Improved Irenicus by Wes

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 12:58 pm

Well, major work by Wes it seems with version 65 of Sola.
No less than a new SoA final fight.
ENTIRELY new. Great work indeed....

He claims that it's easier (relatively) than Ascension....
Well, so far, I've been completely unable to pass the FIRST PART....
Just out of curiosity I CTRL-Yed my way to the second part....

ugh!!!!!
The first part was NOTHING.....
Maybe some classes may survive...
But many PC types will surely find unerrying death there...
I see no way for my actual one!

And I understand there is EVEN a THIRD part....
OUCH!!!!!!!
EASIER than Ascension?!?
It will be a hard tell.......
A week to beat Ascension.... We'll see......

Alson · Post by **Alson** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 1:41 pm

Did you looked at the FAQ?

It usually contains tactics...

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 2:23 pm

Tested a bit more....

Yes, I read the faq, but, to me, it's of little help..
I used a tactic of my own for the first part.
UBER-DESTRUCTIVE tactic, worked but with a LOT of Luck...
there's a guy completely immune to magic, can be taken down
only in melee, but has -24 ac!!!!!
Luckily I scored a lot of criticals and it went down...
I frankly doubt it will happen again...

Second Part, hard to explain what happen without spoil it...
I got an involontary cheesy situation and was able to win...
But, I repeat, only thanx to an ENORMOUS amount of cheese, seen how this battle was meant to be...
(I again say that this 2th part will be incredibly difficult for many
main characters. Close to IMPOSSIBLE, I'm quite sure)

But I went on, just to see the third part....
I simply had to give up. This one was too much!!!!
Let's go to sleep....

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 5:45 pm

Sounds like a challenge. One that I'm going to bypass

....

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 6:25 pm

Oooh, a new challenge!

I found Irenicus a bit of a pushover, so this could be very interesting.

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 7:29 pm

oohhhh...a challenge...currently testing out bun bun 4 proof of concept....

will upload later....

but even bun bun got butt kicked

(sorta rymes, eh?)
with eclipse... man, for real fun, littiz, follow the readme for directions on spawning eclipse, and be prepared to have your head handed to you.,,,

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 7:35 pm

Originally posted by UserUnfriendly
with eclipse... man, for real fun, littiz, follow the readme for directions on spawning eclipse, and be prepared to have your head handed to you.,,,

Yet to try that fight. Is there a quick way to get to it?

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 10:16 pm

the readme that came with the mod has the console commands to spawn it...

i do want to try my best cheese way of winning, ....have aerie and jahirea use chain contingency to spawn 3-6 devas set to see enemy...and pull back party to defensive formations, but still in process of deciding which mod to try next...

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 12:50 am

IMPROVED IRENICUS "REVIEW".. slightly spoilerish

Having passed yesterday my exam, I had some time to spend
on this battle...
These are my impressions after MANY tries.

FIRST PART: I won it only once. I was unable to win it another
time. Incredibly tough, but as in many other battles, you can
try at least to focus on a strategy.
Then reload countless times till it works!!!!
So was Ascension for me... I had *something* to try at the very
least.
All the opponents here are terrific, but I won it once so it
is *possible*
One of them though is nearly unkillable. He prevents me to win.
Only criticals may hit him, and I'd need a lot of them!
Even assuming the others are already dead (unlikely),
while I wait to score just ONE critical, he slauthers my party....

SECOND PART: Here I even lack something to *try* !!!!

A monk, a sorceror, or a dual could win, I reckon.
But a thief....
He starts FOUR times faster than you. Even if you reach your
equipment, you will be already near death...
You take your equipment, ok, but then??
The first thing you will need will be a healing potion, so
forget any miracle in the first round.
And then?
What could a thief do? Going invisible? He sees you.
No backstab, no retreat.
Melee??
AHAHah.
Dead before even striking ONCE (a thief has one attack/round).
Assuming you survive that round, your shot will probably
miss... so you die even WITHOUT HONOR in the next round.

THIRD PART:
The hardest, IMHO.
I was able to survive a lot longer, he's not so dangerous
here...
But the point is, there's no way to kill him.
God knows I tried.
As soon as he's scratched, he teleports away IMMEDIATLY
and HEALS...
He can do it unlimited times, and he has unlimited spells.

And you're supposed to make them in SEQUENCE... urgh
I think I'll try again, but with little hope....
I hope someone else will try, I would like to hear
his opinions.
Since this battle is so GOOD looking and prepared by Wes,
it would be a shame to be forced to uninstall it...
The original was so lame!

Leonardo · Post by **Leonardo** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 7:44 am

I sent it as a suggestion to Wes some time ago, and he said he was already working on it.
From your impressions, I got to be more careful with what I ask for

Gonna try it tonight if I don't arrive late tonight
(definitely proven after being on vacation for the past month: work sucks)

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 9:50 am

will someone pls post details in black fonts on black background???

yes, i am indeed one of those people who buys cheat books, and read teh last pages of mysteries first...

this might indeed call for a new bun bun version...currently trying out nalia romance, with ascention....

hmmm...had some good ideas last night about bun bun version 4 if no way exists to set up wild surges...got a message up on bioware, hope someone replys soon...

how about a kensai, deathbringer, sorc, hive mother beholder anti magic ray, draw on holy mights, g deathblows...

AND

enrage(berserker), inquisitor dispell, inquisitor immunites, chavalier immunities, and undead hunter immunities????!!!!

cant do it right now, as i am in middle of nalia romance with bun bun....

all you need to do is play kensai thief up til past retaking the keep and then hack to sorc...

bun bun 4, i'll do it after i get back from trip and if and when chloe or rowan or immie mod is released....

i want to play sola later...

Alson · Post by **Alson** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 11:08 am

Originally posted by UserUnfriendly
will someone pls post details in black fonts on black background???

Here you go, User:
Q: Improved Irenicus is running me ragged. What can I expect?

A: Well, as you've noticed he has split into five fragments, each
representing a vice from the Tears of Bhaal tests. The fragments are:

Selfish Irenicus: unlimited number of mage-spells, special magic-dispelling
and magic resistance-lowering spell, can steal the Cloak of Mirroring. Can
be hurt by more or less anything, but he tends to teleport around a bit
when you get too close to him.

Wraith of Wrath: powerful physical attack that can drain your strength (like
a Shadow). Immune to magic (as per a Protection from Magic scroll), so
you'll have to hit him with melee weapons. He can steal Crom Faeyr.

Dragon of Pride: level-draining breath weapon (basically just like the
Shadow Dragon). No particular immunities. He can steal the Amulet of Power.

Orb of Fear: constitution-draining eye beams, plus all of the other
beholder attacks at a quick rate of speed. No particular immunities. He can
steal the Shield of Balduran.

Sword of Greed: Blackrazor as a Mordy. Attack has a 15% chance of draining
levels, hasting sword, healing sword, etc. Special saving throw-lowering
effectc. Like all dancing swords, it can basically only be hurt by magic
damage (magic missile, skull trap, wilting). It can steal Sanchuudoku.

On the "Impossible" difficulty level, they also spawn little helpers as
long as they are alive: liches, wraiths, wyverns, beholders, and mordies.

Finally, when everyone first teleports in, some shadows will appear before
them. This is to prevent you from doing some trap-setting cheesiness. You
can still set traps other places, if you like.

Special Hint: Your characters attacking Irenicus will know where he is even
if you won't. They'll run to the right location if he dim-doors away.

Have fun

.
And Good luck with bun bun V4!

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 11:53 am

@Alson: that description refers ONLY to the First Section of the battle........

those are the jokes still

I've finally found a strategy for this First Section
It works.. Sometimes. I've beaten that 4-5 times.

The Second Section is absolutely impossible if
your PC is a thief.
Yet I found a way... "legal" way I mean.
Basically you have not only to win the previous section, but
do it in such a comfortable way as to be able to prepare your thief
for the next stage... during the first battle itself!
And do some..preparations.. that you CAN'T do before!
This means that you have to find a SOLID strategy for the first
part!! Ouch
(With another PC, this could be a lot easier, though)
So far I've managed to beat the Second Section two times,
without cheating I mean, coming from the regular first section

The Third Section is totally beyond me.
Probably I'll give up.
I can't beat it in any way, least of all coming from the
previous two!!!

I think I'll ask Wes what kind of party was used in the
testing... ugh

@Leonardo: if you find something for the Third Section,
TELL US!!!

Alson · Post by **Alson** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 3:30 pm

Originally posted by Littiz
@Alson: that description refers ONLY to the First Section of the battle........ those are the jokes still

Sorry if i misleaded anyone, didn't knew that.

The Third Section is totally beyond me.
Probably I'll give up.

No, Littiz, don't give up!!
If you won the final ToB improved battle with only 3 chars, you can beat ol' Jonny too!

PS.
Do you think a Cavalier (in a party of six) can handle this battle?
I'm beginning to worry!

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Sat Jul 20, 2002 12:39 am

I've done it!!!!

!!
WoW!!!
Littiz strikes again!!

ehm...

Ah-ehm.

The last part of the battle was... ouch!!
When he finally died, the "cut scene" started, with
my PC teleported RIGHT BEHIND two skull traps remained
there unexploded!!!
I knew I would have died that way, not being able to
move, after all those efforts!!
Luckily I was only wounded...

@Alson: I think yes, basically I lacked fighters, and had 5 members... with 6 it should be a little (little!!!) easier..
But mostly a PC Cavalier, will imply an easier second section...

*Tricky* battle...
ugh, I won't do it again with a thief....

Alson · Post by **Alson** » Sat Jul 20, 2002 2:24 am

Well done Littiz!!

Keep informing us with your great battle stories!

PS.
Isn't your thief a part cleric?
That should allow you some serious buffing...

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Sun Jul 21, 2002 12:06 am

Spoilerish Reply!

Impressive, @Alson, how did you remember it??

My PC is indeed a cleric dualled to thief!
But actually I *had* to play as a pure thief:
of course I considered (and tried) some buffing,
but I still held no chance in melee for the second section,
in which you are naked against a FAST Slayer...
And Sanctuary DOESN'T work!
So this is what I did:
While Tashia, Jaheira, Imoen and Solaufein were winning
the first part of the battle, my thief went down the
screen to place 5 traps in a point clean of shadows...
Five whole rounds were needed.. don't ask in real time...
Also Tashia during a Time Stop placed a set of Skull Traps,
and hasted me, when the dead Selfish Irenicus could no
more use his dreaded Shatter Magic!!!!

Next part, I merely led the Slayer to my traps and the Skulls,
this was the only thing I could do!!!
(And two Skulls remained, ouch!!!

)

In the last section, I needed an active Detect Illusion,
and a char wielding the Ring of the Ram, so for the third time
I left out clerical spells, and merely helped Solaufein and Jaheira
this way.
Tashia and Imoen here had only a support role (haste, useless
spell removals, and so... spells are basically useless,
you'll see

)

I rate this battle a little easier than Ascension,
mostly 'cause with the right PC you can HELP in the First
Section AND win the second with little troubles.
For thieves, pure mages or clerics it may be different..
Next challenge.. Eclipse party!!

Oh, forgot, Wesley is considering to make this battle a little
easier in the next releases..

Aubrey · Post by **Aubrey** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 10:03 am

Littiz,

I believe Wesley's offer for you writing a short walkthrough on this battle still stands. He can place it in the README file. Would it be possible for you to do it when you'll be having some free time?

Today I gave my very first try using a previous Final Save and after a couple of seconds I followed Solaufein, who had the honour to fall down first!

Cheers

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:35 pm

I already sent it to him, though being party specific I don't know how much help can offer!
I mean, I'd have troubles doing it again with the SAME party....

Aubrey, you just CAN'T win at the first try... you have to try again I fear

Aubrey · Post by **Aubrey** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 10:48 pm

@ Littiz --

I already sent it to him, though being party specific I don't know how much help can offer!

That's nice. As for the party specifics, it's something that applies to every tactic. But it can be helpful nevertheless. You could also post it here as well.

Aubrey, you just CAN'T win at the first try... you have to try again I fear

I'm not _that_ silly to believe that one try is enough!

But I feel I need some "psycological" preparation first...

Cheers