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ToTL - Spectral Guards in Castle Maluradek

jeff5371jeff5371 Member Posts: 8
in Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition
Hey all, looking for some advice here.

I just can't get past the spectral guards on the ground floor of Castle Maluradek. I tried the trick of sanctuarying my cleric and turning undead. This worked for some, but doesn't work when they aggro. What happens now is that 6 or so spawn at the same time and rush my party.

They tear through my tanks and appear in back where my casters are, etc. And the turn undead no longer works on them when they aggro. I've tried multiple summons (horn of valhalla, monster summoning, etc.) and hasting everyone, and we can barely kill one before they destroy the whole party. I'm not sure why so many appear at once or why they sometimes appear in the back of my party if I'm in the entry hallway.

Any tips would be appreciated. I'm honestly stuck here. Thanks.

Jeff

Comments

  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,782
    The Spectral Guards are tough but pure melee. Use the best buffs you can, including boosting strength and speed. Then concentrate your fire, gang up them one at a time (to the extent you can, I’ll often have one character leading some around on a merry chase). Mages should unload maximum damage causing spells. But priority is to keep your squishy characters away from the melee.
    Honestly, I found these fights very difficult on my first couple play throughs, but I hardly give them much thought anymore. Your team should be near peak power at this point in the game. So gang up, hit them very hard and very fast. They will drop. You may want to leave the keep to rest between the fights.
  • jeff5371jeff5371 Member Posts: 8
    Thanks! Yes, I can do that if there are a few, but with 6 I'm just getting crushed. I don't know why 6 spawn at once.
  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,782
    I’m thinking 6 - 8 should be the total number in each fight? I usually start by initiating with all fire on one foe, I can drop one before the others are even ready to respond. Maybe use Giant Strength potions on one or two of your melee types.
    And be sure you’re starting with squishy types a ways back. Some of the Guards will spawn in behind them if they’re too close, if that happens move them fast. This isn’t a fight that favors them.
  • jeff5371jeff5371 Member Posts: 8
    So I was able to defeat the 6 that spawned. The problem is, everytime I try to go to the upper levels 6 more spawn. They essentially keep spawning. I wonder if the game is bugged?
  • AerichAerich Member Posts: 284
    It’s not bugged, afaik. There’s just multiple swarms of guards, and multiple trigger points.

    Breaking it down, the problems are:
    1) The guards hit very hard, and there are plenty of them
    2) They target the squishy, including in where they spawn

    If you have a character that can get very high slashing resistance, it can make this area far easier. You can load up one character with your best resistance items, protections, and free action, use it to draw aggro, and bomb away with everyone else. This character can also be your scout.

    This strategy can also work without high damage resistance. You will have to spend extra spells and attention trying to immobilize as many guards as possible, using Web, Slow, etc.

    You can’t wander with your whole party. I like to have a primary tank to do the wandering, and a secondary (or summons) in advance of the party, with the remaining members screened off in a corner or alcove.
  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,782
    Strange, I’ve never encountered more than a couple on the upper level. Definitely no mass spawns.
  • AerichAerich Member Posts: 284
    atcDave wrote: »
    Strange, I’ve never encountered more than a couple on the upper level. Definitely no mass spawns.

    I read it that when he tried to go to level 2 (eg started up the staircase) more swarm. Iirc, if one doesn’t clear the lower level entirely, everything left aggros when the staircase is touched.

    So, my advice is try to completely clear the lower level before heading to the staircase, and touch it with one character while the others are in defensive formation, just to be safe.

  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,782
    Ah yes, not a situation I've seen.
  • YigorYigor Member Posts: 945
    Aerich wrote: »
    atcDave wrote: »
    Strange, I’ve never encountered more than a couple on the upper level. Definitely no mass spawns.

    I read it that when he tried to go to level 2 (eg started up the staircase) more swarm. Iirc, if one doesn’t clear the lower level entirely, everything left aggros when the staircase is touched.

    So, my advice is try to completely clear the lower level before heading to the staircase, and touch it with one character while the others are in defensive formation, just to be safe.

    Yes, there are 4 swarms of about 8 spectral guards (at HoF difficulty) on the ground floor (including kitchen).

    Hint: Activate 1 swarm, kill at least 1 guard and go rest in the Hobart's house, then repeat! 👈
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