Hardcore BG1

[Khayne]

You are reading my post wrong. I asked if anyone esle played the way I do. Nowhere does it say you have to play the way I do. I like the challenge of not bringing anyone back. The name of the game is to have fun and this is fun for me.

[Lord Michael]

I am playing that way now (my second time through BG1 in 2 years), and am 7th level (fighter) just into the city of Baldur's Gate. I will say one thing... I told myself I was going to go all the way thru without dying once... and I have (Silke never even got that Lightning Bolt off, the biotch). But, I have made all my level-ups at max hit points to help a bit. It has been VERY slow going.. lots of scouting ahead and ALWAYS fleeing if I get down half hitpoints or so. It feels more real and the tough battles really ARE scary...I've had some close calls, even with 5 potions of extra-healing in a quick-slot.
I use the temples for ressurection (only once so far... Minsc...) because it's AD&D for goodness sakes, and if Dynaheir can throw fireballs, then Keldath Orymyr can ressurect, dag-nabbit. [img]smile.gif[/img]
BTW- I don't throw ANY Lightning bolts EVER...those bouncy bastards usually do more damage to my party than to my target! I also commonly have Branwen readying healing spells as soon as I go into a battle that I know I'm gonna get hit (Larze the Ogre Assassin @ Blushing Mermaid was a real close one).

[Mellagar]

I have had more close calls. Once my party was ambushed by basilisks, and one of them shot off the paralyze spell at Jaheira. Luckly she didn't turn to stone and the party just barely made an escape before more spells came.

[Lord Michael]

The key for me vs. the basilisks was hearing them. They make a kind of slithering noise, and at that point, I cast an invisibility on my PC while he guzzles a potion of mirrored eyes. I also had protection from petrification scrolls/spells ready in quick slots in case the fight lasted longer than expected. With an 18/86 strength, the fight was always over in a matter of a few blows. Ghorak (the friendly ghoul) was key as well.

[Khayne]

Glad to hear it Lord Michael, and Mellagar sounds like fun. Good Luck

[Azred]

Originally posted by Lord Michael: BTW- I don't throw ANY Lightning bolts EVER...those bouncy bastards usually do more damage to my party than to my target!

Come, now. Lightning bolt is great fun! Of course, my mage uses the Boots of Grounding and the Robe of Electrical Resistance and a Potion of Absorbing, so he is totally immune to electrical damage. Those items, about 3 or 4 Wands of Lightning, and one of the closed-in maps like the Ulcaster ruins is laughably funny! *zzt*

For some more fun with lightning, give everyone a Potion of Abosrption and visit the chessboard in Durlag's Tower. [img]graemlins/laugh3.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img]

[Lord Michael]

Durlag's Tower is my next conquest. I saved it for the last thing except the Final Battle. I'll try the Potion of Absorption fun. I do have a wand of lightning in my stash house, so I'll take it with me.

P.s. - I came within 20 hp of dying the other night. Lightning bolts WERE involved. To come so far and almost die was VERY spooky. I have been buffing up ridiculously for every fight since. Costs alot of gold to buy potions and scrolls for protection, but I'm finishing this thing without dying (I hope)!
Thank goodness for the Ring of Invisibility and Cloudkill!

[Lavindathar]

I only wish I could cast Cloudkill....stupid Xan.

I miss Edwin hehe.

[Lord Michael]

I love Dynaheir! I killed Edwin early on. Is it just because Dynaheir is an Invoker (and limited to certain spells with her specialty) that no one seems to have any respect for her?
She is a death machine for my party. I've had her in my party both times through BG/TotSC, so maybe I just use her abilities well. Plus she's got hot bedroom eyes! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Lord Michael]

I guess I should also mention that I've always played good parties (except Branwen - I've had her both times around for the cleric abilities), and this time around I took Garrick with me instead of waiting to get Ajantis.
My perfect party has been:
Michael (me)-fighter
Minsc - ranger
Imoen - theif
Dynaheir - invoker
Branwen - cleric
Garrick - bard

I must say I've been impressed with Garrick. I always thought bards were pansies, but he's been worth his weight in rogue stones. There's alot to be said for the bard song/spell casting. I also carry a suit of +2 chain, the crossbow of speed (equiped with bolts of lightning, and he has a sweet magical halberd (+2 or +3 can't remember right now) incase the baddies spawn too close. He guzzles a couple potions and he can be quite effective in battle.