Is it possible to solo on hardcore?

[Legacy_MagicalMaster]

               

brendonwp wrote...

Thanks for the suggestions, Seyruun, I'll give them a go.  Yes,  I was meaning the two rooms on the last level of Helm's Hold.  For some reason, as soon as my first trap is set the undead come out to have a look.  That said, I'm not playing on hardcore so maybe that's why my experience isn't the same as yours.  I've definitely not faced a Bodak there either, and I've played that level over a number of times now.. '>

Question - do you have any AI override or something?

brendonwp wrote...

I'll be relevelling my character to get Called Shot instead of Point Blank Shot, as several people have recommended it although I've never used it.  I'm going Champion of Torm after Rogue 10, and aim to use the bonus feats to get Weapon Focus Longbow, Improved Critical Longbow and Shield Proficiency before I finish the OC.  Anyway, I'm enjoying playing the Rogue a lot!

Point Blank Shot is generally more important.  Called Shot reduces your AB by 4 when you use it and has to overcome any potential Discipline on the target.  Without AA levels, your AB might not be high enough to consistently land the hits, and if the opponent is immune to ability decrease and/or movement speed decease, it may not help you with kiting at all.

In other words, Called Shot will tend to help you against opponents weak enough that you shouldn't really need the help.  Firing a shot in close range without Point Blank Shot will be 5 AB worse (you get a -4 penalty to AB without it) and you also lose 1 damage.   You can also kite most mobs without requiring Called Shot anyway.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par MagicalMaster, 10 mars 2013 - 05:06 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_PracticalKat]

               @MM - I've got Tony K's AI.  I'm going to give Called Shot a try, and revert it if it doesn't work for me. For close range, I have weapon finesse so I can always just pull out my rapier or mace.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MagicalMaster]

               

brendonwp wrote...

@MM - I've got Tony K's AI.

That...might be the problem with mobs coming looking for you.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MrZork]

               Yes. Tony K's definitely makes the mobs smarter. And, specifically mentioned in the install notes is that mobs can wander out of rooms with closed (but not locked, IIRC) doors. That mod is, IMO, very worthwhile, though. The smarter creatures add to the challenge of the OC.Obviously, there are times, like with a rogue facing sneak-immune undead in an area that doesn't lend itself to kiting, when that extra challenge is tough to overcome. But, you will figure it out.

BTW, in addition to the mace of disruption, a weapon (or ammo) that does elemental damage tends to be useful against undead. Among the Chapter One weapons that Marrok will make, the desert wind scimitar and astral blade are quite nice. For a finesse wielder, don't forget the storm light hammer.

Also, if your rogue has UMD, the Helm's Hold merchant sells some useful items. The wand of missiles is a good way to do low-but-reliable damage to hard-to-hit and elemental immune undead (like shadow fiends). The scrolls flame arrow (a little fire damage against one creature), wall of fire (usefull in hallways, if they are coming for you, make sure they take a little damage getting to you), and summon creature iv (better they attack the spider than you) can help, too. Also, animate dead will give you a tyrantfog zombie (crit-, level/ability drain-, disease/poison- and death magic-immune) summons who can stand there and soak some damage with his 15/+1 DR while you thin the herd of enemy undead with your fire arrows.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_cds13]

               A strong enemy boss is still manageable even with a sling given the fact that you need to space him out, hit and get on running away. The whole process could take a very long time, Gulnan being the worst to face, 9 shots over 10 simply miss her and it takes at least ten minutes of patience (and I had a ranger with longbow focus)... add the fact that her hi spell resistance gets your magic down.
Hope you didn't install the Tony K AI or this could be really harder: when your enemies get into the "near death" status they will boost their speed giving you a narrower space in between (note, this happens while you're at the top difficulty level).
A rogue is better at the hide and shoot: turn the corner (you need one!), get hidden, await the enemy and shoot, run to the next corner and repeat; at least the first shot is a sneak attack and if you used paralyzing traps the journey will be much easier.
Oh, Mr Zork, with AI installed I noticed that they even smash locked doors if they notice an enemy around. Enemies can taunt, knockdown, disarm conjure creatures, animal companions, familiars etc.

Just a tip if you are a XP "maximizer" to achieve levels sooner (you need as always the Tony K AI): while killing summoned creatures doesn't get you any XP, companions and familars DO! So, kill the casters at last not before, yes, it will take much longer but the reward is all there in the end.
Save often. I make a save for every killed low level grunt and even for a single succesful blow on a tough enemy.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_PracticalKat]

               @MrZ - Yes, I've pushed UMD right up - I'll check out that wand - and maybe another Summon Creature!

@cds13 - Luckily I'm not playing hardcore!  Thanks, I'll bear the tips in mind.  I wish there were more corners on the top level.. '>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MrZork]

               cds13, now that you mention it, I do recall the enemies bashing door if they can hear your behind them. Still a good thing, IMO. And, you can turn that in your favor, as well. Putting a trap (or several) on a door before they notice you can cause them to trigger the traps when you open the door to get to you. '>

Another nice improvement of Tony K's AI is that creatures try to use their skills. You mentioned taunting, and many creatures with stealth skills will try to be stealthy when they sense danger. That adds a little flavor instead of the stealthy mobs always standing around in broad daylight instead of trying to sneak up on their targets.

I agree that the auto-hasting option is too much. It's easy to turn off, though. I think there were one or two other options that I leave off as well, though I don't recall them now.

brendonwp, one of the things that makes the final level tough (especially so for spellcasters) is that that it is fairly small. Not only does that complicate ranged kiting tactics, but it means that the mobs may wander so close to the entrance that you can't rest there. Once, I had a caster who pretty much exhausted himself with the undead in the two outer rooms and needed to rest before taking on Desther and the others in the main room. Luckily, I had a minor summons and an invisibility potion left. So, I snuck into the main room invisibly. Then walked to the far corner and called the summons and put him in "hold your ground" mode. When Desther & Co rushed him, I (still invisible) rushed back out and rested.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_PracticalKat]

               @MrZ - I've never used invisibility potions strategically like that.  I'll have to give it a go, as I'm well stocked up on them.  Looks like I'll have to wait for the weekend before I get any gaming time though.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_PracticalKat]

               OK, I just managed to solo the last level and Desther!  It took a scroll of Silence and a Wand Of Missiles and some luck, but once I had a number of strong traps laid the numbers were thinned out enough that I could pick the remainders off with Piercing Arrows and the Wand.  The Wand really helped me to avoid being drained by the shadows.  
In the end I didn't even use my scrolls of Summon Creatures.  I laid another trap field for Desther, picked off the Ritual Creatures with arrows and killed the Skeleton Chieftain on the trap field.  Then it was just a matter of time (and Invisibility Potions) before I managed to sneak attack Desther enough to make him yield.  
Thanks to Seyruun for starting this thread and inspiring me to go solo, and thanks to all for the comments here!