anti-magicians vs. the munchers (sewer spoilers)

[Pirengle]

I think I bragged too much about the keister-kicking nature of my anti-magic party, because we just got heavily munched by the brain-munching illithids in the sewers.

My party is anti-magic. No one can cast mage spells. Only 2 characters have the ability to cast cleric spells--the monk and the undead hunter. For roleplaying reasons, the undead hunter can't cast spells. The monk can only cast spells from scrolls, and he only does that with found Cure Serious Wounds scrolls and only on the PC wizard slayer. Again, roleplaying reasons. No one can use wands. We keep only one rod: the rod of resurrection, and the character who constantly gets her butt kicked carries it (the thief).

We save a lot of money on gear. Most of what we need, we find. I just love selling all those useless scrolls of Minor Sequencer, Summon Efreeti, and Summon Elemental! Bel Dalemark is going to be shocked when I sell him the utterly worthless Staff of the Magi.

We drink a lot. The monk is an alcoholic, but the rest of us swig potions of various abilities. Best thing about potions: effects given by potions cannot be dispelled! Instead of buffing spells before every battle, I had buffing potions. Roger the Fence is about 20,000 richer, and Firkraag and the Shadow Dragon can testify to the worth of his merchandise.

And then, we get to the illithids.

I think to myself, no problem! Potion of Clarity, protection from all kinds of fear, confusion, feeblemind, and charm. I give one to my high intelligence party members (the monk and the wizard slayer), Storm Giant Strength potions, and potions of Genius.

The potion of Clarity only lasts for 5 turns. I can tell the instant this short-lived potion wears off, because Timerlarian and Gideon get brain-munched and die. One second, they're whacking the mind flayers with fists, feet, and the Blade of Roses, and the next second, their minds are empty.

And now, the question. Is there any way I can protect against Psionics besides the potion of Clarity? Invulnerability doesn't work. Magic Shielding/Blocking might work, but they last for 3 turns and they're expensive. Also, nobody but Roger seems to sell these potions. Who else sells these potions in Athkatla?

[Xero279]

Yes my friend, there is one way... The Greenstone Amulet. This baby offers protection from about everything... but IIRC the only way to get them in to kill Mord Swords... sorry buddy.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Well... Clerics can cast Chaotic Commands, which is a level 5 Clerical spell, but you apparently have no real Clerics in your party.

Note: Jaheira has this spell as well.

Shield of Harmony + Ring of Free Action will help you too, or Lilarcor + Ring of Free Action.

If you really need to kill off every single Mind Flayer, you can try to divide and conquer, using Potions of Genius to counter the INT-Drain.

[Xero279]

Playing an anti-mage party can have its benefits, but its time like this that make it hard. [img]tongue.gif[/img] but thats what makes the game fun!

O, can anyone verify Greenstone Amulets come from Mord Swords, right? Im 99% sure... but i could be wrong. Dundee? Six? Is i right?

[Dundee Slaytern]

Baldurdash fixes that exploit.

[Desuma Malevois]

Originally posted by Xero279: Yes my friend, there is one way... The Greenstone Amulet. This baby offers protection from about everything... but IIRC the only way to get them in to kill Mord Swords... sorry buddy.

If you have the Tactics mod installed, the gnome fighter/illusionist in the Docks has a Greenstone Amulet.

[Borg]

I haven't run through with tactics yet, but otherwise, I have almost always been able to beat those mind munchers without spells. I use ranged attacks and don't let them get close to me. I also put a character carrying an item that protects them from confusion or other psyonics (sp?) near the front so they get the brunt of the blasts.

[Xero279]

Welcome to IW Borg [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img]

So Pirengle, i cant remember if you said you had tactics installed or not, but if you do i suggest going to get a greenstone amulet and taking dundees advice too. Lilicor can be a life savor [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Annatar]

Mind Flyers become walking houses of horror with tactics, you aren't playing with tactics are you Pirengle?

Greenstone Amulet is a life saver vs them, hit and run can also apply on them.. try to take them one at a time... lure them out of the chamber and hack & slash, continue doing this until Illithid population drops to zero

Always protect your guys from those nasty piosonics and other hold/stun effects they cast (arcane versions, they bite!).. ring of free action is another life saver when it comes to those brain suckers.

[add] Welcome to IW forums Borg [img]graemlins/wavey.gif[/img]

[ 04-15-2003, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: Annatar ]

[Raistlin Majere]

how come i didnt see anyone posting about that greenstone amulet in the beholder dungeon?

also, you could try the helm that casts death spell. that might kill one or two of them.