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Magness · 11-14-2001, 12:55 AM

I've beaten ToB twice. Once as an Inquisitor and, just a few minutes ago, as an archer. (Both times with full parties of 6.) So I think that I can speak with a voice of experience.

The two most important keys are preparation and conservation of your magic.

Before even going to meet Melissan, carefully select your Mage and Cleric spells. Since you will not be able to rest between battles, have multiple copies of your favorite protection spells, since Mel may dispel them. For example, dump all of your Hold Person cleric spells, in favor of barkskin and Draw upon Holy Might. Have 3-5 stoneskins for your mages. Have plenty of good summon spells. I also had conserved tons of Mage scrolls, particularly Breach and Pierce Magic scrolls.

Melissan is an enemy who will summon in various creatures to help her. Except for your very first encounter where circumstances do not permit you to have summoned allies prior to the battle, you should summon 2 or 3 monsters prior to initiating the battle. Also place them in close proximity to where Melisan spawns in. Furthermore, the best use of your monsters is to combat Melissan's monsters.

To the best of your ability, focus all your combat power on Melissan. Mel's combat tactics mix both melee and magic. Try to keep hitting her constantly to limit her spell casting. (A really good archer works wonders in this department.)

A trick that I learned tonight was to have nearly every character armed with a ranged weapon at the start of the battle and hit Melissan immediately with them. While it by no means was enough to kill her or really seriously damage her, I was able to sneak in some quick damage before she got her stoneskins up. (Of course, I had Imoen and Nalia knock them back down immediately.)

You will have to defeat Melissan FOUR times. Do not throw everything at her all at once. I think that the toughest battle is the 3rd one, because her combat script will have her teleport to the top of the screen, leaving her monsters (slayers!!!) to attack you. You need to have a decent number of your own monsters to run interference while you chase after Melissan.

The Final battle of the four can be the easiest. Why? If you've been able to conserve your magics, you can throw EVERYTHING you have left at Melissan. Summon your best monsters. Drink your best potions. Use your best protection magics. Whup some Melissan butt!!!

BTW ... Don't forget the 3 battles in between the Mellissan battles ... 1st against air elementals, 2nd against Ice elemental, ice trolls, and ice salamanders (nuke these guys with fireballs and fire potions to start), and 3rd against a very tough bunch of female monsters.

The third is by far the toughest. But the real key is to be ready to drop the defenses of the Maraliths and be ready to hit them REALLY HARD when those defenses are down. The other monsters are very manageable. I actually killed the other monsters (a fallen deva, an alu-fiend, and a succubus, if I'm not mistaken) first, then took on the 2 maraliths.

Oooops, didn't realize that I was gonna say this much. Oh well...

11-14-2001, 12:55 AM	#3
Magness Quintesson Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Manchester, NH, USA Posts: 1,025	I've beaten ToB twice. Once as an Inquisitor and, just a few minutes ago, as an archer. (Both times with full parties of 6.) So I think that I can speak with a voice of experience. The two most important keys are preparation and conservation of your magic. Before even going to meet Melissan, carefully select your Mage and Cleric spells. Since you will not be able to rest between battles, have multiple copies of your favorite protection spells, since Mel may dispel them. For example, dump all of your Hold Person cleric spells, in favor of barkskin and Draw upon Holy Might. Have 3-5 stoneskins for your mages. Have plenty of good summon spells. I also had conserved tons of Mage scrolls, particularly Breach and Pierce Magic scrolls. Melissan is an enemy who will summon in various creatures to help her. Except for your very first encounter where circumstances do not permit you to have summoned allies prior to the battle, you should summon 2 or 3 monsters prior to initiating the battle. Also place them in close proximity to where Melisan spawns in. Furthermore, the best use of your monsters is to combat Melissan's monsters. To the best of your ability, focus all your combat power on Melissan. Mel's combat tactics mix both melee and magic. Try to keep hitting her constantly to limit her spell casting. (A really good archer works wonders in this department.) A trick that I learned tonight was to have nearly every character armed with a ranged weapon at the start of the battle and hit Melissan immediately with them. While it by no means was enough to kill her or really seriously damage her, I was able to sneak in some quick damage before she got her stoneskins up. (Of course, I had Imoen and Nalia knock them back down immediately.) You will have to defeat Melissan FOUR times. Do not throw everything at her all at once. I think that the toughest battle is the 3rd one, because her combat script will have her teleport to the top of the screen, leaving her monsters (slayers!!!) to attack you. You need to have a decent number of your own monsters to run interference while you chase after Melissan. The Final battle of the four can be the easiest. Why? If you've been able to conserve your magics, you can throw EVERYTHING you have left at Melissan. Summon your best monsters. Drink your best potions. Use your best protection magics. Whup some Melissan butt!!! BTW ... Don't forget the 3 battles in between the Mellissan battles ... 1st against air elementals, 2nd against Ice elemental, ice trolls, and ice salamanders (nuke these guys with fireballs and fire potions to start), and 3rd against a very tough bunch of female monsters. The third is by far the toughest. But the real key is to be ready to drop the defenses of the Maraliths and be ready to hit them REALLY HARD when those defenses are down. The other monsters are very manageable. I actually killed the other monsters (a fallen deva, an alu-fiend, and a succubus, if I'm not mistaken) first, then took on the 2 maraliths. Oooops, didn't realize that I was gonna say this much. Oh well...