V7 run, after loooong break Options

[Shadan]

So, I will try to write my experiences with the game after a very long break from BG2.
No mods. only EoU, IA and IA Tweaks.


Started with:
Avanger prot: club**, dual w*, and then scimitar *
Custom RB: Flail ***, dual w***
Half-orc kensai: 2Hsowrd****, 2HW**

In Irenicus dungeon I relearned to handle the game... Traps and locks caused a problem, then I went for Yoshi (swapped Jaheira out), and was surprised when he didn't find traps also. Well, then I realized trap finding is a clickable skill...
Since I played DnD 2e since 1989 for more than 10+ years, then came v3.0, v3.5, Pathfinder etc., so I remember on spells quite good, but I was surprised when MAA DoT was not applied. Then I realized spells are changed in IA quite a lot, so I had to relearn them again.
Lesser elementals caused me a problem, I was not able to damage them with weapons. Imoen's spells were not enough to kill all 3 of them. At end I realized maybe summons can help, rested and bears + clan member killed them very fast.
I was a bit afraid of Ilyich, because I remember on my first IA game, when he killed my protagonist several times and I was hardly able to kill him. Now he was walk in the park. However my tactical skills in this game still abysmal.
PC used Str, 3 Wis and Cha tomes. RB used Con tome.

After the dungeon, I picked Sibel. Suddenly after an IRL memory flash I remembered that donation in temple is good in IA. So after a several tries and forum search I donated 4600 gold to get 3 reputations.

Then I did Circus, recruited Aerie. Moved to Slums. Killed annoying guy in Copper Coronet. Recruited Nalia as F->M (swapped out Minsc), recruited Anomen, Korgan and Hexxat. Leveled up Hexxat, increasing her PP skill in hope maybe later I can try some pick pocket things with her. Nalia used Int tome. Got Windspear Hills map. Then Bridge to trigger Neera. Government to get Umar map. Gate to get Trademeet quest.

Wild Forest. Swapped Nalia to Neera. Well, 2 ogres from polymorph trap used hardiness and GWW... Was a big surprise and a big death. Killed them on 2nd try.
Anyway I did 2 minor quests in Hidden Refugee, and left to Umar Hills.

A question: Shall I pay for Cowled Wizards later? I remember that in first BG2 runs, I've never payed, just killed them. But in IA maybe it is too much hindrace to skip arcane magic in the town.

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 21 2024, 11:26 PM

[DequNew]

Good luck! I found with Sibel game is more easy than it had ever been.

For all pickpocket targets I made list In questions post threads. There are not many left, most are removed.

Do not pay wizards. After casting arcana spells 5 times and kill spawned wizards there is lich wizards Zallanora encounter.

[pekkae]

Allright

Godspeed!

A question: Shall I pay for Cowled Wizards later? I remember that in first BG2 runs, I've never payed, just killed them. But in IA maybe it is too much hindrace to skip arcane magic in the town.

I don't ever pay'em these days. The Zallanora fight is quite fun. Plus one can always prebuff indoors when needed.

[Shadan]

Thanks.

Finished Umar Hills minor quests. Recruited Valygar.
Finished Trademeet animal quest, rakshasa quest, 1st druid stronghold quest.
Druid grove was not a problem neither the genie quest. I had a fade memory about rakshasa fight, so I had Zone of Sweet Air, but Absolute Imm. surpised me. But 2 bears, clan hunter, 4 melees + Yoshi, I switched target, endured AI, and killed them fast, when AI ended. Neera just watched the fight. Faldorn was easy also, at 1st attempt I was suprised whenI was naked without equipment, but I did it on second try. However the werewolves surprised me, when I left the Grove. They were hard, so I needed like 5 tries to beat them. Main problem was (beside their incredible DPS), when they were near death, they started to run away and with their insane regen, they regenerated to half HP back easily within a seconds. At least 5-6 times in one fight...
Another surprise was the noble troll at troll mound... I realized after 3-4 tries, that I am not able to damage him. Then I searched the forum and saw that this is a late SOA challange. Happily I didn't try Temple Ruins at Umar, because I remembered it is not a beginner fight.
Founder of Trademeet was similar to noble troll. I thought, there are several skellies in this quest, and bum, no arcane magic, half party dead within a seconds. So I did Schwarzie move: I'll b back... and left the crypt.
Delivered some beer to Refuge Hideout, then moved to Bridge District to solve the murder. I hope, that is doable on my level.
I am eagerly waiting for Sibel get back her thieving skills, then I can swap out Yorhi. He is quiet useless beside traps and locks.

[critto]

Main problem was (beside their incredible DPS), when they were near death, they started to run away and with their insane regen, they regenerated to half HP back easily within a seconds. At least 5-6 times in one fight...

That's quite strange that it happened. Did they get frightened?

[pekkae]

Thanks.

Another surprise was the noble troll at troll mound... I realized after 3-4 tries, that I am not able to damage him. Then I searched the forum and saw that this is a late SOA challange. Happily I didn't try Temple Ruins at Umar, because I remembered it is not a beginner fight.

Np!

I had this a lot when starting. And to me, it was somewhat discouraging. Might I suggest a simple solution, as there's multiple journals available so have a look at the numerous journals around & where/when they initiate a specific fight, that should help quite a lot with pacing of the fights & even strategies.

Founder of Trademeet was similar to noble troll. I thought, there are several skellies in this quest, and bum, no arcane magic, half party dead within a seconds. So I did Schwarzie move: I'll b back... and left the crypt.
Delivered some beer to Refuge Hideout, then moved to Bridge District to solve the murder. I hope, that is doable on my level.

Founder is quite tough but there's ofc a few tricks that help, a lot.

And if you run into a wall, just ask away - there's a lot of helpful experience here @ the forum.

I am eagerly waiting for Sibel get back her thieving skills, then I can swap out Yorhi. He is quiet useless beside traps and locks.

You didn't switch Yoshi to a Kensai or so? I always found it useful to drag him to Brynnlaw, because SPOILER!

That way you'll get Yoshi's heart & a nice exp boost

This post has been edited by pekkae: Dec 22 2024, 12:36 PM

[Shadan]

That's quite strange that it happened. Did they get frightened?

No horror or any fear effect. Just low HP.

I had this a lot when starting. And to me, it was somewhat discouraging. Might I suggest a simple solution, as there's multiple journals available so have a look at the numerous journals around & where/when they initiate a specific fight, that should help quite a lot with pacing of the fights & even strategies.

Yes, I constantly checking journals here. I wrote also 2-3 journals 15 years ago. And no, it doesn't discourage me, as I played IA from 3.2 to 6.0 at least 5 times. Just it was so long ago, I am getting too old, and hard to remember things 14-15 years before.

You didn't switch Yoshi to a Kensai or so? I always found it useful to drag him to Brynnlaw, because SPOILER!

No, I didn't. To tell the truth I don't really like swapping the party. I like to get my final party asap, then just swap out 1-1 member for a short time to do NPC spec. quests. And since I have Sibel, I don't want to keep Yoshi too long.

Question: Why does some ppl refuse thief stronghold? I remember I did it also,. but I don't remember why...

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 22 2024, 05:32 PM

[SparrowJacek]

Question: Why does some ppl refuse thief stronghold? I remember I did it also,. but I don't remember why... smile.gif

I think the main reason is that you get the Short Sword of Backstabbing +3, which is a good weapon against enemies that are vulnerable to piercing damage. I've never really accepted the stronghold, so it's hard for me to tell any other reasons

[pekkae]

I think the rewards for that particul stronghold are not very good and one is better off with the sword.

[Shadan]

Thanks!

Also I am very dissatisfied with Neera as a a wild mage. I feel sorcerer would be much useful. As sorcerer she should have optimized spells (I am afraid of buying scrolls because they are expensive and money is tight), more casts and could cast whatever is needed. As a wild mage it caused me several reload because of wild surges...
Will she be better in middle and late game compared to sorcerer or a specialist mage?

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 22 2024, 08:55 PM

[DequNew]

By accepting you get around 40k+ gold (or bit more with one trick if not fixed). Refusing option is short sword +3, which is useful for piercing damage dealer vs coin golems, but you can get more of those much later.
So it is either:
1. much earlier +3 piercing weapon (refusing guild) or
2. 40k+ gold (accepting guild). If thinking long term, I usually take guild and finish its quests.

[Sikret]

Also I am very dissatisfy with Neera as a a wild mage....
Will she be better in middle and late game compared to sorcerer or a specialist mage?

Hi Shadan!

Wild Surge table is revised in v7. So yes, she will become much better soon.

[Shadan]

Thanks Sikret!

Great moments in IA when memories comes back... I started to free the slaves in CC. I didn't remember on it at all, so I did usual buff, killed guards, then started exploration of area. Suddenly I met with a familiar face: Beastmaster. And I immidiately remembered on him... he will precast Ironskin and similar defenses and his most dangerous weapon is to cast Creeping Doom. Protagonist countered its casting with minor drain. And this was a great moment of Neera, he casted remove magic with +3 levels. Bye bye Ironskin and other protections, dead beastmaster.

I killed Dorn. He seemed to be very evil and 2 repu is too much for him. Do you guys usually recruit him?

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 22 2024, 09:21 PM

[DequNew]

Dorn Questline gives some decent experience and there are much more reputation gain to loses so in long run it won't matter. Last quest of Dorn Questline there is also useful mask Visage for Breathe Acid ability (aoe acid + save vs. Death at -4 or fall unconscious for 2rounds), but there were some restriction of its use, evil or something only can use. I remember it was handy to disrupt casting and it + Horn of blasting strike into enemy crowd before rushing in was decent tactic.

[Shadan]

Thanks! Maybe next time, however I don't like to do evil things with non evil party, and nowadays I don't play any evil. But I did Edwin's quests in maevar line, I thought it is not a problem for KN character, and I needed the XP.

Qustion: I pkayed Gaelan. I have some money. Is there any item what should I buy in CH3? I forged ankheg armor, but is was pointless. I thought, maybe Sibvel could use it, but her armor seems better, however worse AC.

There wer some great moments with Neera... When she casted double level remove magic from Nahal, sadly wizard was even higher than double level. But she casted 3 SI: Nec from Nahal.

[SparrowJacek]

Most people (me included) tend to forge Phosphorus +4 before going to Spellhold and you need to buy one mace from Trademeet or from Copper Coronet for that if I remember correctly. Other than that, a scroll of Limited Wish is a good choice, maybe Martial Staff +3.

And you could forge an Improved Ankheg armor, but Tabitha's Hide is required for that and it's better used for Thistledown Gloves since you have an Avenger protagonist.

[critto]

Qustion: I pkayed Gaelan. I have some money. Is there any item what should I buy in CH3?

There are some useful early +3 weapons sold in Trademeet after you liberate the grove, those are a good investment.

[DequNew]

Qustion: I pkayed Gaelan. I have some money. Is there any item what should I buy in CH3? I forged ankheg armor, but is was pointless. I thought, maybe Sibvel could use it, but her armor seems better, however worse AC.

Sibel armor will get free upgrade when you proceed her questline, but I suggest to have secondary armor for her just in special cases (full plate mail or some) vs slashing dmg.

Focus getting +3 weapons for everyone and buy belt vs crushing dmg from temple and get belt vs slashing dmg from planarsphere quest.
Here are few easy to get:
Dwarven Thrower +3 (crushing/missile type)
Flail of Ages +3 (crushing)
Spear of Kuldahar +3 (piercing)
Cleric's Staff +3 / Martial Staff +3 (Crushing)
Forstreaver +3 (Slashing)
Lilarcor +3 (Slashing)
Maybe few more other.

This post has been edited by DequNew: Dec 23 2024, 12:15 PM

[Sikret]

The Improved Ankheg Plate can be improved further in later stages of the game, but yes it is a choice where and how to use Tabitha's Hide:

Full Plate +2 (acquired from limited wish)
+ Improved Ankheg Plate Mail
+ A chunk of reinforced Amber
+ Two Oil of Resurgence potions
+ Permanency Scroll
+ 100000 gp

-> Reinforced Full Plate +5

Armor Class: -4
+25% Resistance to Acid, cold and Fire
Resistance to electricity: +65%
Regeneration: 2HP per second

And again:

Great Wyrm Armor +5
Reienforced Full Plate +5
A chunk of Reinforced Amber
50000 gp

-> Ultimate Plate Armor

Armor Class: -5
+30% Resistance to Acid, Cold and Magic Damage
+80% Resistence to Fire and Electricity
Regeneration: 2HP per second

[Shadan]

I continue to play after a few days xmas break.
My progression so far (not in this exact order):

Umar Hills, except Temple Ruins.
Full Trademeet, except Founder quest.
Druid stronghold and 1st quest.
Suna Senai: It was a bit hard, because that mage is untouchable. I killed cleric fast, Gr. Command and Emotion took care of Suna and others. Than I endured that mage until his protections was faded. Confusion, Chaos etc. was a bit hard and messy.
Bridge District murder
Fallen Paladins
Copper Coronet backroom including Beastmaster.
Payed to Gaelan Bayne
Maevar quest line, refused stronghold to get +3 piercing.
Temple Sewers (exc. adventurer party, but including horrid rakshasa). To tell the truth I kited here quite long. I kited him while his Abs. Imm. was up, and tried to run away from Abi-Dalzim, so only 1, max. 2 character was hit by that nasty spell.
Graveyard quests (Tirdir, Wellyn, Risa)
Cult of Eyeless: It was hard. I was not able to find any good solution for multiple gauths and they have incredible DPS on this level. Unseeing Eye was hard also. 4 good melee chars, clan hunter, mountain bears and fire elemental, all buffed. Breach on UE, while Neera kept him busy with spell protections, like Spell Imm, Minor Globe etc. UE had an urgent surge to cast RRR and similar spells on Neera. Melees was able to distrupt his spellcasting several times, so no Abi-Dalzim. However that 90% resistance to all was a bit hard...

Finally Sibel got her thieving skills back. So I went to De'Arnise Keep, and swapped Yoshi to Nalia. Cleared 1st floor, but vengeance trolls were too hard. I went back to BG and started minor companion quests. Swapped Nalia to Hexxat and started her quest. After I did all unmodded and doable companion quests, I will get back Nalia.

My concern now is the weapon distribution:
Avanger PC will use clubs dual wielded, spears as piercing.
Sibel: her own club, hammers (Crom), maces. As a piercing or slashing I don't have a clue...
Both of them are using shield atm. for better tanking.

RB: clearly flails and axes.
Kensai: staves, halberds, 2handed swords. Now she is using 2Hsword.
Nalia: I am planning to use 2handed weapons with her. Staves and whatever.
Neera. Not really important.

I am thinking that I don't have a good long sword user and Crom is not the best at Sibel, maybe. Plus 2 fighters with 2 handed weapons maybe a bit too much, one could be enough, and kensai could be a dual wielder. I don' know.