In the depths of the old bioware forums, there are arcane threads hundreds of pages long and eons old that recount the travails of countless adventurers that tried to get through the entire trilogy without reloading. There are also already several excellent threads by
@semiticgod @Blackraven and many others detailing their no-reload challenges.
I suggest that we share our no-reload/trilogy attempts in a common thread. Bioware forums show that there is synergy in such combined threads that keep solidarity far beyond the attempts of single adventurers.
Here are some suggested rules for a trilogy run that I use [adjust your own to taste and announce]:
1. no-reload [otherwise, there is no point]
2. SCS
[I recommend the following setup for both BGEE/BG2EE: full AI improvements; improved encounters only without rule-changes to monsters; NO insta-buff mages -- full SCS *will* kill you, if not trimmed as such reasonably.]
(SR would be great, but it is still in beta.)
3. no "munchkining" [personal taste, of course]
a. fair rolls for stats [i.e. don't touch the +/- buttons; re-roll if you want to]
b. no meta-game abuse [e.g. using a thief to scout is fine, but don't buff up for an ambush you couldn't have known about]
c. no EEkeeper abuse [I like making my FMC human for flavor, but it is perhaps overkill to make a Dwarven Defender/Mage with +++++ in Axes...]
d. "Do unto the AI as you would have the AI do unto you."
Basically, avoid doing things that AI is incapable of.
Example: As per the discussion in the following link, I do not permit myself to use Sequencers mid combat. They are no longer an obvious first choice for a Sorcerer. (Casting 3 spells a round really breaks the balance.)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/44257/7-3x4-8-3x6-9-3x84. Any party size, solo or full team. Role play strongly-encouraged (and without such a gameplay theme, I loose interest in my own runs usually).
(If you wanna skip BG and start in BG2 it's also fine. My own OCD usually requires me to start from the very beginning, but I suppose this is impractical.)
Personally, in a decade of trying, I never finished a trilogy run (although did get as far Ch. 3 in BG2). I have seen others succeed in completing, so it is surely possible.
Entries welcomed!
--
[Edit] There other excellent threads including great advice, some transfered from Bioware forums.
- The following is an advice & support thread by
@Alesia_BH :
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/66243/--
The following are the archived content from the old Bioware forum no-reload threads from
@Serg_BlackStrider Baldur's Gate 1 No-Reload Challenge.
Baldur's Gate 2 No-Reload Challenge.
The Adventurer's Lounge: Guidance and Support for No Reload Challengers- Newbie or Veteran.
http://blackstrider.net/forum_bioware_arhiv/The_Lounge_Arhiv/forum.bioware.com/topic/560248-the-adventurers-lounge-guidance-and-support-for-no-reload-challengers-newbie-or-veteran/index.html--
"Hall of Heroes"
Trilogy No-Reload Success Stories (compiled by
@Arctodus and others; see below for a similar list from old Bioware forums)
(click on the spoiler tag to see list)
Ankiseth the Cavalier :
@proghead3Notable mods : none
Difficulty : Core
Start and finish (March 2014)
David the Gnome Fighter/Illusionist :
@MacHurtoNotable mods : none (?)
Difficulty : Core (?)
Start (March 2014)
Finish (May 2014)
Sir Gawain the Fighter :
@CharlestonianTemplarNotable mods : HardTimes-v2; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Difficulty : Core (?)
Start (August 2014)
Finish (November 2015)
Anselm, the Blackguard :
@GoturalNotable mods : SCS-v30 (full prebuff and encounters); Rogue Rebalancing; aTweaks
Difficulty : Core rule, must kill everything
Start (April, 2015)
Finish (January, 2016)
Grond0, the Sunsoul Monk :
@Grond0Notable mods : none
Difficulty : Core
Start and Finish (March 2016)
Goibniu, the Paladin :
@EnuhalNotable mods : none
Difficulty : core
Start (August 2016)
Finish (October 2016)
Grond0, the Fighter --> Thief :
@Grond0Notable mods : none
Difficulty : Core
Start and finish (October 2016)
Sodof, the Dragon Disciple :
@Grond0 (and Gnoria, the Barbarian :
@Gate70 )
Notable mods : none
Difficulty : core
Start (February 2017)
Finish (March 2017)
Chara the Alchemist:
@semiticgod Notable mods: "basically everything" ("SCS and Ascension including full pre-buffing and universal HLAs"; "major rule changes like Scales of Balance")
(BG1 run begins
here and ends
here)
(SoD run begins
here and ends
here)
(SoA run begins
here and ends
here)
(ToB run begins
here and ends
here)
Frisk, the Seducer:
@semiticgod BG1, SoD, SoA, ToB
Notable mods: Enhanced Edition Trilogy, SCS v30, Ascension, Seducer Kit for Thieves v1.21
"Solo": No party members except those from Seduction
Difficulty: Core
Parts 1-14:
Cromarty the Gallant (Might & Guile)
Party run through BG1, SoD, BG2, & ToB
Notable Mods: BWS installs with SCS for BG1, Quest Pack AI for BG2, and Spell Revisions all the way through.
Difficulty: Core
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/869163#Comment_869163 (April 2017)
Finish:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/910133/#Comment_910133 (October 2017)
Frisky Bits the Dragon Disciple:
@semiticgodNotable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Wheels of Prophecy, various BG1 encounter mods
Difficulty: Core
Poverty run: cannot spend any gold except to complete quests; cannot use any items except for (1) quest items, and only for their intended purposes, and (2) items the player creates him or herself, such as Goodberries or Minute Meteors
(BG1 run begins
here and
here and ends
here; text only)
(SoD run begins
here and ends
here; text only)
(BG1 and SoD screenshots
here)
(SoA run begins
here and ends
here)
(ToB run begins
here and ends
here)
Arbogast, the Totemic Druid:
@Enuhal Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal
Starting and finishing posts for the specific parts of the tetralogy:
Baroque, Human Skald
Notable mods: Rogue rebalancing, SCS (no prebuffs, some tactical challenges), Divine Remix, Item Revisions
Restrictions: Pacifism from Baroque (1 mistake)
Difficulty: Core
Enhanced Editions, no SoD though.
BG1 start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904548#Comment_904548BG1 end:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/905708#Comment_905708SoA start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906755#Comment_906755SoA end:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/911765#Comment_911765ToB start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/913822#Comment_913822ToB end:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/915345#Comment_915345Frisk the Archer/Mage:
@semiticgodNotable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Wheels of Prophecy, Universal Archer Kit, Better Stat Drain
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Mode
Special: Solo Run
(First mention of run begins around
here ; no screenshots)
Parts 0-31, with screenshots:
Brunash the Halfling Enchanter :
@Flashburn Full Tetrology Run
Notable mods : SCS v30 (only in BG2; long-duration mage/priest prebuffs only, no Tactics challenges except Original Tactics Improved Bodhi), BP Ascension v15 BETA; aTweaks, Rogue Rebalancing, More Style for Mages, Tweaks Anthology, NPC_EE, Golem Construction, Item Upgrade, Oversight (monk HLAs), Coran
Difficulty : Core
Start (November 2017)
Finish (March 2018)
Trabb the Cleric/Mage:
@histamiiniNotable mods: SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Mode
Special: Solo Run
Beginning (February 8, 2018)
Ending (March 14, 2018)
Nukesalot the Chaos Sorcerer :
@FlashburnFull Tetrology Run
Notable mods: SCS v30 (only in BG2; long-duration mage/priest prebuffs only, no Tactics challenges except Original Tactics Improved Bodhi), BP Ascension v1.5 BETA; Chaos Sorcerer v2.4, Golem Construction v5.3, More Style for Mages v1.54, Item Upgrade, aTweaks, Rogue Rebalancing, Tweaks Anthology
Difficulty: Insane (extra damage disabled)
Special: Solo Run
Start (March 2018)
Finish (May 2018)
Rikai, the Totemic Druid:
@Enuhal Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Core
BG1/SoD:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994086/#Comment_994086SoA:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994376/#Comment_994376ToB:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994949/#Comment_994949Nabatil, the half-elven Skald:
@Enuhal Notable mods: SCS, Ascension, JimFix
Difficulty: Core rules
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1005442/#Comment_1005442 (August 2018)
Finish:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1016227/#Comment_1016227 (October 2018)
Poppy the Druid/Mage:
@semiticgodNotable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Faith and powers
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
BG1:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018828/#Comment_1018828SoD:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018963/#Comment_1018963SoA:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018982/#Comment_1018982ToB part 1:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018990/#Comment_1018990ToB part 2:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1019005/#Comment_1019005Arinja II, the Fighter/Mage/Thief:
@Enuhal Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Core rules
Special: Solo run
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1022669/#Comment_1022669 (October 2018)
Finish:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023930/#Comment_1023930 (November 2018)
Grond0, the Dwarven Defender:
@Grond0 Notable mods: none
Difficulty: core rules
Special: solo run
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1032364/#Comment_1032364 (December 2018)
Finish:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1036908/#Comment_1036908 (December 2018)
Cephalus, the Beastmaster:
@EnuhalNotable mods: None
Difficulty: Insane
Special: Fully randomized party
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1028046/#Comment_1028046 (November 2018)
Finish:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1040636/#Comment_1040636 (January 2019)
Frisky Bits the Fighter/Mage/Cleric:
@semiticgodNotable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Core
BG1 beginning:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023077/#Comment_1023077BG1 end:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023095/#Comment_1023095SoD beginning and end:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023195/#Comment_1023195SoA beginning:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023525/#Comment_1023525SoA end:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1039926/#Comment_1039926ToB beginning:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1040545/#Comment_1040545ToB end:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1046293/#Comment_1046293Frisky Bits the Shadowdancer:
@semiticgodNotable mods: SCS, Ascension, ATweaks
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
Espellier the Archer:
@semiticgodNotable mods: SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
Triss the Fighter/Illusionist:
@histamiiniNotable mods: SCS v32 rc10, Ascension, LoB Saving Throw Fix
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal
Special: Solo Run, v2.5 update (includes -11 AC in LoB mode)
Frisky Bits the Archer:
@semiticgodNotable mods: SCS v31 (v32 for BG2), Ascension, LoB Saving Throw Fix
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal
Special: Solo Run, v2.5 update (includes -11 AC in LoB mode)
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1062805/#Comment_1062805 (starts at SoD; BG1 strategy is only discussed earlier in the LoB thread)
End:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1068136/#Comment_1068136Note: Run was recorded, but most videos are not yet posted. The final battle is
here.
Arrow Slinger the Arcane Archer/Mage:
@FlashburnNotable mods: SCS v31 (full prebuffs), Ascension v1.5 BETA, Tweaks Anthology, Rogue Rebalancing, More Style For Mages, IWDification beta 4, Skip Chateau Irenicus, aTweaks, Golem Construction v5.3, Artisan's Kitpack v1
Difficulty: Insane (extra damage disabled)
Special: Solo Run
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1071325#Comment_1071325 (May 30, 2019)
End:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1079416#Comment_1079416 (June 25, 2019)
Constantia, the Priestess of Tyr:
@EnuhalNotable mods: SCS (tactical difficulty)
Difficulty: Core rules
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1080293/#Comment_1080293 (June 2019)
Finish:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1089182/#Comment_1089182 (August 2019)
Nemesis the Fighter/Mage/Cleric:
@histamiiniNotable mods: SCS v32, LoB Saving Throw Fix
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal
Special: Solo Run, v2.5 update (includes -11 AC in LoB mode)
BG1 and SoD:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1074653/#Comment_1074653SoA part 1:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1083274/#Comment_1083274SoA part 2:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1083865/#Comment_1083865ToB part 1:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1084028/#Comment_1084028ToB part 2:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1084076/#Comment_1084076ToB part 3:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1089496/#Comment_1089496Prada the Sorcerer:
@histamiiniNotable mods: SCS v32.4, Ascension v2.0.8, LoB Saving Throw Fix
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal
Special: Solo Run, v2.5 update (includes -11 AC in LoB mode)
Skaarj Sunspire the Fighter/Shadow Adept/Cleric:
@FlashburnNotable mods: EET, Shadow Magic 1.98a, SCS v32.4, Ascension v2.0.7, Tweaks Anthology v9, aTweaks, More Style For Mages, Skip Chateau Irenicus, Trials of the Luremaster, Golem Construction 5.4, Item Upgrade v44, Thalantyr Item Upgrade
Difficulty: SCS Insane+ (extra damage disabled)
Special: Solo Run
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1085190#Comment_1085190 (July 2019)
End:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1119431#Comment_1119431 (February 29, 2020)
Dispenser the Holy Justice of Tyr:
@CharlestonianKnightTemplarNotable mods: SCS v32, ATweaks, Wheels of Prophecy, Item Randomizer Deities of Faerun, Song & Silence, Rogue Rebalancing, Wizard Slayer Rebalancing, various NPC mods
Difficulty:
FinishJehu the Shaman:
@NeverusedNotable mods:
Difficulty:
StartFinishBlaggerd the Blackguard:
@Gate70Notable mods:
Difficulty:
StartFinishMichio the Illusionist:
@Gate70 Notable mods:
Difficulty:
StartFinishAllanon the Druid:
@Grond0Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Core
Special: Party only contains unkitted druids
StartFinishParts 1-12:
Pearl the Fighter/Mage:
@semiticgodNotable mods: SCS v32, Ascension
Difficulty: Insane, bonus damage disabled
Special: Solo
Parts 1-7:
Blaggy the Blackguard (Artisan's Kitpack):
@FlashburnNotable mods: EET, Level Adder; Artisan's Kitpack v1.7, Shadow Magic 2.21, Warlock 1.61, SCS v33.1, Ascension v2.0.12, Better Stat Drain, Tweaks Anthology v9, aTweaks, Skip Chateau Irenicus, Trials of the Luremaster, Golem Construction 5.4, Item Upgrade v44, Thalantyr Item Upgrade
Difficulty: Insane (SCS Legacy of Bhaal settings)
Special: All creatures have triple HP; kill and quest XP in BG1 is doubled
[url="
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135175#Comment_1135175"]Start[/url]
[url="
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139817#Comment_1139817"]Finish[/url]
Parts 1-9:
Jeanluc the Fallen Paladin:
@Corey_RussellDifficulty: Core
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/989168/#Comment_989168 (previous run of the same name; the successful run has no first post)
End:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1141899/#Comment_1141899Adorar the Druid:
@Mantis37Notable mods: SCS
Difficulty: Tactical
Start:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1116514#Comment_1116514End:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139490/#Comment_1139490Dassareth, the Undead Hunter:
@EnuhalNotable Mods: SCS (tactical difficulty), Ascension
Difficulty: Core rules
The old Bioware Hall of Fame (from Serg_BlackStrider):
(The full list exceeds the post length limit here; see the original comment by
@Serg_BlackStrider below)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904216#Comment_904216Classes and kits still missing from the combined Hall of Heroes:
Ranger
Stalker
Cleric
Priest of Helm
Priest of Talos
Priest of Tempus
Shapeshifter
Avenger
Abjurer, Conjurer, Diviner, Invoker, Necromancer, Transmuter
Thief
Bounty Hunter
Bard
Dark Moon Monk
Fighter/Druid (has been done as a dual, but not as a multi)
Fighter/Thief (has been done as a dual, but not as a multi)
Cleric/Ranger
List of Honorable Mentions (from Arctodus):
Ygramul
Member Posts: 1,059
Comments
=========
(post here about Hall of Fame)
IWD
Snowy Tae the Cleric of Lathander, Valos the Avenger, Poppy and Espellier the Sorcerers, Fobie the Bounty Hunter, and Marilyn Blueapple the Bard: @semiticgod
Special: No summons allowed
Difficulty: Heart of Fury
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/720257/#Comment_720257
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/727046/#Comment_727046
IWD2
Frisk the Sorcerer, Chara the Druid, and Asriel the Cleric: @semiticgod
Difficulty: Core
Notable mods: Tactics4IWD2
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/802683/#Comment_802683
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/808082/#Comment_808082
IWD
Karn the Ranger/Cleric and NPCs from Kulyok's NPC mod: @Mantis37
Difficulty: Core
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/864922/#Comment_864922
IWD
Frisky the Cleric/Illusionist, Chara the Fighter/Druid, Asriel and Mollyboo the Sorcerers, Carl the Bounty Hunter, and Snowy Tae the Archer: @semiticgod
Difficulty: Core
Notable mods: Sarevok57's Mega Icewind Dale Mod
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/887489/#Comment_887489
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/892524/#Comment_892524
IWD
Frisk the Dragon Disciple: @semiticgod
Special: Solo
Difficulty: Heart of Fury
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/956817/#Comment_956817
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/958046/#Comment_958046
IWD2
Star Butterfly the Sorcerer, Marco the Fighter/Monk/Thief, Mabel the Cleric, Dipper the Diviner/Fighter, Asriel the Druid, and Frisk the Bard: @semiticgod
Difficulty: Core
Notable mods: semiOverhaul for IWD2
Special: All portraits must involve hugs or nuzzles
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/974659/#Comment_974659
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/986135/#Comment_986135
Hall of Heroes of Neverwinter
Arrow Slinger the Rogue/Wizard/Arcane Archer: @Flashburn
Notable mods: Community Patch 1.71
Difficulty: Core Rules
Special: No deaths, no pausing in combat except to take screenshots
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1058344#Comment_1058344
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1058546#Comment_1058546
I'll note that anyone who posts in no reload threads here is invited to enter our No Reload Challenge over at Bioware. Blackraven has gotten in the habit of posting his updates on both forums. I think that he, personally, and the no reload community in general have benefited from his decision.
Anyhoo. Best of luck once again!
Cheers,
A.
(This post combines my first 3 follow-up posts on no-reload runs. The two posts up have been vacated to make room for the Hall of Fame)
===========
[post #1]
I'll start out by posting my current run:
Khael the Defiant - FMC (with full party, currently Imoen, Branwen, Jaheira, Safana,Neera)
13/15/16/14/16/14 LG (picture)
[headcannon: I *always* make Imoen a sorcerer at startup; with no stat changes]
Yes, this is a "mage" with only 14 INT, which means that you have 40% chance of fail for reading any scrolls. Also, you can only have ~9 spells per level known. But the roll was otherwise pretty good.
I liberally attempt to read lvl 1 scrolls I intend to use, but all else, I hoard for when I will hopefully find potions of Genius AND Mind Focusing. (Only both of them together can give you assurance to read a scroll successfully (97%), with the 14 INT.)
Currently, on my way to the Bandit Camp after clearing much of the map except for the West and East areas.
Several close calls to Kobold @#$%@ Commandos! I hate Kobold @#$%@ Commandos!
Wish me luck.
--
[Note: I usually do a mage variant, but this is the first time, I use a FMC. The common wisdom is that they are great for solo & suck in a full party. It is partly for role-play purposes: Khael has a divine essence that he defies.]
============
[post #2]
On a really weird turn of events... my sweetheart just turned into a man!?!
We were gingerly taking our first cautious steps into Cloakwood with Safana (Invisibled) scouting ahead. A bunch of Worgs ahead? No problem. Neera lines up to hurl a Skull Trap at them (the only 3rd lvl spell she knows, as she failed to learn a bunch of other ones).
As the picture shows, the worgs were no worse for the spell and she had to haul her newly minted behind back to the party chased by the rather confused worgs.
Khael is now wondering if his interest in her goes *that* far...
--
Question: Recent patch notes for BG2EE suggested that the imported saves also import the romances from BGEE. I wonder if the *gender* of your romance would also be imported along, given that, well, that's a rather important variable, no?
============
[post #3]
Thanks, @Alesia_BH
Actually, I've been a long time fan of some of your posts at the bioware forums (been a lurker for years). Some fascinating feats pulled on solo runs out there... And great solidarity to boot.
Maybe there is a merit to pack up & migrate to that 500+ page thread for the no-reload runs, but I & many others had gotten into the habit of populating these forums lately.
For everyone else, here is the link to the two no-reload threads that Alesia mentioned (current pages):
http://forum.bioware.com/topic/124277-baldurs-gate-2-no-reload-challenge/page-456
http://forum.bioware.com/topic/124374-baldurs-gate-1-no-reload-challenge/page-517
--
Meanwhile, Khael is getting through Cloakwood slowly & just picked up Coran -- something I usually don't do.
Coran is a beast! His THAC0 is 10+ better than everyone else and has the highest APR. The one thing he sucks at is Find Traps, but that will change in a level or two.
I wonder if I should drop him & stick with Safana instead. It's almost a cheat. Opinions?
--
Also, Imoen just made to lvl 6 and picked Spell Thrust as her first lvl 3 pick. In SCS, mages are the main game-enders for me, this time I'm gonna be prepared (though foregoing Fireball probably hurts in many other encounters).
As to myself, I've just started a new run in a separate thread, so I won't be posting here right away. But I'm definitely willing to help get this thread rolling
I agree with @Alesia_BH that posting on both forums could be a good idea. She's right in suggesting that I have benefited from that decision. Both forums have friendly, involved, and helpful no-reloaders. For me it's a small effort to post on both forums but I get much in return for it.
As to the rules, I would propose a more liberal approach, so as to attract as many enthusiasts as possible. For example, I do tend to play with most of the difficulty increasing SCS components (such as the caster pre-buffing that you advised against), and I do often (not always) roll for good stats so that I feel more comfortable taking a more roleplayed approach in-game. Other people prefer to play without mods. Some people like to create unique shadowkeepered characters. For me all is well as long as players make clear what kind of setup they're using, so that readers get an impression of the nature of the challenge.
Edit: Best of luck of course! I've already bookmarked this thread and will be following your progress.
Also, I edited my original post to emphasize that the 'rules' are just my own house rules; everyone is welcome to set their own, of course. Anyone who wishes to add their entries to a common thread are also welcome.
--
Meanwhile, in Cloakwood...
Khael (FMC, 5/4/5) is ready to move on to Cloakwood Mines, but I just went back to Friendly Arm Inn for some soul-searching...
1. Coran left us on a merry errand of his own (roleplay-reason for his departure). He is well & truly overpowered! He has the strongest APR/Damage/THAC0 by far. So, I'm leaving him behind & getting Safana back.
2. That means my current party (Khael, Imoen, Jaheira, Neera, Safana, Viconia) has not a single Sword or Bow user. Annoying that all those strong weapons (Varsona, Dead Shot etc.) lay unused.
Considering swapping Neera for a tank, but who?
Khael needs the Gauntlets of Dexterity (he has Dex=15) and none of the good aligned tanks have much potential. (A bug [SCS?] prevents me from re-enlisting Minsc; so I consider him gone away.)
3. Khael is very underpowered as a frontliner. I really feel the difference that a STR=18/xx makes (mine is just 13).
PLAN: Use "Strength" [Wizard Spell] + "Draw Upon Holy Might" regularly. Possibly keep Neera as a buff-mage for Khael (but risky to use a Wild Mage for that; she may turn me into a Squirrel or worse). Or waste my own Wizard spell slots for that.
Love how a fair roll (i.e. medicore stats) actually force you to make decisions. You cannot be everything. You need a party to make up for your problems.
--
Also, did finally find some +INT potions and memorized some more spells, including a mighty Stone Skin scroll. Though it will likely be endgame by the time I can cast it...
Khalid could be another option.
Problem is I need a solid damage dealer:
Currently, I'm using Khael with all possible buffs and avoiding direct 1-on-1 fights with, e.g., Black Talon Elites (they are dangerous in SCS) thanks to Safana scouting.
Gotta admit:
This is a much more enjoyable playtime then just, how do you say, roflstomping with uber characters that BG normally lets you. Party is not strong enough to just attack and reliably survive. But with good leadership & scouting every encounter is beatable.
Onto Daveorn now.
Once he killed me on SCS with spawning Guards overwhelming my party. Once I killed him by emptying wands at his direction (I have a Summon Wand with a handful of charges!). Also, I got a +50% MR potion for Viconia to use just in case. We'll see how this one goes.
SCS makes them something fierce.
But as per protocol, I approach them unbuffed (I hear there is a actually a nonviolent solution to this, if you have Edwin. But I never have Edwin in my party).
When they turn hostile, I open up with a salvo of offensive magic [1st slide, please]. This is gonna be a cakewalk.
Except it ain't:
A few moments later I am in full retreat from Stoneskinned/Mirror Imaged/Globe of Invulnerabilitied mages with some summoned wolves (thank you wand!) covering my retreat. [2nd slide]
Safana, staying invisible acts as my AWACS for the operation, providing no offensive power.
(An invisible scout is worth her weight in gold. I should invest in Wizard Eye in the future.)
This also highlights a difference with BG2: most SCS mages in BG2 consistently dispel Invisibility if a scout is near them.
Still, with the summons running all around and distracting them, I manage to separate the mages. Viconia goes in to tank them one by one, resists some naughty spells, heals up the damage she sustains. I send Jaheira to fight alongside, bringing the mages down one at a time. (Khael stands back, just in case.) This is gonna be a cakewalk.
Except it ain't:
The last mage standing gets off a Horror to Jaheira with Khael & the party close enough to be affected. [slide 3] Stupid! Stupid!
Next thing I know, we have a Benny Hill chase going. Khael runs deep into the uncharted jungle with Safana and Neera after him to calm him down and two Ettercaps tag along attacking them. [slide 4]. Meanwhile, Jaheira ran away into the arms of a group of Tasloi.
At this point, I'm having 3 fights in 3 far spots of the map [slide 5: map marked: red is Khael and the Ettercaps, green is Jaheira and Tasloi, grey is Viconia vs the last mage] Safana is at this point "tanking" against two Ettercaps and a depleted Neera is throwing slings at them...
By this point, I check how long Horror lasts (10 rounds!) and shortly after Khael and Jaheira turn back to my control. Khael saves a wounded Safana after buffing himself with Mirror Image, Jaheira actually manages to not die to Tasloi, and Viconia kills the mage, who is now out of spells.
Victory.
The spoils of war include a Ring (The Victor) and a Remove Magic scroll.
(wait... what... I was supposed to be fighting Daveorn... Oh, I decided to put that off and clean Firewine instead.)
There is no such thing as too much damage or too high level a spell for killing a Kobold.
Having nearly lost the game again to Kobold Commandos, I decided to treat them as the suspected demons that they are.
So, when I scout a few of them I let it rip with: Sleep+Skull Trap+Holy Smite+Glitterdust.
Even for three of those 7XP-worth sorry excuses of yipping demons.
I can't wait IMPORT a TOB level character to Chain Contingency: Horrid Wilting at them to poison their [email protected]@es with poisonous gasses.
I can't wait to Absolute Immunity+Whirlwind the lot of them.
I can't wait to summon a Bhalor in their midst.
(Yeah, I know this is a bit like the velociraptor phobia in xkcd...)
--
So, is Firewine finally cleared? Is Gullykin finally safe?
Nope.
I had to escape with a dead Viconia (killed by the nasty mage who read some scrolls -- waitaminute they were supposed to be my loot!), and severely wounded Jaheira and Neera, after being cut off by a horde of Kobolds (they seem to spawn every few seconds!), which chased me !!! to the upper levels of Gullykin Winery. I couldn't even rest outside, as a literal horde of Kobolds jumped my party, so I had to run back to Beregost.
I will be back.
Probably after Daveorn. He seems easier...
Daveorn just fell [picture].
This fight had killed me so many times. This time charname gulped a magic damage reduction potion (+50% damage reduction + automatic rolls), which Daveorn dispelled! Then I immediately gulped a potion of Magic Immunity (only lasts 5 rounds) while keeping the flunkies busy with Wands of Fear. Daveorn finally fell to a Wand of Fire, with only Safana dead.
--
Note: Damn. I realize I likely need to carry everything back with a dead Safana and resurrect her and bring her back to unlock all the locks. (Or maybe I can Knock the locks, and hope not being disturbed while resting...)
Good luck to all no-reloaders!
(... wherein I trim down the power curve of the party for some extra challenge.)
There have been some changes in Khael's party:
Viconia decided that our righteous approach is impractical for her views and left the party.
Also, Neera had a near-Squirrel experience and decided some time off from casting spells. She is currently chilling at the Friendly Arm Inn.
Instead, the group is joined with Yeslick and Quayle.
[meta-gaming note: I let Viconia go, because my reputation was about to hit the point where she would leave anyway (even with the SCS option that slows the progression of reputation). Basically, I wanted Yeslick & Quayle for a change of flavors, though they are underleveled and underpowered at the moment. But it ain't as severe as letting Coran go. He was just a beast!]
Current party:
Khael [FMC - 5/5/5 - LG ], Imoen [Sorcerer - 6], Yeslick [F/C - 4/5], Jaheira [F/D - 6/7], Quayle [M/C - 5/5], Safana [T - 7]
Also, I picked Dorn briefly to do his quest line. Khael is now sporting a brand new Elven Chain (a downgrade in every regard from the Robe of the Good Archmagi, but it is an ARMOR. He wants to wear an armor AND cast spells, dammit.)
Also, in the current party Yeslick & Quayle have no magic weapons (haven't found a single magical mace yet, and the only hammer (Ashideena) is used by Khael -- gee thanks SCS!). Meanwhile, there is not a single sword or bow user in the group. So, my stash of collected awesome weapons in Friendly Arm is being unused.
Made it to The City, finally & purchased some spells for Quayle from the 'Sunderies: he is now the official buffer for Khael for casting Strength at him.
Deciding now to either pick up Rasaad now to do his questline or explore the city...
--
[NOTE: your entries on no-reload runs are very welcome to post here. I hope to [re]start a no-reload thread in these forums. I edited the original post to emphasize that you make your own rules. So, all is welcome.]
I had forgotten how low lvl Yeslick is when you pick him up. One would really have to focus on the main plotin order for him to be more or less on par with charname and co in terms of XP.
Have you done any new major quests or battles?
Yeslick is merely F4/C5 and has no magic weapon or Strength items.
... but he has an awesome VOICE set!!
I hope he'll do me proud in a chapter or two. Just y'all watch...
--
P.S.I *love* Xan as a character (and also how he is also a bit of an underdog who can't cast Evocation spells). But alas no room for him in this party...
The first time, I forgot I was allowed to rest more than once in the first dungeon. The second time, I got too reckless, not hiding behind my summons, and was stunned by a Mephit. I recovered from the stun and spent the next second trying to drink a potion. Then I died.
The idea behind this run was to test out the less-popular mage spells by avoiding the five most powerful spells of every level. So it's a Fighter/Mage with Armor instead of Shield, Ghoul Touch instead of Mirror Image, and Monster Summoning I instead of whatever 3rd-level spells people normally have Fighter/Mages memorize. I've barely ever played a Fighter/Mage before, so I'm not sure whether I'll retry the run.
Her name is Xigua. It means watermelon in Chinese. This is a screenshot of her slapping a dwarf.
If you don't mind, I'll change the subject line for a bit to feature your entry. Xigua's effort should be remembered.
--
For solo runs, stun works like PW:Kill usually (unless you have something like Contingency:Helpless -> Invisibility readied, but it is too early in Chateau Irenicus for that. I never attempted a solo BG2 no-reload run.
(Occasionally, I flirt with the idea of granting charname a Ring of Free Action at game start to guard against such trouble. Fact is, I have never finished a game where I permit myself such unfair advantage. I unfailingly delete the game & restart a few hours into the story, as if to say 'Mea Culpa'...)
Good luck with your next run.
I'm going to try my hand at another party run, though I suspect that multiple NPC deaths will make some kind of impact on my enjoyment of the game. It's therefore thinkable that my new Charname ends up traveling alone at times or that I'll apply a 'three times you're out' rule re: NPC deaths.
Here Lenhardt:
I hope the wealth of spells will make for a fun and educational experience.
This is a randomized run. You know how some people create random characters to add some variety to the game? Well, I've set up a system that makes things extra screwy, and I've finally fine-tuned it enough that the resulting characters are playable. In addition to randomized classes and stats, we also have randomized resistances, HP, THAC0, damage bonuses or penalties, movement rates, AC, saving throws, and spell slots. On top of that, each character can have up to five simultaneous kits, with all the benefits and penalties, and they can have multi-classes with illegal combinations, such as a Ranger/Paladin with a Shapeshifter kit. The kits balance out the weaknesses of randomization: losing three level 7 spells is a bigger penalty than gaining three level 7 spells is a bonus. Randomization usually creates weak characters.
Oh, and they get five different active effects, selected at random from the list of opcodes that come with DLTCEP, and with random parameters. So you can get an Archer's STR drain on melee hits. Or a Fire Shield that casts Heal on your attacker. Or makes your character immune to damage. Or Imprisons them.
It took a lot of time, and many fixes (earlier versions of my system tended to create stupidly overpowered or completely dysfunctional critters), but I've finally got the characters right. I have four of them, only four.
Our Charname is Imber, a deeply mentally disturbed young girl, seized alternately by fits of passion and paranoia. She has great difficulty paying attention or following rules, and has grand and beautiful visions that often consume her mind.
She is a Sorcerer with the Wizard Slayer, Archer, Totemic Druid, Berserker, and Bounty Hunter kits. She has a constant effect Improved Alacrity (!!!), but will never be able to wear the Robe of Vecna or Amulet of Power, has a -1 penalty to casting speed, and has below-average spell slots, with a very notable -3 level 9 spell slots. Like most of my characters, her saving throws are very poor, so the Berserker kit is really quite necessary for her to survive.
Next, we have Yi Grovana, a student and little sister to Imber, who has been struggling to help Imber with her illness, but Imber is very resistant to being helped. Yi (pronounced "ee"; it's another Chinese name) is a sweet and caring person, and worries about Imber a lot.
Grovana is a Paladin/Thief with the Archer, Inquisitor, and Avenger kits. Her shapeshifting makes up for her terrible stats, but like most of my characters, she also suffers from hefty penalties to both THAC0 and damage. She has strong resistances, though, and serves as a sturdy tank, but as an Inquisitor she will not be able to add to her resistances with Armor of Faith.
Next up is Rius, who is derived from the same novel (still in the first draft stage) as Yi and Imber. In the context of the book, Rius lost her family and her homeland to a millennial fire storm that wiped out everyone in her world except for her and a handful of other girls who were kept safe from the fire. There were boys with them, intended to repopulate the world, but many of the children, including all of the boys, perished due to a collapse. With their food and supplies destroyed, Rius had to lead her sisters on a long march in search of civilization. She suffers from an emotional deadness... she had to eat many of her sisters in order to survive.
Rius is a Paladin/Bard with the Kensai and Archer kits... so, no missile weapons, and only one pip allowed in melee weapons. Combine that with a terrible Constitution, some screwed up resistances, and major penalties to THAC0 and damage, and you've got a very dysfunctional fighter. Like the other spellcasters of the group, she also has some pretty big gaps in her slots at certain spell levels.
Finally, we have Poppy, unrelated to the other characters, but a recurring NPC in many of my games. I can't resist bringing her along. She's just too cute!
She is a Paladin/Sorceror/Bard with the Assassin, Blade, and Wizard Slayer kits. She has poor THAC0 and many missing spell slots, but her AC and resistances are fairly strong and she has some minor saving throw bonuses.
It took ages to fix up the characters to reflect their kits and classes, involving lots of SK passive effects and editing kit tables, but I finally got them working properly... more or less. Poppy still has no bard song, and Rius' level progression is that of a single-classed ranger, but otherwise they work as they should.
So why do I only have four characters? Well, there was a Halfling Paladin, but that one got stuck with an Hold effect, which like all the other effects I gave my characters, is undispellable and tagged to persist after death. So, that character would never be able to do anything. The other character was a gnomish Cleric, with lots of nice abilities.
Exept she was an Inquisitor, so she can't cast spells.
But she could still use the quick spell icon, so she could access her spells indirectly!
Except she got stuck with another Hold effect, like the Halfling.
Oh, but Inquisitors are immune to Hold! She's okay!
Except on-self effects bypass immunities. So she's gone.
Chateau Irenicus has gotten much easier since I figured out that you can still rest in it with SCS2 installed. I must be remembering the Improved Ilyich mod. Imber quickly proves to be the deadliest member of the group, but not because she can throw out lots of damage spells every round: it's because Spell Revisions turns Infravision into True Strike, which means Imber can improve her THAC0 by 10 for one round... and Minute Meteors benefit from her innate +4 to damage, her Archer bonuses, AND her Berserker rage ability. Check out the damage she does.
Not bad for a mage. The other characters were mostly useful only as tanks, since Imber's damage capabilities were so much higher than theirs.
Most of our stats are terrible, but Poppy has a fantastic Intelligence of 23, for 99% scribing success.
And no, that wasn't the only time that happened in the first dungeon.
I have the OP's installation recommendations for SCS2, which means no pre-buffing and therefore much faster gameplay (I still have Stoneskin and Mage Armor as pre-buffs due to the long duration). Without Mirror Image at the start of battle, the Assassin mage on the way out isn't much trouble. And his backstabbing buddies aren't too useful with Yi Grovana using True Sight.
We make it out of Chateau Irenicus, with a heaping pile of loot. So far, so good.
Thank you, @Blackraven -- I'll change the thread title to feature your entry, if you don't mind.
One day I, too, hope to run a gnomish character (I can't play BG2 without Jan!), but first I need one my countless human multiclass fighter/mages [in my headcannon that is what the Bhaalspawn is, so there!] to actually finish a no-reload trilogy. I've been trying it for only about a decade, so maybe 2018 will see my very own mad CN Gnomish Illusionist/Cleric one day. One can hope...
Good luck!
I hear you on the goofball Gnome issue. I never understood why all Gnomes, with the exception of the Mirrorshades, appear to be complete nutcases.
Fascinating Charname you have there! You could consider shadowkeepering your Sorcerer into a Wild Sorcerer (i.e. giving her the Wild Mage kit) for utter randomness
Edit: @Ygramul, many thanks! It's nice that you're true to your head canon Charname: I for one hope he'll no-reload his way through the trilogy before 2018!
Lenhardt, Gnome Cleric/Illusionist, 1st update
Day 4:
Perhaps all is not so bad. Gorion's fall still grieves me profoundly of course and the fact that there's a price on my head still scares me, but at least I have dear Imoen and clever Neossa by my side, and we have proven that we're not completely incompetent.
On our way to the Friendly Arm Inn, where we were to meet Gorion's friends and to find the ring alluded to in E's letter, one of Imoen's arrows killed an aggressive Ogre after I had blinded it.
Inside the inn we met Gorion's friends, Khalid and Jaheira. The four of us traveled to Beregost: Imoen and I to see Firebead Elvenhair, whose counsel we desired, and Khalid and Jaheira because Beregost was a stop for them on the way to Nashkel where they had a meeting with the mayor regarding the iron crisis. The Half-Elves wanted me to accompany them to Nashkel, but I had more important things on my mind than the Iron Crisis. Khalid and Jaheira were in such a rush that they didn't even have time to help some of the townsfolk in Beregost. We decided to split up again and meet each other later, probably in Nashkel. Jaheira wasn't very understanding, but that's probably because I didn't tell her much about my situation. It's not that I don't trust her, but she seems to know everything better, which I tells me she isn't as wise as she claims.
We helped some of the people in Beregost (generally in return for reasonable rewards), even with such dangerous tasks as exterminating a Huge Spider plague and slaying two Ogrillons. Firebead Elvenhair recommended us to seek shelter in the bustle of Baldur's Gate. His suggestion makes sense. The anonymity we may find in the big city could help bounty hunters forget about me. On the morrow, Imoen and I shall head north.
I have a proposal to make. Bear in mind that I haven't run it by the other Bioware No Reload Challenge regulars yet, but I thought I'd float the idea here first to see if there is any interest.
Suppose we were to combine the challenge here with the Bioware challenge- sort of like different conferences in the same sport. We could have a standard flexible rule set across the conferences/forums and maintain a shared Hall of Heroes. Players could play and post in either forum or, if they choose, both. I can even imagine a day when we could run yearly cross forum challenges: team Bioware.com v. team Baldursgate.com. We could all setup the same installs and each team could have, say five players: the team that ends up with the most successes wins. Assuming everyone could maintain a light-hearted and supportive attitude even within a quasi-competitive environment, that could be a lot of fun.
I'm ambivalent about the yearly cross forum challenge idea, but the idea of unifying our threads and fostering cross-communication between the communities makes sense to me.
Apologies if I'm cluttering up your thread, but I thought the idea was worth floating. If there is interest, let me know. We can discuss it here or, if you prefer, in a separate thread.
Anyhoo: Best of luck once again!
Cheers,
A.
Is any one else interested? I think this is the type of issue that should be decided by consensus, rather than majority. We should only go ahead with it if everyone present agrees. Again, I'd be happy to discuss it in another thread, if that's preferable.
(The yearly cross forum challenge idea is just an example of something that may or may not come to pass at some later date.) Maybe. I don't know. The community here is playing more SCS and it also gets more traffic. I think we at Bioware would have our hands full. We'd have to get Saros back to have any hope at long term competitiveness. We'd also have to draft you and CKT!
Best,
A.
As the OP, I welcome this suggestion whole heartedly. Please consider this thread your virtual home for cross-posting any adventures or starting discussions or even friendly competitions for no-reloaders. I'll try to maintain the thread title to reflect current features in the hopes of generating ongoing interest. (By the way, thanks again for a new entry @semiticgod - good luck with your new run).
Meanwhile, as we converge toward suggested rules and guides for no-reload runs, I'll be glad to modify the original post with updates & links as needed.
In short, you are absolutely welcome with this idea and the accumulated expertise the Bioware forum crew would inevitably bring here.
Ygramul
Best,
A.