The Battle of Grimgnaw - Share Your War Stories, Please

[Legacy_Progbear]

               The first time I played this it was insanely difficult. In fact, I seem to recall making quicksaves during the battle any time I made progress.

Funnily enough, the easiest time I had with this battle was with my wimpy, cowardly gnomish illusionist. By the time he was travelling the Planes he was so overpowered that most battles were over before Valen landed a hit. This battle was no exception, a couple of empowered IGMSs and the battle was over. It was almost disappointingly easy.

I actually think the battle with the Greater Wind Zombie in SoU was harder. It seems like no matter what class you are and what companions you bring with you, that one is always a pain!
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Progbear, 23 septembre 2011 - 07:32 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Malifaun]

               First off, as a TonyK user with Deekin as companion I can confirm that he uses curse song on every rat unless I tell him to preserve his spells.

Secondly, I am a great fan of Nathyrra. While I wouldnt call her "better" than Valen, she is imo on par *if* fully upgraded/equipped and not levelled as a wizard. Valen performs well even with his initial gear. The drow lady less so, but if she dual wields well rizolvired weapons, has her dex maxed out and all the nice defensive attributes from gear she can certainly hold her own in battle.
I like giving her two Pixie Lances.
My main gripe with Valen is that I can never have his favourite weapon enchanted.

Lastly, when going with Deekin, I like to have him as full bard (no RDD levels at all). One way to achieve this is to start out as level 14 character (1 level below the suggested 15 for the module). Then, when first encountered in the inn, Deekin will be bard 14 (no RDD 1 yet) and can be told to continue to level up as bard only. If done this way, he will pick up lasting inspiration at level 24.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               

Malifaun wrote...
My main gripe with Valen is that I can never have his favourite weapon enchanted.

Me, too.  There is a solution though.

Since even with his focus in heavy flail there is simply no comparison with the uber weapons that Rizolvir can craft so just equip him with one your PC can get enchanted and force Valen to use it.  The weapon focus (and IIRC the Imp Crit feat, also) and WM boost will never be missed (not with +10 weapon and all the added enchantments) and you have the option of going with a one-handed/shield set-up for the extra defense, if you prefer. Rizolvir can keen it, too. '>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par HipMaestro, 30 septembre 2011 - 07:03 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_jmlzemaggo]

               

Malifaun wrote...
My main gripe with Valen is that I can never have his favourite weapon enchanted.

Just as... Hip said... bammer... , as a Tk user, just let your henchy choose his weapons in combat. He is alway right. 
Even if there is one thing that p... me off with NWN: it doesn't read your magical enchantement, but only the former basic one, and your henchy won't realise you enchanted his sword B +2 to +10 and keep using his other sword A +4 only because it's seems to him to be stronger. 
One thing we can't buy is eyeglasses for henchies, and that's a curse. 
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Malifaun]

               So finally made it to Grimgnaws gang. Difficulty: max, party: fi/dwd/wm build with greataxe, level 25; Deekin, bard 25; Aribeth with greatsword. All weapons had undergone Rizolvirs extensive treatment.

I had saved before entering that door but after a break, I didnt remember anymore where I had left off and entered it first thing. When I finally remembered, I had already initiated dialogue with the dwarf and didnt want to reload for a full buffup as planned; active buffs at the time were aid from Aribeth and song from Deekin (yay for lasting inspiration). When the fight started, I went for Balpheron of course but couldnt get there in time to prevent his TS (*grmbl*curse*stupidattackofoportunity*mumble). However, he failed to do anything substantial so got knocked down when it ended. 2 rounds later he was dead. Health check: noone in the party had lost more than a sliver, so I turned my attention to the cleric next. he died quickly as well, by now my companions had sent the minotaur and Grimgnaw to join their ancestors (Deekin sang curse and Aribeth delivered the pain, kd sneak crit) and only Crimson was left standing. For a little while at least.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MrZork]

               Just played this again a week or so ago with a Wiz/PM and Deekin, on Very Difficult, using TonyK's AI. Deekin was armed with Enseric the Dagger (+7, hasted, and acid damage from Rizolvir, plus black pearl STR drain from Chapter 2 dracolich cultists, and flaming weapon from me) and I had a Fiery Power Quarterstaff (+7, hasted, acid and regen from Rizolvir, black pearl STR drain, flaming). Overall, the battle was remarkably easy, though I might have just gotten lucky.

Neutralizing clerics early seems like a good strategy, lest they help the others last longer than they would. But, I've never really seen Maugrim heal or resurrect his buddies.

I started by casting True Seeing on myself. Then I cast Wail (my char had epic spell focus in necro and greater spell penetration) and that took out Maugrim and Koth (Grimgnaw saved or resisted, Belpheron and Crimson are immune to death magic). I saw that Belpheron already had a spell mantle up and was buffing, so I cast Mord's on him and then Bigby's Crushing on Crimson. Deekin had sung and was now keeping Grimgnaw busy, so I targeted an empowered IGMS so that it would only hit the lich (Crimson was off to the side). Bye, bye, Belphie, though he had gotten a Bigby's off on Deeekin. Another IGMS takes down Crimson and then Deekin and I whittle down Grimgnaw.

(I've played it through before, starting by casting Mass Blindness/Deafness with similar results. IMO, that's a pretty good spell and almost no one is immune to it.)

This is one of those battles that can be killer the first time you play it, but gets much easier if you plan it a little before going in. Obviously, playing a caster gives plenty of options. But, even a straightforward melee party can do this, though I still recommend taking down Belpheron early.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par MrZork, 05 octobre 2011 - 08:08 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Artas1984]

               Here is my story of the battle:

www.youtube.com/watch

The battle starts at 7:10 - i am a monk here, traveling with Aribeth and Deekin. Not only it was not hard, i actually cough them by surprise the second time - from 9:00 watch close as Balpharon shakes his head in disbelief that i already wrecked so much havok before he even casts the time stop! That was the fun part of the playthrough!

Now i have to install that Tony's k mode, you made me intrigued! Although it dies not mean the battle will me harder. In my case Deekin was using the same lame spells all the time like sound burst even on the most powerful oponents and Aribeth just was not fighting most of the time, so this AI mod might even benefit the gameplay.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Artas1984, 20 mars 2012 - 11:57 .