Starting Insane

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:17 am

Well, I've never tried BG:II on insane and I've decided to try it, as my last run-through of SoA was too easy on normal. Well, I doubt I will be able to get through Insane without some help. Could someone give me tips, cheeses, and party suggestions(mod characters will work too). I don't care about rolyplaying, good or evil, just effectiveness.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:53 am

Honestly, insane isn't that different from normal mode. The monster do twice the damage and that's it.

Given that, it's not that difficult to survive, and whatever strategies you used in normal should work here. It's not as hellish as Heart of Fury mode for Icewind Dale II, but of course if you're looking for a similar challenge, try the Improved Anvil mod.

Really, try it out, even solo it. You don't need any tricks to survive, just be smart about spell and consumable use.

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:57 am

Well, the thought of some monster doing double damage scares me to no end. And I know Insane isn't like HoF, and I thank EVERY higher power for that.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:07 pm

Well, if you're afraid of the damage, use spells to protect yourself. Maybe, to ease the fear, try playing a character from BG1 to have a slight level advantage.

If you want to solo, I'd recommend a bard. Self buffing combined with decent combat skills makes for a great fighter. The wands will help a great deal early on. Seriously, use wands. They're great.

As for the consumables I mentioned before, I actually buy and use potions mainly for Monk and Kensai classes as their defense is lacking. For non caster characters, get equipment that lets you cast the spells you need.

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:39 pm

Meh, my disk three of BG:1 is cracked(Not sure how). As for soloing, did it once in IWD2, it was fun, now I never want to do it again.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:26 pm

You should have no problems surviving even with a new character. Don't compare BGII to IWDII as the latter is much harder.

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:36 pm

Ok, I don't plan to solo it, but thanks anyways(However planing is tenitive with me 25% on me giving up,40% on me using a party, 35% on me soloing). But how would this "original" party work? Kensai 13/Thief-, Plus Vicci, Eddy, and Koggi. With me cheesing 500k from the start to buy equipment/consumibles.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:46 pm

If you cheat to get the gold, you'll be flying through the game faster than if it was easy mode. The party should fair just fine, without any problems.

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:51 pm

Well, the more I think of it, the more the idea of soloing insane appeals to me. The thought of soloing without magic of some kind does NOT however. Hm, what could I play as, though CoH/F, F/M, sorc, maybe a bard like you said? I have something to research I guess.
*Edit-Kensai/Cleric sounds fun, but reactivating Kensai sounds painful, as does Harm followed by breathing on an enemy

*

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:44 am

The Priest of Helm/Fighter combination is pretty useless as your THAC0 is awful.

You can get to 22 or 24 as a Kensai, dual class to cleric and reactivate the class again before even reaching chapter three.

Fighter/Mages, Sorcerers and Bards are all capable of soloing with ease.

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:06 am

[QUOTE\]The Priest of Helm/Fighter combination is pretty useless as your THAC0 is awful.[/QUOTE]

Yep, read about that, and now I'm glad(I don't like Helm, or LN. CN is cool, CNN is alright.)

[QUOTE\]You can get to 22 or 24 as a Kensai, dual class to cleric and reactivate the class again before even reaching chapter three.[/QUOTE]

It will still be hard until I get some high end spell(And enough THAC0 to hit ANYTHING) But I think this is what I'll roll with. Guess I'll reinstall the merchants so Joluv will spawn.

*Edit-Eh, I guess I learnt a valuable lesson about quoting*

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:31 am

For your first time on Insane mode I really don't think that a Kensai is a good choice, especially solo. In my opinion, it's one of the more challenging runthroughs due to the lack of any armor and total reliance on potions.

I suggest you try a full class, an early dual class or a multiclass (aside from Cleric/Thief).

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:59 am

How would a Cleric/Mage be?(Yes, I know I wouldn't hit anything without uber buffing) Or a Ranger/Cleric(Is it a multi or duel-class?) I'm still a bit skeptical about a single class soloing with ease(near the end at least).

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:21 am

Both of those classes will do fine. The Ranger/Cleric multiclass is a very solid choice.

Not all single classes have an easy time, but the ones we discussed here shouldn't have a lot of problems, thieves included.

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:32 am

I think I'll go with C/R. Is it a multi or a duel, if multi, what race(half elf or elf, obviously) If Duel, what should I start with and when should I swich? If both, which is more effective?

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:47 am

I recommend choosing the multiclass and being a half elf (as it's not available to elves).

Sain · Post by **Sain** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:58 pm

By Hell This Is Tough! It's easier than I thought, though.