Can a solo monk get the STR tome in BGI?

Klorox

I’ve been thinking of a complete saga monk solo run. I’m wondering if I would ever be able to get the STR tome though.

Even if I have DuHM, that bumps STR to 20. I don’t think that’s high enough to smash the lock.

Do monks have another way through?

JuliusBorisov

A Violet Potion can do that for you.

joluv

Monks can also use Potions of ___ Giant Strength. Storm or Cloud plus DUHM will do the trick.

Klorox

joluv said:

Monks can also use Potions of ___ Giant Strength. Storm or Cloud plus DUHM will do the trick.

They can? Whoa, game changer!!!

sarevok57

i just checked the lock on that tomb, and you do indeed need 25 STR to bust it open

Grond0

Actually you only need 24 to do it, though it might take a number of attempts to succeed. I would tend to use a fire giant strength potion topped up by DUHM in order to save the best strength potions for other encounters.

Skatan

Heh, I wish I had known that in my last berzerker solo run :P

sarevok57

Grond0 said:

Actually you only need 24 to do it, though it might take a number of attempts to succeed. I would tend to use a fire giant strength potion topped up by DUHM in order to save the best strength potions for other encounters.

its weird how sometimes the game will give you that 5% leeway, because 24 STR is 75 open doors, while 25 STR is 80 open doors, and that tomb has an 80 open lock score

dunbar

Can a monk identify items? It's not much use being able to get the tome if you can't identify it - as I know to my cost (Memo to self: Think things through before embarking on solo runs).

JuliusBorisov

dunbar said:

Can a monk identify items? It's not much use being able to get the tome if you can't identify it - as I know to my cost (Memo to self: Think things through before embarking on solo runs).

A merchant can identify items for you.

dunbar

Good point, I should have thought of that!

Grond0

sarevok57 said:

Grond0 said:

Actually you only need 24 to do it, though it might take a number of attempts to succeed. I would tend to use a fire giant strength potion topped up by DUHM in order to save the best strength potions for other encounters.

its weird how sometimes the game will give you that 5% leeway, because 24 STR is 75 open doors, while 25 STR is 80 open doors, and that tomb has an 80 open lock score

Indeed - I think there's a small random component (a bit like initiative with weapon speed) such that a score 5% lower than notionally required has a chance of success. There's also a small chance of failure even when you do have sufficient strength.


@dunbar most merchants can't identify tomes - only those at High Hedge and Sorcerous Sundries I think. However, all temples can identify any piece of equipment for you.

sarevok57

well, there is something that you can do for much cheaper:

when i play solo runs, there is one joinable NPC who absolutely rocks and that is Garrick

i keep him around the blacksmith building and i get him to identify all my magical items, and once he is done with that, i give him the boot

and when i go to BG the city, i bring Garrick along and keep him outside the sorcerous sundries

even better, as long as your character has 32000 XP, Garrick will be boosted up to level 6 with no muss or fuss and all without having killed a single monster ( although sometimes i will bring him to the basilisk area to boost him up to the 40000 mark, just so he can be level 7 with an awesome 70 lore )

its kind of funny actually, if i play a 6 person team i never use Garrick, but when it comes to solo runs, he is joinable NPC MVP of the year

Klorox

sarevok57 said:

well, there is something that you can do for much cheaper:

when i play solo runs, there is one joinable NPC who absolutely rocks and that is Garrick

i keep him around the blacksmith building and i get him to identify all my magical items, and once he is done with that, i give him the boot

and when i go to BG the city, i bring Garrick along and keep him outside the sorcerous sundries

even better, as long as your character has 32000 XP, Garrick will be boosted up to level 6 with no muss or fuss and all without having killed a single monster ( although sometimes i will bring him to the basilisk area to boost him up to the 40000 mark, just so he can be level 7 with an awesome 70 lore )

its kind of funny actually, if i play a 6 person team i never use Garrick, but when it comes to solo runs, he is joinable NPC MVP of the year

That’s cool, but it’s a freaking solo run. The 100 gp to identify stuff is pennies among the riches your character rolls in.

I’m just trying to say you just don’t need it.

Even with a low rep and charisma, I’ve never had money problems in BGI