Berserker-Mage solo insane run, a test run Options

[Krell]

So I've decided to try and devise no-reload tactics for such a character. Moreover, I've picked a game where Robe of Vecna isn't easily found (not on Kaol or Alhoon's unnamed Mage).

Feel free to dislike certain tactics, but keep in mind that I made no external modifications whatsoever to this game. Used a lot of in-game exploits to make it work though.
Will continue using in-game exploits, in an attempt to see how far can such a character go.
Keep in mind that a F/M protagonist of any kind is subject to many changes in the script, triggering nasty abilities from certain powerful enemies, losing a lot of items due to the sole fact that he's soloing and/or a F/M.
A B-M doesn't have the Wish-Rest option as well, neither gets the Expanded Mage Stronghold quests.
Also, with the Robe of Vecna being a late-game item, many enemies are extremely hard to beat.



How to create a powerful enough B-M:

Exit Chateau Irenicus, apply an endless gold/xp exploit, level up the B-M up to level 21 (to maximize THAC0). Picked up Power Attack + Critical Strike HLAs.

Used scroll drinking exploit (sorry about that) to beat Suna Seni with ease. Then again, running away from her is just as good, since PC needs neither the gold nor the xp or items she has.

Defeated Pai-Na (again, scroll drinking, probably could've done it another way too but on Insane it's risky). While PC hasn't dualclassed yet, there IS a Spell Immunity scroll in Pai-Na's treasure trove. That was the sole reason of why PC had to engage her prior to dualclassing. After that the scroll miraculously disappears (anti-F/M scripting).

Roamed a bit around the city, left some free xp untouched, in Umar Hills too. Dualclassed at Berserker level 21, collected the free xp, leveled mage to 11. Back to the city, applied the endless xp/gold exploit up to mage level 25.

Proficiencies: ***** WarHammer, **Flail, **Bastard Sword, **Short Sword, ***Two-Weapon style, and two wasted *Quarterstaff *Dagger.

Numerous battles in the right correct order supplied PC with needed spell scrolls like Improved Mantle, RRR, Spell Turning, Remove Magic, Improved Haste, GoI, etc.

Did the Windspear Dungeon lvl 2 with three token party members to avoid losing Robe of Vecna (if in possession of Kaol). No robe though.

Chapter 3 was uneventful, although had some trouble vs Alhoon and his Greater Elemental golem. Without Critical strikes, he just wouldn't fall quickly enough. The only sound strategy was multiple Noble Spiders.

Max mage level is 28, which leaves PC with -2 spell slots spell levels 1-7 and -1 spell slot lvl 8 and 9 compared to a 31 or 36 lvl mage. All in all, the spell slots for all levels are just too few. We'll see how it goes.



Currently in chapter 4, the Asylum. Interesting info so far:

Amber golems can be petrified (many players probably know that already). However, I didn't know that the Mithril Golem can also be petrified. An easy victory over an otherwise very tough opponent.

By switching main- and offhand weapon, and preserving the total APR by doing that, it is possible to score hits with the offhand as well. Example:

PC has Phosphorous main, Belm off, 9 APR (under Improved Haste), attacking a Skeleton Grandlord. 1-st half round 3 hits main hand 1 hit off-hand 1 hit main-hand. 2nd half-round 3 hits main-hand, 1 hit off-had.
1st half-round: Wait for the first 3 hits, pause game, put a warhammer main-hand and move Phosphorous off-hand. Total APR preserved (9) due to GM with Warhammers, and after unpausing, PC will score a hit with the off-hand, now holding Phosphorous. After the hit, exchange weapons again. A bit tedious, but effective.

Spell Immunity Evocation offers no protection vs Amber golems, unfortunately.

On the Library level in Spellhold, if staking Dace right away and killing his Vampire Lord, PC (or the party, in other cases) can afterwards run away to the safety of the upper level during any battle (Improved Kobolds, Cat'o'Nine'Lives) and enemies won't follow. Nice for resting and replenishing spells.

This post has been edited by Krell: Jun 9 2015, 05:18 PM

[Krell]

Sendai, ugh, took me a lot of time to develop a sound no-reload strategy. Sadly, it requires 3 rests in the pocketplane. Detailed:

Enter Sendai's inner quarters, she gives speech, animates statues, get rid of all except the last one, lead it away, Invisibility, run to the other corner of the map, Pocket Plane.

Rest, prepare adequately with Contingencies and triggers. Go down, cast some long-lasting buffs (ProElec, ProAcid, one Potion of Fire Resistance) lure the last Statue near the Sendai Pet's spawning point, Invisibility, Spell Turning, Foreknowledge, Alacrity, buff, no Improved Invisibility(important), cast six (all I had) Vampiric Touches in quick succession and if the statue is still alive, kill it with a melee hit. As Sendai appears, cast Protection from Energy as a last buff.

PC simply has only one Critical strike. Sendai's pet effectively blocks spellcasting with its Earthshaking roar which applies un-removable Deafness for 5 or 6 rounds (and also inflicts physical damage). So combat starts, PC erects last protections with a LMD on self (thus triggering Contingencies on Hit) and starts hitting the Pet with the best weapons at his disposal. Sadly, that means Hammer of Thor + Runehammer. First round ends, cast Spell Turning. Second round, same. Third round, refresh Alacrity, next PFMW, Spell Turning, GoI, Polymorph self, SI:A, Stoneskin refresh (sendai's Globe of Blades peels one skin each round) PFMW again, turn to spider, activate Minor Sequencer with Strength and Shocking grasp. Now Sendai will cast Dragon Breath or Comet on a 95% protected from fire char (which is exactly how much spider form has, 20 innate from Hell trials, 75% from Prot from Energy, all other protective spells except ProElements simply don't matter after shapeshifting since they actually *set* resistance), however PC had consumed a potion of Fire res which actually adds 50% more to PC's fire res. By that time or a bit later Sendai's pet activates Earthshaking roar for the first time (and will re-cast it until dead each 5 or 6 rounds). Spidery's Shocking grasp is unleashed on a random opponent, which leaves PC's main hand free for a short sword with 10 APR (off-hand empty or shield). After 1 round, PC consumes a potion of Storm Giant str. Next PC starts drinking Oils of Resurgence to counter Earthshaking Roar and Bolt of Glory's physical damage, and refreshes PFMW from a scroll. Strangely enough, PFMW scrolls never fail to cast, while other spell scrolls like Spell Immunity for example have the same chance to fail as any other spell (under Deafness). Afterwards PC turns to human form (all resistances back to normal, although PFE wanes a couple of rounds later), and in a couple more rounds eliminates all spiders and waits (under multiple memorized PFMW and SI) for Improved Web to vanish. Then PC casts Absolute Immunity and summons a Greater Djinni, which leads astray not only Sendai, but her two Web Golems (who will attack a char protected from Magical Weapons, but will not attack one protected from Absolute Immunity). Thus PC runs away to the opposite side of the room and activates Pocket Plane.

Rest, prepare new set of spells and buffs. Strangely enough, Sendai's spells aren't refreshed, she didn't activate her starting buff sequence nor does she use RRoR anymore. So one Spell Immunity is enough for protection. Six Lower Resistances on the golems and 2 Pierce Shields get rid of their magic resistance. Greater Malison lowers their saves, and 11 Flesh to Stone (8 memorized, 3 in trigger) take care of the rest (PC under Absolute Immunity). Even Web golems can be petrified (or Slowed). Since PC has a hard time hitting them (very good AC) and inflicts only 2 dmg even with the best possible weapon (BBoD) definitely petrification is the easiest way to go.

Golems petrified, summon Djinni, again Sendai lead away, PC Pocket Plane, rest. Sendai alone against rested PC stands absolutely no chance.