Poison weapon
mumumomo
Member Posts: 635
I just completed a no-reload solo run in BG1 using an assassin and it was incredibly easy thanks to poison weapon.
Used on a bow, it does amazing damages and prevents spellcaster from doing anything (even applies if they use mirror image)
Once you have access to explosive arrows, it is just crazy, since the poison applies to everyone in the radius of the explosion : just send 2-3 explosive arrows (1 round) and watch everybody dies.
So poison weapon is completely OP in BG1 but how does it fare in BG2?
I suspect its power to disminished quite rapidly. Could anyone give feedback on that?
Thanks in advance
Used on a bow, it does amazing damages and prevents spellcaster from doing anything (even applies if they use mirror image)
Once you have access to explosive arrows, it is just crazy, since the poison applies to everyone in the radius of the explosion : just send 2-3 explosive arrows (1 round) and watch everybody dies.
So poison weapon is completely OP in BG1 but how does it fare in BG2?
I suspect its power to disminished quite rapidly. Could anyone give feedback on that?
Thanks in advance
4
Comments
Strictly speaking, using nearly any kit in BG1 makes the game easier. For example, Avenger vs vanilla Druid, Blade vs vanilla Bard, Berserker vs vanilla Fighter. So an assassin charname can be described as a very powerful tool to overcome everyone in BG1. But in BG1 he at least has a lot of downsides because of a small amount of thieving skill points. You should choose which ability he should be specialized at, this makes up for the power of the Poison weapon ability.
In BG2, even still getting less thieving skill points than other thieves, an assassin charname step by step gets enough points to cover everything so that his downsides diminish quickly. Add to that x7 backstab multiplier and you get a beast.
The Poison weapon ability still stays strong in BG2 and even in ToB. It helps to minimize the harm by enemy mages and clerics if your party manages to finish them while they are poisoned.
But it is not so powerful as it is in BG1 due to 2 facts:
1) enemies in BG2 and in ToB have much more HP than their BG1 counterparts so you'll need more uses of this ability or you'll have to act quicker by everyone in your party
2) enemies in BG2 and in ToB come in much more dangerous parties often containing of several mages and clerics so you likely won't be able to kill everyone with this ability. It will still help you against one foe while other party members will have to fight against other foes.
So this ability will be much more balanced in BG2 and ToB: a VERY useful tool but not OP.
Strictly speaking, without difficulty-enhancing mods many abilities, kits and combinations will seem to be easy in BG1 and BG2. If you feel that something is OP, install the famous SCS mod with which the Poison weapon ability won't look as if it's a game-breaker. I do it this way and enjoy both the difficult fights and my Assassin's cool strengths.
Most parties in BG2 only have one mage with them as the biggest threat, poison him and enjoy all those disrupted spells. It will not go through Protection from Normal/Magical Weapons or Mantles though.
but is there any race better suited to assassin than half-orc? my PC is murderously effective
+1 THAC0 with bows, short swords and long swords (probably these are the weapons you'll use, poison arrows, daggers...)
+ 1 to Dextery which is the prime requisite for Assassins and Thieves generally
An Assassin Elf can begins BG1 with 19 to Dextery and ends with 20. Not bad for the prime requisite, don't you think?
Poison Weapon is still OP in BG2. Not long ago I uploaded a video beating twisted rune playing solo and was funny, killing Shangalar and Layenne with poisoned arrows and the others with traps.
Not to mention combining poison weapon with arrows of detonation (for the masses) or arrows of dispelling (for the mages) ....
Assassin = SLAUGHTER !!!
crazily awesome
I didn't know it worked with arrows of detonation though, that seems like a broken mechanic lol
They do arrow damage as part of the explosion, not just fire. I guess it throws pieces of shrapnel everywhere so it makes kind of sense that they poison as well.
The arrows have way better effects like dispel and now poisoned fireballs of doom. Shame he got stuck with Crossbows in BG2, it was so easy to poison Dragons with Heartseeker.
really
don't want your party in the crossfire, because they will get hit by friendly poison balls of fire. which interestingly enough means that tactically a cavalier works best with dorn. load up on fire resistance, then have dorn target your cav while he barrels into enemies