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!

[LZJ]

Here's my advice...

Certain Mage tactics to make things easier:

SPOILER!

As Sikret mentioned above, Sunfire bypasses MR. You mentioned that you were overwhelmed by Fallen Devas, so what I would suggest is to memorise a few Sunfires (2-3 in total may be enough) and use them to disrupt the Priestesses' summon spells: they usually cast Summon Deva in the first round (the 2nd round if they cast True Sight in the 1st round), so your mage would have to be amongst the first sent in to cast the spell (should be Hasted).

Another good time to disrupt their spells via Sunfire is when they all begin to cast Summon Bears, unless you have a Death Spell handy (memorized, Vhailor's Helm or Skull of Death). In general, powerful Priest spells take a long time to cast making them easier to disrupt.

Most of the enemies have high MR (except for Killer Spiders which have none... not sure about Lesser Spirit Spiders), hence Lower MR should be used if you want to use offensive spells aside from Sunfire. Sikret has already mentioned the trick of 3 X Lower MR in a Spell Trigger, and you can also set a Spell Sequencer with 3 X Flame Arrow (3rd lvl spell) to be used once MR is lowered. Area effect offensive spells can probably only clear out the Killer and Lesser Spirit Spiders.

Fighters' priorities:
SPOILER!

The Whisper and Ghost Spiders should be your top priority. Whispers first as Sikret mentioned, since they are easier to kill. Ghost Spiders MUST come next else they might summon a new wave of spiders. If fighters get confused by the Whisper Spider, get Anomen to cast Greater Restoration, which cures the Confusion... you cannot afford to wait it out. Also, if I remember correctly, Ghost Spiders need +3 weapons to hit (but I'm not sure of this). Use Enchant Weapon to help you out here, since they last 24 hours... and +3 weapons have better THAC0 bonuses than +2 weapons... just mentioned this as your Anomen's only wielding +2 weapons. Anomen can be invaluable in this fight with Righteous Magic + Draw Upon Holy Might.

My personal choice is to deal with the Spirit Spiders next. They have decent MR so damage spells may not be effective, and they have a chance of Holding/paralysing your characters. After that, try your best to kill the mages if possible, as after some time they will cast Horrid Wilting... by then your Abjuration buffs would have been removed by the Ghost and Whisper Spiders.