Hi..... no-reload?

[Alson]

Originally posted by RoSs_bg2_rox: So how far are you Alson?

Whew! SoA Solo No Reloads Rambling.

[Sever]

My congrats to Alson and everyone else who's actually achieved this mammoth challenge. Personally, i think you're all insane and have way too much free time on your hands but don't let that detract from the pride (and bragging priveleges) that you've earned the right to possess. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

As good as it sounds, i don't think i'm of the calibur to be attempting such madness. I've had my share of fanatical gaming attempts in the past (Ultimate Doom with a pistol and no reloads; *punches the air* Yeah, i'm a DoomiGod!!) but i really think this one's beyond me. So i'll just make up some excuse that i haven't the patience or the free time to do so. (yeah, a busy man. That sounds distinguished.)

[Alson]

Originally posted by Sever: My congrats to Alson and everyone else who's actually achieved this mammoth challenge.

/Does Queen Elizabeth's hand wave. [img]graemlins/wavey.gif[/img]

Thank you, thank you. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Personally, i think you're all insane and have way too much free time on your hands but don't let that detract from the pride (and bragging priveleges) that you've earned the right to possess. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Megalomania=On] The heavens move because he waves his hand! The waters stir as he twiddles his toes! The winds blow as he passes! And on a whim he can break them all! [/Megalomania]

It's really not as impressive as it sounds, though. Honestly. After you internalize the paranoia, it's just like any other solo game. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

As good as it sounds, i don't think i'm of the calibur to be attempting such madness.

Nonsense!

I've had my share of fanatical gaming attempts in the past (Ultimate Doom with a pistol and no reloads; *punches the air* Yeah, i'm a DoomiGod!!) but i really think this one's beyond me.

Balderdash!

So i'll just make up some excuse that i haven't the patience or the free time to do so. (yeah, a busy man. That sounds distinguished.)

Try it sometime. The game is *so* much more involving when you don't have the good old Power Word: Reload safety net to rely upon. Kinda brings back memories of the very first steps through the game... "W-Wh-What?! Time Stop? By god, what were they smoking?!"

[ 06-22-2003, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: Alson ]

[Sever]

Originally posted by Alson: It's really not as impressive as it sounds, though. Honestly. After you internalize the paranoia, it's just like any other solo game.

When you put it like that, then perhaps. The vast majority of the game is readily doable without too much stress so long as you've planned your strategies carefully. I've just done the first three levels of WC after defeating Yaga-Shura and i haven't died since Irenicus.

The thing that scares me is that no matter how well prepared you are, there are a few battles (particularly the Weimer battles) which can turn sour without any mistakes on your behalf. A poor role on that critical saving throw; too bad. A tenth level mage scores a 1/100 succesful remove magic; shit happens. It's chance misfortunes like that that deter me. But then, that's why it's recognised as the challenge that it is i 'spose.

I don't know. One day i'll stop wining, grow some 'nads and try it. 'Til then, you'll have to be content with my praise for people who've done it.

Two more things: Where do people stand on the matter of cheese in an ironman game? And is it possible to legitimately roleplay an ironman game?

[Dace De'Briago]

Alson, just something I've realised while playing the Wizard Slayer > Thief dual. It starts off decently, and gets better when your MR% starts picking up.

Then you dual to a thief and things go tits up Your MR% vanishes, you are restricted to using magical weapons and armour and you have the pleasure of being a L1 thief. Great.

The main downside with this is that you can't use potions of invisibility, magical rings, necklaces etc until your thief level exceeds your Wizard Slayer level.

I went for the L24/L28 dual, which means I have a long way to go before I can become all powerful. I dream of hitting L25 as a thief, I will get use any item plus my beloved MR% back.

Since dualling at the end of Saughin city, I have advanced to a L11 thief, and have only just entered Ust Natha. I have not started or completed any drow quests (though I did kill the mind flayers and beholders).

Just be warned, it takes a lot of patience to make this dual work.

[Alson]

Originally posted by Sever: When you put it like that, then perhaps. The vast majority of the game is readily doable without too much stress so long as you've planned your strategies carefully.

Exactly.

The thing that scares me is that no matter how well prepared you are, there are a few battles (particularly the Weimer battles) which can turn sour without any mistakes on your behalf.

Actually... no. Behold:

A poor role on that critical saving throw; too bad.

Since you're solo, you'll have all the good loot for yourself and your saves will be practically arctic. Even if you failed the save (doesn't happen, really)... playing wisely, you should be immune to the effect anyway. Always walk around with Pro-Fear, Pro-Fire, Stoneskin and Spirit Armor on. Keep the Shield of Harmony and/or Greenstone Amulets handy. If you're a part-Cleric, Death Ward & Chaotic Commands are a must. Get my drift?

A tenth level mage scores a 1/100 succesful remove magic; shit happens.

Hey - you snooze, you lose. Don't fight casters with Spell Immunity: Abjuration. Have a backup plan in case your buffs are dispelled (shouldn't happen).

It's chance misfortunes like that that deter me.

Player laziness is the number 1 cause for no-reloads failures. There's no such thing as "misfortunes" if you're fully prepared for everything.

I don't know. One day i'll stop wining, grow some 'nads and try it.

You go!

'Til then, you'll have to be content with my praise for people who've done it.

Oh, I am! I'm fishing for kudos, here.

Two more things: Where do people stand on the matter of cheese in an ironman game?

Ironman == no reloads? Well... that's a personal matter. If you're OK with it, go ahead. I've used fishy tactics here and there, myself. I'm quite proud that I havn't used Project Image, though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

And is it possible to legitimately roleplay an ironman game?

To a certain degree - yes. As long as you're not losing power in favor of it - roleplay ahead. I did it, although it's amazingly frustrating to roleplay a neutral character in BG2.

[ 06-22-2003, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: Alson ]

[Assassin]

I think there are a few other restrictions in an Ironman game, such as choosing the first set of stats that you get. Although, I'm not sure whether or not you leave it alone (ie: keep the same Strength, Dexterity, etc. that the roll gives you), or whether you're allowed to distribute the points around.

[Ar-Cunin]

Originally posted by Indemaijinj: I don't think that no-reload is much more difficult in ToB than in SoA. It all lies in having complete control of the situation ALWAYS. Taking it slow. Prepping properly, so you are practically immune to anything that might screw you up. No the real problem is BG1. As a small first level character you get thrown out in some rather hairy battles involving spellcasters of superior levels. You have yet to gain any of the "safeguards" that BG2'ers rely on. Basically there are a lot of fights where luck is a major factor.

Just gather a party of 5-6 before taking on those early fights - then they become 'fairly' safe. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I've done a no-reload in BG1 - wouldn't dream of trying it in BG2 (never did learn all those spell(combination)s.

The tactic is: lots of missile-fire and lots of wands.

[ 06-22-2003, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: Ar-Cunin ]