Solo Sorc viable in ICEEE?

sliverfish

I played solo sorc in BG2 and IWD2, but I never played IWD1. Thought I might give this a go but I worry that I waste a ton of exp because I would hit the level cap too quickly? How well does a sorc scale late game or in HoF mode? Can I get by with spells + tenser's or do I have to have some sort of melee class leveled? I don't think Sorc class can effectively duel/multi at all right? Can I go something like max sorc then dual a fighter or something to not waste exp? Thanks in advance.

Zyzzogeton

Still can't dual/multi

I'd imagine a solo sorc will sleep everything at the start then sling away. Until it gets to the point of web+spider spawn. Basically the same way solo BG sorcs do. Except no wands of fire to take care of the early levels and less focus on having to remove protections

I have a fresh HoF Sorc game, but it's current still at Easthaven although I'm about to enter the Orc caves. I'm still focusing on my full party fresh HoF game so I have a better idea of what stuff I can expect to find

Lord_Tansheron

I expect HoF to be quite challenging for a pure caster. Damage output becomes an actual concern when everything has hundreds of HP, especially in the large packs that IWD likes to throw at you.

Outside of of HoF though, I'm sure a Sorcerer can melt their way through everything same as always.

Zyzzogeton

I'd expect to rely on summons a lot in HoF. My first L3 spell was Monster Summoning I because tanks are sorely needed.

sliverfish

Sad to report my first try was a failure. The beginning sucked hard like I expected to be, had to kite the Orc cave using the old rest and nuke. However, once I left easthaven there are way way too many enemies, I was lvl 5 and only had lvl 2 spells. Burning hand was not enough to kill everything. I buffed my armor so I could more or less not get hit even when there are like 10 archers shooting at me, but no matter how hard I aim burning hands does not have enough AoE to kill them before my spells run dry and nowhere to rest. Pretty lame actually, don't see how I can get through without getting the much needed fireball.

Lord_Tansheron

Relying on spell damage is just a losing proposition in HoF mode. Enemies have WAY too much HP for spell damage to do enough. I suspect that if you do want to do a solo Sorc run there, you'll have to find some alternative source of consistent damage (like summons or something, idk).

Zyzzogeton

A solo single class Level 5 after Easthaven is definitely not HoF.

Are you using Web? Web is ridiculously overpowered. Use 2 layers of Web. If you want to be doubly sure, Grease so enemies that somehow save against both layers of Web can't move out of its AoE in a single round.

Then just pelt stuff with a sling.

sliverfish

I'm not running HoF, just doing a normal run on insane. I merely ask if its possible to get onto HoF later on. Defense was never the problem, I could run around in circles all day and enemies need to roll about 19-20 to actually hit me. The problem is I have 0 damage. I literally run out of spells before the enemy run out of hp, with no place to rest and can't really melee anybody with a default staff as a sorc.

I kinda solved the previous problem after realizing I had a breath attack as dragon sorc. Never thought about is as its just one of those gimmick skills. But it turns out to be a great savior against 20 globins. Just round them up and toasty! Now lvl 7 and doing much better. Still require a good amount of kitting and alot of rest (currently in shadowvale and my days are almost 100), but with fireball unlocked I can blast a room full of skeletons in the blind of an eye.

I'm worried though, is there exp diminish returns if my level is too high compare to the enemy? If my level slows down I could be in big trouble again.

Fardragon

A dragon deciple might have an easier time, with slightly better AC and HP. Should probably be of neutral alignment so the rabbit familiar can detect traps for you.

Zyzzogeton

When you have a bunch of summons infront of you it doesn't matter what HP and Armor a sorc has.

Lord_Tansheron

Defenses aren't an issue, really. Mages have amazing defensive spells, and that's why they're so good in BG2. The trouble lies in the offense, particularly consistent, efficient damage. That's why they are combined with Fighters so often - but that of course is not an option for a Sorcerer.

Zyzzogeton said:

Then just pelt stuff with a sling.

That's not realistic on HoF, and icky even on regular. Packs just get too big and too resilient. What are you going to do against 5-10 skeletons, with 50% missile resistance? What about that pack of 20 Cold Wights in Dragon's Eye, all of which need magical weapons to hit (bullets+1/2 are rare)? Etc. etc.

I think that the only real way for a Sorcerer to dish out consistent damage is summons. No idea which are best, though, my experience with summons is limited. Animate Dead maybe?

Zyzzogeton

I was talking about non-HoF. Web+Slings are fairly decent outside of HoF while a Sorc is building its levels.

Also Spider Spawn is the first summon that's actually something that isn't just a wall of HP that attacks because of how it synths with Web. There's no practical differencec between Monster Summoning 1 and Animate Dead other than duration. Although I guess undead have some immunities that might come into play.

CheryChocie

Not having leveled up to max level on an Arcane caster yet so I don't know exactly what spells they will gain access to, in Icewind Dale 2, the easiest way to solo as an Arcane caster was to specialise in Enchantment, specifically Mass Dominate. I have no idea whether Mass Dominate is in the game but if it is, round up a bunch of mobs, Mass Dominate 1 or 2 times and just let them do the work. This works on HoF since you're using HoF level power mobs as summons essentially. If it's not in the game, then you're left with summons. Early game will be tedious using a combination of low level spells + slings but once you're past that then you'll start faring better.

I would be careful with what summons you take though, Monster Summoning 1/2/3 might be nice early game but late game they'll suck where as something like Glitterdust/Skull Trap (since this does bonkers damage late game) would be far more useful.

Fardragon

The number of undead in IWD make most forms of mind control infective.

Zyzzogeton

Slow Remove Magic Skull Trap are the stars of L3. Spending one of the 2 remaining slots on Monster Summoning I wouldn't really hamper a Sorc's build.