Nymph is completely under your control is great. I often summon more than one before entering a battle.

Giant space ham · Post by **Giant space ham** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 12:20 pm

yeah the nymphs mass heal is great for healing your party, I never leave this plane without one!

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 12:24 pm

just try storm of vengence...its so much better....

same spell disruption, and does lot s more damage...

best of all, try a storm then cast a creeping doom....
big problem with doom is slow speed, but if all enemies are spell disrupted via storm, gives doom time to move and affect everyone...

try the evil jahiera and chain contingency scroll trick...my fav...

do a potion swap with chain contingency scroll, and load up jahirea with storm, doom and natures beauty...

all enemies spell disrupted, completely, or blinded, or both...

beauty is such a wonderful spell,but doom and swarm are targetted, and beuty is a radius from caster, but jaheira does not have sanctuary...ring of inv anyone???