Yet another run, this time starring a Necro, Max H2H Options

[pekkae]

As it's been relatively quiet for some time at the forum I though I'd do a post about a run I've been thinking about recently. I don't have the time to start this in the near future, but every now and then I find myself yet again tinkering with the crew composition. Any comments would be welcome.

Our last run with "double -5" worked extremely well for most parts of the game. While we has some difficulties, we managed to develop our crew to quite OP mid-game and break through the demofight.

This time instead of being insanely capable in spellcasting we thought we'd develop an extreme H2H crew, playing on insane. This is what is in the works:

The locks (edit: they turned out not to be locks ...)

PC: Necromancer. Shall get the Necro stuff thus with required buffs be a little bit competent in H2H as well. With 2 APR / Decent Thac0 through TPT & Giant Strength. We thinks she'll be ok.

Jaheira: Early game superpowers. Great 2H H2H. Skins & Critical Striking. She rocks.

Custom multiclass F/I: Early game ubertank. Will get fighter Thac0's & Critical Strikes. Worked amazingly well on the last run.

Riskbreaker (probably Imoen): Will get JD. Gets to amazing physical resistance though Hardiness + CBS + JD. Will be an amazing tank + damage dealer.

What we're thinking

A custom R/C multiclass. Shall get full access to druidic spells. So fighter Thac0's, Critical Strikes + skins. Oh and insanely low AC (effective should hover around -28 unbuffed mid game). The only character that can both tank + has about the best combat buffs available (Draw Upon Holy Might should work wonders + Righteous Magic). We think she'll be great.

And the last slot.

Valygar the Vagrant? Can probably tank a little bit with Vagrant bonuses + Defender of Easthaven + Greean leaves armour + Armor of Faith + Double Regen. And can summon. Gets ofc fighter thac0's & critical strikes.

But if not Vagrant, whom should we take? Regular fighters are out of question for physical resistance through only hardiness is rather useless on insane - the characters need something else to protect themselves or increased physical resistance though something else.

A custom made Swashbuckler/Fighter could work as a dual classed assassin->fighter.

What else?

This post has been edited by pekkae: Oct 4 2022, 06:50 PM

[lroumen]

The swashbuckler gets enough gear to be contributing, and I always want a thief for traps and locks. The most power is in the on hit effects, and with the very low ac and the effect that raises ac, they are very durable.

Paladins with bastard swords and JD are quite nice. It takes a while to get them there because these weapons come late, but meanwhile there are enough long swords avaliable as well as axes. Some cleric spells like armour of faith and resist fear, cure paralysis and they are very useful as well on utility.

[pekkae]

The swashbuckler gets enough gear to be contributing, and I always want a thief for traps and locks. The most power is in the on hit effects, and with the very low ac and the effect that raises ac, they are very durable.

Paladins with bastard swords and JD are quite nice. It takes a while to get them there because these weapons come late, but meanwhile there are enough long swords avaliable as well as axes. Some cleric spells like armour of faith and resist fear, cure paralysis and they are very useful as well on utility.

Hmh. Ok. I'm a bit worried about the very low HP of the Swashbuckler + very low APR's if using 2H weapons. That's why I've always sort of dismissed them outright. Playing on insane the negative sides only are alleviated.

Completely agree on the Paladin. Keldorn with beefed up wisdom rocking JD + The Truth for example is really good character.

Great to see another run from you!

It's a shame, that we don't have more time for modding lately. I had a (well, in my opinion at least!) nice idea for Thief rebalancing, that could bring all kits back to the game without the need to dual class them. After that change, a single class Assassin would be a good addition to your party, I'm sure of that.

At some point we will introduce those changes (and many more!), I hope you will be motivated to test new party composiotions and tell us your opinion about them!

Haha. Nice to see someone read my ramblings. It would be much fun to try out new things you are working on, at least that way I wouldn't have to make up my own alterations to the game to make it more interesting. Care to share anything about the modifications to the Assassin?

Sounds fun! My vote is for 3x RB, 2x Avenger (1x dual wield, 1x 2H), and sorcerer or necro.

I’m surprised to hear you say that JD breaks the game, since JD comes nearly at the end of the game. Good luck!

Thanks! I don't about to RB's, I think I would have terrible time surviving with this crew as only 3 skinned characters + RB's arent that good with 2H weapons. But on core this is probably as deadly as it gets.