in your opinion what is the hardest monster you've had to beat in iwd

[Philos]

Good to know someone else hates those blasted Spectral Guards.
Never bothered with summons for the dragon fight. I found her rather easy without the extra help. **SPOILER** The key for me was fire and lots of it. Knowing she was a white dragon I loaded my mage and fighter/mage with fireball, and aganazzer scorcher spells. My Cleric took flame strike spells. I had saved all the potions of firing burning I had found and split them among the others. I buffed the party before entering her lair with protection from cold spells and potions. After the conversation with her concluded everyone pitched or cast fire effects. Her magic resistence may stop some of it but it won't stop all of it and it definitely will gut her entourage of sahuagin. They were practically wiped out before getting a shot or spell off. It "seemed" (can't swear to it) as though the potion of fiery burning and flaming oil pot always got past her resistence, perhaps the game doesn't see them as "magic" fire and therefore doesn't apply her resistence. She got one breath out before my melee crew took her down in another couple of rounds. She did very minor damage to my group, never lost a party member.

[Aerich]

I've heard that it is possible to get 100% slashing resistance with a combination of random-drop items and the bardsong War Chant. That would make the spectral guards easier - a tank/decoy with immunity to their only attack. Adding in over 100% fire resistance (Protection From Fire + Resist Fire or a pff ring or sword) is easy and would make them just so much fireball/sunfire bait.

I didn't have any trouble with Big I either, my last time through. Used summons to draw her physical attentions, area affect fire and acid spells, and a couple of Webs just to make sure the flunkies didn't get any spells off. My paladin took one breath attack and that was it.

[Philos]

Worth a try to be sure. I will keep an eye out for slash reduction damge items. I definitely remember that there's a sash or belt that does. I am in Upper Dorn's deep and will make the jump to HOW shortly. Thanks