1st Tactics game. (Full of spoilers)

[Ilyich]

A small update. I've paid Bodhi, and done her 1st two quests. I've also cleared out some of the tombs in the Graveyard.

What I am also doing in this game is entering areas that have liches and powerful mages to see what they are capable of. They are all making short work of my party, but it gives an idea of what I'm against. Kangaxx's guardians are the toughest I've seen so far.

[Ilyich]

The Umar Hills are done, with the exception of the Shadow Dragon. I have also killed Galvarey, and CLUA'd in Terminsel for the Harper Pin and 100K experience (out of laziness) I then replaced Jaheira with Viconia before realising that Jaheira is the only NPC capable of using the pin. I will go over my current party and equipment in my next update.

[Ilyich]

I have just cleared out the De'Arnise Keep, and received my stronghold. The Spirit Trolls and Umber Hulks are a strong challenge for a party of my level, especially if they get past my frontline. (Amschat and Korgan) Also, Flamestrike and Greater Command are dangerous if you fail your saves.

Torgal himself, however is to be honest, not all that intelligent. He would have pulverised any of my characters one on one, but his AI makes him target the 1st target he sees, seemingly indefinitely. This poses a problem for him if his target is hasted and he is being attacked by Amschat, Korgan, an Aerial Servant, and Edwin and Jan are using Flame Arrow, Acid Arrow and Magic Missile spells, while Yoshimo (the target) was running around like a headless chicken. (Shadowkeeper says 30% MR, it didn't stop one spell) Jan eventually killed him.

His lackeys in the final room however, are quite tough.

Now, as promised, here is my party and their current equipment. The Profs section will only outline the profs for their current equipment.

Amschat B'hal Zoon.
Level 12.
Dual-wielding Blade of Roses and Queen of Spades (Ilyich's +2 cold hammer)
THAC0 mainhand 2 and offhand 3.
Profs: - Long Sword; 2
War Hammer; 3
Two Weapon; 3
Wears Full Plate and Helm of Balduran

Korgan.
Level 11.
Uses Stonefire or Frostreaver and carries Shield of the Lost.
THAC0 2.
Profs: - Axe; 5
Wears Full Plate and Helm of Charm Protection.

Yoshimo.
Level 14.
Uses Katana +2 or Tuigan Bow.
THAC0 10 or 8 respectively.
Profs: - Katana; 1
Short Bow; 1
Wears the Nights Gift and Pale Green Ioun Stone.

Viconia.
Level 12.
Uses Mace of Disruption +1 and carries Reflection Shield +1.
THAC0 13.
Profs: - Mace; 1
Sword and Shield; 1
Wears Darkmail and Pearly White Ioun Stone.

Jan.
Level 11/11.
Uses Flasher Launcher or Arbane's Sword.
THAC0 9 or 13 respectively.
Profs: - Crossbow; 1
Short Sword; 1
Wears Jansen Adventurewear and Jansen Spectroscopes.

Edwin.
Level 12.
Uses Delner's Eye Gouger or Torgal's Claw.
THAC0 12.
Profs: - Dagger; 1
Dart; 1
Wears Robe of Vecna and Dusty Rose Ioun Stone.

[Ilyich]

I beat the Improved Driud Grove today, with the exception of the Troll Mound. I thought it provided an excellent challenge, although for some reason the shambling mounds near the ogre's house didn't give me any experience. Faldorn was left to Cernd, who defeated her easily. She didn't cast any spells, so I guess that was part of the weaker Improved Faldorn in one of the newest updates of Tactics.

[Link]

You're lucky you didn't encounter the previous Improved Faldorn. Although I haven't played Tactics as of yet (broken computer) I've heard naught but bad stories about her. Overpowered uber-munchkin being an understatement.

[SixOfSpades]

As far as I know, the only "weakness" that Weimer gave Improved Faldorn is to give Cernd thousands of hitpoints if he's not in the party, giving him a 50/50 chance of killing her. But then, I'm not exactly keeping up with the latest Tactics releases.

[Link]

Why not?

[Assassin]

Release 23: * Imp Faldorn: weaker (no firestorms, no extra spells, no magic res, no immunity to normal weapons, fewer attacks, no regen)

I still won't touch the component with a 10-foot pole though...

[SixOfSpades]

Originally posted by Assassin: I still won't touch the component with a 10-foot pole though...

My solution is to download & install it, then delete FALDORN1.CRE from the Override file. Improved Druid Grove, non-Improved Faldorn.

I notice Weimer didn't mention removing Nature's Beauty from her spell list....gee, what a surprise.

[Ilyich]

The strange thing was that she never used those spells that she had, she just turned into the Panther and did 24 damage to Cernd when she hit him. (except criticals) She does still have her Nature's Beauty spells, though my guess is that she won't use spells on Cernd if he is not under party control, only on a party controlled Druid.

Anyway, a status update. I defeated the Temple Sewers gang quite easily. I had Edwin use Power Word:Silence on Gaius under the effects of a Shadow Door, and then ran back to my party. The group followed and they were quickly pulverised by Amschat and Korgan.

I am now in the Planar Prison, and have just reached level 13. I will try to get some screenshots if you want to see them.