(Before I start, let me just say that I've played this game before, I'm fully patched, I know what I'm doing, etc. I'm looking for specific help, so pardon my attitude. [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

I'm soloing a wizard slayer through SoA only. I don't even have ToB installed. He's about level 12 and he's cleared out Bodhi's Chapter 3 lair, all except Bodhi.

To be frank, Bodhi trashes his ass. I can't figure out how to take on this bloodsucker. According to SK, her AC is -1 and her THAC0 is 4. My WS whacks on her with Azuredge to no avail. His THAC0 is around 8 or 9 and his AC is a respectable -7 considering he's only done a few quests (Circus Tent, Copper Coronet, Hidesman, Shadow Thieves) as he wants to confront Irenicus as quickly as possible.

He can't wear the silver amulet, and I can't find a way to justify keeping the illithium to give Azuredge an NPP coat. He also doesn't steal or purchase from disreputable merchants (thieves and fences), so that limits his gear even more than just the helm, armor, shield, and weapon wizard slayers are allowed. I've tried thinking of ways to knock down my AC and THAC0 with Ribald and Joluv's stock, but nothing comes to mind.

So, what do I do? My WS wants to get to Irenicus as fast as possible. Is there a roleplaying way to justify going to another quest to gain more levels then tackling Bodhi again? (I thought of going to the Temple District for religious guidance, then encountering the Cult of the Eyeless and going that route, but figured if I had a tough time with vampires, I wouldn't bust a dent in a beholder. Though it's probably good practice for what's to come. ;) )

Roleplay and 'hire' a priest? ;)

EDIT: and then, of course, letting the priest stand back while you do the fighting...

[ 03-17-2004, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: JrKASperov ]

you're talking about CH3 Bodhi ehh? you're not suppose to kill her (you cannot actually). if you're at too low a lvl to hurt her to trigger her departing speech, just run away from her, and for a while if you survive she should stop.

Mm... Where are your proficiencies? Have you any in Longswords, perhaps? Even if not, you should go and fetch Daystar. You can justify it easily. Imagine a fighter having a drink before the battle. Maybe even confiding in the bartender bit as to the nature of his quest. The bartender tilts his head and says that, you know, it's funny. He's always heard of an ancient treasure reputed to be the bane of the living dead hidden somewhere near the gates to Athkatla. You promptly go to investigate, you thrash the lich, and all is well with the world.
Unless, of course, you get killed by the lich. It's just a suggestion.

Thought about it. Daystar can cast Sunray once per day, which can kill undead, as well as deal double damage against undead, but Azuredge forces undead to make a save vs. death at -4 or be killed, as well as added damage. My dwarf has 5 stars in axes (what else?), 2 (3?) stars in sword/shield style, and 1 star in maces. (He's got the MoD, which is just an Azuredge that deals a bit more damage per hit, which is kinda useless considering I've got only 1 star in maces. And again, I can't justify using the illithium to upgrade it instead of giving it to Sarles, and therefore finishing duties to Helm.)

The dwarf's also picky about his watering holes and company. The Copper Coronet's his favorite place so far, what with Korgan and Unger Hilldark there. His STR's also too low to force the door. (So much for the Girdle of Hill Giant Strength...) I'll probably re-visit the Crane in Chapter 6 to see if I can crack the door then.

Hmm.

Bodhi's level drain is the troublemaker. I'm thinking of affordable ways to push my AC down. He's wearing the full plate mail formerly owned by Mencar Pebblecrusher, and has his eye on the Plate of Balduran in Deidre's inventory, but how in the heck do I raise ~15000 gold without spending a lot of time doing it? And how would I justify that anyway? Also wearing the Fortress Shield and the Helm of Balduran. I suppose I should complete the set. ;)

Lemme give it a few more tries, see if changing strategy will help.

[ 03-17-2004, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Pirengle ]

As far as I've seen, you can't "instakill" Bohdi. I've used Azuredge, MoD, Sunray, etc. and all that happens is that you damage her. However, as a soloist, you need to understand that running away is sometimes the best solution. You know she has level drain, you know you have no way to stop it, so make sure not to be in a position to get hit by it. In other words, use Azuredge as a ranged weapon and run away, pecking at her from range. Not very noble, but it gets the job done. Helps if you have a way to haste yourself (she is fast herself) and protect from her domination.

Is this improved bodhi (tactics)? Even her chapter 3 version is greatly enhanced. If you don't have the (new) version 17 of the tactics mod, then Bodhi has an extended reach that will whip your ass real quick.

I'm using Smarter Vampires out of Tactics, not Improved Bodhi.

I know I can start her timer and hide or chickenpeck at her. I was hoping for a vaguely noble fight of trading blows until Bodhi ran. Heh. Nothing noble about that, so I guess my tactics will have to match it.

ehhh...I'm a bitour confused; as your WS can take out all those vampires, he can actually avoid being level drained. Without NNP, that means your WS didn't get hit ONCE by those vampires (even with -7 AC, it's amazing)? I never solo, but as I remember, the standard Bodhi herself isn't that much thougher than her goons. how did you manage to clean the place (except for Bodhi) without NNP?

#1: Since your Wizard Slayer is so Lawful, perhaps he/she should question why Cromwell needs all 200 pounds of illithium to apply a thin coating to an 8-pound Axe or Mace. (Yeah, yeah, how often have I said it before?) Provided his/her INT is high enough, of course.

#2: Anybody who solos without Ilbratha is either a Cleric, a Druid, or a damned fool. Roleplaying a way to the Windspear Hills, however, is not easy if you're going after Irenicus instead of Imoen.

Umar, not Windspear. ;)

My WS got hit several times by level drain, but he managed to slay the offending vampire with Azuredge, and crawl out of the tombs to find a cleric to restore him, then back into the tombs for more redemption.

Have you ever considered Protection from Undead Scrolls?

The only quirk you need to watch out for is that you need to wait for the 10 turn duration to run out before Bodhi talks to you.

Use the time to play with her. ;)

Roleplaying your way to the Umar hills is hard as a Wizard slayer?

ohohoh! I think not.

The Umar Witch? [img]tongue.gif[/img] Remember her.
Just roleplay it as, Yeh.. some kids went into the woods.. and now I have to go kill a witch for this little child. ;)

Cromwell is a dwarf, Unger is a dwarf. He's offering you 200 pounds of free ilithium, when you can sell helm's temple a cheap knock off of ilithium alloy.

You're a wizard slayer, think of it this way, you need to improve the axe. Because there's some mean Liches around.. and undead wizards are pesky! So if you make your axe niftier, you can take them out alot easier.

Edit: Basically, if I were in your shoes, I'd justify fixing up my axe out of dwarven pride. Dwarves take a lot of pride in smithing, and as a dwarf, especially a wizard slayer, your axe is one of your few companions that won't let you down. So why not make it the best it can be? And besides, as I said, if you see a Lich, an undead mage, you've got the weapon to destroy him! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 03-20-2004, 02:17 AM: Message edited by: Odruith ]