Class selection Options

[rbeverjr]

I’ve been doing some more experimenting with the classes. The Swashbuckler armed with the Judgment Day (which I still plan on not using) and The Truth longswords would be nothing less than spectacular. He would have Time Traps, good regular traps (which occasionally work), great AC, can use any scroll and most any equipment (it seems that Sikret’s NPC upgraded equipment are exceptions), has a terrific THAC0, and can whirlwind. His offense is almost equal to a kensai and his defense and versatility are far superior. Compared to the fighter-mage types he would still fall short, but I am avoiding playing those as the protagonist because they are so powerful. I'll probably avoid playing the swashbuckler too until I am bored with the kensai, because the swashbuckler can be a monster.

I traded in my fighter 7-mage and my ranger 7-cleric for a cleric-mage multiclass and auramaster. I’m not sure that this was a good trade. I thought that a high level cleric would be great, because in the normal game you get Skeleton Warriors quicker and more of them as you level. Furthermore, you can actually turn things like liches. Skeleton Warriors are no match for Sikret golems (nor or HLA summons really), and I can’t turn the undead that I would like to in IA. Still, the high level cleric gets many Greater Restorations and that’s the bomb, man. The typical cleric-mage combo cheese should be fairly ineffective in IA, but the cleric-mage should have a great defense. She also has a lot of spells. (I wish there was an extra ring of wizardry for Aerie.) The Auramaster should be helpful early because the druid levels quickly in a race for the Heal spell. Yes, Heal can work in combat with the auramaster. Bring the fighter to him and with the proper equipment his casting time is very short. The problem is that at higher levels the druid advances very slowly. What this means is less level 7 spells. Sikret did a great job of giving the auramaster some of the best arcane spells, as well as the druid spells. I just can’t have enough level 7 spells for this guy. Unfortunately, he has far fewer than the fighter 7-cleric. On the other hand, Sikret kindly gave the druid a way to defend himself with Perfect Camouflage, which should help him survive if monsters make it through the lines. I think that both pairs, the fighter 7-mage + ranger 7-cleric and the mage-cleric + auramaster, are good choices. I’m not sure which is best and will do some more playing with them. I invite everyone’s comments on these choices. Note this is on a team of 6. Kensai, swashbuckler, fighter-illusionist, and sorcerer are the other 4; so, I have 3 good melee guys and a powerful arcane.

[rbeverjr]

I don't think that there is a bug in my game. Come on guys, I'm trusting you as experts. If the THAC0 progression is extended to level 40 - and I'm assuming that's what the EoU mod does - then Toxeus is correct that a regular rogue will have an empty handed THAC0 of 1 at level 39. At level 36, it is 3. Subtract his strength and his swashbuckler bonus and you get -6. I feel better now! And once again, I think the Swashbuckler is pretty cool!

I personally don't think that extending the table is necessarily overpowered if every class continues the established progression - 1 for fighter, 2 for rogues, and 3 for spell casters. Particularly, if the opposition in the mod assumes that you are using this component. I expect that it does as Sikret recommends the use of the unnerfed tables. Regardless, I don't feel bad about using anything that Sikret recommends. Just like I ditch those things that Sikret says no to. I'll continue to use every thing available to my advantage that Sikret recommends/allows until I have demonstrated some mastery of the game. I hate reloads! Fortunately, I am having less of them now.

Speaking of reloading... If anyone wants to drop me hints on how to handle THE demon prince (the newbie, not demogorgon or orcus), I'd appreciate it. That looks like a battle that is simply beyond my skill for a while. I really can not imagine beating it.