Recently I was thinking of soloing a Kensai/Mage or Berserker/Mage through BG2 (plus ToB) again. Both the classes--as I've experienced--are extremely powerful and fun to play.
But then I had a thought, it seemed stupid at first, and I disregarded it. But now that I have it in my head I can't stop thinking about it. Why not the Wizard Slayer/Mage?
At first, I thought that it would not work for crap. The Wizard Slayer would stop the Mage from being able to use any magical items (except for boots, armor, helmets and weapons.) But then I started thinking about what the advantages of both combined would be. Consider the advantages and disadvantages.
*A pure class Wizard Slayer is going to have an easy time with any spellcasters. But its going to have a hell of a time with just about everything else. (if its being soloed of course.)
*A pure class Mage is going to have an easy time with basicly anything (that is if it is used properly), the only thing that can present major problems is other mages. Sure, it has breach and all those nifty spells for getting past them, but it's sometimes not enough.
Now if you combine the advantages and disadvantages of both classes you'll see that they create one big advantage: You can handle everything.
Being a Wizard Slayer it will have no trouble with mages (unless there's a group of them). Being a mage will allow it to take on just about everything else.
The Experiment:
I'm going to try soloing it to see if it works at all. It still might be crap even though it seems like a nice character, cause a Mage missing out on magical items is a MAJOR disadvantage. But I would like to see if the last fighter/mage combination can even compete with the Kensai/Mage and Berserker/Mage.
So the question I have for you is, any suggestions? On equipment to use (I do have Deidre, can't find Joluv though), quests to take, weapons to specialize in, whatever. I have a few ideas on what to do already, but I'd like to hear if you guys have any thoughts on this.
Experiment - Wizard Slayer/Mage
Experiment - Wizard Slayer/Mage
No probalo.
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moltovir
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I could suggest making a Wizard Slayer/Mage/Thief and use UAI to override the non-magic equipment restriction, but that could be considered cheese 
If you've played trough the game at least once, no one can give you advise about the equipment you'll use. Honestly. Just pick the ones you like, be it a dagger +1 or dualwielding the Uber Hammer of It Breaks Everything and the Malicious Katana of Instakill. The only thing I recommend you is to dualwield and search for weapons with + attack bonusses, as the WZ will add 10 cumulative spell failure to an opponent every time he hits. If you've soloed with a mage-like character before, you should know everything there is to know about good solo spell combos and the like. The disadvantages of your character aren't that big, after all mages rely mostly on their spells instead of on stats and equipment. Just focus on defensive and attack-improving spells and keep some firepower up your sleeve in case things go wrong. Good luck, and keep us informed about your progress
If you've played trough the game at least once, no one can give you advise about the equipment you'll use. Honestly. Just pick the ones you like, be it a dagger +1 or dualwielding the Uber Hammer of It Breaks Everything and the Malicious Katana of Instakill. The only thing I recommend you is to dualwield and search for weapons with + attack bonusses, as the WZ will add 10 cumulative spell failure to an opponent every time he hits. If you've soloed with a mage-like character before, you should know everything there is to know about good solo spell combos and the like. The disadvantages of your character aren't that big, after all mages rely mostly on their spells instead of on stats and equipment. Just focus on defensive and attack-improving spells and keep some firepower up your sleeve in case things go wrong. Good luck, and keep us informed about your progress
"We are at a very serious moment dealing with very serious issues and we are not focusing on the name you give to potatoes" - Nathalie Loisau
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Cuchulain82
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Will you be able to use scrolls? I never had an interest in playing a Wiz Slayer/Mage, so I never thought about this, but the thing that immediately comes to my mind is how you will be able to learn new spells if you can't use scrolls. Maybe learning a spell isn't considered "using" a scroll?
Custodia legis
That combi has also been on my mind. Yet, the only thing that's prevented is the question "When to dual?". If you're going to do this, I know that I atleast would be pleased to know what you're doing at certain levels, and what your profencies is going to be. But yea, I will see into this.
It is here! The inevatibility is here! Fear it, and it will fear you! Defy it, and it will kill you! Insanity doesn't exist!! By the way why can't I delete private messages?
!!!Insanity!!!
!!!Insanity!!!
So I started the character, I'll fill you in on what exactly he is and what he uses.
I was able to get a pretty decent stat roll for him.
STR 18/14
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 18
WIS 10
CHA 8
True Nuetral - I figure just because I get the bunny as a familiar. Finding traps will help (even if he can't disarm them) in a tight spot. I thought about the ferret familiar but I saw no real advantage to be had. Sure pickpocketing is cool, but what good is it if I can't use any of the items?
Considering weapons, I was going to dual wield katanas, and I also considered the axes. After testing the axe out I realized that throwing the axe does not apply the spell failure bonus, so screw that idea, its not worth it. Then a thought came to me. Why not specialize in a weapon that can destroy something your weak against? In the fighter/mage games I played before the most troublesome baddies were different types of undead. So I went with maces.
Equipment that will be had:
Mace of Disruption - I realized that being a Wizard Slayer I will have no way to wear Amulet of Power and no way to stop level drain. This thing will keep me safe from that, and also flat out destroy vampires, liches, shades, skeletons etc.
Mirror Shield - No better shield out there in my opinion. Still funny to watch enemies kill themselves.
Robe of Vecna -Maybe. I'm not sure if this would be considered an add-on as it is not in the vanilla game (for some people). Hell, it would help with the spellcasting time though.
Boots o Speed - This is just a given.
Helmet - ???
WHAT I'VE DONE SO FAR (SPOILERS)
Decided to dual at level nine for the extra profiency, so I did the entire Irenicus' dungeon. It was a breeze. Not one enemy lasted more than three hits. Picked up as many spell scrolls as I could along the way. With a huge stroke of luck (really) I found a Abi Dalzim's in the bookcase near the mephit portals. Reached level 8.
When I was out of the dungeon I sold all the stuff I wouldn't need, got me a good ten grand. Decided that the circus would be good experience after I dualed, so I saved it for later. Went to the Slums.
As soon as I could I went straight to the Copper Coronet. Freed Hendak by getting Lehtinan to give me the key to his cell. Reached level 9 and dualed.
Went back to Waukeen's Promenade and bought spell scrolls that would be useful. Memorized all of them and leveled to 6. Went through the circus, easy as crap (you know, the easy kind of crap) by the way. Leveled twice so I was then at 8. At this point I decided the graveyard no fighing quests would be good.
Went to graveyard, helped Wellyn, the experience got me to level 9. Helped the lonely paladin, good experience with no effort, then went to do the buried alive quest (which is also optional for no fighting).
After I finished the buried alive quest I went to Umar Hills for the sidequest experience there. The Ogres quest was easy (don't think it can be challenging). The mimic quest was extremely easy, all I did was fireball the mimic to death, the next part with the Golem got me to level ten. For some reason they give you experience before the golem is finished, so I leveled to ten before it even went hostile, regained my fighting abilities and maced it to death.
THE VERDICT SO FAR
Easy easy stuff so far. But then again I haven't done any major side quests or battles yet.
Now that I am both Wizard Slayer and Wizard I am going to do the Unseeing Eye quest, should be a hell of a time.
One more thing - I probably messed up some of the words in this post, but it is currently 5:00 am and I haven't sleeped yet and I'm having trouble staying awake, so don't judge me.
I was able to get a pretty decent stat roll for him.
STR 18/14
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 18
WIS 10
CHA 8
True Nuetral - I figure just because I get the bunny as a familiar. Finding traps will help (even if he can't disarm them) in a tight spot. I thought about the ferret familiar but I saw no real advantage to be had. Sure pickpocketing is cool, but what good is it if I can't use any of the items?
Considering weapons, I was going to dual wield katanas, and I also considered the axes. After testing the axe out I realized that throwing the axe does not apply the spell failure bonus, so screw that idea, its not worth it. Then a thought came to me. Why not specialize in a weapon that can destroy something your weak against? In the fighter/mage games I played before the most troublesome baddies were different types of undead. So I went with maces.
Equipment that will be had:
Mace of Disruption - I realized that being a Wizard Slayer I will have no way to wear Amulet of Power and no way to stop level drain. This thing will keep me safe from that, and also flat out destroy vampires, liches, shades, skeletons etc.
Mirror Shield - No better shield out there in my opinion. Still funny to watch enemies kill themselves.
Robe of Vecna -Maybe. I'm not sure if this would be considered an add-on as it is not in the vanilla game (for some people). Hell, it would help with the spellcasting time though.
Boots o Speed - This is just a given.
Helmet - ???
WHAT I'VE DONE SO FAR (SPOILERS)
Decided to dual at level nine for the extra profiency, so I did the entire Irenicus' dungeon. It was a breeze. Not one enemy lasted more than three hits. Picked up as many spell scrolls as I could along the way. With a huge stroke of luck (really) I found a Abi Dalzim's in the bookcase near the mephit portals. Reached level 8.
When I was out of the dungeon I sold all the stuff I wouldn't need, got me a good ten grand. Decided that the circus would be good experience after I dualed, so I saved it for later. Went to the Slums.
As soon as I could I went straight to the Copper Coronet. Freed Hendak by getting Lehtinan to give me the key to his cell. Reached level 9 and dualed.
Went back to Waukeen's Promenade and bought spell scrolls that would be useful. Memorized all of them and leveled to 6. Went through the circus, easy as crap (you know, the easy kind of crap) by the way. Leveled twice so I was then at 8. At this point I decided the graveyard no fighing quests would be good.
Went to graveyard, helped Wellyn, the experience got me to level 9. Helped the lonely paladin, good experience with no effort, then went to do the buried alive quest (which is also optional for no fighting).
After I finished the buried alive quest I went to Umar Hills for the sidequest experience there. The Ogres quest was easy (don't think it can be challenging). The mimic quest was extremely easy, all I did was fireball the mimic to death, the next part with the Golem got me to level ten. For some reason they give you experience before the golem is finished, so I leveled to ten before it even went hostile, regained my fighting abilities and maced it to death.
THE VERDICT SO FAR
Easy easy stuff so far. But then again I haven't done any major side quests or battles yet.
Now that I am both Wizard Slayer and Wizard I am going to do the Unseeing Eye quest, should be a hell of a time.
One more thing - I probably messed up some of the words in this post, but it is currently 5:00 am and I haven't sleeped yet and I'm having trouble staying awake, so don't judge me.
No probalo.
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Deadalready
- Posts: 903
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Maybe he doesn´t. I see no reason why he should cross the mindflayers. The illithid lair in temple sewers has only on purpose, the weapon of crom fayer Futhermore there's illithids down at (the) underdark, but thats not obligatory, truth be known, he can choose between Sahaugin (Or however it´s spelled), beholders or Illithid lair. All he need is some blood
But, sure, if he do choose some way where the illithids are obligatory to kill it will get VERY interesting to know how he does.
Futhermore there's illithids down at (the) underdark, but thats not obligatory, truth be known, he can choose between Sahaugin (Or however it´s spelled), beholders or Illithid lair. All he need is some blood But, sure, if he do choose some way where the illithids are obligatory to kill it will get VERY interesting to know how he does.
It is here! The inevatibility is here! Fear it, and it will fear you! Defy it, and it will kill you! Insanity doesn't exist!! By the way why can't I delete private messages?
!!!Insanity!!!
!!!Insanity!!!
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Narlen Darkwalk
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Deadalready
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The best thing about soloing with characters is being able to beat any situation with planning, beholders will also be a bit of trouble too I think.
Then again if using the shield of Balduran then it shouldn't be much trouble to defeat them.
Then again if using the shield of Balduran then it shouldn't be much trouble to defeat them.
Warning: logic and sense is replaced by typos and errors after 11pm
Spoiler
, it has yet to return
Defeated Unseeing Eye. Here's how it went. (Spoilers)
First I had to deal with the party in the sewers. The only guy who posed a real threat among them was the mage, because he kept symbol fearing me before I could get to him and I'd get killed while walking around. So, summoned a couple skeletons, sent in a wizard eye (conveniently picked up earlier by a pack of goblins) so I could see them, then I fireballed away. Three fireballs were able to take down just about everyone (including the mage), the rest I maced to death with my skeletons. This took a few reloads. Picked up Improved Mantle somehow from one of em. Also donned the Helm of Charm Rpotection and Small Shield+2. Had to sell all their stuff somewhere outside the Temple District, which got me about ten thousand gold, at which point Valen and Brus approached me but I decided to wait on it. Went back to the sewers and headed to the cult.
Most of the fights from here to the forgotten temple were fairly easy (fill in on gauths further down.) My basic tactic for shadows was lots of skeletons, stoneskin, mirror image and macing them. With the Yuan-Ti I did the same basic tactic as the party in the sewers. I leveled up to 11 after destroying the first group of shadows before descending the stairs to the lower city.
Gauths and Beholders: Animate Dead was a godsend when it came to these things. (NOTE: I did not have the Shield of Balduran, I have not yet decided if I should get it) Gauths and Beholders suck at melee combat, only problem is they don't seem to want to attack me when I melee them, but rather do their beholder rays. However, if they can not see me and can only see my summons, they will engage in melee combat. So, the basic tactic for these enemies was send a pack of five skeletons into where the gauth or beholder was and let them attack it. But to be on the safe side, I would walk until I could see the enemy, magic missle it (fastest direct damage spell I got), then go out of sight of it again. There was always the chance that it would sneak in a ray at me, in which case I just needed to hope my stoneskin and mirror image held up. There was one particularly tough battle, and that was a group of Gauths before I reached the forgotten temple. My five skeletons could not fight the enemy by themselves, and when I showed my face to magic missle em they would all hit me with their rays, taking about half my life on average. So I decided that maybe I'd fireball them once or twice and then lead them into a group of skeletons. This worked after a few reloads.
Fighting the demon in the forgotten temple was easy. Just attacked it until it was near death and then I used the innate ability of cure light wounds on it.
These tactics got me all the way to the part where I steal the second piece of the rod (I decided not to give the beholder the rod). The Rod of Smiting does not kill the Unseeing Eye, but gets it near death (not sure if this differs from time to time, I usually give the rod to the beholder). So, before I assembled the rod I memorized some lower resist spells, summoned a pack of skeletons which I sent to the beginning of the passage to stand guard. Buffed myself with Stoneskin and Mirror Image and assembled the rod. When the messages on the bottom of the screen showed that the skeletons were fighting, I went into the passage and used the Rod of Smiting on the Unseeing Eye, which brought it down to near death. Before I could even do my lower resist spell on it, one of my skeletons got a critical hit and killed it. At this point I went back down to the forgotten temple (had to fight a group of Yuan-Ti along the way) and gave the avatar the assembled rod. This got me a nice amount of experience and that one magical shield+3.
The experience had for completing the Unseeing Eye quest at the temple of Helm leveled me up to 12.
THE CURRENT VERDICT
Quite frankly I'm surprised. The whole Unseeing Eye quest was easier than when I have an entire party. Maybe its just easier to keep track of one character. The only real challenging battle I had was with the group of Gauths before the forgotten temple. But I usually have trouble with that battle (that is if I'm around level 11, at higher levels the battle is easy.)
OTHER NOTES:
Decided not to do the Mind Flayers in the Sewers just yet. Mind Flayers are extremely tough if I don't have the proper summons, and the least I need is the improved skeletons from Animate Dead. I will come back and destroy them later, not for the Crom Faeyr component but just for fun.
I think I will side with Bodhi. I feel this is a more challenging way to go considering I have to take down both the Thieves and the Vampires before the end. Plus I can get the Mace of Disruption quicker.
WHAT'S NEXT:
I'm going to do the Illithium Ore quest first, and of course I'll keep the real Illithium Ore for myself. After which I will do Bodhi's quests. But before I leave for the Asylum I think I'm going to do the Shadow Temple in Umar Hills and maybe the Planar Sphere. Good luck to me.
First I had to deal with the party in the sewers. The only guy who posed a real threat among them was the mage, because he kept symbol fearing me before I could get to him and I'd get killed while walking around. So, summoned a couple skeletons, sent in a wizard eye (conveniently picked up earlier by a pack of goblins) so I could see them, then I fireballed away. Three fireballs were able to take down just about everyone (including the mage), the rest I maced to death with my skeletons. This took a few reloads. Picked up Improved Mantle somehow from one of em. Also donned the Helm of Charm Rpotection and Small Shield+2. Had to sell all their stuff somewhere outside the Temple District, which got me about ten thousand gold, at which point Valen and Brus approached me but I decided to wait on it. Went back to the sewers and headed to the cult.
Most of the fights from here to the forgotten temple were fairly easy (fill in on gauths further down.) My basic tactic for shadows was lots of skeletons, stoneskin, mirror image and macing them. With the Yuan-Ti I did the same basic tactic as the party in the sewers. I leveled up to 11 after destroying the first group of shadows before descending the stairs to the lower city.
Gauths and Beholders: Animate Dead was a godsend when it came to these things. (NOTE: I did not have the Shield of Balduran, I have not yet decided if I should get it) Gauths and Beholders suck at melee combat, only problem is they don't seem to want to attack me when I melee them, but rather do their beholder rays. However, if they can not see me and can only see my summons, they will engage in melee combat. So, the basic tactic for these enemies was send a pack of five skeletons into where the gauth or beholder was and let them attack it. But to be on the safe side, I would walk until I could see the enemy, magic missle it (fastest direct damage spell I got), then go out of sight of it again. There was always the chance that it would sneak in a ray at me, in which case I just needed to hope my stoneskin and mirror image held up. There was one particularly tough battle, and that was a group of Gauths before I reached the forgotten temple. My five skeletons could not fight the enemy by themselves, and when I showed my face to magic missle em they would all hit me with their rays, taking about half my life on average. So I decided that maybe I'd fireball them once or twice and then lead them into a group of skeletons. This worked after a few reloads.
Fighting the demon in the forgotten temple was easy. Just attacked it until it was near death and then I used the innate ability of cure light wounds on it.
These tactics got me all the way to the part where I steal the second piece of the rod (I decided not to give the beholder the rod). The Rod of Smiting does not kill the Unseeing Eye, but gets it near death (not sure if this differs from time to time, I usually give the rod to the beholder). So, before I assembled the rod I memorized some lower resist spells, summoned a pack of skeletons which I sent to the beginning of the passage to stand guard. Buffed myself with Stoneskin and Mirror Image and assembled the rod. When the messages on the bottom of the screen showed that the skeletons were fighting, I went into the passage and used the Rod of Smiting on the Unseeing Eye, which brought it down to near death. Before I could even do my lower resist spell on it, one of my skeletons got a critical hit and killed it. At this point I went back down to the forgotten temple (had to fight a group of Yuan-Ti along the way) and gave the avatar the assembled rod. This got me a nice amount of experience and that one magical shield+3.
The experience had for completing the Unseeing Eye quest at the temple of Helm leveled me up to 12.
THE CURRENT VERDICT
Quite frankly I'm surprised. The whole Unseeing Eye quest was easier than when I have an entire party. Maybe its just easier to keep track of one character. The only real challenging battle I had was with the group of Gauths before the forgotten temple. But I usually have trouble with that battle (that is if I'm around level 11, at higher levels the battle is easy.)
OTHER NOTES:
Decided not to do the Mind Flayers in the Sewers just yet. Mind Flayers are extremely tough if I don't have the proper summons, and the least I need is the improved skeletons from Animate Dead. I will come back and destroy them later, not for the Crom Faeyr component but just for fun.
I think I will side with Bodhi. I feel this is a more challenging way to go considering I have to take down both the Thieves and the Vampires before the end. Plus I can get the Mace of Disruption quicker.
WHAT'S NEXT:
I'm going to do the Illithium Ore quest first, and of course I'll keep the real Illithium Ore for myself. After which I will do Bodhi's quests. But before I leave for the Asylum I think I'm going to do the Shadow Temple in Umar Hills and maybe the Planar Sphere. Good luck to me.
No probalo.
No. Atleast not right now. No mods, no nothing. Except for Deidre, but I don't plan on using her items too much.
Tactics/Improved Battles are very fun, but right now I'm just experimenting on how effective the character is in a vanilla game. Don't get me wrong, I will be trying this character in Tactics/Improved Battles, but I realized its kind of hard to tell how powerful a character is with those mods installed, as just about every single battle is near impossible.
Tactics/Improved Battles are very fun, but right now I'm just experimenting on how effective the character is in a vanilla game. Don't get me wrong, I will be trying this character in Tactics/Improved Battles, but I realized its kind of hard to tell how powerful a character is with those mods installed, as just about every single battle is near impossible.
No probalo.
Big one this time. (Spoilers)
First thing I did after Unseeing Eye was went to join Bodhi. As soon as the Crypt was open I went down and got myself the Mace of Disruption+1. I decided I might as well upgrade it right then.
ILLITHIUM ORE QUEST
Went back to the Temple district and started the quest. Nothing to special here. Went after the real ore but kept it for myself. Neb was very easy to kill, just stoneskin and some skeletons and he was down in no time. Picked up a scroll of Protection from Acid and Promtly Memorised it. Got a bit of experience for his head and also got some from the church, albeit I gave them the fake ore. I also got the Helm of Glory, which replaced the Helm of Charm Protection.
At this point I thought I should be able to get the Mace of Disruption upgraded, all I needed to do was sell my old helmet and Ardulia's Fall to have enough money. The only problem I had while doing this was the fact that I was carrying some 300 pounds and I would become encumbered. It took a few days of Draw Upon Holy Mights and Hastes to run around everywhere I needed to be, but I got the Mace of Disruption upgraded. Now was the time I wanted to put it to the test, but where...
TEMPLE RUINS QUEST
Ha! I've never had such an easy time with this area. The basic tactic for everything was Stoneskin myself and laugh in the enemies faces as they tried oh so valiantly to not die from the mace. I didn't even summon anything the whole time. I didn't need to, as everything was susceptible to the mace's insta death. The only enemies that presented problems were the Bone Golems. But as long as I had enough stoneskins and mirror images they were for the most part no sweat. The dragon was a different matter though.
The fight with the dragon was one of the best battles I've done for a long time. It wasn't trying one thing over and over again, it was just really long. I had the shadow stone so he couldn't see me. So I put together what I felt would be an effective plan. Here's the spells I had memorized.
4 Magic Missle
4 Mirror Immage
4 Fireball
4 Stoneskin (already had one active from earlier)
1 Protection from Acid
3 Lower Resist
1 Pierce Magic
I started out by buffing myself with Stoneskin, Mirror Image and Protection from Acid. I moved to the upper right of the dragon so I had a clear run to the northeast of the map. I started by casting one Lower Resist at it, after which it promptly went hostile. Next I headed northeast so I could get behind the pillars that its not small enough to get through, but it helped me out a bit by Wing Buffeting me to them faster. He did hit me with Dragon Fear, but by some amazing luck I saved against it. At this point I started using Magic Missle at it through the pillars. The only thing it could hit me with was his breath, and the only thing that did was blind me because I was protectied from its acid and level drain (Mace of Disruptions handy feature). After I finished using Magic Missle, I hit it with my last two Lower Resists. Standing back as far as I could, I started using Fireball on it. The first two it didn't save against, so I got double damage, the second two it did save against. All the Fireballs and Magic Missles brought him down to near death, but I was out of offensive spells! So, I used Pierce Magic on it to remove any protections against weapons, and attacked. I only had to cast Mirror Image one more time before I finally killed it.
the Shade Lord was simple, all I did was attacked until it was dead. Then I attacked the Altar until it was dead. The experience from the mayor of Umar Hills got me to level 13. Memorized Death Spell and Summon Air Elemental (conveniently gotten way back in Irenicus' Plane of Air).
BODHI'S QUESTS
The first two were simple. The first I just used Death Spell and only one shadow thief lived who was easily dispatched. The second quest was also easy (chose the murdering), all I needed to do was... Death Spell. Quite the handy spell. Destroying the Shadow Thieves outright was not as easy. It was still easy though.
Before I got to destroying the Shadow Thieves I went to Waukeen's Promenade to buy and sell stuff. Sold a crapload of stuff at the Adventurer's Mart--Night's Gift, Darkmail, Duskblade, and some other small stuff--which raked me in about 20,000g's. Before I bought anything expensive I wanted my Charisma up, so I bought a friends scroll from the merchant in the back, memorized three of them, and brought my Charisma up to 25. Sadly, as I checked Deidre's inventory, I came across an unfortunate discovery. The Wizard Slayer/Mage can not wear mage robes, so no Robe of Vecna. But all for the best. I saved some money, and I got to buy the Reflection Shield.
Now to the fun stuff, the Shadow Thieves. This was basicly the shining example of my character. Any thieves with Missle Weapons I didn't need to worry about, any mages I just needed to attack to death, the melee attackers were no match for me and my summons. Didn't have too much trouble with Haz, just summoned four skeletons and an Air Elemental, hasted them, and sent them into his room. He was able to take down most of my summons, but by the time he got around to me I was already on him and he was well into casting failure. Then it was time to get Aran.
The fight with Aran Linvail was not very hard. First thing I did was summoned some skeletons outside the door to his room and hasted them (not an Air Elemental, it couldn't fit through the door). When I opened the door, the skeletons immediately started attacking some Shadow Thieves. I stepped forward so Aran could see me and he went hostile. At this point Aran kind of killed all his comrades by summoning a demon (can't remember if it was Hakashaer or Nishruu). All I had to do was stand outside while it killed all of Aran's comrades and my summons. Aran wasn't paying any attention to me but to his own demon, which he exhausted his spells on. The demon eventually started paying attention to me, but couldn't get through the door. When Aran finally exhausted all his spells he moved forward to attack the demon, and so did I. I got the kill cause Aran can't fight for crap, and all I had to do was mace Aran to death afterwards.
I picked up some nice sellable itmes from this, but I also picked up his Elven Chain, which I am able to wear. The experience from Bodhi leveled me up to 14.
CURRENT VERDICT
This is just getting easier and easier. Major gigantic big battles are challenging, but easily passable with the right tactic.
WHAT'S NEXT
I think its time to do the Asylum. As soon as I'm out of the Underdark I'll be doing all the other major quests (Firkraag, Planar Sphere, Trademeet and De'Arnise along with other challenges like Kangaxx Twisted Rune and the sewer Mind Flayers.)
First thing I did after Unseeing Eye was went to join Bodhi. As soon as the Crypt was open I went down and got myself the Mace of Disruption+1. I decided I might as well upgrade it right then.
ILLITHIUM ORE QUEST
Went back to the Temple district and started the quest. Nothing to special here. Went after the real ore but kept it for myself. Neb was very easy to kill, just stoneskin and some skeletons and he was down in no time. Picked up a scroll of Protection from Acid and Promtly Memorised it. Got a bit of experience for his head and also got some from the church, albeit I gave them the fake ore. I also got the Helm of Glory, which replaced the Helm of Charm Protection.
At this point I thought I should be able to get the Mace of Disruption upgraded, all I needed to do was sell my old helmet and Ardulia's Fall to have enough money. The only problem I had while doing this was the fact that I was carrying some 300 pounds and I would become encumbered. It took a few days of Draw Upon Holy Mights and Hastes to run around everywhere I needed to be, but I got the Mace of Disruption upgraded. Now was the time I wanted to put it to the test, but where...
TEMPLE RUINS QUEST
Ha! I've never had such an easy time with this area. The basic tactic for everything was Stoneskin myself and laugh in the enemies faces as they tried oh so valiantly to not die from the mace. I didn't even summon anything the whole time. I didn't need to, as everything was susceptible to the mace's insta death. The only enemies that presented problems were the Bone Golems. But as long as I had enough stoneskins and mirror images they were for the most part no sweat. The dragon was a different matter though.
The fight with the dragon was one of the best battles I've done for a long time. It wasn't trying one thing over and over again, it was just really long. I had the shadow stone so he couldn't see me. So I put together what I felt would be an effective plan. Here's the spells I had memorized.
4 Magic Missle
4 Mirror Immage
4 Fireball
4 Stoneskin (already had one active from earlier)
1 Protection from Acid
3 Lower Resist
1 Pierce Magic
I started out by buffing myself with Stoneskin, Mirror Image and Protection from Acid. I moved to the upper right of the dragon so I had a clear run to the northeast of the map. I started by casting one Lower Resist at it, after which it promptly went hostile. Next I headed northeast so I could get behind the pillars that its not small enough to get through, but it helped me out a bit by Wing Buffeting me to them faster. He did hit me with Dragon Fear, but by some amazing luck I saved against it. At this point I started using Magic Missle at it through the pillars. The only thing it could hit me with was his breath, and the only thing that did was blind me because I was protectied from its acid and level drain (Mace of Disruptions handy feature). After I finished using Magic Missle, I hit it with my last two Lower Resists. Standing back as far as I could, I started using Fireball on it. The first two it didn't save against, so I got double damage, the second two it did save against. All the Fireballs and Magic Missles brought him down to near death, but I was out of offensive spells! So, I used Pierce Magic on it to remove any protections against weapons, and attacked. I only had to cast Mirror Image one more time before I finally killed it.
the Shade Lord was simple, all I did was attacked until it was dead. Then I attacked the Altar until it was dead. The experience from the mayor of Umar Hills got me to level 13. Memorized Death Spell and Summon Air Elemental (conveniently gotten way back in Irenicus' Plane of Air).
BODHI'S QUESTS
The first two were simple. The first I just used Death Spell and only one shadow thief lived who was easily dispatched. The second quest was also easy (chose the murdering), all I needed to do was... Death Spell. Quite the handy spell. Destroying the Shadow Thieves outright was not as easy. It was still easy though.
Before I got to destroying the Shadow Thieves I went to Waukeen's Promenade to buy and sell stuff. Sold a crapload of stuff at the Adventurer's Mart--Night's Gift, Darkmail, Duskblade, and some other small stuff--which raked me in about 20,000g's. Before I bought anything expensive I wanted my Charisma up, so I bought a friends scroll from the merchant in the back, memorized three of them, and brought my Charisma up to 25. Sadly, as I checked Deidre's inventory, I came across an unfortunate discovery. The Wizard Slayer/Mage can not wear mage robes, so no Robe of Vecna. But all for the best. I saved some money, and I got to buy the Reflection Shield.
Now to the fun stuff, the Shadow Thieves. This was basicly the shining example of my character. Any thieves with Missle Weapons I didn't need to worry about, any mages I just needed to attack to death, the melee attackers were no match for me and my summons. Didn't have too much trouble with Haz, just summoned four skeletons and an Air Elemental, hasted them, and sent them into his room. He was able to take down most of my summons, but by the time he got around to me I was already on him and he was well into casting failure. Then it was time to get Aran.
The fight with Aran Linvail was not very hard. First thing I did was summoned some skeletons outside the door to his room and hasted them (not an Air Elemental, it couldn't fit through the door). When I opened the door, the skeletons immediately started attacking some Shadow Thieves. I stepped forward so Aran could see me and he went hostile. At this point Aran kind of killed all his comrades by summoning a demon (can't remember if it was Hakashaer or Nishruu). All I had to do was stand outside while it killed all of Aran's comrades and my summons. Aran wasn't paying any attention to me but to his own demon, which he exhausted his spells on. The demon eventually started paying attention to me, but couldn't get through the door. When Aran finally exhausted all his spells he moved forward to attack the demon, and so did I. I got the kill cause Aran can't fight for crap, and all I had to do was mace Aran to death afterwards.
I picked up some nice sellable itmes from this, but I also picked up his Elven Chain, which I am able to wear. The experience from Bodhi leveled me up to 14.
CURRENT VERDICT
This is just getting easier and easier. Major gigantic big battles are challenging, but easily passable with the right tactic.
WHAT'S NEXT
I think its time to do the Asylum. As soon as I'm out of the Underdark I'll be doing all the other major quests (Firkraag, Planar Sphere, Trademeet and De'Arnise along with other challenges like Kangaxx Twisted Rune and the sewer Mind Flayers.)
No probalo.
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Phantom Lord
- Posts: 877
- Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Exiled - yet ...
- Contact:
Nice journal.
I was about to write one myself (dropped my small evil party because it was too easy) and went solo F/M/T, but I think my character is easier to play than yours (I get tons of XP from traps and locks and things like ring of regeneration and amulet of power are usable). On the other hand I have tactics and other Weidu mods instaled, which makes some fights a little tougher. Weapons are Staves and Long sword so far. So far I`m level 10/11/12 and have a bunch of half finished big quests (Shade Temple, Windspear) and a few minor ones (Slavers, Mae'Var - which was a hell of a tactical fight) done. Decided that playing is more interesting than writing down stuff though and am currently lacking time too.
My strategies center around improved invisibility - being untargetable by mages is a major advantage, add backstab on top and things really rock. Nevertheless, my biggest problems were mages until now (I'm too low level to dispel most protections yet but they keep dispelling mine), especially the one Edwin wants dead and the sewer party mage were quite tough. Leveling up becomes quite a pain too, but I'm half way near my first HLA, which will be a major break in character development (not sure if I need UAI instantly, because I can use many items and items mod allows forging combined rings).
My next plans are to do the Circus, the Planar Sphere (my chosen stronghold) and to do some work for the shadow thieves, after that I'll care about my lose ends in Windspear and the Shade Temple.
I was about to write one myself (dropped my small evil party because it was too easy) and went solo F/M/T, but I think my character is easier to play than yours (I get tons of XP from traps and locks and things like ring of regeneration and amulet of power are usable). On the other hand I have tactics and other Weidu mods instaled, which makes some fights a little tougher. Weapons are Staves and Long sword so far. So far I`m level 10/11/12 and have a bunch of half finished big quests (Shade Temple, Windspear) and a few minor ones (Slavers, Mae'Var - which was a hell of a tactical fight) done. Decided that playing is more interesting than writing down stuff though and am currently lacking time too.
My strategies center around improved invisibility - being untargetable by mages is a major advantage, add backstab on top and things really rock. Nevertheless, my biggest problems were mages until now (I'm too low level to dispel most protections yet but they keep dispelling mine), especially the one Edwin wants dead and the sewer party mage were quite tough. Leveling up becomes quite a pain too, but I'm half way near my first HLA, which will be a major break in character development (not sure if I need UAI instantly, because I can use many items and items mod allows forging combined rings).
My next plans are to do the Circus, the Planar Sphere (my chosen stronghold) and to do some work for the shadow thieves, after that I'll care about my lose ends in Windspear and the Shade Temple.
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Cuchulain82
- Posts: 1229
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:44 pm
- Location: Law School library, Vermont, USA
- Contact:
You could, eventually, add some screenshots, or at least thumbs... (http://www.imageshack.us <- nice pic uploading site). If you've got the time for it I.E.
It is here! The inevatibility is here! Fear it, and it will fear you! Defy it, and it will kill you! Insanity doesn't exist!! By the way why can't I delete private messages?
!!!Insanity!!!
!!!Insanity!!!