Couple of questions about HOF mode.
Do you still have skill levels easy-insane in HOF?
If so is there a major difference between normal - insane and HOF - easy?
I'm starting again with a new party and I thought I might try HOF but all the posts I've read make it seem a little difficult for my first level party
Thanks
Hof
Hof doesn't have difficulty levels, just one standard level.
The differences between Normal - Insane, and Heart of Fury mode are mainly the H.P., saves and base attacks of your opponents. In Insane level normal mode, all your opponents do double normal damage, but have the same HP etc. In essence Insane difficulty just drops your effective HP by half.
In HoF, you enemies still do double normal damage (perhaps a bit more), but are all higher levels. Goblins for example hit multiple times per round for decent damage, make saves and can take a beating. I kept track of how much it took to kill one Barbarian Warrior in Chapter 3 (cold marshes), and it came out at about 520 HP. About 10-15 of them were attacking at the time. This should give you an idea of how difficult it is to rely on combat to get through HoF.
The net result is that in a fight, it takes a great deal more to kill each opponent, and many of your old tactics (like relying on a missile barage to kill the first few goblins in a swarm) just won't work. Your tanks will get butchered without magic support. Armour class nearly doesn't matter as you will get hit most times you are attacked, so instead of looking at which armour will give you the best A.C., look for what other utility effects it gives you (free movement, damage reduction etc.).
The saving grace is that your summoned monsters are likewise pumped up. In a pinch, if you can't win a fight, summon some undead, shadow monsters or demons and have them take the fight to the enemy.
I'm planning to take my solo Cleric17/Fighter4/Rogue4/wiz5 through HoF and see how she goes.
The differences between Normal - Insane, and Heart of Fury mode are mainly the H.P., saves and base attacks of your opponents. In Insane level normal mode, all your opponents do double normal damage, but have the same HP etc. In essence Insane difficulty just drops your effective HP by half.
In HoF, you enemies still do double normal damage (perhaps a bit more), but are all higher levels. Goblins for example hit multiple times per round for decent damage, make saves and can take a beating. I kept track of how much it took to kill one Barbarian Warrior in Chapter 3 (cold marshes), and it came out at about 520 HP. About 10-15 of them were attacking at the time. This should give you an idea of how difficult it is to rely on combat to get through HoF.
The net result is that in a fight, it takes a great deal more to kill each opponent, and many of your old tactics (like relying on a missile barage to kill the first few goblins in a swarm) just won't work. Your tanks will get butchered without magic support. Armour class nearly doesn't matter as you will get hit most times you are attacked, so instead of looking at which armour will give you the best A.C., look for what other utility effects it gives you (free movement, damage reduction etc.).
The saving grace is that your summoned monsters are likewise pumped up. In a pinch, if you can't win a fight, summon some undead, shadow monsters or demons and have them take the fight to the enemy.
I'm planning to take my solo Cleric17/Fighter4/Rogue4/wiz5 through HoF and see how she goes.
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silverdragon72
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My character, Lightsbane is currently a human Cleric(Mask)17/Fighter4/Rogue3/Wizard(Enchanter)4. I've got 2 levels to go to get her to full potential, then I'll take her into HoF. Not sure I can be bothered completing the rest of the game in Normal mode. I actually think this charcter could do well in HoF. Then again, it's been a while since I played HoF, maybe I just forgot how hard it really is!
I was thinking of editing my character to switch her cleric order to Oghma, for the extra Symbol spells, Greater Command and Wail of the Banshee domain spells. I really chose Mask for Mirror Image and Blur, but I can get all these from my Wizard levels now. Mask would still be a good Order, but not quite as good an option in HoF. also helps that I've got GSF: Necromancy to boost my Wail!
I was thinking of editing my character to switch her cleric order to Oghma, for the extra Symbol spells, Greater Command and Wail of the Banshee domain spells. I really chose Mask for Mirror Image and Blur, but I can get all these from my Wizard levels now. Mask would still be a good Order, but not quite as good an option in HoF. also helps that I've got GSF: Necromancy to boost my Wail!
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How does HOF work?
Should you take a party through that won the final battle (Normal difficulty) with their stats and items?
Or do you mix the party with high and low-level characters? (Any recommendations
)
I tried Targos Docks witha level 1 party. 1 Goblin soaked up all of my magical power and melee damage and probably was at the injured state by the time it killed all of my party!
Should you take a party through that won the final battle (Normal difficulty) with their stats and items?
Or do you mix the party with high and low-level characters? (Any recommendations
)I tried Targos Docks witha level 1 party. 1 Goblin soaked up all of my magical power and melee damage and probably was at the injured state by the time it killed all of my party!
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silverdragon72
- Posts: 850
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:53 am
- Contact:
.
as stated above - I don't think you can survive the 1st map in HOF with a level 1 party (besides you hide and then just rely on summons - that could work).
Best you build a party concept capable for HOF then beat the normal game and take all PCs and equipment to HOF!
...but have a look at my powergaming guide - it's still under construction - but should give you some infos & tips about HOF right now!
.
as stated above - I don't think you can survive the 1st map in HOF with a level 1 party (besides you hide and then just rely on summons - that could work).
Best you build a party concept capable for HOF then beat the normal game and take all PCs and equipment to HOF!
...but have a look at my powergaming guide - it's still under construction - but should give you some infos & tips about HOF right now!
.
It is possible to finish the first map with a level one party, but it is extremely boring, as every goblin takes 5-10 minutes to kill by running around with missile weapons. The goblins in the houses need special tactics like mirror image (you gain levels ever 2-3 goblins for a while, so you can have level 2-3 spells before the map is done), sanctuary and summons. I didn't take the low level party past the first map because of the boredom factor. It is still challenging to take the winning party through HOF mode, so that's the way I do it. I suggest you take a few extra items to sell since gold isn't transported to the HOF game and a couple of really good weapons are available early on in HOF (12 paces, hof - heart of <charname>)