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Baldur's Gate All - solo bard

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  • twillighttwillight Member Posts: 65
    edited January 2018
    Act 4

    Suggested equipment to bring with you: staff of air, staff of fire, balduran's shield. Also,have 2-3 free space inyour inventory for convenience.

    With my contact dead, I looked for a way to get the informations. So asked around the local tainted workers, and found a guy to murder. He asked, but never knew why. That's what you get living in Pirate City.
    Actually, I considered just to slaughter my way in,for the rejection of the courtesan, but devided she doesn't worth the effort. Still...

    The easier solution seemed to work through the cowled wizard. Those annoyed me already.Turned out it'sa trap, so chose the alternative way. Wish I knew... Still, that book offers me True Seeing once per day, freeing up a spell memorisation.

    [wish I started with 1 more wis, and 1 less int. That way I would loose another int, and have no problem wearing Valygar's armor] But this is a dream after all...
    [Also: with the Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialisation the Boots of Speed work correctly, thus no need to be removed during fight. It erven gives you another 0.5 attacks properly, giving the two items 2 attack per round.]

    Left Imoen behind. Idon't know anymore whatshe is, if I ever knew her at all. Yes, I DO feel empty, but I'm still me. And I'm sure I should not be Imoen. Not even in my dreams. I must be MORE! For someone who destroyed no less than TWO gods, has to be more!
    But what was that transformation took place when facing Bodhi? Was that me? My true self? THAT WEAKLING?
    Or was the whole thing just a dream? A dream of a god... A dream of mine? In the world of the shaugains the strong rules. So mus so, only the strongest live, as right off their city-border it's everyone for their own. Well, I can do that. Play the two factions against each other, support the madder one, inducing their self-destruct, saving my land. [Besides, that Wave Halberd will come in handy.]

    QUESTION: why can the bard learn spells abouve lvl 6?

    Act 5

    The darkness of the Underworld was not enough to stop me. Maybe the fact how easily the Silver Dragon betrayed those dwarves inspired me through. Now it is dead, as well as some drow conspiratory. And the dwarves. And the kuo toa. And the illithid. And... This darkness is really a void.

    [NOTE: the imprisoned mage is hard to kill. At a point it can simply decide he had enough and disappears. Prevent this by setting up traps tofinish the fight before it even starts.]

    While I found the drow sity pretty multicultural, there's the question: what they have against healers? Ok, they don't like clerics. Who do. But why they do not have medics around?
    Similar flaw was at the pirates: they had no merchants. I see the reason why (lacking private property toa degree), but c'mon!
    They still had more in them then the stupid elves. I was NOT who merdered their trust!

    [In Suldanesselar keeping alive the elf priest is a challenge. Cast improved haste, wait until you can cast another thing before enter, enter, get to the right raksasha - mage-, whack it to pieces before it cast any/more then one cloud kill. Reload if fail.]

    Strange. In Suldanesselarr I got death AND victory. Just like that elf. What is if not proof this is just a dream? And I don't like dying. And I don't like getting pushed around. Why everyone assumed I was after either Imoen, or after Irenicus, or, if they dared to think, for by being a Child of Bhaal? Why can't it be about - me?
    And now I'm in the Abyss. Amongst stupid little demons. Could be worse though. Could be better too. Could have looted Irenicus' body - if all this been real. Is it? Or this is all just my dying mind, all this illusion of grandeur?



    [What IS interesting for the bard with the rewards of tears are to decide:
    - Fear: good option sounds trivial. Aslyerferund Elven Chain is an option to consider thogh, but I'd go for better AC. Otherwise the weapon immunities practicaly have the same effect.
    - Greed: factors to consider: Blackrazor is a nice thing if it works in your version, two weapon style. It likely does not effect those that'd really matter though (immunity to lvl-drain? magic resist?). Otherwise the good option is way more profitable.
    - Pride: meh, anyone ever took the evil path? Sounds like playing a Fallen paladin/ranger...
    - Wrath: in the original game the evil bonus is +2 STR and +1 DEX. Yes, it isn't CHA (prime stat of the class), neither STR (like at Deck of Many Things). The alternative could help you wear Valygar's and Keldorn's armor, but at this point you'll simply have better option than worry about them. Darn, I forgot to go and kill Anomen. I always do that!
    - Selfishness: this is the hardest part. The bard's AC is total rubbish, so much so the bonus DO come in handy. The loss of DEX would hurt aplenty for the same reason, and even if negated by some exploit, there is the fact that bard can easily have a lot of magic resist where needed: can have 2 rings of Gaxx, can wear Carsomyr, and there is the Amulet of Seldarine, as well as a couple of other equipment (humanskin armor, Enkidu's plate etc.), so will go around with like 30% MR all the time, thus that extra 10% isn't THAT important, even if you dualwield, which I did not up to this point.

    Come to that, here are some proficiency-tips for bard/kits:
    - twohanded weapon style: the bard's thac0 is crap, and has low number of attacks, so better if every hit counts. Also helps with the bows (I think).
    - quarterstaff: clay golems makes it a must, and there are plenty of good ones. There are ones with instantkill chances to golems and elementals too,and yes, if you are lucky, they work even on elemental princes.
    - halberds: believe me, this class is a must have with the Wave Halberd. Efreets are already annoying with the constant respawn, but some salamanders later are really deadly otherwise. There are other good ones in the class too, like Dragon's Breath.
    - longbow: these have more dmg/shot than the shortbows. But then it's mostly preference.
    - short sword: throughout the whole series it is a solid option.
    - twoweapon style: you'll likely put your points into this, on "why not" basis.
    other choices are:
    - dagger: starting in BG1 is hard, and that parthas very good knives in it.
    - hammer: two option here: Crom Faeyr (25 STR, kills golems and trolls), Runehammer (immunity to leveldrain and fear)
    - mace: not muchhere, primaly if you'll rely on Mace of Disruption for a period
    - axe: axe of the unyielding is a solid choice (bonus AC, vorpal effect), also can free you from bows and their arrow-problem by throwing axes which include a nice one with fire damage (kills trolls)
    - scimitars: I'm not familiar with these. I see an extra AC-one (Yamato), and the Scarlet Ninja To. Spectral Brand is a solid (although not great) choice too. I think I'll try this this time.]

    ----------------------



    Now I understand this dream of mine. Irenicus is ME. I am the Exile. Or could be. That is what I fight, that is what I refuse.
    But what is what I refuse? I become a god - or to not? Which is the monster choice?

    [The fight with Irenicus I consider Strange Behaviour from the game. I put 3 traps on the other end of the room in front of the big door, 2 traps to kill one of the 4-armed demon which can stun, and 1 trap to put a red demon near-death. Wear the lowest AC armor. The battle starts, first killing the weakened red, then the other two, than the ... slayer remaining at the big door. This result in the victory-screen for some reason.
    Laying down a 7th trap result in Irenicus still living after the four demons die, and the slayer,supposed project image does NOTdisappear when hit with Carsomyr. Also, seems Irenicus never actually go down from Near Death. So in theory you hold your 7th trap, put Irenicus Near Death using offensive spin - andpossible Improved Haste form Ring of Kangaxx -, then finish him with the 7th trap.
    Also, I don't like this fight 'cause Irenicus can Maze you.
    Other preparations: stone skin + mirror image, possibly Fire Shield Blue. Other than finishing Irenicus this fight is ok.]

    ...

    [At the bhaalspawn-hunter you have time to put down 3-4 traps, so that's easy. The First Challenge is also very much doable, just watc out for the final wave's casters.]

    I woke up ... Wherever. Sameplace ornot, there was a Solar. Said I have no choice. I want to strangle her.
    Post edited by twillight on
  • twillighttwillight Member Posts: 65
    edited January 2018
    So, my missing spells when I start ToB:
    Control Undead, Imprisonment, Mordekainen's Sword (only had 1 scroll, kept it in stash incase I have to simu-summon it), protection from the elements, spell shield, summon hakaeshar, bigby's spells. Filled up in Saradush.

    [Thought having gold-problem. Cespenar works expensive,andI lost like 30K when playing with the Deck of Many Things. Not that it's anything that important, mostly Aslyferund. Well, I HAD problem until I sold all the soldier-weapons of the arrival.
    Lastly, the tavern wrench left the inn and refused to talk to me - whatever, I think. Update: she went back after I visited the local mageand worked properly.
    Hint: don't forget to aquire Scroll of Improved Haste to create Improved Cloak of Protection incase you need this.
    The execution-quest canbe started and abandoned when stealing the shakti-figurine (not that it is any good) and the starfall ore.

    Many enemies are weak, and if you got the ability, or whatever-armor you assemble, you canspare time if you do two weapon fighting.

    As in the sewers you need to unlock a door requiring giant strength - you don't waste a spell justfor this,do you? - is a reason to carry over Crom Faeyr. I brought through 2 spellcontainer, 1 arrow bag, gem bag, bag of holding.

    Gromnir is... Not much. The mage in the sewer has a darn Maze, so wear there resist magic. In the throne room suit for damage, get a stone skin, fire shield blue, and offensive spin. Aim for the mages and when theyare down you can cast mirror image along stone skin. Have your weapon do elementaldamage to bypass stone skin of tha mages.]

    ------------

    Yaga Sura:

    Master Wraith: try pulling out from the inside what you can. It is a good combination of casters and fighters. I used offensive spin in magic resistant gear, but that's just me.

    Marching Mountains: easier than it looks. With a good AC armor you're mostly safe from normal giants (NOT if there are more than 2), so primaly concentrate on elite giants. Also wear Ring of Fire Control while here, and quaff a Potion of Fire Resistance.
    You want to kill Imix, so I hope you brought the Wave halberd.

    Siege Camp: Place 3-4 traps before the bridge, run in, hit Yaga, run ca. the middle of the bridge, whack yourself out of the spawning group, let's hope the casters with insect plague and such don't hit (that's mostly equals death. Might help to swap in Carsomyr), lure Yaga on the traps.

    Challenge 2: make a symulacrum lay down the seven possible traps within. Can be done in 2 groups by distance - that equals 2 dead enemy instant. You can reach -23 AC here (I took the evil reward for Greed by the way), do so. You'll mostly be unhittable (only Tomoko has the thac0 for it, but she should die by the traps at spawning).

    -------------

    Abazigail:

    - Mr. Son-at-the-arrival 's human form is a joke, his weapon is ineffective. So remove the stalkers, then hit 'im. I mean after you set a bunch of traps at the start. It is important to not destroy the human form by traps, else the game will linger forever.
    The dragon form will wing you to your traps. Lure it on 'em and ta-duh.
    - when enter the werewyvern is regenerating too fast, no matter whatyoudo. I hope you brought something with vorpal effect (ravager halberd/axe of the unyielding).
    - swimming through the first tunnel brings you to some uber-salamander. You're in deep trouble if youdon't have the Wave halberd.
    - avoid the eyes by drinking invisibility potion (or use ring of invisibiity, or similar)
    - go and get the BMU when you can
    - no reason not to let guard dragon live
    - you must hit Abazigail's human form w/o traps (pretty straighforward, especially if you have the Scarlet Ninja To, just cast stoneskin, mirror image when needed along offensive spin, also use blur and fire shield blue as buff. Potion of heroism is also good). Then you'll need as many traps you can lay to get rid of the dragon form. Use scorcher ammo to get rid of the salamanders before the fight. Actually the dragon-form has 2 way to kill you: one is cast fear (you might try resis fear from bard flute, if it lasts through the human form), the second its breath which can oneshot even a total-HP bard (I have 167 HP).

    Challenge 3:
    swap into the BMU, wear negative plane protection from whatever source, and whack the slayer away as fastas possible (offensive spin + improved haste).
    Come to think of it: so here I destroyed the Slayer inside me... Maybe this is related to giving a piece of bhaalpower to Sharevok? What "insignificant" part did I gave to him? Maybe - maybe the part that led to Bhaal's demise? That ultimate part of the power - which murders the last opposition: Me?

    --------------

    Sendai:

    - just attack the huntsman, don't bother with the area.

    This picture tells oh-so-more if you've seen some Bud Spencer movie:


    - I confess maybe never did the spider passage. Neither now. If I have immunity to weapons, I'll use it.
    - Ogremich can't hit -25 AC. Just a hint.
    - Sendai takes FOREVER to kill. First: wear the BMU when enter, 'cause you NEED the AC, else Sendai will constantly harass you with Harm (target's HP instantly drops to 1). I hope you have immunity from Tears of Bhaal too... 'cause she has infinite summons at her final stage. Concentrate on HER, but stay at the door, and kill any drow coming from there when you don't see Sendai - this way you can save after every stage.
    I'm not sure what's the winning condition at her final stage. She sure teleports and selfheal a lot. Whenever you can, hit her with two weapons (the extra attack the Scarlet Ninja To gives IS really useful). Whenever you can't reach her but can go to her platform, switch to a twohanded weapon. If youcan't get to her (because of summons) you might try to use the BMR with scorcher ammo, or depending her running spells arrows.
    It takes forever, but you can win.
    Oh, in case you'd try traps, don't try to lay them on the platform south of the entrance - the last statue-form comes alive next to that (at least did to me), and use up the traps.

    Challenge 4:
    Wear Enkidu's Plate. Or if youdon't have that one, the upped Thieves Hood. Else you'll have a hard time...

    -------------

    Balthazar:

    B. has a crapload of HP, and is annoying, so:
    - SAVE BEFORE entering the building! This is crucial, asa bug can prevent B. to spawn, or something.
    - at the entrance lay down SIX traps.
    - when the confrontation starts, run back to the traps. IF other monk follows, dispose that before getting to the traps.
    - profit.



    Challenge 5: killing Bhaal. That's what, the 3rd god I destroy? At the least.

    Winning here is not easy, far from it. But I have a sure way to victory:
    - memorise Wizard's Eye
    - cast Stone Skin
    - cast Melf's Minute's Meteor
    - sleep
    - cast simulacrum (preferably from Vhailor's Helm)
    - case Wizard's Eye
    - with the help of the Eye make the Simulacrum lay down traps where the Ravager will appear
    - finish the deal. The last of the Child of Bhaal dies.



    -----------------

    Stats (w/o equipment):


    Equipment notes:
    - boots: Boots of Speed
    - gloves: Gloves of Extraordinary Specialisation
    - helm: Helm of Balduran. Occasional use of Vhailor/Death helms for charges.
    - rings: 2*Ring of Gaxx, one replaced by Ring of Fire Control in Yaga Sura's Lair
    - cloak: Montolio's Cloak
    - belt: either a STR belt, or the Belt of Inertial Barrier. Mostly depends on your initial STR-stat
    - amulet: Amulet of the Master Harper, with occasional swap of Amulet of Seldarine for magic resist, or Amulet of Power for negative plain protection
    - armor: Asyflerun is good when you plan on casting. BMU if not. Enkidu's plate where is chance of backstab, or you can't fit with the size of the BMU
    - weapon: this time I used Storm Star + Scarlet Ninja To for the majority of time, Carsomyr as swap, Wave Halberd for instant kills, Ravager for vorpal effect against werewyvern, BMR. As main weapon you actually have a lotof flexibility, but you NEED the Wave and you NEED the vorpal effect to deal with the wyvern.
    - shield: Shield of Balduran against that Hive Mother (save, because of imprisonment)
    - arrows: scorcher ammunition
    - quick items: Book of Many Spells, various healing potions, potion of fire resistance, potion of invisibility, potion of heroism
    - spells: stone skin, mirror image, spike trap, resist fear, seath spell, Wizard's Eye, MMM

    Melissan:

    Anyone has any tips? Please?
    Post edited by twillight on
  • twillighttwillight Member Posts: 65
    Melissan:
    Jumped into the BMU, casted sequencer, spell trigger, chain contignency. Because every little bit helps. Everything can be sold with traps, a scroll of simulacrum, a scroll of wish, and plenty of reloads, EXCEPT the first fight ya know.
    Bard has trouble hitting anything, and has trouble having proper defenses, and lacks a good amount of firepower. Mirror image will be stripped like right there, but casted it anyway. Stone skin lasts, especialy if Melissan summons badly (beholders have their own difficulty which result in either potiondrinking or death, and one time she had an army of bone golems which could not move getting stucked in her and each other).
    Still have the problem of Melissan's own stone skins, and AC, and constant summoning, and high HP.

    I used upped Spectral Brand + Scarlet Ninja To for maximum attack = damage.

    Before stepping through, drank a potion of invulnerability (her stun can still pass through), potion of 24 giant STR, potion of speed, potion of regeneration (because every bit helps, and it has some turns duration). No idea what got stripped when the battle started.

    After one or two useless attempt called out a simulacrum (from Vhailor's helm) to cast Khelben's Wharding Whip. At arrival, meaning I casted it when spawning but Melissan not started to talk (there is a fragment of a second to pause for action). As much as I could added improved haste (kangaxx charges). Never got around checking what overrides what, or they work in comco despite descriptions.
    And she went down finaly.

    Seal 1 is easy, especialy could use the simulacrum to dispose the prince. After that sent the sim to lay traps while finishing the rest.

    Seal 2's only problem is you can't go in in BMU, but any summon (khittix is the smallest of pawns) lures them out.

    Seal 3's only solution as far as I can see is to lay down 2*2 traps afar, lure the mariliths on them to die, hope the nymph don't charm you or whatever conditions they can throw at you, then finish the solar. Who is actualy not that much of a problem at all. Especialy if you activate Spectral Brand's +10 thac0 ability while offensive spin is running (the solar is absolutely no threat with -25 AC the BMU provides, but takes forever to hit it too).
    Funny thing though, turned out there was (is) a 2nd nypmh-or-what there, but I clicked on the pool before it could react,and the game said it's fine for it, don't worry. So I did not.

    --------

    And my character's final choice?

    Melissan: "No! The bhaalspawn has NOT won! I would die first!"
    Solar: "But you can not die. You are defeated, yet you can not die. You will do nothing, and that is your fate, Amelyssan."

    Well, it's not much of a choice, is it? Eternal suffering and predestination, or freedom and a mortal life.

    ---------

    Seems though there IS a ~neutral ending. What would fittingly deny from me another intercourse. Just why can't I get laid in this game?




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