Drow Ambush Options

[Zarathustra]

Alright. I've done the Drow ambushes before, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how (other than blind luck). After doing well enough so far, I've been stuck at the first (the non-dispelling) Drow fight for three days now. I know Sikret will tune it down for next version, but for now, I'm stuck with what is. So, any and all non-cheesy tips will be very welcome, including the heaviest of spoilers.

Party:
NPC - Vagrant (FoA, Frostreaver)
Valygar (V's Katana or Club+3, Belm)
Minsc (Lilarcor or Spear of Impaling or Staff+3)
Sir Anomen (Ashideena or MoD)
Nalia
Imoen

Average XP is about 2,800,000; the Beholder and Illithid lairs have been cleared; lots of healing potions are available, but almost no other potions; haven't forged a single IA item yet. As I said, up to this point, the game has been of moderate difficulty - usually two or three reloads per improved encounter.

SPOILER!

The main tactics so far have been either (1) a summons-heavy full assault, or (2) a summons-heavy pincer movement followed by retreat, trying to separate Drow from spiders, or (3) a fire-based tactic (let's not talk about that one...). In every approach, my priority has been to take out the two Ghost Spiders ASAP, then mop up the other spiders, finally the Drow. Also in every approach, Imoen has been blasting away with Horrid Wilting and Emotion from the rear while a buffed Nalia tried to divert some attention from the frontliners. Basically, I can never take out the Ghost Spiders before being crippled by the Drow to such an extent that the Fallen Devas, Flamestrikes, and remaining Spiders then slaughter my party. I'd split my warriors into a first-phase and second-phase group - one to kill the Ghost Spiders and probably sacrifice itself, the other to hang back in order to later face the spellcasters with their crucial buffs intact - but even with two Swanmays, there's not enough melee power for that to be effective.

So, I'd appreciate advice. Thanks in advance!

[Sikret]

SPOILER!

The main tactics so far have been either (1) a summons-heavy full assault, or (2) a summons-heavy pincer movement followed by retreat, trying to separate Drow from spiders, or (3) a fire-based tactic (let's not talk about that one...).

SPOILER!

Since the enemies in this battle have high magic resistance, the only fire-based tactics which may work against them is a tactics including Sunfire and Dragon's Breath spells (i.e. spells which bypass MR). Your levels re too low for DB; if you don't have enough number of Sunfire spells either, you should forget a fire-based approach.

SPOILER!

In every approach, my priority has been to take out the two Ghost Spiders ASAP, then mop up the other spiders

SPOILER!

In general, and in every battle with spiders, you should give priority to Whisper Spiders, because they are almost as dangerous as Ghost Spiders but are much easier to kill.

SPOILER!

Also in every approach, Imoen has been blasting away with Horrid Wilting and Emotion from the rear while a buffed Nalia tried to divert some attention from the frontliners.

SPOILER!

ADHW doesn't bypass enemies' magic resistance. First, have Nalia fire one spell trigger consisiting three lower resistance spells on one of the two Ghost Spiders and then cast spells which can be blocked by magic resistance. It may help.

SPOILER!

Basically, I can never take out the Ghost Spiders before being crippled by the Drow to such an extent that the Fallen Devas, Flamestrikes, and remaining Spiders then slaughter my party. I'd split my warriors into a first-phase and second-phase group - one to kill the Ghost Spiders and probably sacrifice itself, the other to hang back in order to later face the spellcasters with their crucial buffs intact - but even with two Swanmays, there's not enough melee power for that to be effective.

SPOILER!

I doubt that splitting the warriors can be effective because you will lower your total amount of damage per round by keeping some warriors out of the battleground. Anomen is now probably high level enough to cast Free Action on your party members and hope that the enemies' remove magic spells won't have a big chance to dispel it. Imoen can also use the humble Larloch's Minor Drain to interrupt the enemy spellcasters' spells (remember that it bypasses MR).

It's certainly a difficult battle. The fact that you haven't forged any of IA's items makes things even harder for you. You could at least forge Phosphorus in chapter 3. It could make a meaningful difference in your offensive power.Try different tactics and tell us when you finally succeed to win so that we also celebrate with you.