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There be spoilers below:
Dang, this hasn't happened to me in a very, very long time. This is the hardest batle I can remember fighting since trying to beat the warders in Durlag's the first time. Guess I pushed the envelope a tad too far in seeking challenging party compositions, and taking on tough opponents at low levels: In endless tries I couldn't whup the Kahrk (well not really, read on) the ogre mage at Firewine with the following party (playing Dark Side):
druid, level 4
str 13
dex 18
con 16
"Bonebreaker" (staff +2, inflicts Slow upon opponent)
spells: Shield, Entangle, Chant, Flame Blade, Fairie Fire, Sparks
potion of power
gauntlets of weapons expertise
studded leather +2
bard, level 5
str 10
dex 18
con 10
long bow, kobold 'deathstik' (poisoned) arrows, arrows +1; longsword +1
spells: Shield, Sleep (2), Horror, Invisibility
1 Shocking Grasp scroll in quick slot
Cloak of Algernon
studded leather +1
Xan, level 4
spells: Color Spray, Charm Person (3), Melf's Acid Arrow (3)
2 Charm Person scrolls in quick slot
wand of chain lightning
oil of explosions
Safana, level 5
short sword +2; short bow +1, fire arrows, arrows +1
bracers of archery
leather armor +2
Poe, the bard
spear +1
charmed into joining the party via the cloak of Alegernon (unfortunately he already spent his spells on hobgoblins and Melium)
I let Kahrk's Minor Globe of Invulnerability and that purple cylinder protection spell (forget it's name) he's using run out before taking him on, of course. Naturally everyone was pumped up on Chant (the druid took the potion of power first), and he and bard had cast Shield, the bard was invisible and attempted a backstab along with Safana. The druid meleed with Flame Blade, with Poe helping him with his enchanted spear. Every time I managed to survive okay with my bard gulping down healing potions--until Kahrk ran out of spells and went after my Druid. If my druid was down to only a few HP the AI wouldn't let him drink healing potions and Kahrk simply cut him down. If he tried to run and drink potions, same thing.
I eventually resorted to charming Kahrk (Kahrk failed to save against one of Xan's Charm spells and then my bard charmed him with Algy's cloak) as my druid was running around with about 2 HP left with Kahrk in hot pursuit. I charmed all of the hobgoblins in the area and tried using them against Kahrk--no good, he tore through them like tissue paper. I then tried sleeping and having spawned monsters attack him. Finally, after he went though a half a dozen groups of monsters a band of orcs killed him--but before I could turn him hostile to get the XP! The problem is he is so devastating with that sword that if you don't time it just right he will turn right around and kill you before you knew what happened. Also, I lost Poe which bummed me, because I enjoy having him fight alongside my party.
So at the end of all that I could have had a pile of loot from Kahrk's slaughter of several gangs of spawned monsters, and the 4 scrolls of an extremely powerful spell (with Dark Side anyway). But no XP for all the trouble. So I ended up going to the save right before the battle and instead of fighting had my bard just walk up and take Carsa's Knave's Robe, pile of coins, and fire protection scroll right under Kahrk's nose. Just to play it safe she cast invisibility on herself and scooted out of there.
I can't believe I couldn't find a way to beat that bastard! Bah!
You win this round, Kahrk! *shaking fist* Just wait till I return dammit! I'm going to bring a couple friends of mine named Yeslick and Quayle and we're going to KICK YOUR ASS!
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