Well First of all I was just wondering if anybody has tried this and how it went. I have ***** in long sword * in sheild and * in katana. What equipment do you think I should get? Thank you

personally i think you should've gotten like an axe or warhammer proficiency. as for the armor, just anything that's good. Shield, same as above, and for the weapon, go for the daystar or the blade of roses

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Harry:
personally i think you should've gotten like an axe or warhammer proficiency.<hr></blockquote>

Why do you say that?

there is better weapons for those proficiences (mainly warhammers though). You get a +4 long sword, but that is at the end of the game. and i guess equilizer is ok but i don't really like it

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Harry ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Harry:
there is better weapons for those proficiences (mainly warhammers though). You get a +4 long sword, but that is at the end of the game. and i guess equilizer is ok but i don't really like it

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Harry ]<hr></blockquote>


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But you dont get Crom Fayer until the end of the game either and the most you can get on an axe is +3

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true. but you get the +4 longsword literally at the end of the game. not when you get to the surface

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Harry:
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true. but you get the +4 longsword literally at the end of the game. not when you get to the surface<hr></blockquote>


Ok are we talking about the equlizer? Because you can get that as soon as you get to the surface

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. or are you talking about the vorpal blade? I think you can get that when you get to the surface also

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by BlackJack21:



Ok are we talking about the equlizer? Because you can get that as soon as you get to the surface<hr></blockquote>

no i'm talking about the razor. and crom faeyer is +5, and equalizer is +3 (on paper. it has those other things)

Ok but isn't the vorpal blade +4 also?

that's a two handed long sword

but Razor is +3 only

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As far as I know, there is only one longsword in SoA which hits as a +4 weapon - that's the Flame Blade. No, not the one you can buy from the shops. The one you can get in Druid Grove, one of the druids or whatever there drops it. Every other longsword in SoA is +3 MAX. Correct me if I am wrong though..

Regarding the proficiencies - you know, actually it isn't bad at all to get axe proficiency. Why? Well, look here: one of the very first quests you can do in SoA is the Slaver's Quest. As a result, you can buy two nifty little axes later from Bernard - Stonefire and Azuredge. Stonefire is +3 axe, +2 fire damage. Azuredge can thwack undead on spot, I have killed with it vamps so, that no blue smoke even comes out of them. Total and plain killing, not to mention it's also a ranged weapon. Also, you will get the De'Arnise Keep Quest pretty soon in the game as well - guess what? There's another handy axe, Frostreaver +3, +1 cold and +1 acid I guess. Dual wield Stonedfire and Frostreaver and you have a good combo there, not to mention the elemental damage, which is handy to wear down these Stoneskins from the mage chars. Get also a good shield, say the Fortress Shield from Adventurer's Mart, and you can then use it with the Azuredge, giving you good AC.

Heck the elemental damage even damages the golems you may not be able to hit otherwise.. Put some, say, 2 stars into Quarterstaves and get the Staff of Rhynn from Adventurer's Mart as well, for 'em pesky golems you may run into. As the grandmastery isn't as efficient as it used to be, you don't have to get the grandmastery with every weapon proficiency. Put 3 stars into Two Weapon Style, 2 into Two Handed Style, and after that into whatever else you like.

Katana is somewhat tricky tho. In SoA, only katana worth mentioning is Celestial Fury, but again, it is really the ONLY katana. Dak'Kon's Zerth Blade perhaps too, though it's just some +2 one I think. And then there's loads of longswords.. In any case, do some planning ahead regarding the proficiencies, as there are some neato little items out there, which though use pretty different proficiencies, not to mention when you plan to move on to ToB as well.

If you're playing solo, then there are a few things you have to worry about:

1) Level Drain. If I recall correctly, going berserk will protect you temporarily. However there are times when you'll be surrounded by Vampires (or Vampiric Mists, or Wraiths) for long periods of time. I'd recommend taking two or three + in Maces.

2) Clay Golems. You'll need some blunt weapon to damage them. Again, maces are good.

3) Long Swords rock! Day Star is amazing for those 'surrounded-by-undead' situations. If you have ToB, though, consider taking Bastard Swords instead. You'll have early access to Foebane +3.

4) Don't bother with Katanas. From the perspective of a normal Fighter, they're inferior to Long Swords.

5) Axes are very good. Since they double as a missile skill, they're even more useful than Long Swords.

6) You will NEVER find better weapons than Two-Handed Swords and Halberds. The Silver Sword is amazing; Lilarcor is so easy to get early and so useful; if you're not Good, then the Soul Reaver rocks. Warblade +4 is a fine blade, too. You'll start off with the Sword of Chaos +2 which will get you through most of Athkatla.

7) In conclusion, take ++ Mace, +++ Two-Handed Sword, + Two-Handed Weapon Style. Later take up to 3+ in one of: War Hammers (for Crom Fayer) or Flails (for the Flail of Ages) or Axes (Azuredge, Frostreaver, Stonefire). After that, consider Two-Weapon Style or Sword & Shield Style. Two-Weapon Style is nice if you have weapons which grant immunities; don't overlook the wonderful immunities provided by the Shield of Harmony, though.

-- Nifft

Berserkers are really good for solo. i have a berserker and i m kickin! i guess i haven't finished de'arnise yet though.

Ok thanks guys for all your help