Demon Lord vs Judgement Day (Spoilers) Options

[rbeverjr]

I just installed IA at the end of SoA. It's been nice for the most part. Irenicus at the Tree seemed to be Unbreechable - that's not fair. I did kill him with Dragon's Breath, no characters died, and no reload, but still. Irenicus in hell was a nice improvement over the stock game without being totally overboard like Tactics Improved Irenicus. I then went through Saradush and Watcher's Keep (through level 4). I have no major complaints there either. The game has become more challenging. However, when I received Angurvadal and left the Watcher's Keep to face the demon lord (upper right area at Watcher's Keep's exterior), I was VERY disappointed.

This is the cheesiest encounter that I've ever had the misfortune to see. Please spoil me. How do you defeat this crew? Specifically, I am talking about the demon lord and his 2 buddies.

As near as I can tell, the demon lord is immune to high level traps as well as time stop. If you normally do 30 HP damage/strike, you may do 8 - provided that you can strip his protections. A level 30 inquisitor's dispel magic (that'd be level 60 spell power) wasn't keeping things under control - I'm not sure it was working at all! Does everyone always have immunity to abjuration and divination (vs True Seeing)? Both his buddies wield Soul Reavers. I started with a -20 THACO or so and ended up with a +50 THACO or so. Isn't that sweet... I've tried many things and none seemed to work. He seems to have an inexhaustible spell supply. So, I doubt hit and come back later cheese would help. Mord's swords are only distractions. Planetars and elementals are lunch. Of course, dragon's breath is useless. So, what's the solution?

I hope the author tones this encounter down a lot.... If he thinks the weapon you may get some day from this encounter is too powerful - then dump the weapon. As it is, this encounter is STUPIDLY difficult. (Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion and that's mine!)

I have been playing DnD from the first version until the latest. I am also a very experienced BG2 player. I generally/usually avoid using spells and tactics that would not be allowed/couldn't succeed while a human judge was running a DnD 3.5 table. That alone makes the game MUCH, MUCH harder. But for the game's replay value, I like new mods. Unfortunately, some tactical mods go far overboard, such as this encounter and Tactics Improved Irenicus (to name 2). Some people like tactical puzzles, but I play for enjoyment when I'm really too tired to solve some tough puzzles. If I have to reload more than 3 times on Core difficulty to beat and encounter, I consider it too much. Tactics Pontifex is one I had to reload more than 3x to succeed with all my team intact; although, I did luck out and kill him in 2 rounds on Insane once. I say this only to indicate that I am an experienced player to hopefully convince the author that this encounter is a little too difficult for the general player population.

I'm sure there's something my tired brain overlooked. So, please tell me how to defeat these guys. If someone can't help me, then this encounter will receive the ultimate rebuff, CTRL-Y the baddies and leave the treasure on the ground except for the component.

[thetruth]

I wouldn't suggest sending a pure Mage with T.Transf.

TT disable spell casting and after your buffs get dispelled (and they WILL after some rounds) he is dead.

You need your mage to able to renew his buffs and his role will be as a meat shield nothing else.

Also another tactic you could use is to wait until your character (with the buffs I suggested) absorbs the initial R.Magic, slow spells (free action) of the Demons and then send in the your other party members with I.Haste + other buffs (potions of STR,Heroism). And if the Demons cast again R.M. have your spell casters (from distance) to recast I.Haste.

Another key is to make sure the game pauses often and carefully read what is happening.

This is the most important thing when playing with tactical mods like IA.

Pausing at every round (I prefer manually) and not wasting any time during the battle is the key in these fights.

I'm thinking that I better stick with the morituri. Although I have ran away from such cheese in the past, it looks like I need to pull out a big wheel of it now.

I know the Morituri kit and though I consider it quite overpowered using it with IA or the XP CAP and other items/weapons out of the original game is not so cheesy anymore

In ToB, having a morituri, FMC, sorcerer, swashbuckler, and illusionist-fighter. What do you think?

I think it's an excellent party.
I would change the F/M/C with a R/C though.Better THACO and faster level-ups.

Also you could consider a F/T as well.Though the Swashbuckler can be an even better tank at high levels.His AC bonuses are insane.