Weak parties - another round

[Ziggurat]

I am trying Flame's mod again with a more challenging party. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to take advantage of some new weapons made available in the Monkery. We are at the door to Arnika road and I will try making it to Arnika tonight. The question is, how much is too weak? Is there a way to tell before wasting more effort with a party that will never make it past a certain point?

I have kept levs to 5 and am eligible to 7 in each char. The battles have already been close calls, many chars going down to 1 or two HP before being rescued. Had to reload multiple times just to get by 3 Rabid Rats. Using a trio this time:

Bard Gnome (double swording, aiming for gnomic shield and sword later)
Doggie Bishop (flail, just got +1 shield, will get great staff later)
Mook Psionic (perhaps going to monk soon, stuck with weak staff)

Any thoughts? I'll let you know if we can survive. You can list your weak parties, too, if trying this path. I'm not sure I'd try this one in original game, but so far has been the same. Zig

[Sinteuil]

Unfortunately, the bard is the only character that won't get an updated set of armour, but on the other hand, your bard will have a much easier time getting a full set of bard-ware, complete with Prospero's cloak, and you'll even find a "Saxx Wannabe" who'll drop a sax for you, so you don't have to resort to stealing from the real Saxx... Your bard should be just fine once he picks up the Falchion from the chest on Arnika Road. Since you should eventually be able to get a light sword for your bard, this won't be a weak party if you can hold out until you're at least level 14. At that point, just load up on restoration potions and try and finish off the beast of 1000 eyes. It'll be a really long battle, especially with only one character who can do melee, but it can definitely be done. Hopefully you won't have to reload for the light sword drop, but it's definitely doable! In the meantime, just be a bit cautious, because up till midgame, this is going to play a bit like a bard solo!

Anyway, the weakest party I've ever tried was two bishops (I've never dared to do a bishop solo yet!). The monastery was absolute hell, but by about midgame, it was all under control!

[ 08-16-2005, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: Sinteuil ]

[Ziggurat]

Thanks, Sint. 2 bishops would be pretty weak at first. I was debating on changing the psionic to monk. I think I will do it (now at lev 7, made it to Arnika after a decent band practice). I may be wrong about psionics, but beyond insanity I think you really have to stick with them to make them worth it. She can do a lev 5 insane now and it has helped. The psionic fire and distraction thing will get better (but not as a monk for 5 levs).

I guess the point is how weak can you be? Maybe it depends on reload tolerance, but some gigs you always get slaughtered. If you have a weak party, never get put into a situation where you can't run. This means, of course, you have to have finished the game a few times to know the terrain.

Still not sure if these 3 characters can hang with it, with only one meleer. The psi and bish aren't meleeing too well so far. The bishop is up front. Staying alive, tho. So far. It seems weird to have one bitchin gal upfront and 2 magic users in back, but it does work when I have tried it. To a degree. Going for a fighting bishop if it works.

I know about the bard equipment, got the special greaves or whatever already and will pick up the rest. Being a gnome she can get the Earth Armor later from devil guy. (Flame mod only)

The key so far, as you say, is to stock up on potions when you have a weak party. It may just work out. It got us to Arnika, so may need more powerful potions to get to Trynton... Many close shaves, but what the hey?

[Ziggurat]

BTW, 3 party turned out fine. Kick A. Will prob go back to 4 next game...less restrictive.