No deaths, no reloads

two · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 05:25 AM

In "preparation" for TOB I started a solo Bard recently, planning on going very slowly and getting every drop of experience I can out of BGII. When my Bard hits the cap at level 23, I'll stop playing until TOB comes out and then continue through BGII and eventually TOB.

As a side note, I am playing this Bard with no deaths, no reloads, no nothing. Just a quicksave and autosave files are there. So far I'm level 15 without TOO much trouble. A couple of close calls...

If there is any interest on how to solo a bard without dying/reloading, I'll post some of my strategies.

By far my most exciting game yet!

ki-master · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 06:02 AM

What fun can soloing a bard be?

Astafas · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 06:37 AM

I can't imagine the fun of soloing at all, since I love the interaction between the different NPCs, to equip a whole party with wonderful stuff and to use so many different spells, abilities and strategies as possible.

However, should I ever solo, I would definately go for a bard. It is truly one of the most interesting classes. If you know how to play them, of course...

koz-ivan · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 07:57 AM

two - are you playing a blade, jester, or true bard?

never heard of a solo bard, that was not a jester or blade.

anyhow good luck

two · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by koz-ivan:
two - are you playing a blade, jester, or true bard?

never heard of a solo bard, that was not a jester or blade.

anyhow good luck

Actually -- a Skald beleive it or not. I have my reasons...I know it seems silly to play the Skald without a party, because the Bard song doesn't last more than 2 rounds on yourself (for example, as a Skald, sing your song then step into melee. You get the bonuses but just for 2 rounds, which isn't that useful).

My plan is to help keep myself safe by going through big battles with 4 skeleton warriors (hasted) with me singing my bard song in the background. I've tried it some before and they are deadly. I think the Skald song maxes out at something like +6 to hit, -6 on AC, making summoned allies very useful. Even at +4/-4 it's great.

It's going well so far, level 15, did the troll keep (fairly routine, not many spell casters just lots of melee combat). If you want details just ask I kept a running list of sorts.

Bards being able to use potions of master thievery help -- a LOT. You can get geared up right out of the prison...

koz-ivan · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 08:38 AM

ah, very cool.

the skald's song lasts for two rounds after you stop?

so you could for instance sing, cast a spell, and sing again w/ out missing a beat?

i never knew that, may go back and restart my skald's game.

two · #7 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by koz-ivan:
ah, very cool.

the skald's song lasts for two rounds after you stop?

so you could for instance sing, cast a spell, and sing again w/ out missing a beat?

i never knew that, may go back and restart my skald's game.

This is a good question. I never used my Skald like that...yet. I always just sang a few rounds, then ran into combat myself and noticed that very soon my song benefits wore off. I think it was two rounds. It could be some number like 10 seconds, a round and a half. It was never really worth my while to sing and then melee, so as I said I sing while my summoned creatures melee.

I wonder about singing, magic missle, singing, magic missle. It may work, keep the song uninterrupted. Will check today.

koz-ivan · #8 (**permalink**) 06-05-2001, 03:57 PM

i just checked it out, and what do you know -

it works!

you can sing, cast, sing w/ no problems.

wow, my skald is back in action.

(why the hell did i never try this before)

two · #9 (**permalink**) 06-12-2001, 06:17 PM

Well, if anyone cares, my solo, no-reload Skald is doing fine. If anyone wants to try it themselves, go slowly, and get every drop of experience you can. I was level 10 leavning the prison, level 11 after scribing all the scrolls I found/bought. After getting a 25 intelligence, of course, from the potion of genius...

Levels 12-14 are somewhat slow. Kill pebblecrusher & co. with some webs and other goodies. Run in and cast knock, grab Daystar, run away from lich. Go to graveyard do all the easy stuff there, littleman, copper coronet stuff, lilcator. Slavers, be careful. By level 15 you are save, more or less. DO the Animate Dead+Haste+Skald song. You can clear out levels with 2 skeletons, 3 is very very safe. Levels 15-20 fly, I did the unseeing eye quest very very safely using summoned monsters and singing (and the occasional Skull Trap).

Remember, blur is your friend. Cast 4 on yourself to subtract 8 from your AC and 4 from your saving throws. Then cast draw upon holy might, haste, and wade into battle if necessary. You spell save is around 1 after the blurs+ring of protection.

Actually, playing with no reloads/no dying is a lot of fun and very very do-able. Makes my other games where I re-loaded as much as I wanted seem...totally lame by comparison.

Currently level 20, got Celestial Fury. 4 skeleton warriors hasted killed all the second level of the guarded compound. NO casualties.

More later...

ReignsOfPower · #10 (**permalink**) 06-12-2001, 06:28 PM

Two, let me put it this way, how exactly are you going to beat a bunch of Pit Fiends, a Green Dragon (Suldunessalar), Irenicus or even a bunch or Iron Golems? Being alone without a party is one of the most unwise things you can do! Besides, how boring would the game bee with Minsc's battle cries?!!
Sure you gain all the experience for yourself, but so? A meduim level party of 6 is much more powerful than a single ultra powerful main character.
Compare the fight with Sarevok and then compare the fight with Irenicus. I beleive Sarevok was alot harder because he had a quite strong party. Irenicus may have been a level 30 mage, but he fell down alot quicker than Sarevok.

Vehemence · #11 (**permalink**) 06-12-2001, 07:08 PM

Um, Irenicus wasn't alone... he kinda had four big ugly pit fiends with him.

ReignsOfPower · #12 (**permalink**) 06-12-2001, 07:54 PM

So gated Pit Fiends are a 'party' now are they?

Nighthawk · #13 (**permalink**) 06-12-2001, 09:57 PM

I'll be interested to see how far you make it Two. It could be doable, but starting over the first time I got hit by a maze or imprison doesn't sound like much fun...

If you have summoned creatures, do mazes still instakill? I guess you can try to get them hit instead. Clearly summoning is the way to go if you're trying to make it without dying.

Also, most of the fights where you can get instakilled are ones you can avoid (Dragons, Beholders, Lich in underdark). Use of Protection from Undead should make Bohdi and her kin easy.

I'm sure if the game can be soloed in under 10 days without leveling up it can be soloed without dying.

ReignsOfPower · #14 (**permalink**) 06-12-2001, 10:05 PM

Yes I agree, but what about those major battles which you cant avoid? I can name many. Two, probably the hardest part you'll come across is the entire Sulanessalar battle when you save it from destruction. Even I had big toubles with it and every part member was maxed out with exp.
I recommend that you use Lure tactics in this section. This involves becoming invisible and fireing off one arror (or something) and make one of them follow you. I assure you, fighting 1 Iron Golem is hard enough as it is! Imagine fighting 3 or 4 at time!

Vehemence · #15 (**permalink**) 06-12-2001, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ReignsOfPower:
So gated Pit Fiends are a 'party' now are they?

Erm, yes, well... point taken

Still, he wasn't alone though now was he!