"Maybe this time" [NO-RELOAD THREAD]: "The Tale of TEN THOUSAND Trials"
Ygramul
Member Posts: 1,059
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 @semiticgoddess @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/44257/7-3x4-8-3x6-9-3x8
4. 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
--
"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 : @proghead3
Notable mods : none
Difficulty : Core
Start and finish (March 2014)
David the Gnome Fighter/Illusionist : @MacHurto
Notable mods : none (?)
Difficulty : Core (?)
Start (March 2014)
Finish (May 2014)
Sir Gawain the Fighter : @CharlestonianTemplar
Notable mods : HardTimes-v2; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Difficulty : Core (?)
Start (August 2014)
Finish (November 2015)
Anselm, the Blackguard : @Gotural
Notable 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 : @Grond0
Notable mods : none
Difficulty : Core
Start and Finish (March 2016)
Goibniu, the Paladin : @Enuhal
Notable mods : none
Difficulty : core
Start (August 2016)
Finish (October 2016)
Grond0, the Fighter --> Thief : @Grond0
Notable 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: @semiticgoddess
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: @semiticgoddess
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:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906323/#Comment_906323
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906475/#Comment_906475
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906551/#Comment_906551
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906569/#Comment_906569
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906591/#Comment_906591
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906702/#Comment_906702
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906799/#Comment_906799
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906869/#Comment_906869
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906993/#Comment_906993
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907021/#Comment_907021
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907034/#Comment_907034
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907058/#Comment_907058
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907214/#Comment_907214
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907247/#Comment_907247
Cromarty the Gallant (Might & Guile) @Mantis37
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: @semiticgoddess
Notable 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 @Neverused
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_904548
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/905708#Comment_905708
SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906755#Comment_906755
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/911765#Comment_911765
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/913822#Comment_913822
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/915345#Comment_915345
Frisk the Archer/Mage: @semiticgoddess
Notable 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:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947255/#Comment_947255 (beginning of the run)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947276/#Comment_947276 (Nashkel mines)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947307/#Comment_947307 (Rieltar)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947362/#Comment_947362 (Ducal Palace)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947548/#Comment_947548 (Sarevok)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947554/#Comment_947554 (SoD)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947597/#Comment_947597 (Bridgefort)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947796/#Comment_947796 (Coalition Camp Invasion)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/949716/#Comment_949716 (Siege of Dragonspear Castle)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/949761/#Comment_949761 (Death at Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950308/#Comment_950308 (Starting over from BG1)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950505/#Comment_950505 (SoD again)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950602/#Comment_950602 (Death at Coalition Camp Invasion)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950716/#Comment_950716 (Starting over from BG1)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950754/#Comment_950754 (SoD again; died at Durlag's Tower)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950926/#Comment_950926 (Starting over from BG1)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951346/#Comment_951346 (SoD again)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951716/#Comment_951716 (Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951726/#Comment_951726 (Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951937/#Comment_951937 (Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/952341/#Comment_952341 (BG2)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/953458/#Comment_953458 (Suldanessellar)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/953877/#Comment_953877 (Irenicus)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954150/#Comment_954150 (ToB)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954386/#Comment_954386 (Abazigal's Lair)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954982/#Comment_954982 (Abazigal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955246/#Comment_955246 (Sendai's Lair)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955366/#Comment_955366 (Sendai)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955558/#Comment_955558 (Throne of Bhaal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955608/#Comment_955608 (Throne of Bhaal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955725/#Comment_955725 (Throne of Bhaal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955736/#Comment_955736 (Retrospective)
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: @histamiini
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Mode
Special: Solo Run
Beginning (February 8, 2018)
Ending (March 14, 2018)
Nukesalot the Chaos Sorcerer : @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 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_994086
SoA: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994376/#Comment_994376
ToB: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994949/#Comment_994949
Nabatil, 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: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Faith and powers
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
BG1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018828/#Comment_1018828
SoD: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018963/#Comment_1018963
SoA: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018982/#Comment_1018982
ToB part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018990/#Comment_1018990
ToB part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1019005/#Comment_1019005
Arinja 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: @Enuhal
Notable 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: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Core
BG1 beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023077/#Comment_1023077
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023095/#Comment_1023095
SoD beginning and end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023195/#Comment_1023195
SoA beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023525/#Comment_1023525
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1039926/#Comment_1039926
ToB beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1040545/#Comment_1040545
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1046293/#Comment_1046293
Frisky Bits the Shadowdancer: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension, ATweaks
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051012/#Comment_1051012
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051116/#Comment_1051116
SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051159/#Comment_1051159
SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051306/#Comment_1051306
SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1052093/#Comment_1052093
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1053103/#Comment_1053103
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1053462/#Comment_1053462
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1055379/#Comment_1055379
Espellier the Archer: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1055575/#Comment_1055575
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056033/#Comment_1056033
SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056156/#Comment_1056156
SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056281/#Comment_1056281
SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056829/#Comment_1056829
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057087/#Comment_1057087
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057313/#Comment_1057313
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057365/#Comment_1057365
Triss the Fighter/Illusionist: @histamiini
Notable 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: @semiticgoddess
Notable 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_1068136
Note: Run was recorded, but most videos are not yet posted. The final battle is here.
Arrow Slinger the Arcane Archer/Mage: @Flashburn
Notable 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: @Enuhal
Notable 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: @histamiini
Notable 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_1074653
SoA part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1083274/#Comment_1083274
SoA part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1083865/#Comment_1083865
ToB part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1084028/#Comment_1084028
ToB part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1084076/#Comment_1084076
ToB part 3: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1089496/#Comment_1089496
Prada the Sorcerer: @histamiini
Notable 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)
BG1 part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1090394/#Comment_1090394
BG1 part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1090509/#Comment_1090509
SoD: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1090766/#Comment_1090766
BG2 Part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1091717/#Comment_1091717
BG2 Part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1092025/#Comment_1092025
BG2 Part 3: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1092324/#Comment_1092324
BG2 Part 4: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1092777/#Comment_1092777
BG2 Part 5: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093052/#Comment_1093052
ToB Part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093227/#Comment_1093227
ToB Part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093329/#Comment_1093329
ToB Part 3: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093533/#Comment_1093533
ToB Part 4: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093555/#Comment_1093555
ToB Part 5: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093655/#Comment_1093655
ToB Part 6: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093763/#Comment_1093763
ToB Part 7: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1094277/#Comment_1094277
Skaarj Sunspire the Fighter/Shadow Adept/Cleric: @Flashburn
Notable 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: @CharlestonianKnightTemplar
Notable mods: SCS v32, ATweaks, Wheels of Prophecy, Item Randomizer Deities of Faerun, Song & Silence, Rogue Rebalancing, Wizard Slayer Rebalancing, various NPC mods
Difficulty:
Finish
Jehu the Shaman: @Neverused
Notable mods:
Difficulty:
Start
Finish
Blaggerd the Blackguard: @Gate70
Notable mods:
Difficulty:
Start
Finish
Michio the Illusionist: @Gate70
Notable mods:
Difficulty:
Start
Finish
Allanon the Druid: @Grond0
Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Core
Special: Party only contains unkitted druids
Start
Finish
Parts 1-12:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135195/#Comment_1135195
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135471/#Comment_1135471
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135568/#Comment_1135568
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136228/#Comment_1136228
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136632/#Comment_1136632
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136714/#Comment_1136714
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136885/#Comment_1136885
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137035/#Comment_1137035
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137177/#Comment_1137177
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137297/#Comment_1137297
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137392/#Comment_1137392
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135195/#Comment_1135195
Pearl the Fighter/Mage: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: SCS v32, Ascension
Difficulty: Insane, bonus damage disabled
Special: Solo
Parts 1-7:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137692/#Comment_1137692
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137694/#Comment_1137694
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137770/#Comment_1137770
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137778/#Comment_1137778
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137781/#Comment_1137781
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137785/#Comment_1137785
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137789/#Comment_1137789
Blaggy the Blackguard (Artisan's Kitpack): @Flashburn
Notable 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_Russell
Difficulty: 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_1141899
Adorar the Druid: @Mantis37
Notable mods: SCS
Difficulty: Tactical
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1116514#Comment_1116514
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139490/#Comment_1139490
Yeldan II the Halfling Fighter: @Corey_Russell
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1150202/#Comment_1150202
Dassareth, the Undead Hunter: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS (tactical difficulty), Ascension
Difficulty: Core rules
BG1 Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1151884/#Comment_1151884
BG1 End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1154817/#Comment_1154817
SoD Start&End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1154915/#Comment_1154915
SoA Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1155140/#Comment_1155140
SoA End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1155796/#Comment_1155796
ToB Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1155855/#Comment_1155855
ToB End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1156823/#Comment_1156823
Rasha, the Fighter/Thief: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1182070/#Comment_1182070
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1182290/#Comment_1182290
Luriana, the Priestess of Tempus: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS (insane difficulty), Ascension
Difficulty: Insane (without extra damage)
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1183670/#Comment_1183670
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1185079/#Comment_118507
Beringia, the Transmuter: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core Rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1186139/#Comment_1186139
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1187093/#Comment_1187093
Briana, the Dark Moon Monk: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core Rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1187747/#Comment_1187747
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1188034/#Comment_1188034
Dorian II, the Bard: @Enuhal
Notable mods: SCS + Ascension
Difficulty: Core rules, tactical difficulty
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1188082/#Comment_1188082
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1189314/#Comment_1189314
Ariehaj, the fighter/druid: @Enuhal
Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Core rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1192119/#Comment_1192119
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1192150/#Comment_1192150
Gardi, the Cleric/Ranger: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS + Ascension
Difficulty: Core rules, tactical difficulty
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1193888/#Comment_1193888
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1194795/#Comment_1194795
Enuhal, the Totemic Druid: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS + Ascension (insane)
Difficulty: Insane without extra damage
Special: Avatar run, with Corey, Alesia, Grim Face (representing Serg Blackstrider), Grond0/Jmerry/Mollyboo (representing Semiticgoddess)
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1194854/#Comment_1194854
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1196601/#Comment_1196601
Narescha, the Cleric: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core Rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1198029/#Comment_1198029
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1198385/#Comment_1198385
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_904216
Classes and kits still missing from the combined Hall of Heroes:
Ranger
Stalker
Priest of Helm
Priest of Talos
Shapeshifter
Avenger
Abjurer, Conjurer, Diviner, Invoker, Necromancer
Thief
Bounty Hunter
List of Honorable Mentions (from Arctodus):
Thani the Wizard Slayer dwarf : @Blackraven ; solo, made it deep into ToB (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Alesia the Bounty Hunter : @Alesia_BH ; solo, failed at the final fight (SCS/Acsension)
BG1
Start
Finish
BG2
Start
Finish
Successful final battle (with reload)
Sil the human cleric of Lathander --> mage : @semiticgoddess ; full BG2 no reload (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Carl the (elven) Llama Sorcerer : @semiticgoddess ; conquest of Ust Natha (SCS on LoB difficulty)
Start
Finish
Frisky Bits the human Seducer (thief kit) : @semiticgoddess ; "solo", full trilogy, single reload (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Yahiko the half-elf Totemic Druid : @JuliusBorisov ; solo, full trilogy no reload, failed at the final fight (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Serafina the Archer/Cleric : @histamiini ; one death by charm at the Throne of Bhaal
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal
Special: Solo
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension
Start
Finish
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/44257/7-3x4-8-3x6-9-3x8
4. 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
--
"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 : @proghead3
Notable mods : none
Difficulty : Core
Start and finish (March 2014)
David the Gnome Fighter/Illusionist : @MacHurto
Notable mods : none (?)
Difficulty : Core (?)
Start (March 2014)
Finish (May 2014)
Sir Gawain the Fighter : @CharlestonianTemplar
Notable mods : HardTimes-v2; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Difficulty : Core (?)
Start (August 2014)
Finish (November 2015)
Anselm, the Blackguard : @Gotural
Notable 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 : @Grond0
Notable mods : none
Difficulty : Core
Start and Finish (March 2016)
Goibniu, the Paladin : @Enuhal
Notable mods : none
Difficulty : core
Start (August 2016)
Finish (October 2016)
Grond0, the Fighter --> Thief : @Grond0
Notable 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: @semiticgoddess
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: @semiticgoddess
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:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906323/#Comment_906323
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906475/#Comment_906475
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906551/#Comment_906551
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906569/#Comment_906569
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906591/#Comment_906591
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906702/#Comment_906702
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906799/#Comment_906799
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906869/#Comment_906869
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906993/#Comment_906993
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907021/#Comment_907021
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907034/#Comment_907034
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907058/#Comment_907058
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907214/#Comment_907214
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907247/#Comment_907247
Cromarty the Gallant (Might & Guile) @Mantis37
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: @semiticgoddess
Notable 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:
BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/902929/#Comment_902929
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904835/#Comment_904835
SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904866/#Comment_904866
SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906579/#Comment_906579
BG2 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906698/#Comment_906698
BG2 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/909375/#Comment_909375
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/909665/#Comment_909665
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/914548/#Comment_914548
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904835/#Comment_904835
SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904866/#Comment_904866
SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906579/#Comment_906579
BG2 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906698/#Comment_906698
BG2 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/909375/#Comment_909375
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/909665/#Comment_909665
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/914548/#Comment_914548
Baroque, Human Skald @Neverused
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_904548
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/905708#Comment_905708
SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906755#Comment_906755
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/911765#Comment_911765
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/913822#Comment_913822
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/915345#Comment_915345
Frisk the Archer/Mage: @semiticgoddess
Notable 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:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947255/#Comment_947255 (beginning of the run)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947276/#Comment_947276 (Nashkel mines)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947307/#Comment_947307 (Rieltar)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947362/#Comment_947362 (Ducal Palace)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947548/#Comment_947548 (Sarevok)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947554/#Comment_947554 (SoD)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947597/#Comment_947597 (Bridgefort)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947796/#Comment_947796 (Coalition Camp Invasion)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/949716/#Comment_949716 (Siege of Dragonspear Castle)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/949761/#Comment_949761 (Death at Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950308/#Comment_950308 (Starting over from BG1)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950505/#Comment_950505 (SoD again)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950602/#Comment_950602 (Death at Coalition Camp Invasion)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950716/#Comment_950716 (Starting over from BG1)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950754/#Comment_950754 (SoD again; died at Durlag's Tower)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950926/#Comment_950926 (Starting over from BG1)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951346/#Comment_951346 (SoD again)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951716/#Comment_951716 (Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951726/#Comment_951726 (Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951937/#Comment_951937 (Belhifet)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/952341/#Comment_952341 (BG2)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/953458/#Comment_953458 (Suldanessellar)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/953877/#Comment_953877 (Irenicus)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954150/#Comment_954150 (ToB)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954386/#Comment_954386 (Abazigal's Lair)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954982/#Comment_954982 (Abazigal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955246/#Comment_955246 (Sendai's Lair)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955366/#Comment_955366 (Sendai)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955558/#Comment_955558 (Throne of Bhaal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955608/#Comment_955608 (Throne of Bhaal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955725/#Comment_955725 (Throne of Bhaal)
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955736/#Comment_955736 (Retrospective)
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: @histamiini
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Mode
Special: Solo Run
Beginning (February 8, 2018)
Ending (March 14, 2018)
Nukesalot the Chaos Sorcerer : @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 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_994086
SoA: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994376/#Comment_994376
ToB: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994949/#Comment_994949
Nabatil, 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: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Faith and powers
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
BG1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018828/#Comment_1018828
SoD: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018963/#Comment_1018963
SoA: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018982/#Comment_1018982
ToB part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018990/#Comment_1018990
ToB part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1019005/#Comment_1019005
Arinja 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: @Enuhal
Notable 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: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Core
BG1 beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023077/#Comment_1023077
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023095/#Comment_1023095
SoD beginning and end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023195/#Comment_1023195
SoA beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023525/#Comment_1023525
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1039926/#Comment_1039926
ToB beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1040545/#Comment_1040545
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1046293/#Comment_1046293
Frisky Bits the Shadowdancer: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension, ATweaks
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051012/#Comment_1051012
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051116/#Comment_1051116
SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051159/#Comment_1051159
SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051306/#Comment_1051306
SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1052093/#Comment_1052093
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1053103/#Comment_1053103
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1053462/#Comment_1053462
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1055379/#Comment_1055379
Espellier the Archer: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension
Difficulty: Core
Special: Solo Run
BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1055575/#Comment_1055575
BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056033/#Comment_1056033
SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056156/#Comment_1056156
SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056281/#Comment_1056281
SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056829/#Comment_1056829
SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057087/#Comment_1057087
ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057313/#Comment_1057313
ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057365/#Comment_1057365
Triss the Fighter/Illusionist: @histamiini
Notable 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)
Start https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1062015/#Comment_1062015
BG1
Chapter 1-3 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1062164/#Comment_1062164
Chapter 4-7 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1063114/#Comment_1063114
Chapter 7-12 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1063448/#Comment_1063448
BG2
Prologue https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1064165/#Comment_1064165
Chapter 1-3 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1064491/#Comment_1064491
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1065200/#Comment_1065200
Chapter 4 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1065835/#Comment_1065835
Chapter 5 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066132/#Comment_1066132
Chapter 6 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066319/#Comment_1066319
Chapter 7-8 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066442/#Comment_1066442
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066550/#Comment_1066550
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066638/#Comment_1066638
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066683/#Comment_1066683
Chapter 8-9 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066838/#Comment_1066838
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066925/#Comment_1066925
Final Battle https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1067789/#Comment_1067789
BG1
Chapter 1-3 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1062164/#Comment_1062164
Chapter 4-7 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1063114/#Comment_1063114
Chapter 7-12 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1063448/#Comment_1063448
BG2
Prologue https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1064165/#Comment_1064165
Chapter 1-3 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1064491/#Comment_1064491
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1065200/#Comment_1065200
Chapter 4 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1065835/#Comment_1065835
Chapter 5 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066132/#Comment_1066132
Chapter 6 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066319/#Comment_1066319
Chapter 7-8 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066442/#Comment_1066442
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066550/#Comment_1066550
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066638/#Comment_1066638
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066683/#Comment_1066683
Chapter 8-9 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066838/#Comment_1066838
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066925/#Comment_1066925
Final Battle https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1067789/#Comment_1067789
Frisky Bits the Archer: @semiticgoddess
Notable 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_1068136
Note: Run was recorded, but most videos are not yet posted. The final battle is here.
Arrow Slinger the Arcane Archer/Mage: @Flashburn
Notable 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: @Enuhal
Notable 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: @histamiini
Notable 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_1074653
SoA part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1083274/#Comment_1083274
SoA part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1083865/#Comment_1083865
ToB part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1084028/#Comment_1084028
ToB part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1084076/#Comment_1084076
ToB part 3: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1089496/#Comment_1089496
Prada the Sorcerer: @histamiini
Notable 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)
BG1 part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1090394/#Comment_1090394
BG1 part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1090509/#Comment_1090509
SoD: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1090766/#Comment_1090766
BG2 Part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1091717/#Comment_1091717
BG2 Part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1092025/#Comment_1092025
BG2 Part 3: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1092324/#Comment_1092324
BG2 Part 4: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1092777/#Comment_1092777
BG2 Part 5: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093052/#Comment_1093052
ToB Part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093227/#Comment_1093227
ToB Part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093329/#Comment_1093329
ToB Part 3: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093533/#Comment_1093533
ToB Part 4: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093555/#Comment_1093555
ToB Part 5: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093655/#Comment_1093655
ToB Part 6: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1093763/#Comment_1093763
ToB Part 7: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1094277/#Comment_1094277
Skaarj Sunspire the Fighter/Shadow Adept/Cleric: @Flashburn
Notable 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: @CharlestonianKnightTemplar
Notable mods: SCS v32, ATweaks, Wheels of Prophecy, Item Randomizer Deities of Faerun, Song & Silence, Rogue Rebalancing, Wizard Slayer Rebalancing, various NPC mods
Difficulty:
Finish
Jehu the Shaman: @Neverused
Notable mods:
Difficulty:
Start
Finish
Blaggerd the Blackguard: @Gate70
Notable mods:
Difficulty:
Start
Finish
Michio the Illusionist: @Gate70
Notable mods:
Difficulty:
Start
Finish
Allanon the Druid: @Grond0
Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Core
Special: Party only contains unkitted druids
Start
Finish
Parts 1-12:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135195/#Comment_1135195
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135471/#Comment_1135471
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135568/#Comment_1135568
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136228/#Comment_1136228
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136632/#Comment_1136632
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136714/#Comment_1136714
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136885/#Comment_1136885
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137035/#Comment_1137035
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137177/#Comment_1137177
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137297/#Comment_1137297
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137392/#Comment_1137392
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135195/#Comment_1135195
Pearl the Fighter/Mage: @semiticgoddess
Notable mods: SCS v32, Ascension
Difficulty: Insane, bonus damage disabled
Special: Solo
Parts 1-7:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137692/#Comment_1137692
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137694/#Comment_1137694
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137770/#Comment_1137770
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137778/#Comment_1137778
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137781/#Comment_1137781
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137785/#Comment_1137785
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137789/#Comment_1137789
Blaggy the Blackguard (Artisan's Kitpack): @Flashburn
Notable 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:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135175#Comment_1135175
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135460#Comment_1135460
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136770#Comment_1136770
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137455#Comment_1137455
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137683#Comment_1137683
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1138393#Comment_1138393
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139271#Comment_1139271
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139603#Comment_1139603
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139817#Comment_1139817
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1135460#Comment_1135460
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1136770#Comment_1136770
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137455#Comment_1137455
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1137683#Comment_1137683
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1138393#Comment_1138393
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139271#Comment_1139271
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139603#Comment_1139603
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139817#Comment_1139817
Jeanluc the Fallen Paladin: @Corey_Russell
Difficulty: 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_1141899
Adorar the Druid: @Mantis37
Notable mods: SCS
Difficulty: Tactical
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1116514#Comment_1116514
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1139490/#Comment_1139490
Yeldan II the Halfling Fighter: @Corey_Russell
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1150202/#Comment_1150202
Dassareth, the Undead Hunter: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS (tactical difficulty), Ascension
Difficulty: Core rules
BG1 Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1151884/#Comment_1151884
BG1 End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1154817/#Comment_1154817
SoD Start&End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1154915/#Comment_1154915
SoA Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1155140/#Comment_1155140
SoA End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1155796/#Comment_1155796
ToB Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1155855/#Comment_1155855
ToB End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1156823/#Comment_1156823
Rasha, the Fighter/Thief: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1182070/#Comment_1182070
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1182290/#Comment_1182290
Luriana, the Priestess of Tempus: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS (insane difficulty), Ascension
Difficulty: Insane (without extra damage)
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1183670/#Comment_1183670
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1185079/#Comment_118507
Beringia, the Transmuter: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core Rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1186139/#Comment_1186139
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1187093/#Comment_1187093
Briana, the Dark Moon Monk: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core Rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1187747/#Comment_1187747
End: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1188034/#Comment_1188034
Dorian II, the Bard: @Enuhal
Notable mods: SCS + Ascension
Difficulty: Core rules, tactical difficulty
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1188082/#Comment_1188082
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1189314/#Comment_1189314
Ariehaj, the fighter/druid: @Enuhal
Notable mods: None
Difficulty: Core rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1192119/#Comment_1192119
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1192150/#Comment_1192150
Gardi, the Cleric/Ranger: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS + Ascension
Difficulty: Core rules, tactical difficulty
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1193888/#Comment_1193888
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1194795/#Comment_1194795
Enuhal, the Totemic Druid: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: SCS + Ascension (insane)
Difficulty: Insane without extra damage
Special: Avatar run, with Corey, Alesia, Grim Face (representing Serg Blackstrider), Grond0/Jmerry/Mollyboo (representing Semiticgoddess)
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1194854/#Comment_1194854
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1196601/#Comment_1196601
Narescha, the Cleric: @Enuhal
Notable Mods: None
Difficulty: Core Rules
Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1198029/#Comment_1198029
Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1198385/#Comment_1198385
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_904216
Classes and kits still missing from the combined Hall of Heroes:
Ranger
Stalker
Priest of Helm
Priest of Talos
Shapeshifter
Avenger
Abjurer, Conjurer, Diviner, Invoker, Necromancer
Thief
Bounty Hunter
List of Honorable Mentions (from Arctodus):
Thani the Wizard Slayer dwarf : @Blackraven ; solo, made it deep into ToB (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Alesia the Bounty Hunter : @Alesia_BH ; solo, failed at the final fight (SCS/Acsension)
BG1
Start
Finish
BG2
Start
Finish
Successful final battle (with reload)
Sil the human cleric of Lathander --> mage : @semiticgoddess ; full BG2 no reload (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Carl the (elven) Llama Sorcerer : @semiticgoddess ; conquest of Ust Natha (SCS on LoB difficulty)
Start
Finish
Frisky Bits the human Seducer (thief kit) : @semiticgoddess ; "solo", full trilogy, single reload (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Yahiko the half-elf Totemic Druid : @JuliusBorisov ; solo, full trilogy no reload, failed at the final fight (SCS/Acsension)
Start
Finish
Serafina the Archer/Cleric : @histamiini ; one death by charm at the Throne of Bhaal
Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal
Special: Solo
Notable mods: SCS, Ascension
Start
Finish
Post edited by Arvia on
32
Comments
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 a@@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:Lenhardt is a bit like how I perceive BG2 Quayle: a softspoken, friendly, caring Gnome. He likes the company of nice folk but he's not everyone's friend and will typically avoid abusive, dictatorial, negative, and evil people. Like most Gnomes Lenhardt is curious, cheerful, and cautious when facing dangerous situations. I'm likely to take a 'completionist' approach, especially if all party slots are filled most of the time, because a Cleric/Mage levels slowly.
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 Best of luck with Imber!
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.And at the Friendly Arm Inn itself, we met a human male at the entrance, a necromancer by the looks of him. Apparently he knew that my scalp was worth a few hundred GP. He tried to attack us, but I Commanded him to sleep.When he got up, I Blinded him.He started running around frantically, making it very difficult to hit him. I asked Imoen to help me take him down, but she was out of arrows. With some luck, and with the help of the guards I downed him.I was surprised that the guards knew that the wizard was the wrongdoer, and not us, until Gellana Mirrorshade - a Gnome and a Cleric like me, though she follows Garl Glittergold - told me she had seen the wizard and called the guards.
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.
::stammering and blushing in the manner of a mere mortal suddenly in the presence of a great celebrity::
Oh! Oh! I am *SO* happy to see you! You are my mentor in all matters of BG No-Reload Land! You are the Great Queen and original ruler of all no-reloaders everywhere!
:beginning to hyperventilate::
All worship and praise to You, O Great Goddess of the No-Reload!
::bowing over and over with excessive obsequiousness::
I want to be your cleric! Please allow me to introduce you as the Goddess of the No-Reload as you are, my Lady!
::BelgarathMTH passes out from hyperventilation due to too much religious ecstasy from meeting the Goddess once again.::
Ghoul Touch is overkill on Kalah considering Imber's Minute Meteors, so it didn't do much in this battle, but that spell really doesn't get enough love. It's a nonmagical weapon with a long-duration paralyzing effect on a failed save vs. death. It should be a fantastic option against mages with PFMW, considering their lousy saves vs. death.
We get surprised on the way out. I forgot about the night-time ambushes from the Tactics install. I never liked those guys. We have several melee enemies, plus a cleric... I completely overlooked the mage, since I saw no magical defenses (MGOI, spell deflection/turning, Mirror Image). I was operating on the assumption that the enemies were going to appear prebuffed, and the graphics would be a dead giveaway to the presence of mages. Without prebuffs, the mage escaped my notice long enough to hit the party with Slow. Only Poppy, with her slightly better save vs. spell, managed to escape its effects.
I didn't want to spawn in a Cowled Wizard, so I avoided using spells. I spent a fair amount of potions, and I might not have survived had Imber not entered the battle with Minute Meteors already at hand. She slew the enemy mage with Minute Meteors while the other party members moved around to force the enemies to retarget--each of my party members has different AC against and different resistances to each form of damage, so some of them can't be allowed too close to certain enemies.
Rius is the perfect example. She has -50 slashing resistance and a -5 AC penalty against slashing damage, and her pitiful HP doesn't help. A big part of maximizing a randomized party is micromanaging their positions. Rius can easily die to a stray longsword.
I got some help from an Amnish Soldier. I love these guys. After running out of Minute Meteors, Imber switched to darts to bring down the enemy cleric.
I reminded myself to never walk around Athkatla at night.
As usual, my first quest out of the Promenade is the Slums. I trigger the first dream, and boy does Imber look creepy following Imoen around Candlekeep.
I gave her the female vampire animation, and copied some passive effects from Slayer Shadows to turn her form completely black. Vampire shadows look very wicked. I did the same for an old Improved Anvil run I never finished, and decided to bring back the look.
Poppy gets Lilarcor. I used to love that sword for its crazy banter. But I've grown much more fond of its immunities than anything else.
Rius has 11 INT, and for once I'm playing on Core, so she's got about a 50% spell scribing success rate. After collecting a dozen or so scrolls, I search around a lot before I finally track down a decent source of Potions of Genius: appropriately enough, the Temple of Oghma in the Docks.
I love those XP rewards. May they never end.
Remember that time I said I wouldn't travel around Athkatla at night? Well, Mae'var's quest demands that I visit the Temple District after dark. It doesn't go well.
The problem with my party is that, although all of them has magic resistance, their elemental resistances aren't too great. Only Yi Grovana, in Salamander form, is very resistant to fire damage. Rius? Not so much.
Once again, Imber is slowed, she's out of Stoneskins, and the party is injured. I decide to flee to the sewers to rest, but the enemy follows me in before I can do so. I have to finish the fight.
Luckily for us, the Cowled Wizards don't scan the sewers for magic. Imber's casting time is too poor to use magic--she's better off using Minute Meteors--but Poppy has a bonus to casting time, and helps turn the tide of the battle.
We fetch Mae'var his silly gaudy necklace and end up being assigned to murder a Cowled Wizard. Rayic Gethras is our next target.
We're still at a really low level. And normally I hesitate to face Ray-Ray in SCS2 if I'm doing a no-reload run, since he has access to Sphere of Chaos, and Imber's Enrage is not equal to Death Ward. But since there is no prebuffing, I decide we're capable of handling him.
Right after the fight begins, he activates a Spell Trigger with Improved Invisibility and SI: Divination. Yi Grovana's True Sight, cast at the beginning of the battle, is now useless. But her Dispel Magic ability is not. I allow Ray-Ray to flee to the west, space my party members away from him to protect their own defenses, and manage to dispel both his invisibility and his Stoneskin with a single Dispel Magic, though his Contingency brings up a new set of skins.
Ray-Ray casts PFMW, but I have already anticipated this. Imber has arrived without Minute Meteors, meaning she is able to equip nonmagical darts instead. Worse yet for Ray-Ray, Poppy has Poison Weapon and a nonmagical two-handed sword. Her THAC0 is weak, but she still makes the hit.
Poppy has pretty wings thanks to 1PP. I've always wanted to give her wings to match her portrait.
Rayic Gethras is doomed. Even if he survived a little longer to cast a spell, both Poppy and Imber are Wizard Slayers, and his casting failure would have been sky-high.
In search of easy XP, I head to the Graveyard, only to realize I have forgotten another component of Tactics: an improved Crypt King! I buff with Stoneskin, expecting a melee battle, only to be confronted with a Horror spell. Without Enrage, Imber panics. With the Crypt King's allies crowding up the space, I might well end up pinned in a corner and unable to escape.
Poppy, however, makes her save, and as a Paladin/Sorceror/Bard, she has Remove Fear in her spellbook. The party is up and functioning within the next round, and all the Crypt King can do is beat up on poor Yi Grovana, who despite her saves is the only member of the group without Mirror Image or Stoneskin.
Then I had some weird technical problems.
I noticed my computer was overheating, so I decided to uninstall 1PP, to lift the processing burden from my computer. This started an extremely lengthy process in which I realized that, apparently, once you create a game with 1PP installed, you can never return to that save game without 1PP installed. The game crashed every single time I reloaded Imber's save file. Even after I removed all traces of 1PP from my computer, and reinstalled BG2 from scratch, and used SK to remove every item and visual effect related to 1PP from my save file. I reinstalled BG2 in a new directory, only to find the problem persisted: I could no longer access any of Imber's save files. Not unless I reinstalled 1PP, and got my computer overheating again.
My only option was to move all the relevant kit tables and other files to the new BG2 directory, start a new game, and manually copy and paste all the resistances and modifiers from the old save onto the new save. It took ages to sort out this whole business, but on the plus side, I discovered that reinstalling the game bumped up the window size for BG2 and fixed a couple of recurring bugs in another game. It also gave me the opportunity to add in some more fixes for my characters, who had illegal proficiencies I had added in by accident. I cheated them back out of Chateau Irenicus and skipped the quests I had already completed in the other save, since the new party inherited the same XP as the old one.
Either way, it's fixed, and the party is back on track.
@semiticgod whoa, that randomisation thingie looks a bit broken, but may be fun to experiment with! Any chance you will release it as a mod? (Compatible with ee)
It's not exactly broken, I would say. I got a couple stellar characters out of the deal, but the others have some pretty severe weaknesses. The Halfling Paladin and gnomish Cleric are excellent examples: they're incapable of moving. With previous systems, I've come up with godly mages that can't cast spells, and indestructible tanks that cannot walk. Imber has Improved Alacrity, but the chances of that happening are less than 0.3%.
Same goes for Poppy, who has a minimum HP value of 1... she can't be killed with damage, actually. Pretty crazy. I forgot to mention it, and now that I look back at the files, it seems I've already benefited from it once (it saved Poppy from the Spirit Trolls' spells), though I didn't intend to ever rely on it.
Anyway, they do have some nasty weaknesses. Half the party can't use magic items, two of them can't put more than one pip in melee weapons despite being fighters, one can't use missile weapons despite being an Archer, and they've all got very limited armor options. And that's just the kit abilities, not counting their horrible THAC0, poor damage, awful saving throws, and screwed up spell slots.
Day 11:
A tenday has passed since Gorion's sad quietus. Imoen, Neossa, and I have already seen much of the Sword Coast, although there's lots more for us to discover still. Our journey to Baldur's Gate we made in vain, for we found the city locked up as a preventive measure against the rampant banditry.We couldn't argue against that because we had already had our share of the bandits. North of the Friendly Arm we escaped an ambush thanks to Neossa who had cast Invisibility 10' Radius upon us.And we slew one bandit that was trying to bully three fishermen into handing him a golden bowl and other possessions.We spoke to the fishermen after that, and they asked us to get a priestess of the evil goddess Umberlee off their back. We went to pay the priestess a visit, north of the fishermen's homes. The lands were infested with Ankhegs, but we kept to the shore where the creatures woudln't show themselves.
The priestess of Umberlee attacked us after we asked her about her version of the story. A Command and some non-lethal violencemade the girl - for she couldn't be called a woman - see reason though. We learned that Tenya, as she called herself, was an orphan, that the fishermen had killed her mother and stolen her bowl of Umberlee. Imoen and I were moved by Tenya's story and offered the girl to return to the fishermen to claim the bowl for her.
The fishermen didn't like our change of allegiance, but seemed too afraid of us, armed as we were, to deny us the bowl. We gave Tenya the bowl, and she Dimension Doored away. That girl must be truly blessed by her goddess; it's a spell that I cannot cast.
Even further north the farmlands were plagued not by Ankhegs but by Zombies. We must have slain twenty of them. The farmers were very grateful, rewarding us with 150 GP, and eager to continue their work.
Our good deeds for Tenya, and for the farmers, make me feel good about our trip, even though we failed at our original plan of finding shelter in Baldur's Gate. Said failure does have consequences for Imoen and me. We're living a nomadic lifestyle, roaming the Sword Coast without much of a purpose but to stay alive.
We returned to Beregost and decided to travel further south, to Nashkel. Maybe we would meet Khalid and Jaheira there. On the road we ran into more bandits, human and hobgoblin. Their archers were particularly dangerous, but my spells (Sleep, Blindness) helped us pull through.There were spoils as well, a Ring of Protection +1 that Imoen spotted on top of a large stone, glistening in the evening sun, a pair of Boots of Stealth on one of the Hobgoblins we slew, and a Ring of Human Influence that a kindly nobleman gave us.
In Nashkel we met an Amnish soldier who told us about his former captain that had inexplicably started killing innocents, and then disappeared, and with mayor Berrun Ghastkill who told us he hadn't seen Khalid and Jaheira yet. This surprised me, worried me even. In the Nashkel inn another bounty hunter recognized me, a priestess. Before she could hurt us, I Held her (an ability that Baervan had recently bestowed on me).She fell to my bullets and Imoen's arrows. The realization that we made that woman pay with her life for a wrong decision filled me with grief. On the other hand, how many victims would she have made if we hadn't stopped her?
We went looking for Khalid and Jaheira south of Nashkel, in the Mines area, because that's where Berrun Ghastkill told us the town's troubles were. We asked a young artist, a sculptor who was working on a beautiful image of Ellesime, Lady of the Elves of Suldanessalar, but he had seen no one that matched the descriptions we gave him of Khalid and Jaheira. It didn't surpise me because he seemed much to deeply engaged in his work, and overcome by his fear of a man called Greywolf, a Bounty Hunter who was after two emeralds he had apparently stolen. We met this Greywold a short while later, and soon understood why the artist had been so terrified. Greywolf was a fearsome warrior with an enchanted blade that cleaved through my magical defense (I was protected by Shield), as if it weren't there, when I tried to Hold him as I had done with the priestess in the Nashkel Inn. Fortunately I had more success with a Blindness.Even when blinded he moved quite rapidly, and at one point we lost him. In our search for him, we were ambushed by a pack of Kobolds. Kobolds are amongst the oldest racial enemies of my kin, and understandably so. The dastardly cretaures tend to attack in large packs, and they use poisoned daggers, snares and other tricks to inflict suffering on their foes. The animosity was felt on both sides, because the creatures targeted me rather than Imoen.I ended up tanking them, allowing Imoen to shoot them down.An Amnish guard named Dandal told us that these Kobolds were the problem in the Nashkel Mines. They had pretty much taken over the lower levels. Imoen and I decided to wait with investigating the mines because larger packs than the one we had just dealt with could cause us a world of pain. We needed to be better prepared.
We found Greywolf, who dealt both Imoen and me a heavy blow when his Blindness had worn off,and suffered ten charges of Imoen's Wand of Magic Missiles (consuming it) before one of many sling bullets launched from my trusty sling saw him collapse.When we went to check on the sculptor we witnessed him finish his work, and drop down, dead as well. A sad end, even if he did mange to complete his masterwork.
Problem is, we arrive without buffs, and Rius has some pretty lousy resistances, on top of her mediocre HP. She gets a 29% bonus to her HP, but has a Constitution of 2 (actually 1, but Shadowkeeper bumped it up to 2 and I'm too lazy to fix it). Her piercing resistance is tolerable, at -4%, but her crushing and especially slashing resistances, at -37% and -50%, are crippling.
The other party members managed to tough it out, largely thanks to Spirit Animals, Slow, and Imber's Minute Meteors. Imber is really carrying the group.
Notice that Yi Grovana has Mirror Image--this is because she picked up Ilbratha from the Umar Hills. It is her only solid defense until we can get her the Defender of Easthaven. Also notice the screen size is bigger than my previous posts. My reinstallation appears to have bumped up the size of windowed mode.
I talk-block Garren Windspear to make sure I can pick up the monsters' loot (including lots of potions) and Rius' gear before being transported to Garren's home. Plath Rededge launches an attack, with her trademark dramatic flourish.
She talks pretty loud for a mage without buffs. Imber put the dwarf to sleep with Power Word: Sleep (which in Spell Revisions can knock out critters with over 20 HP, if they fail a save at -1) before slaying Plath Rededge with Minute Meteors.
I CTRL-J over to the dryad queen and head to Trademeet rather than continue to Firkraag's lair. I want to bring back Rius at the Temple of Waukeen, but raising her nearly bankrupts us.
I chat with Lord Logan Coprith, visit Cernd, and head to the Druid Grove. This is because Trolls all attack with piercing weapons, and Poppy has fantastic AC against piercing damage.
Unfortunately, I have Tactics-style Spirit Trolls in my install, which means they throw out Greater Command, Flame Strike, and Unholy Blight. Poppy gets targeted by a Greater Command spell early on. In Spell Revisions, you get to save each round to wake up, but the spell comes with a -4 save penalty. With her base save vs. spell of 10, her innate -2 bonus, another -2 from SR Spirit Armor, and another -3 from SR Blur, she has a save vs. spell of 3. It seems she barely makes her save.
Notice the humongous distance between Poppy and the rest of the group. I saw the Greater Command spell coming, and since Imber didn't have enough time to activate Enrage, I had her and the other characters run north to escape the spell's area of effect. With their boosted movement rates--everyone in the party has above average movement speed, except for the two permanently held characters, the halfling and gnome, whom I discarded--they were able to avoid the spell entirely. It's a pretty big deal, considering their penalties to their saves vs. spell.
But that's only one spell, and Poppy isn't the only one who gets targeted. While Imber struggles to kill the far away Spirit Trolls and put an end to their antics, Yi Grovana, Rius, and Imber all get blasted by Unholy Blight, and Yi Grovana isn't able to heal herself fast enough to survive. On top of that, Poppy gets hit by a Flame Strike spell.
Poppy's HP can't drop below 1, which is probably why she survived. I forgot about that at the time, in any case, so I had her retreat and heal up.
The tide of battle changed shortly thereafter. Imber started bringing down the Spirit Trolls with Minute Meteors, neutralizing the enemy's spellpower. On top of that, one or more of the Spirit Trolls I had spotted apparently fled the battle, and I could not find them later on.
With Yi Grovana dead, and many more Spirit Trolls to go, I decided that the Druid Grove was an unacceptable risk. I brought back Yi Grovana in Trademeet, this time for only 800 gold, and decided to look elsewhere for XP.
After finding a single Arrow of Detonation, I believe in Anath's cavern, I looted the first room of Watcher's Keep and threw the Paladin's Bracers on Rius to give a boost to her poor HP. Next up is the Temple Ruins, but first, I decide to pay Mencar Pebblecrusher a visit.
I have Imber cast her newest spell, Sunfire, on Pooky and Amon, while Rius and Poppy begin with Spirit Armor. Amon doesn't do too well.
In Spell Revisions, Sunfire does not bypass magic resistance, due to having a new projectile, nor does it give the caster temporary immunity to fire. But it does have a casting speed of 1, which means Imber can spam it mercilessly if she's willing to expend the spell slots.
Does anybody know the difference between Sorcerous Amon and Amon of the Purple Brotherhood?
Brennan Risling flees early on, and despite my best efforts to block him in, he slips past and heads for the stairs. I cast Power Word Sleep on him, twice, but he makes his save both times, and we lose his loot forever.
Mencar and Smelly Porkslicer aren't too much trouble on their own, though they do have tons of healing potions. Yi Grovana has to back off from the battle to avoid spending potions, while the others try to take down Mencar quickly to keep him from drinking his own potions.
SCS2 enemies are stuffed with potions, especially healing potions, and it's good to take them down quickly, since they usually drink the best ones early on.
Finally, we go to the Temple Ruins and plow through the various undead goons skulking in the dungeon. A funny note is that Shadows in SCS2 carry potions, but they won't get to use them if you lure them to the Sun Gem pedestal in the far western room, since they die before they have a chance to heal themselves.
We get a bunch of new scrolls, including PFMW, and also pick up a Simulacrum scroll from a fallen Skeleton Warrior. We even found, earlier on, a Spell Trigger scroll (!), but have been saving them up for when we can get a Potion of Genius. A 99% chance of successfully scribing a scroll just isn't good enough for Spell Trigger.
Another important find is a Wand of Lightning. If I decide to abuse it, for fun or out of desperation, I can have Imber use it to cast Called Shot 6 times with one casting, which at 12th level will give me -6 STR drain per hit. She can even stack multiple castings of Called Shot to add more STR drain, and stack True Strike to give her 95% hit chance, and drain tens of STR in seconds, but I don't think I'll be doing that, since it would get boring... much like relying on Poppy's inability to die from damage alone. It's usually more fun to try many different things, rather than just using a single infallible trump card.
For the Shade Lord, though, I'm willing to tolerate an infallible trump card, in the form of a Protection from Undead scroll on Imber. Imber casts Invisibility on Rius and Yi Grovana, while Poppy has to cast Improved Invisibility on herself, since Poppy is immune to level 3 spells and below. Then Imber uses the scroll on herself and we enter the Shade Lord's... lair? It's not a lair if its outdoors, is it?
I send Poppy away from the battle so she isn't in sight when her invisibility wears off, then have Imber break down the Shadow Altar with Minute Meteors to prevent the summoned Shadows from clogging up the screen. She hits Shadow Patrick and some Shadows with Sunfire, finishes him off with Minute Meteors, and then turns her attention to the Shade Lord itself.
Area effect spells like Sunfire and Cone of Cold requires saves vs. breath in Spell Revisions, since they're supposed to represent your ability to dodge the damage (like a 3E Reflex save) rather than resist it. And Sunfire has a -4 save penalty, to boot... which I feel is a bit excessive. Enemies don't make their saves that often in BG2, or even ToB. ToB enemies, from Abazigal to Yaga-Shura, tend to have a save vs. death of 3 and a save vs. spell of 6. It's only ToB player characters that get negative saving throws all over the place.
The Shade Lord falls to Minute Meteors, and we get the one prize I was most looking forward to: the Cloak of the Stars. This item is ludicrously overpowered in SCS2 as in vanilla, as the darts it creates can break through Improved Mantle. You can only create 6 per day, or 18 for a single fight, unless you store them in an Ammo Belt or use the Wand of Lightning trick to increase production, but that's usually enough to hasten an enemy mage's demise.
You know what the really crazy thing about the +5 darts are? They're tagged as usable by Kensais, at least in vanilla. Even Rius can use them, and her Kensai and Archer damage bonuses both apply to darts.