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

[critto]

Petrifying of golems is blocked in IAv6.2 Enjoy it while you can (or just play IAv6 and enjoy it indefinitely).

[Krell]

Petrifying of golems is blocked in IAv6.2 Enjoy it while you can (or just play IAv6 and enjoy it indefinitely).

There is yet another spell which can eliminate a Web (and probably any other) Golem as well instantaneously. But, sorry, I will not reveal which one. If you want, test and give protection to the golems from that spell as well. I am against closing certain strategies, no matter how cheesy they may look to you. There are players who will never use them, but the decision of which strategy to apply should be the player's, not the modder's.

As a side note, I gave up on my Berserker-Mage solo test run and am currently attempting a Kensai-Mage solo run. A v6 K-M cannot wear robes or gloves, so no way to get reduced casting speed of more than 2, nor will be able to use the Gauntlets of Extraordinary specialization, but since in the last battle THAC0 and damage was all I needed to win, I guess that will do it. Game is no-reload, already restarted once, but at least found a relatively easy way to deal with Pai-Na and her guardian spiders without resorting to the *scroll drinking* exploit. Also, avoided Suna (to avoid *scroll drinking* altogether) and managed to steal the body of Rylock underneath the noses of his assassins. A couple of non-essential items and scrolls lost there.

Maxed out levels, 21(Kensai)-28(Mage), this char will have 4 better THAC0 and 3 better damage even compared to an Enraged B-M with Gauntlets of extraordinary specialization, and since Enrage cannot be sustained indefinitely, the actual difference is 6 THAC0, 5 damage. Hopefully that (and Polymorph to Spider) will be enough to beat the Rakshasa Prince.