Misc. Questions on Difficulty, Party Composition, and Spell Selection Options

[nataben1314]

It seems as though, judging from another and not having actually played the mod yet (waiting for v4), that mages are now in a situation where they are used almost totally for dispelling, immuning other characters, and creating summons. Would those in the know (esp. sikret/thetruth) agree with that? I'm not trying to imply that this is necessarily a negative if true, I'm just interested for the sake of future spell and party selection

Speaking of party selection, do you think I'd be making things too hard for myself to make a party of single-class characters? I've always disliked multiclasses unless soloing, and am not too keen on having a party full of five fighter/x's and one ranger/cleric.

And on difficulty, I wonder if it would be possible to make a rough difficulty guide for the quests of chapters 2 and/or 6? What I envision is something like e.g. "windspear hills: level 9-13 minimum" or whatever. With all the new content its difficult for me to know which are the easier quests and which are the ones best left to chapter 6. And for a player of my (low) skill level, it is difficult to determine if you are losing a fight due to wrong tactics, or due to the fact that you're simply too low of a level for that fight. So a general quest difficulty guide (at least for chapters 2/6 where the game is not very linear, and maybe a minimum avg. level before going off to spellhold) would likely save me much frustration and/or lots of me making HELP threads

thanks, and I can't wait until v4.

[thetruth]

@nataben1314

First of all I don't have much experience with weapons and items of IA because I had decided to not use any of them during my game (just for the challenge - they are not overpowered for IA).

- I agree with Sikret that the F/M should use long-swords (probably the best weapon type in IA) since he will be your main tank for most of the game and it is good to be as effective as possible offensively.
So long swords and 3* in dual-wielding for him.

Later give him 2* in Scimitars (Belm) and another 2* in a weapon that does crushing dmg.
Try to specialize all of your characters later in weapons which do crushing dmg.
You will need them .


- For the Swashbuckler I would give him 2* in short-swords for the Kundane (off-hand), 3* in dualwielding and another 2* in Long-swords again or Katanas for your main weapon.
After UAI specialize him in Scimitars for the Scarlet.


- Your Inquisitor could specialize, along with 2-handed swords, in Hammers as Sikret said. And better if you give him 3* in dual-wielding later.
Many ApR help much in IA.

- For your B-M you could go with G.Mastery in Axes if you want. There are some good axes early in the game.

Who is going to use a powerful shield (ex: Supreme Shelter) with a good plate armor to have a good AC in your party?

He could give it to the Swashbuckler after UAI.
The Swashbuckler doesn't need stealth so it won't be a problem if he wears heavy armor.

Generally in the difficult battles of IA good AC is not so useful that's why a F/M is so effective with his buffs.
But the Swashbuckler's insane AC is an exception. -24 AC (with Plate Mail and Shield) will be very effective against most enemies of IA - even in ToB.

Might as well ask this as well. thetruth, you stated the f/m is potentially the most powerful class in IA. Could you give some tips on spell selection, weapons etc?

He is so powerful because at the same time he can fight well and can stay in the front line longer than other characters (buffs).

A Berserker-Mage (21-22) is even more powerful (with the True G.Mastery patch), but not the ideal dual-class for a party and soloing is extremely difficult in IA.

For Spells a very good combo against the enemies of IA, who use very effectively protection Removal spells, is the following:

SI: Abjuration + Spell Trap + Spell Shield (at high levels or from SotMagi)

and then the usual Stoneskin + Mirror Image + PfMWs and if needed PfMEnergy, Elemental protection, Fireshields etc..
Of course don't forget Improved Haste (in ToB levels combine it with C.Strikes , P.Attacks, Smite).

With a little micromanagement you can renew your buffs during the fight (mainly the SI which will prevent dispelling of your buffs).

About weapons my favourite is the Flail of the Ages for the main hand.
In IA unfortunately it has been nerfed (though it's still a very good weapon), so I would go with Long Swords (dual wielding of course).
And don't forget to give him prof. points in a weapon that does crushing dmg..

This post has been edited by thetruth: Apr 20 2007, 04:04 PM