where can I find stoneskin in BG?

[Thrar]

Hi,

I'm currently in Baldur's Gate city with a solo Jester (with Tutu), where for the first time I found a shop with level 4 spells.
However, the one I'd really like to have I couldn't find anywhere: Stoneskin.

Do you know if it can be found anywhere in the (tutu'ed) game? Ok, probably from a random monster drop, but is there a shop? It's definitely not available in Sourcerous Sundries and High Hedge.

hf

[Luis Antonio]

you'll have to cheat to acquire it. Or play a sorcerer and choose it from spell list.
But you dont need to use it just now - mirror image works wonders in BG and Stoneskin is indeed cheesy there.

[Thrar]

I see...too bad

Thanks for reminding me of mirror image, if only it lasted longer than just one battle :/
However, I just noticed that Minor Globe of Invulnerability is a really useful spell in BG1. The worst thing enemy mages can do is usually fireball or lightning, so nothing above level 3. I like that spell, while useless in BG2, here it's quite helpful!

[WolfHeart]

Spell doesnt exist untill BG2 so you wont be able to get it untill you pass onto the BG2 parts or play a sorc.

[Luis Antonio]

Try the Mirror Image, blur and armor combo. I never soloed BG with a bard, I gotta say you're crazy but hey, do it, so you might try some harder spells, like spirit armor instead of armor.

Wich weapons are you using?

[Thrar]

yes, mirror image/blur/armor is what I use for the really tough fights. I'm not a big fan of resting all the time, so often I go unbuffed, if there are not too many ranged fighters or mages.

I just hit level 12, almost done in Baldur's Gate, after visiting the Iron Throne I can go off back to Candlekeep.
So far, I've been running around with chainmail+2 (AC3) unless I wanted to cast, boots of speed (avoidance vs ranged fighters), gauntlets of weapon expertise, light crossbow of speed and a longsword+2 with cold damage (if for some reason the xbow didn't work).
Upon level 12 I chose short bow proficiency, so now I have an alternative ranged weapon, and I'll need it in BG2.

I noticed you find a huge amount of wands in BG1 - especially wands of fire. These things are really useful for me, both the fireball and the scorcher ability, when fighting more than 1 enemy at a time. Otherwise, it's mostly hit 'n' run tactics.

[Luis Antonio]

What I remember when soloing a fighter thief is that what I missed most was the ability to use wands... there are plenty of wands. And really fireball rules in the game. Also, the claw of Khasgaroth i guess, or the horn, makes you invulnerable against 5th level spells, and its usable by anyone. That's a good item.

The cold +2 sword is Varscona... IMO the best weapon from BG1 singlehand. Melee, at least. I would use always a short bow and a long sword if soloing that part of the game. Bows are the key for happy hit and run strategies. Too bad you're playing a jester and not a Blade... Blades are better for hit and run, because of offensive spin alone. Spin, (you're hasted with spin) hit, hit, run. Do the Jester song helps you or is it just worthless?

[Erenor]

Ah, Varscona...I weep for joy at the sight of this name...too long had I waited in RPGs for the coveted +2 weapons, but Varscona is even better...it adds cold damage as well! Fall down on your knees and worship the glory of Varscona!

[Thrar]

At first I thought the jester's song might help me out every now and then, but after all I found it pretty much worthless. It's effect is nice, but since I have to keep singing and can't do anything else, it just isn't worth the time.
And the range is too short to keep people confused while running from those who are not affected.

I forgot to mention that I also have Algernon's Cloak, but I try to use it as little as possible, to have a challenging game. It's handy sometimes, though.

Short bows are, imo, not superior to the crossbow of speed. With both I get 2 attacks per round, and that xbow has +1/+1 THAC0/dmg. Since bolts do 1d8 damage, and arrows only 1d6, it's a little bit stronger than a short bow +1.
Not too long ago, however, I found the Eagle Bow +2 (don't recall where and too lazy to look it up ^^), which gives me a THAC0 1 better than my xbow of speed, and equalizes the damage difference. I needed the skill point anyway for BG2, but I switched to the bow now, too. Also, this gives a better variety of ammo, which may be handy I suppose.
I am wondering if maybe in the long run the xbow skill is wasted, but then again, I can only put one in anything, so I'll have more than enough for all I need.


I've only lately started to go melee at times - after acquiring the gauntlets of ogre power. My melee skill still sucks, however, and 1 attack per round doesn't help much. It helps against slimes and the likes, though.