Giving Up On Solo Assassin

Graeye · Post by **Graeye** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 11:49 am

I have concluded that this is just an exercise in frustration.

I can't hit anybody!! I just swung 36 times before finally hitting my opponent.

I'm level 14 with stats of 19, 21, 18, 21, 18 and 20 (including mind-focus and equipment) but my THACO, even with a +3 sword, is still 8!! I just swing and swing and swing, while going through dozens of heal potions.

An assassin is supposed to be a sinister, sneaky and efficient killer. What the hell good is a poisoned blade or a backstab if you never hit anybody with it? Most of the time my poison blade ability expires before I hit my opponent!!

The only time I have any success is when I use Firebreath and Oil of Fiery Burning, both of which are extremely rare items.

Anybody who says they've played the entire game as a solo assassin has either cheated like hell or is lying through their teeth.

This concludes my rant. Thanks for listening.

Numinor · Post by **Numinor** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 3:23 pm

Only because you didn't manage it doesn't mean others must have cheated....
BTW, a THAC0 of 8 isnt that bad, fighters have a higher in the beginning, and a Assassin is all about backstabbing, you know ?
Oh, and people have done Solo-Jester, and you won't say that jester ist stronger than assassin fighting wise, would you `?

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 3:58 pm

IMO, soloing isn't half as fun as playing with the NPCs, so you've pobably made a good choise. Still:

Did you get a fast rate bow, as Bruce Lee suggested? Have you gotten the Boots of Speed available early on (backstab, run away, hide, backstab again...). You get a +4 to your THAC0 when backstabbing. If you miss, you should go invisible and retry, not try to hold your ground like a melee fighter. When all your time goes to drinking healing potions, you're already lost...

If you insist on soloing, why not try a more versatile class like the Blade or perhaps a Fighter/Cleric? If you still want the backstabbing, I have a recommendation for you: try the Assassin(10)/Fighter. (Make a search on this subject or on my username, I have posted the advantages of this combo before). Best luck!

IHateUsernames · Post by **IHateUsernames** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 6:44 am

i have started one yesterday and you cant hit anything without a bow. right now im doing the trademeet quest to get tanserons bow. i wont start playing mele before i have better hide in shadows (about 70 right now)

smass · Post by **smass** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 12:31 pm

I soloed an assassin to the end of the underdark and then got bored - he used Celestial Fury and - while he was not a "tank" - he did quite well in combat - lots of sneaking and backstabbing - then running away and hiding - repeat until your foe is dead.

It has been widely established that you can solo with any class - there are many great solo journals here if you search - one of the best comes from a member named "two" - who soloed with a beastmaster and soloed - no death/no reload - with a skald. Just search his posts and you will find some great information.

Soloing is a different experience - and I agree that one of the most attractive and fun parts of BGII is the party interaction. However - soloing offers some different tactical challenges and can be very rewarding - at least until you get to a high enough level where there is very little challenge.

By the way - your definition of "cheat" may be different than mine - I have played though BGII numerous times - so it is impossible for me to play the game without taking advantage of my knowledge of what will happen next. If you mean cheat in the form of modifying char files and stats - that I never do - and I still find soloing relatively easy - in many ways easier than managing an entire party.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 1:31 pm

Originally posted by Coot again
If you're patient, a blade is a good choice too because he can use most of the overpowered weapons in the game (Crom Faeyr, mace of disruption) and he gets the Use Any Item ability at higher levels.

Not to mention that a Blade on Tenser's is the best tank you'll ever see...

Antimatter · Post by **Antimatter** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 3:14 pm

Soloing is great after you beat the game. It's a good challenge and it's fun to come up with tactics to get around certain situations. However I recommend giving yourself a bag of holding at the beginning. Starts to suck when you drop everything