V7 run, after loooong break Options

[SparrowJacek]

Gauths are susceptible to
SPOILER!

Emotions spell

Sibel: her own club, hammers (Crom), maces. As a piercing or slashing I don't have a clue...

Well, as a Cleric, Sibel can only use crushing weapons.

Avanger PC will use clubs dual wielded, spears as piercing.

Avengers can use scimitars and there are a few nice ones, but the kit was mostly supposed to be a 2h wielder, though nothing stops you from using dual wield

[critto]

Sibel: her own club, hammers (Crom), maces. As a piercing or slashing I don't have a clue...

Her damage output with the club is so high I wouldn't worry about suboptimal choices here. Unless the enemy has a total immunity to blunt, she'll be able to contribute. Just make sure to pre-buff with her with spells.

I am thinking that I don't have a good long sword user and Crom is not the best at Sibel, maybe. Plus 2 fighters with 2 handed weapons maybe a bit too much, one could be enough, and kensai could be a dual wielder. I don' know.

I used to theory-craft weapon choices a lot in the past, but in the end I realised it really does not matter that much. When you have many melee chars, you will be able to deliver enough damage even without insane optimisation. There are enough 2-h weapons to equip two fighters, and kensai is a good choice to be one since he's not the sturdiest one to stay on the front lines. One thing I'd recommend is consider using staves on the avenger protagonist. There will be some superb items available later. Though the dual-wield route is fine too. You can go for treefolk items and use belm/water's edge in off-hand to boost APR.

[Shadan]

Weapon proficiencies are not so important for all classes those can't achieve grandmastery. You have enough points to put ** in several weapons and you can freely change weapons as the situation demands.
However with grandmastery, especially fighter who can grandmaster in any weapons, you have to choose 2 weapons and reach grandmastery in them. When you are grandmaster in a weapon, it is not too wise to change to a weapon with * or ** unless enemy resistance demands it.

My progress:
Companion quests: Anomen, Cernd, Hexxat (exc. last one), Korgan, Jan, Neera, Rashaad (left him in the monk order).
Opened Planar Sphere with Valyga.
Wilson quest was strange. I remember the quest was in my quest log. After I finished Rashaad quest, and saved Wilson, Hidden Refugee was destroyed. I went to thayan enclave, cleared it, back to Hidden Refugee, then I bpought Wilson back, but there wasn't any reaction from Zaviak and I don't find the Wilson quest in my log. Maybe I missed something or I didn't start the quest because I have often to reload cause of my mistakes...
Temple mission: Sir Sarles (Borinall and Amber golem was still too hard)
Lilalcor: Shadow Lover was hard. I realized I need slash/pierce weapons. I bought Spear of Kuldahar, but still I didn't have enught DPS, because her AC was too high. so RB, kensai and Nalisa used giant strength potions (fire " 2 cloud) and 3 heroism potions. 4 bear + clan hunter, max. buffs. Bears were mostly damage soalers in first 2-3 turns. But I won the fight. I hope I won't miss those potions later...
Xzar and Montaron
Tanova encounter: That was especially hard... On the street, so no arcane magic. Buffed up in CC, but Neg Pl. Prot. is very short, and was dispelled by Tanova. I killed 2 vampires very fast, but Tanova needed +3 weapons, and I don't have many of them yet. And I forgot the +3 short sword on Hexaat, who doesn't want to join back for a while.

Forged Iron Horn of Valhalla, and I am planning to buy several scrolls, like Gr. Malison. I hope I don't waste too much money...

I am playing with LOT of reload. Luckily my power computer reload game instantly. I don't remember on enemies, quests etc. so I work with trial and error to learn which encounters are doable and which aren't. For example Planar Prison (Haer'dalis) and Borinall was too hard. And even fights which are winable, I have to learn enemies weak points by trials.

Another strange thing: Combat stats page of my RB is a blank page. All other characters have a combat stat page with full of detailed stats, only the RB missing this. I don1t really know why...

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 28 2024, 07:14 PM

[critto]

However with grandmastery, especially fighter who can grandmaster in any weapons, you have to choose 2 weapons and reach grandmastery in them. When you are grandmaster in a weapon, it is not too wise to change to a weapon with * or ** unless enemy resistance demands it.

True, although I'd argue that it's much easier in case of 2-handed weapons. You're pretty safe maxing out staff, with the second weapon being 2-handed sword or halberd (depending on your end-game preferences).

Another strange thing: Combat stats page of my RB is a blank page. All other characters have a combat stat page with full of detailed stats, only the RB missing this. I don1t really know why...

Does the kit function correctly otherwise? Were there any errors or warnings during the installation (you can check setup-improvedanvil.debug for it)?

[Shadan]

Does the kit function correctly otherwise? Were there any errors or warnings during the installation (you can check setup-improvedanvil.debug for it)?

Yes. Kit works correctly, and there was not any error during installation.

[pekkae]

My progress:
Companion quests: Anomen, Cernd, Hexxat (exc. last one), Korgan, Jan, Neera, Rashaad (left him in the monk order).
Opened Planar Sphere with Valyga.
Wilson quest was strange. I remember the quest was in my quest log. After I finished Rashaad quest, and saved Wilson, Hidden Refugee was destroyed. I went to thayan enclave, cleared it, back to Hidden Refugee, then I bpought Wilson back, but there wasn't any reaction from Zaviak and I don't find the Wilson quest in my log. Maybe I missed something or I didn't start the quest because I have often to reload cause of my mistakes...
Temple mission: Sir Sarles (Borinall and Amber golem was still too hard)
Lilalcor: Shadow Lover was hard. I realized I need slash/pierce weapons. I bought Spear of Kuldahar, but still I didn't have enught DPS, because her AC was too high. so RB, kensai and Nalisa used giant strength potions (fire " 2 cloud) and 3 heroism potions. 4 bear + clan hunter, max. buffs. Bears were mostly damage soalers in first 2-3 turns. But I won the fight. I hope I won't miss those potions later...
Xzar and Montaron
Tanova encounter: That was especially hard... On the street, so no arcane magic. Buffed up in CC, but Neg Pl. Prot. is very short, and was dispelled by Tanova. I killed 2 vampires very fast, but Tanova needed +3 weapons, and I don't have many of them yet. And I forgot the +3 short sword on Hexaat, who doesn't want to join back for a while.

Alright, great progress!

The Wilson thing is very buggy, I don't think I've ever managed to get it properly working and for me it's just not worth it for 5k exp points (or something like that). As it takes planning and numerous reloads etc...

You can ger more potions from roger the fence + soon you'll get gian strength the spell, I always pretty much end up just using that one instead of potions in almost all of the fights.

[critto]

Yes. Kit works correctly, and there was not any error during installation.

Have you tried leveling up? Maybe that'll clear the issue.

[Shadan]

I checked the problem, and I found that Combat stats page blank only in combat. All other characters have a full combat stats and out of combat RB has also a full detailed Combat stats page.
I just wanted to check in combat what you, Critto, wrote about to hit rolls.

Are these spells removed from IA?
Minor Sequencer
Sunfire
Spell Sequencer

You can ger more potions from roger the fence + soon you'll get gian strength the spell, I always pretty much end up just using that one instead of potions in almost all of the fights.

Thanks. I knew Roger, just I don't want to buy potion until it is absolutely needed. I have Giant Strength spell, just I use Heal, summon, Wondrous Recall (for Chaotic Commands) as lvl 6 spells yet. Avanger protagonist and Sibel using DUHM to reach 22-23 strength in fights (imho it is better than Righteous Magic, because last longer and raise other stats also). Kensai is half-orc with 19 strenth, Giant Strength spell gives 20, so not worth a lvl 6 slot. On Nalia maybe, RB has 18/00, so it is questionable.

Progression:
Jaheira quest
Slavers in Slums: Charged from sewers. That mage was hard, because he was able to dispel my whole party. My only hope was to kick him out with Emotion or Chaos. It took like 6-8 tries. Avenger died 2 times from named slaver and assassins. One time wizard fell from Emotion, but I stepped into trap at stairs, and RB died. Wizard passed save against Emotion/Chaos in few tries, but when he fell 2nd time, I wanted to disarm trap before I move up to him. I don't know if it is possible in combat, because Sibel went near to trap, turned searching on, and wanted to wait, but Sibel headlessly run into trap because he wanted to attack the wizard. Luckily he survived, so fight was over.
Killed crypt king and queen.
Then I was clueless. I thought I could try pirates in dock tavern, I have 2 IH + RB inner IH. Buffed up, but it were hopeless 3-4 tries. Coordinator is untouchable, and dispel my whole party.

Now I am planning Ashidena guardians (maybe 3 IH is enough). and I read in journals, there are spiders in ogre tower at druid grove.
Than I will try Paina and De'Arnise Keep 2nd level.
I hope they are doable with lvl 11 fighters, lvl 12 mages.

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 29 2024, 03:46 AM

[DequNew]

Are these spells removed from IA?
Minor Sequencer
Sunfire
Spell Sequencer

They are in game, just bit harder to find ( Minor Sequencer maybe in some shops Watchers keep/Thieves shops in streets night time), Sunfire in Adventures mart Scroll shop I think.

Pirates are doable, but coordinator needs poke in to make some hits, move away/evade start of round not staying near it. But that is tiresome tactic.

I think your team can poke in Shadow Temple ruins, Shadow Jailor should be doable and early part of temple until meet liches (they also doable, but you need find tactic (skeletons to time consume to exaust all PFMW and 1 PFME or Ring of Victor for ultimate disruption tool)). Then Watchers Keep first level easy content. Then testing Windspear Hills dungeon inside. Mencar Pebblecrusher and Party should be doable.

This post has been edited by DequNew: Dec 29 2024, 05:36 AM

[critto]

I checked the problem, and I found that Combat stats page blank only in combat. All other characters have a full combat stats and out of combat RB has also a full detailed Combat stats page.

Weird. I never really paid attention to that page during the combat, will have to check myself.

Avanger protagonist and Sibel using DUHM to reach 22-23 strength in fights (imho it is better than Righteous Magic, because last longer and raise other stats also).

Righteous Magic packs a bit more of a punch because it also sets an effect that causes the character to deal max damage. Also, for maximum efficiency you could also pre-buff with Holy Power before RM/DUHM to increase THAC0 as well.

Thanks. I knew Roger, just I don't want to buy potion until it is absolutely needed.

There's also a trader in the bridge district (mrs. craigsmoon) who sells a lot of potions as well.

My only hope was to kick him out with Emotion or Chaos. It took like 6-8 tries.

Did you do Greater Malison on him beforehand?

Coordinator is untouchable, and dispel my whole party.

The key with Coordinator is to spread out and know what to anticipate in order to outlast his attacks. Buy some supplements such as fire res potions.

[Shadan]

Did you do Greater Malison on him beforehand?

No. I didn't want to waste a round, becuuse if GR. Malison, then Emotion, he maybe cast out one dispel. Sometimes 2 Emotion is better then 1 Gr. Malison and 1 Emotion.

They are in game, just bit harder to find ( Minor Sequencer maybe in some shops Watchers keep/Thieves shops in streets night time), Sunfire in Adventures mart Scroll shop I think.

Thanks! I've found Minor Seq and Sunfire. I am thinking on a new idea: 2 Webs in Minor Seq. With two casters, that means 4 Web. Does it work? Do enemies have to roll save against each Web invidually in every round?

I've bought some scrolls: Limited Wish, 2 PfMW, 2 Sunfire, 2 Minor Seq, PfNM, 2 Gr. Malison.
Forged: Paws of the Furious Cat, Yeti Hide Cloak, Iron Horn of Valhalla.

Figured out, that 2 different caster means 2 Enchanted Weapons, so Nalia has two +3 longswords.

Progress:
Ashideena guardians
Paina: perma Scroll, yeah!
Spiders in Ogre Tower: Belm for RB.
Chaos: it was hard, because 7 Call Lightning after a Gr. Malison were not enough. So I recruited Cernd back, and took like 12 Call Lightning to kill him. I dont't know how to kill him with only Cernd, if my protagonist is not a druid.

Now I am trying to do do De'Arnise Keep. I will start with Yuan-ti mage + trolls and vengeance trolls. I will try the 4 Webs tactic here.

[critto]

Do enemies have to roll save against each Web invidually in every round?

When the spells are already active in the area, then you will roll saves against each one individually.

It's a bit tricker when the sequencer just fires. In general, there's usually only one saving throw roll of a particular type, but in some cases (especially when auto-pause: spell cast is used) the engine forces a character to roll individual saving-throws not only against each spell, but even against each effect inside a single spell. This why people occasionally report situations when a character seemingly made a successful saving throw against a spell, but still got a portrait icon or animation hanging above the character's avatar. This is a known engine issue due to how time is tracked inside the game.

Chaos: it was hard, because 7 Call Lightning after a Gr. Malison were not enough. So I recruited Cernd back, and took like 12 Call Lightning to kill him. I dont't know how to kill him with only Cernd, if my protagonist is not a druid.

One solution is to postpone the encounter until a later date. It's much easier in ch6. Also, in v7 druids get an improved call lightning later that packs a bigger punch.

[Shadan]

Well, De'Arnise Keep drove me to crazy. Let me to write down, how blind and stupid I am...
I cleared 1st floor a while ago. I went back yesterday, cleared the 2nd floor, Glacias, golem room etc. Then I started to look for the stairs to the roof. I found stairs to basement, but I didn't want to face TorGal yet. After an hour of looking, I abandoned this, all stairs were blocked. So I moved to basement. Then, just before TorGal, I realized I forgot FoA and food for umber hulks. Stairs was blocked, so I reloaded older save, and went to kitchen and to the forge. In the forge, I was surprised because only FoA+2 was available. I checked on net, where are the heads. I looted Glacias and golem room, and at "1st-floor-clear" the crypt also. I noticed that I am missing the cold head from crypt. I thought that I misplaced it earlier, so I started to reload older saves to check in which save do I have the cold head. I haven't found anything, then I searched here in IA forums, and realized that gate yuan-ti has it. I haven't lowered the bridge yet, because I forgot that and haven't found that stairs outside. Started the search now, but I haven't found again how I can lower the bridge. After a while and net search I've found the stairs outside what I've missed, because I am blind.
So FoA+3 was forged and TorGal waited for me. Well it took hours and a lots of tries to kill him. I tried several tactics, but he was immune to all spells, Lower Res could be work, but in this fight you don't have time for that. Chaos, Emotion, Hold Monster didn't work on noble trolls even after GM. I tried to lure trolls and gem golem out, to kill the gem golem while TorGal casting Storm, but then Storm hit that room room. So I realized, best tactic to storm TorGal. I was able to disrupt Storm casting, but dispel was casted, and that was game over always. I realized, I need more offensive, so I tried the wual wield with avanger and Sibel. Well, the THACO was not enoght high with dual wiled, but lower AC meant they were killed more easily. So I need defensive power also, I drunk Potion of Defense with avanger, Potion of Fire G. Str. on RB and Nalia. Now I was able to kill TG 3-4 times, and even disrupt dispel, but I was badly damaged and gem golem + nobel trolls killed at least 1 character. So I changed my spell selection, skipped Chaotic C., it seemed that is not needed here, so avanger had more Ironskins, and Sibel had a Mass Cure. Finally, I was able to kill that bastard.

My team:
Avanger: lvl 12, Club+3, Shield of the Lost+2, AC was -14 with Potions of Defense.
Sibel: lvl 11, her club, Saving Grace+3, AC was -12.
RB: lvl 11, FoA+3, Belm, Fire Giant Str.
Kensai: lvl 11, Lilacor
Nalia: lvl 12 mage, 9 fighter, 2 longsword+3, Fire Giant Str.
Neera: lvl 12

2 mountain, bears, Joolon, Kitthix, clan hunter. Full cleric buffs including Free A and Prot. from Fire, buffed clan hunter also.
Avanger tanked TorGal, Nalia moved to get aggro from gem golem. Sibel, clan hunter, kensai on TorGal, RB waited a bit, to avoid a lot of aggro, then attacked TG also. Neera Breach.
Nalia Gr. Malison when reached the golem, and started to attack TG after spell is cast.
Neera Chaos after Breach (no success on trolls), then started RoFs on golem. When TorGal was dead, my summons were dead also except clan hunter, so launched 2 webs from Minor Seq. Avanger, RB, kensai (with staff+3) and Nalia attacked the golem, Neera kept casting RoFs. When golem was dead, started to cast Fireballs and Sunfires with 2 mages.
Used up several healing potions, 1 Heal, 1 Mass Cure, renewed Ironskins once, Stoneskins 2 times on Nalia.

It took appr. 8 hours of playing to clear this keep and kill TG. Nex time ti will be probably 1, max. 2 hours I hope.

[Shadan]

Well, I did Sibel's village several times, and with a little help from Critto (thanks!), I think, I've done all there.
I tried 1st level in WK, but abandoned it. Fanatic Spirit hard, maybe doable with full buffs, but I think it is pointless to do know, because Spider Queen is absolutely out of my power.

Went to Temple Ruins:
Shadow Jailor: Was easy on my level.

2 Shade Liches with Skeleton Lords: Well, first they seemed too hard. No Breach, lot of PfMW. So with a hard brainworking I started remember:
SPOILER!

- Kill skellies, planetar fast.
- Pull away mummies and Mordi sword.
- Keep lich busy with mages casting lot of SI abjuration.
- Keep lich using PfMW to keep summons on them.
- Others party is far away, rebuffing them as needed. Swapping to 2 mages near to lich as needed.
- Be sure, only PfME buffed chars near to lich when he is below half HP. (At one try even a 141 HP kensai died from 3 ADHW).

Shade Lord: Was not so easy on my level as I thought:
Strength drain was hard. I used 2 RRR scrolls to dispel his spell protection, then I breached him continously, but I am not sure if he is immune to Breach or not. I've never seen dispel text in combat log.
Sibel is very strong, killed Shadow Patrik in solo. I moved her and Patrik to altar and lot of shades were destroyed by her Blade Barrier also.

[DequNew]

Did you tried Shadow dragon? Might seems hard at first but I think it is easier than Shade Lord.

[Shadan]

No, I left him, I thought it is impossible at this level. Maybe I will try prespellhold then.

[critto]

Shadow Dragon should generally be doable pre-Spellhold, but there are certain things that might make this fight easier.

[Alva]

2 Shade Liches with Skeleton Lords: Well, first they seemed too hard. No Breach, lot of PfMW. So with a hard brainworking I started remember:

SPOILER!

Sibel at this level can solo almost any lich, with her regen. You need a backup mage in a corner that can cast protection from energy. Use x3 or x4 chaotic commands (CC). The Lich will dispel Sibel when she is under CC. They have 3 / 4 dispels. When they are exhausted, go protection from fire + run in the corner when your hidden mage cast protection from energy, then go solo. The lich will not have enought damage to beat Sibel regen, so it's over for it. I did all pre-spellhold lich that way. Kill minions with your other characters, in another room.

Spells that affect lich :

- Bolt of the grove (and the same bolt lvl 6 from the cleric spellbok), but you need RRoR to dispel de spell reflection.
- Sunray (lvl7 cleric), but only work on low lvl lich
- Dragfon breath (lvl 9 mage) but only work with low level lich
- Implosion (lvl 7 druid/cleric), but you need RRoR
- Hand of undoing (lvl 7 or 8 mage), RRoR needed
- Bigby fists (lvl 8 and 9 mage), RRoR needed.

But you need a lot of them to kill a lich.

I prefer going spell attrition until I have lvl 9 mage or lvl 7 cleric / druid spell and a lot of them.

This post has been edited by Alva: Jan 2 2025, 05:27 PM

[Alva]

No, I left him, I thought it is impossible at this level. Maybe I will try prespellhold then.

I thought as well, but when I came back from spellhold, I realized it is doable. I did not felt he was IA improved. It felt pretty much like in the base game. He died so fast.
You could try.

[critto]

The dragon is improved 100%. But it is doable pre-Spellhold.