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]

Good job rbeverjr
Though after forging the Judgement Day sword a much more difficult battle awaits.

I'll leave soloing this to people that can solo Ascension with a fighter - on Insane, like thetruth

Nah he wouldn't have any chance against the tough enemies of IA

I was actually thinking about R/C rather than FMC. At higher levels, I was thinking that the arcane spells would be more beneficial than the advantages of RC in IA. I haven't seen magic help much for the tough battles, except for stripping defenses. Remember, I have no XP cap. I also have a small override that allows me the choice of the best F, M, and Cleric HLAs. If you still recommend RC, I'll go with that.

Oh then the F/M/C will become eventually more powerful than the R/C.

But still I think that the R/C will be more useful for the bigger part of the game. He levels up faster and he will be a better Cleric too.And Ironskins will help a lot.

Anyway just remember to give high WIS to your character.Clerics get extra spells from high WIS.

I haven't seen magic help much for the tough battles, except for stripping defenses.

This is true for pure Arcane spell casters in IA.
Though I found I.Haste really invaluable since my characters (who dualwield) could use Critical Strike and not GWW when possible.

But they are not so deadly as they are in the original game or with other mods.On the other hand a F/M really shines in IA.

I also considered F/T. I was actually playing a kensai 13-thief as part of the team in this battle. However, as you pointed out, I was thinking the Swashbuckler's AC may be beneficial. I should be able to hit around AC-20 or a little more with spell buffs.

Yes the Swashbuckler don't have the backstab (not essential in IA anyway) but in high levels they could have even a permanent -24 AC with a Plate Armor + Shield.In attack their fighter's THACO and WW attacks can help a lot too.
And Timetraps can be the solution in many difficult battles especially in the SoA part of the game.