Algernon's Cloak Change

HaHaCharade

Probably posted numerous other places, but I was curious what others think of the change in 1.2 regarding Algernon's cloak? Maybe I'm a cheese-head, but the need for 50 points in pick-pocketing is interfering with my attempts to mass charm the world at level 1. Life is supposed to be easy... right?

rufus_hobart

Conclusion: The game now is forcing you to play a bard ;-)... or a particularly one-skilled thief.

OlvynChuru

So just play a thief with high pickpocketing skill. Or play a cleric, lead a spider from Landrin's house to Algernon, cast Rigid Thinking on it, then wait until it attacks Algernon and kills him. Jesters also work for that.

HaHaCharade

Or just use a temple, raise your rep, then kill him. Might be what I do. Did a test-run at it and the guy in the next room didn't go hostile. Unfortunately my party already had 3 rep so that was disastrous. I SERVE THE FLAMING FIST....

Lateralus

He's a low rep hit, especially if you're already in the 6-9 range, you only lose like 2. They don't hunt you until you hit three but Amnish soldiers attack at 4. There's tons of rep gain, no need for the temple. Just kill him...MURDER him...it is your birthright!

rufus_hobart

Haha, poor Algernon. In my last playthrough I had Montaron busy trying to pickpocket everyone he came across just because he was feeling put out at the unnecessarily virtuous path he felt the party was heading in...kind of a reflex soothing action for him. Sooo, up to the top floor of the Inn he ventured, saw the snobby fat man, pickpocket attempt, fail, Algernon turns hostile of course...and I forgot I'd been toying around with AI scripts and Monty still had his active. As soon as he turned hostile, Monty stabbed the crap out of him. Milliseconds later there were chunks of Algernon hanging from the rafters. Whoops. Expeditious retreat was quickly in order to placate the furious cleaning staff.

HaHaCharade

I'll have to wait to kill him... On an evil playthrough I always kill Fuller and the other Watcher in the barracks back in Candlekeep. It gets you two sets of Platemail, a cool helm, the magic dagger you normally can't get without an 18 charisma, plus freedom to rob all the chests there without having to worry about being caught. Two watchers dropped my Half-Orc F/C to a 3 Rep, which is just enough to get the hell out of dodge without folks going crazy. I'll have to raise rep before giving good ole Algernon the axe but I shall, no worries!

elminster

You can also just buy a Potion of Master Thievery from Erdane near Durlag's tower. Alternative if you have 35 in pickpockets then in all likelyhood a single Potion of Mind Focussing from the temple at the FAI would be enough to get you to 50. If not then two should.

Lateralus

rufus_hobart said:

Haha, poor Algernon. In my last playthrough I had Montaron busy trying to pickpocket everyone he came across just because he was feeling put out at the unnecessarily virtuous path he felt the party was heading in...kind of a reflex soothing action for him. Sooo, up to the top floor of the Inn he ventured, saw the snobby fat man, pickpocket attempt, fail, Algernon turns hostile of course...and I forgot I'd been toying around with AI scripts and Monty still had his active. As soon as he turned hostile, Monty stabbed the crap out of him. Milliseconds later there were chunks of Algernon hanging from the rafters. Whoops. Expeditious retreat was quickly in order to placate the furious cleaning staff.

"Moooonnnty!! What did you dooo!!"

--Ricky Ricardo

Lateralus

BTW, if you go across the street and murder Firebead (get your own books and scrolls!!), you better watch out. People like him. Or I should say, liked.

JuliusBorisov

Confession: I have never (ever!) pick-pocketed Algernon in all my 100+ runs through BG1.

moody_mage

Although later in levels I always charm him and send him off to fight Tranzig. He doesn't usually do very well...

Awong124

I still haven't updated to 1.2.

dreamrider

decado said:

Although later in levels I always charm him and send him off to fight Tranzig. He doesn't usually do very well...

Now THIS is an idea!

moody_mage

Just as a FYI, the minor BG quest where someone asks you to fetch his cloak acts as if you killed him to get it, regardless of how he died.

Lateralus

decado said:

Just as a FYI, the minor BG quest where someone asks you to fetch his cloak acts as if you killed him to get it, regardless of how he died.

I dont remember that quest, who bestows it?

moody_mage

@Lateralus‌ It is Pheirkas;

http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Pheirkas

DreadKhan

Felspawn

OlvynChuru said:

So just play a thief with high pickpocketing skill. Or play a cleric, lead a spider from Landrin's house to Algernon, cast Rigid Thinking on it, then wait until it attacks Algernon and kills him. Jesters also work for that.

well that's thinking outside the box

Syntia13

I usually have Imoen make sweet eyes at Garrick until he steals it for her... then we dump him. :P

JRHigley

Syntia13 said:

I usually have Imoen make sweet eyes at Garrick until he steals it for her... then we dump him. :P

Garrick with a Potion of Agility. Yoink.

elminster

Syntia13 said:

I usually have Imoen make sweet eyes at Garrick until he steals it for her... then we dump him...

Into the ankheg lair.

Nimran

elminster said:

Syntia13 said:

I usually have Imoen make sweet eyes at Garrick until he steals it for her... then we dump him...

Into the ankheg lair.

For tea and crumpets.

OlvynChuru

You can kill Algernon with no rep loss even in the original non-enhanced Baldur's Gate, where enemies can't travel between areas. What you do is fight Tranzig and wait until he casts Lightning Bolt on you. If done right, the bolt will hit Algernon and kill him.