Take the Challange - Page 2

NobleNick · 09-18-2003, 05:18 PM

RoSs,

Hmmm... no...

The way I read this, the consensus on rules of the "challenge" is:

1.) Start game with a new party (no experience).
2.) No cheats, hacks or fudging of any kind.
3.) No going back to saved games to recover a lost character, or multiple lost characters: Reverting to a saved game is only allowed if the entire party is killed off.
4.) "Raise Dead" and "Resurrection" are allowed.
5.) Characters that are permanently lost may be replaced with a new (no experience) character; but only at a population center (e.g., Kuldahar).
6.) Pausing is allowed.

Not that I will be in a position to take up this challenge anytime soon; but I immediately thought of a tactic that is within the rules; but not in keeping with the spirit of the rules: If you lose one character, let the whole party die. Then reload. To thwart my own conivving, I offer a supplemental rule:

7.) If reversion to a saved game is necessary because of a lost battle, at least one character must be killed, by the following rules, in order:
A.) If a character was killed by non-resurrectable method, that character is permanently lost. For multiple non-resurrection kills --> player chooses which single non-resurrectible character to eliminate, and any others may be imported
B. If no characters lost through Rule A, then player must continue game with party as-is, unless the entire party was lost (but resurrectible). In that case, player picks ONE character to restore. The rest of the party remains dead until raised/resurrected by in-game means.

Now, what kind of party would I put together for this? Remember that amongst other requirements, you have to kick Big B's buns on the first try. Heavy on fighters, healers, buffers, summons (a.k.a. meat shields), and dual-classing. No elves. Per game rules, the DCs and Pally (if you have one) have to be human. At least one party member needs to have infravision. Assuming HoW is installed, here is what I would do:

1.) Human Fighter(9) DC to Priest
2.) Human Fighter(9) DC to Druid
3.) Human Fighter(7) DC to Thief
4.) Human Fighter(7) DC to Illusionist
5.) (race_with_infravision) Bard
6.a.) Gnome MC Thief/Illusionist
6.b.) Human Paladin

Keep character 6.a. until characters #3 and #4 reach Fighter(7). Then DC the Fighters. Ditch the Gnome MC when characters #3 and #4 hit level 4 or 5 in their new classes, and bring in the Pally (#6.b.) in his place. Specialize the Paladin in great(?) sword, so as to be able to use Pale Justice in the last part of the game.

The Bard will patch up the party's otherwise weak magic, and when she gets War Chant, this fighter-heavy party will rock. Save up to buy Bardic Horn of Valhalla to get party out of tough spots.

What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party on!!

[ 09-19-2003, 10:33 AM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]

dragonslayer · 09-18-2003, 05:26 PM

sounds really cool, i'm kinda getting interested in installing it again.

i just have to say i love that:

What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party on!!

haha, love it

NobleNick · 09-19-2003, 10:30 AM

dragonslayer,

Thanks! It's original; but I probably would never have penned it, or even tried out a Bard, had I not had HoW installed AND seen the reviews on this forum.

It is amazing how a character that is designed as a "jack of all trades, but master of none," can be such a valuable member of the party. I'd take a Bard and one warrior rather than just 2 melee-types, any day. I am in TotLM, now, which is really ugly (and fun!), and made the pleasant discovery that my Bard has a song even more valuable than War Chant. Really, I don't know what I would do without my Bard. And whether or not to add a Bard instead of cramming in that 3rd or 4th melee artist? Heh, heh, heh, that's a no-brainer...

What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party on!!

ashsays · 09-19-2003, 03:01 PM

Nobel Nick- You have it right except for the raise dead or resurection. CUt those out and your have the real "Challenge".

I had mention earlier that Ranged weapons and Spell casters are a must but now I feel it is not being flanked in battle. Running away or having a clear path to run away would be important to longer life. Well the Challege is going to have to wait for awhile. I bought Balders Gate II so maybe I will check out that forum for awhile. Ill talk to ya after about 100 or so hrs of BGII game time.

moiraine sedai · 09-20-2003, 11:34 AM

How about playing with no healing spells? Only potions? I started one of them a while ago. It's quite do-able.

Moiraine Sedai

09-18-2003, 05:26 PM	#12
dragonslayer Manshoon Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Helsingborg Sweden Age: 39 Posts: 155	sounds really cool, i'm kinda getting interested in installing it again. i just have to say i love that: What's a party, without a song? Bards ROCK! Party on!! haha, love it __________________ \'Carpe diem\'<br /><br />Seize the...carp?

09-20-2003, 11:34 AM	#15
moiraine sedai Zhentarim Guard Join Date: January 25, 2003 Location: Tar Valon Age: 40 Posts: 335	How about playing with no healing spells? Only potions? I started one of them a while ago. It's quite do-able. Moiraine Sedai __________________ ~The wheel weaves as the wheel wills~

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09-18-2003, 05:18 PM	#11
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 65 Posts: 1,045	RoSs, Hmmm... no... The way I read this, the consensus on rules of the "challenge" is: 1.) Start game with a new party (no experience). 2.) No cheats, hacks or fudging of any kind. 3.) No going back to saved games to recover a lost character, or multiple lost characters: Reverting to a saved game is only allowed if the entire party is killed off. 4.) "Raise Dead" and "Resurrection" are allowed. 5.) Characters that are permanently lost may be replaced with a new (no experience) character; but only at a population center (e.g., Kuldahar). 6.) Pausing is allowed. Not that I will be in a position to take up this challenge anytime soon; but I immediately thought of a tactic that is within the rules; but not in keeping with the spirit of the rules: If you lose one character, let the whole party die. Then reload. To thwart my own conivving, I offer a supplemental rule: 7.) If reversion to a saved game is necessary because of a lost battle, at least one character must be killed, by the following rules, in order: A.) If a character was killed by non-resurrectable method, that character is permanently lost. For multiple non-resurrection kills --> player chooses which single non-resurrectible character to eliminate, and any others may be imported B. If no characters lost through Rule A, then player must continue game with party as-is, unless the entire party was lost (but resurrectible). In that case, player picks ONE character to restore. The rest of the party remains dead until raised/resurrected by in-game means. Now, what kind of party would I put together for this? Remember that amongst other requirements, you have to kick Big B's buns on the first try. Heavy on fighters, healers, buffers, summons (a.k.a. meat shields), and dual-classing. No elves. Per game rules, the DCs and Pally (if you have one) have to be human. At least one party member needs to have infravision. Assuming HoW is installed, here is what I would do: 1.) Human Fighter(9) DC to Priest 2.) Human Fighter(9) DC to Druid 3.) Human Fighter(7) DC to Thief 4.) Human Fighter(7) DC to Illusionist 5.) (race_with_infravision) Bard 6.a.) Gnome MC Thief/Illusionist 6.b.) Human Paladin Keep character 6.a. until characters #3 and #4 reach Fighter(7). Then DC the Fighters. Ditch the Gnome MC when characters #3 and #4 hit level 4 or 5 in their new classes, and bring in the Pally (#6.b.) in his place. Specialize the Paladin in great(?) sword, so as to be able to use Pale Justice in the last part of the game. The Bard will patch up the party's otherwise weak magic, and when she gets War Chant, this fighter-heavy party will rock. Save up to buy Bardic Horn of Valhalla to get party out of tough spots. What's a party, without a song? Bards ROCK! Party on!! [ 09-19-2003, 10:33 AM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]

09-19-2003, 10:30 AM	#13
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 65 Posts: 1,045	dragonslayer, Thanks! It's original; but I probably would never have penned it, or even tried out a Bard, had I not had HoW installed AND seen the reviews on this forum. It is amazing how a character that is designed as a "jack of all trades, but master of none," can be such a valuable member of the party. I'd take a Bard and one warrior rather than just 2 melee-types, any day. I am in TotLM, now, which is really ugly (and fun!), and made the pleasant discovery that my Bard has a song even more valuable than War Chant. Really, I don't know what I would do without my Bard. And whether or not to add a Bard instead of cramming in that 3rd or 4th melee artist? Heh, heh, heh, that's a no-brainer... What's a party, without a song? Bards ROCK! Party on!!

09-19-2003, 03:01 PM	#14
ashsays Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: August 8, 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Age: 54 Posts: 22	Nobel Nick- You have it right except for the raise dead or resurection. CUt those out and your have the real "Challenge". I had mention earlier that Ranged weapons and Spell casters are a must but now I feel it is not being flanked in battle. Running away or having a clear path to run away would be important to longer life. Well the Challege is going to have to wait for awhile. I bought Balders Gate II so maybe I will check out that forum for awhile. Ill talk to ya after about 100 or so hrs of BGII game time.

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