Superharp

theGrimm · 06-20-2006, 05:28 AM

Am I missing something here?

Playing a bard for the first time, I've picked up a certain harp that can cast confusion three times a day, (somewhere during my stronghold quest, I believe)

It seems to me, though, that this harp is extremely effective:

-Casts fast enough that it often beats mages spell protections.
-Seems to bypass said protections even when they activate in time (i.e. mages don't have the right kind of protections)
-Enemies don't seem to fail their save all that often. I tend to incapacitate around 50% of the enemy party, and it's not unusual to get all of them (got 5/6 of the guarded compound on the first attempt, without malison).
-Never mind that three times a day is a lot.
-I got it REALLY early in the game.

The harp seems significantly more effective than any other AOE "or-else" spell (e.g. Hold Person, Choas, Emotion, etc). After years of playing BG, I've gotten used to the Malison + AOE disabler spam taking out perhaps 25% of a party, so seeing 75% plus being taken out without even a GM primer is...odd.

Or am I smoking something?

Dundee Slaytern · 06-20-2006, 08:22 AM

It can't be more effective than Chaos or Emotion, given that it is basically a Confusion spell. Just double-checked with Near Infinity.

Chaos has a -2 save penalty.
Emotion renders them unconscious.
The Wizard version of Hold Person has a -1 save penalty.

Most enemies in SoA do not have rock bottom saves. [img]smile.gif[/img] Especially for SavevsSpell, which is why 'or else' spells are pretty potent. A Spell Sequencer of "GMalison + Slow + Emotion". Try it sometime, especially against the Guarded Compound fight.

ister · 06-20-2006, 09:34 AM

Isn't the difference that the harp is a save vs wands as opposed to save versus spells?

I've never used it, but it sounds pretty lethal.

Dundee Slaytern · 06-20-2006, 09:54 AM

Nope, the Confusion from the Harp is also SavevsSpell.

06-20-2006, 09:34 AM	#3
ister Drow Warrior Join Date: January 12, 2005 Location: usa Age: 57 Posts: 291	Isn't the difference that the harp is a save vs wands as opposed to save versus spells? I've never used it, but it sounds pretty lethal. __________________ \" Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.\"<br />JFK

06-20-2006, 05:28 AM	#1
theGrimm Manshoon Join Date: January 19, 2004 Location: South Africa Age: 46 Posts: 162	Am I missing something here? Playing a bard for the first time, I've picked up a certain harp that can cast confusion three times a day, (somewhere during my stronghold quest, I believe) It seems to me, though, that this harp is extremely effective: -Casts fast enough that it often beats mages spell protections. -Seems to bypass said protections even when they activate in time (i.e. mages don't have the right kind of protections) -Enemies don't seem to fail their save all that often. I tend to incapacitate around 50% of the enemy party, and it's not unusual to get all of them (got 5/6 of the guarded compound on the first attempt, without malison). -Never mind that three times a day is a lot. -I got it REALLY early in the game. The harp seems significantly more effective than any other AOE "or-else" spell (e.g. Hold Person, Choas, Emotion, etc). After years of playing BG, I've gotten used to the Malison + AOE disabler spam taking out perhaps 25% of a party, so seeing 75% plus being taken out without even a GM primer is...odd. Or am I smoking something?

06-20-2006, 08:22 AM	#2
Dundee Slaytern Ironworks Moderator Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Pasir Ris, Singapore Age: 42 Posts: 11,063	It can't be more effective than Chaos or Emotion, given that it is basically a Confusion spell. Just double-checked with Near Infinity. Chaos has a -2 save penalty. Emotion renders them unconscious. The Wizard version of Hold Person has a -1 save penalty. Most enemies in SoA do not have rock bottom saves. [img]smile.gif[/img] Especially for SavevsSpell, which is why 'or else' spells are pretty potent. A Spell Sequencer of "GMalison + Slow + Emotion". Try it sometime, especially against the Guarded Compound fight.

06-20-2006, 09:54 AM	#4
Dundee Slaytern Ironworks Moderator Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Pasir Ris, Singapore Age: 42 Posts: 11,063	Nope, the Confusion from the Harp is also SavevsSpell.

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