Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post

EEWorzelle · 07-02-2003, 01:32 PM

Stealthblade, why not go for a magic-heavy party. Bard, Gadgeteer, Mage, Priest, Psionic and Alchemist? It gives you all six types of magical mastery in the game, done by those who do them best.

The key here is to get damage and protection spells. Energy Blast, Mind Stab, Acid Splash and Make Wounds are key at the beginning. I also get Frost, Heal Wounds in the Alchemist and Psionic (not Priest at first) and Paralyze for the Priest. I save spell picks at each level until major new spells appear at levels 3, 5, 8, etc. That allows getting two or three of the new, more powerful spells as soon as they appear.

As soon as possible get cone and area effect spells (Shrill Sound, Whipping Rocks, Fireball...).

Get protections and cast them into place all the time: Magic Screen, Missle Shield, Armorplate, Enchanted Blade, Chameleon, etc...

Use crippling spells to slow enemies down (like Web, Paralyze), and scattering spells only as a last resort (Blinding Flash, Terror, Sonic Boom).

You can develop strong melee capability in the Bard (Sword and Close Combat, Strength and Dexterity), and let the Gadgeteer take care of Locks and Traps. I would also recommend you develop Shield Skill (three every level-up)in the Bard and Priest (and possibly Gadgeteer), but if you do so for the Priest go for Mace and Flail rather than Staff and Wand weapons. With my Alchemist I generally go for Staff and Wands and no shield. For the Mage and Psionic I usually go for ranged (Sling).

This party, played Normal Mode is not an extremely difficult party to play. In fact, it is extremely well balanced, fun to play, and it gives you a chance to really wring out the magic side of the game.

Don't worry about the magical capabilities of the Bard and Gadgeteer at first. The starting Music Instrument is nice but it will be the mid-game before they start getting a lot of Instruments and Gadgets. The Gadgeteer gets a nice Gadget early (already built) that I use in almost every round for the first third of the game. The Bard, developed for it, rapidly becomes one of the most powerful fighters in the game, as well as her magic speciality.

Whether you try this or something else, have fun!

[ 07-02-2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: EEWorzelle ]

07-02-2003, 01:32 PM	#2
EEWorzelle Manshoon Join Date: October 25, 2002 Location: Gilbert, Az Age: 73 Posts: 234	Stealthblade, why not go for a magic-heavy party. Bard, Gadgeteer, Mage, Priest, Psionic and Alchemist? It gives you all six types of magical mastery in the game, done by those who do them best. The key here is to get damage and protection spells. Energy Blast, Mind Stab, Acid Splash and Make Wounds are key at the beginning. I also get Frost, Heal Wounds in the Alchemist and Psionic (not Priest at first) and Paralyze for the Priest. I save spell picks at each level until major new spells appear at levels 3, 5, 8, etc. That allows getting two or three of the new, more powerful spells as soon as they appear. As soon as possible get cone and area effect spells (Shrill Sound, Whipping Rocks, Fireball...). Get protections and cast them into place all the time: Magic Screen, Missle Shield, Armorplate, Enchanted Blade, Chameleon, etc... Use crippling spells to slow enemies down (like Web, Paralyze), and scattering spells only as a last resort (Blinding Flash, Terror, Sonic Boom). You can develop strong melee capability in the Bard (Sword and Close Combat, Strength and Dexterity), and let the Gadgeteer take care of Locks and Traps. I would also recommend you develop Shield Skill (three every level-up)in the Bard and Priest (and possibly Gadgeteer), but if you do so for the Priest go for Mace and Flail rather than Staff and Wand weapons. With my Alchemist I generally go for Staff and Wands and no shield. For the Mage and Psionic I usually go for ranged (Sling). This party, played Normal Mode is not an extremely difficult party to play. In fact, it is extremely well balanced, fun to play, and it gives you a chance to really wring out the magic side of the game. Don't worry about the magical capabilities of the Bard and Gadgeteer at first. The starting Music Instrument is nice but it will be the mid-game before they start getting a lot of Instruments and Gadgets. The Gadgeteer gets a nice Gadget early (already built) that I use in almost every round for the first third of the game. The Bard, developed for it, rapidly becomes one of the most powerful fighters in the game, as well as her magic speciality. Whether you try this or something else, have fun! [ 07-02-2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: EEWorzelle ]