So, the odds that a wizard-slayer will succeed are basically zero, aren't they?;) A WS solo run
JuliusBorisov
Member, Administrator, Moderator, Developer Posts: 22,760
Those who stay in touch with this forum probably know I'm currently on a totemic druid solo run, already in Amn. I'm having fun with this character and will continue. It looks like this month there will be more spare time for me so I'll be able to start another adventure and will switch between them.
I like challenges, especially those that seem to be unpopular ones. The question about which class (kit) is the most difficult for a solo run through BG games seems is being raised quite often. I'm yet to finish the saga with a druid but it seems my nature just wants more.
I will place here just several of threads where in one way or another people say that a Wizard Slayer is one of the hardest characters to solo a game.
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/30508/which-is-the-most-difficult-solo-single-class-kit-or-no-kit-for-bg-saga/p1
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/2559/what-s-the-easiest-and-hardest-class-classes-to-solo-the-game
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/18159/does-wizard-slayer-suck-as-much-as-it-looks-like
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/29163/most-difficult-solo-run
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/258273-/59675237?page=1
http://social.bioware.com/en/forum/1/topic/183/index/7966069/1
I tend to agree with this point of view. In my runs I rely heavily on potions, wands, amulets and other items. Having just finished BG1 with a druid, I can say that the main keys to the success were the Greenstone Amulet, the Shiel Amulet, potions of Magical Blocking (Protection), different rings and so on. Basically, the game was beaten by items rather than a character himself. What if there are no such items, some of them being considered OP by some people?
You know what? Challenge accepted.
I've created a dwarven WS, Valthur Blackrock is his name.
Being restricted by items a lot, a WS needs good saving throws and stats. No dualling here, because any dual-class can strongly improve a WS. No WS mods (although there's an excellent http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/24181/wizard-slayer-rebalancing-for-bg-ee-and-bgii-ee/ mod) because I want to test this kit as it is.
I know that in 1.3 patch a WS bonus against casters will cover ranged weapons as well as melee ones but while this patch is not out yet I won't change the game mechanics. As @ZanathKariashi pointed out one day, WS's ability is not, and never should apply to ranged weapons, in every incarnation, even PnP, it requires a melee weapon, in melee combat. So while there's no official word on it, no modding in this part.
I have some basic ideas how I can overcome no items (except armor and weapons). Stupifier + a shield. Acid Arrows that count as +1 and do 2-12 acid dam no save, Arrows of Detonation, Arrows of Dispelling. I'm sure I'll find some other tactics as the run goes on but now I see a mace and a bow as a good combo. Throwing axes could give more damage and they get a WS bonus but there're no effects on axes, such as Biting, Piercing, Dispelling, Detonation and so on. Stupifier may be not so impressive, damage-wise, but it can stun even the Death Knight.
Having studied some rules about dwarven names and surnames (for i.e., http://www.stoneandsteelguildhall.com/names.html/), I've discovered their names often consist of 2 parts - prefix and suffix, while their surnames often reflect something about their clan, history or character.
Val means Magic/Magical and Thur means Hunter. And Blackrock just rocks;)
How (and whether) is it possible? Well, this attempt is here to bring some evidence to the myth about a WS. Will I become a Mythbuster? Or will I just prove this is unreal? We'll see.
I’ll try to play a no-reload SCS run with an option for minimal reloads if the character will be killed but I will feel myself attached to it. Also, your reactions, ideas and just a general discussion is much appreciated, as always
))
I like challenges, especially those that seem to be unpopular ones. The question about which class (kit) is the most difficult for a solo run through BG games seems is being raised quite often. I'm yet to finish the saga with a druid but it seems my nature just wants more.
I will place here just several of threads where in one way or another people say that a Wizard Slayer is one of the hardest characters to solo a game.
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/30508/which-is-the-most-difficult-solo-single-class-kit-or-no-kit-for-bg-saga/p1
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/2559/what-s-the-easiest-and-hardest-class-classes-to-solo-the-game
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/18159/does-wizard-slayer-suck-as-much-as-it-looks-like
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/29163/most-difficult-solo-run
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/258273-/59675237?page=1
http://social.bioware.com/en/forum/1/topic/183/index/7966069/1
I tend to agree with this point of view. In my runs I rely heavily on potions, wands, amulets and other items. Having just finished BG1 with a druid, I can say that the main keys to the success were the Greenstone Amulet, the Shiel Amulet, potions of Magical Blocking (Protection), different rings and so on. Basically, the game was beaten by items rather than a character himself. What if there are no such items, some of them being considered OP by some people?
You know what? Challenge accepted.
I've created a dwarven WS, Valthur Blackrock is his name.
Being restricted by items a lot, a WS needs good saving throws and stats. No dualling here, because any dual-class can strongly improve a WS. No WS mods (although there's an excellent http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/24181/wizard-slayer-rebalancing-for-bg-ee-and-bgii-ee/ mod) because I want to test this kit as it is.
I know that in 1.3 patch a WS bonus against casters will cover ranged weapons as well as melee ones but while this patch is not out yet I won't change the game mechanics. As @ZanathKariashi pointed out one day, WS's ability is not, and never should apply to ranged weapons, in every incarnation, even PnP, it requires a melee weapon, in melee combat. So while there's no official word on it, no modding in this part.
I have some basic ideas how I can overcome no items (except armor and weapons). Stupifier + a shield. Acid Arrows that count as +1 and do 2-12 acid dam no save, Arrows of Detonation, Arrows of Dispelling. I'm sure I'll find some other tactics as the run goes on but now I see a mace and a bow as a good combo. Throwing axes could give more damage and they get a WS bonus but there're no effects on axes, such as Biting, Piercing, Dispelling, Detonation and so on. Stupifier may be not so impressive, damage-wise, but it can stun even the Death Knight.
Having studied some rules about dwarven names and surnames (for i.e., http://www.stoneandsteelguildhall.com/names.html/), I've discovered their names often consist of 2 parts - prefix and suffix, while their surnames often reflect something about their clan, history or character.
Val means Magic/Magical and Thur means Hunter. And Blackrock just rocks;)
How (and whether) is it possible? Well, this attempt is here to bring some evidence to the myth about a WS. Will I become a Mythbuster? Or will I just prove this is unreal? We'll see.
I’ll try to play a no-reload SCS run with an option for minimal reloads if the character will be killed but I will feel myself attached to it. Also, your reactions, ideas and just a general discussion is much appreciated, as always
)) 14
Comments
You might want to check out the No-Reload threads at the Bioware Forums. One of the members, named Grond0 recently completed a no-reload trilogy run with a solo Wizard Slayer. I know he did have the character tweaked to allow himself to disrupt with ranged attacks, and I'm not sure about his exact game setup. You could read more on this page. It contains his final post. You'd have to scroll back from there and look for his entries. His exploits in BG1 can be found in a separate BG1 no-reload challenge thread.
Your stats look fine (you don't really need to have high rolls on the non-pysical stats).
I would never want to consciously rely on saves in a no-reload run, but I understand you may not have any other options. I'd suggest that you buy the Claw of Kazgaroth, usable by eveyone including Wizard Slayers. The item gives +3 bonuses against all saves but death, against which you'll be saving with a -3 penalty. However since you can use antidotes, failed saves against poison (spiders, arrow of biting) are easily remedied. Remember that the claw is a cursed item that lowers your CON with 2, but 20 CON (after the Manual of Bodily Health) minus 2 makes 18 CON, which still gives you the highest possible shorty saves. Maybe you'd have to get a Priest cast Remove Curse to unequip it each time you want to level up. With your CON back to 20 you should get more HP at levelling up.
I agree that for ranged attacks arrows of biting and arrows that do elemental damage, arrows of dispelling and detonation are preferable over throwing axes, though you could consider specializing in axes any way.
Another piece of advice: try to avoid unnecessary mage fights (you should be fine in physical fights). You'll gain XP quick enough and gold shouldn't be much of an issue. Most gear will be inaccessible to you anyway.
But if you don't think a solo SCS no-reload run with an unmodded Wizard Slayer is going to be terribly challenging, then please explain yourself. You have practically no way except killer saving throws to protect yourself against nasty, often fatal status effects such as Hold, Panic, Confusion and Charm. At least not until later in BG1 or early BG2 at best (Spiders' Bane, Kiel's Helmet though probbaly impossible to acquire, Lilarcor, Shield of Harmony).
Bala's axe is fitting for a WS, but pretty much impossible to acquire for a solo WS in heavily trapped Durlag's Tower. In SoA/ToB things may actually become a bit easier with gradually increasing magic resistance, plus some good items that grant immunities (Lilarcor, Shield of Harmony, Arbane's sword). Still, a huge challenge...
Wizard Slayers are very good in unmodded BG:EE because they are really good mage-killers, and in BG1 there aren't many difficult fights for a fighter solo, really talking, it might get complicated but it's not impossible anyway.
But once you install SCS, eeeeeeeeh, better to try something where you have chances to succeed (joking, I think that it is possible to do this).
The in-game description says the Claw cannot be used by a Wizard Slayer and from the shop window I see the character cannot equip it. So,what is written on http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/The_Claw_of_Kazgaroth (that anyone can use it) is not true. I've looked for some information and have found out it was fixed with the 1.2 BG:EE patch - http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/13160/bug-wizard-slayers-can-use-several-magical-items
The Bioware forum is a source of tips and tricks for me when it comes to a no-reload strategies. I read it from time to time and can safely advice everyone to do the same;)
Here (http://forum.bioware.com/topic/124374-baldurs-gate-1-no-reload-challenge/page-510) Grond0 says he used a vanilla version, so no SCS for him. This means that while I'm happy for his success, the difficulty was much less. For i.e. the strategy he used in the final BG1 fight (pulled Sarevok out with an arrow) simply can't work with the SCS element "better calls for help" as well as the improved final battle component.
By the way, in BG:EE you can't buy a Helmet of Charm protection at the Thunderhammer Smithy.
The only boots a Wizard Slayer can use in BG1 are the Boots of Speed but you're right about weapons, armor, shields and helms.
P.S. I have never thought a Wizard Slayer is a bad kit, the main thing here he seems to be hard to solo as because of his restrictions. Just as the Blackraven, I too have general strategies to this or that fight but when I realise I can't use items I usually need it forces me to understand this playthrough will be really different.
The difference is already here - while in any other standard playthrough a Charname would then go to the Basilisk area for Valthur it's just impossible - he can't get that protection from petrification and (or) stay invisible so that Corax can finish the job. As a result, no Basilisk farming so that Valthur should get XP somewhere else. I think he should reach at least the next level before going to the Ankheg map.
Valthur is going to get a Ring of Wizardy, sell it and buy good arrows so that enemies in the countryside won't be a problem.
As to the Basilisks, I should have mentioned this before, but it didn't occur until now: if you had given your charname 9 INT, he would be able to use green protection scrolls, including protection from petrification, to clear out the basilisk area.
Wow your hardcore run makes me want to try out my half-orc WS Grynne again. It would be less difficult than your run but harder than Grond0's run. I'd be playing with SCS installed but also with a tweaked WS (Rebalancing mod) and I'd have access to a Helmet of Charm protection which would protect me against at least one of the many dangerous status effects.
Which isn't to say that a solo scs run isn't doable. I look forward to seeing how this turns out, especially in the mage battles.
Meanwhile, I don't think I won't touch this playthrough. As soon as I finish my totemic druid run one day, I'm going to revive Valthur's adventure and will try to follow in the footsteps of Blackraven. I would like to change something, maybe play the wizard slayer as an archer (while Blackraven plays him as a contact fighter more).