All in all, not too bad- I got through the mind flayer dungeon. What annoys me is that I had to turn into the Slayer twice to open a couple of the doors. Beleive me, I tried everything to avoid it. Why say the doors required great strength to open, leave a strength potion close by, and not have that be the solution? I was also annoyed that I was able to create the mind control circlets, but couldn't use them. What are you supposed to do with them? In every sci-fi show/movie I've seen, it's the slave that wears the collar. I was really stumped about how I was going to get a mind flayer to wear one of these things. But it just occurred to me that you wear the circlets to do the controlling? Why make five of them in that case?

Ultimately, my concern is about turning into the slayer. I've read that it affects reputation. The manual says that a higher reputation gets you better prices and more goodwill with people. In that case, even though my party leans towards evil, I would want a high reputation. Is that how it works or am I missing something?

put the circlets in your quick item slot, and "use" them on mind flayers.

Indeed high rep--> low prices and vice versa. Ease of use mod (AFAIK) lows the costs for bad reputation chars.

SPOILER
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Black Baron is right about how you use the circlets. By far the best way to get one on an illithid is to go stealth and sneak up to it, then use the circlet which you've put in your quickslot.

You don't need to turn into the Slayer at all to escape the lair, though you certainly can. Every time you do, it costs you reputation - which will affect prices, as well as (depending on the number) people's (including your own party members') reactions to you.

The actual reputation change reduces it by 2 every time you transform. Your maximum reputation is 20, where you will get half off everything you buy. Im not sure, but I think that a reputation of one causes everything to cost double, if not more. Also a low reputation can cause Cowled Enforcers or Amnish Guards to attack you when you enter areas. These people are usually very difficult to kill if you arent ready, and arent worth the hassle. Also, staying in Slayer form too long can be fatal, as it will start to damage you after too long in that form.
-Brainless One

Brainless one,the cost for having a reputation of 1 isnt double.Its x10,IIRC.

EDIT and yes,the cowled wizards and amnish legeonarys do aimlessly attack you.i found theese things out when playing an evil fighter/theif.

[ 05-12-2004, 12:12 PM: Message edited by: TheGodThatFailed ]

Lymond:You said your party leaned towards evil so I can only assume you have some evil NPC's in it. If your reputation gets too high (18) the evil people in your party will leave annoyed at your constant do gooding, so if you have evil people in your party you don't want the rep too high(evil characters leave) or too low(high prices + attacks on your party). Somewhere in the middle will be just right if your powergaming [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-12-2004, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Zarr ]

Zarr,

I'm a little confused about your powergaming comment. I would think a powergamer would specifically want to keep it at 17- high enough for the best prices without driving away your evil buddies. Is that what you meant?

BTW, I was about to powergame (as I understand it from the recent post of powergaming and roleplaying). I was considering replaying the mindflayer dungeon without turning into the slayer. From a pure roleplaying perspective, however, becoming the slayer was the only way I could figure out how to proceed, so I've decided to just keep going. I'll save that particular powergame for my second time through.

If you're really roleplaying (vs. powergaming), then you would let your alignment and characer's personality drive the decision irrespective of the reputation score which that decision will yield. If you're powergaming, then your reputation is a tool which determines prices, the mood of the people you deal with, the number of "wanted" posters with your name on them, etc.

By the way, if you can figure out only one way to deal with a situation, that way is neither roleplaying nor powergaming - it's just the only way to move on in the game. ;)

Sorry, yes I think it is x10, but as a note, if you are playing an evil game with characters entirely made yourself, they will not leave your party when your reputation is high. Only NPCs that were placed in the game will leave or complain. Parties made by you will always listen to you.
-Brainless One

I always found it amusing, if slightly disappointing in my game that the reputation penalty for becoming the slayer seems to affect the PC in even the most remotest locations where no-one else other than your party would know that it happened. Thus how could it really be generalised to be affecting your reputation if your party is true to you and not spreading foul rumours of your deeds? :D
I guess its yet another programming limitation/ issue with the game.

I'm pleased to hear that there are mods for it for evil characters when the choice to become the slayer is often embraced rather than repressed! [img]smile.gif[/img]