Weapon ratings?

[xander12402]

I am sure this has probably been discussed before ( about the best sword/weapon in the game) but I have always liked the long sword of action +4 mainly due to the extra attack per round and hence more damage. As my fighters can get up to 5 attacks per round and when hasted this is partcularly lethal. I did try switching around with other weapons but nothing matched( as far as I could see, and I am no expert on these matters)in a pure damage way... anyone have any other opinions.

[Windrider]

Well I watched my mage's spells very closely while playing this weekend, and wouldn't you just know everything worked just fine every time. When I did see it happening it was in his spell book, and it was the "identify" spell. It was not during combat, I was just trying to find out what a spelled weapon I had picked up was. This happened more than once in Kuldahar.

As to weapon use, (this time around) I have been relying mostly on ranged weapons, cross bows, bows, and slings. The idea is to hit them hard before they get into hand to hand range. It seems to be working, so far, except for the baddies that are immune to ranged weapons. Arrows, bolts, and bullets are cheap and each character can carry quite a few.

SPOILER ALEART!!

The good news (at least for me) is that I finally beat Yxunomei! What I did not know was that the only way to get the flaming sword was to kill its owner. I tried to talk her out of it, I tried to steal it, but nether worked. I really didn't want to kill the "friendlies" but you have to do what you have to do...

[Roboghost]

Weapon suggestions and notes:
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Flaming Long Sword +2
-random item in Dragon's Eye level 5 (or kill dude in DE 4)
-odds: 1 in 7.
-best sword for early non-skeleton undead and for pesky trolls later [unless you’re skilled with great sword, then use Trollslayer.]

Long Sword of Confusion +2
-Dragon Eye Level 2
-best free sword for a long time against anything non-undead (there are even a few rare undead that can be confused by it)
-it can allow you to kill trolls, but they need to be confused 1st

I decided on two fighters up front for my latest – when playing in HoF it is good to have two bad ass tanks. I’m a chunk flying fan – and I’m tired of casting 15 protection spells for ½ fighters since they just don’t hit as hard – unless you cast yet more spells!

Weapon Strategy: long term - in order:
* random items
Fighter 1 {good}
...Large Sword 1_1_3_6_9...
Long Sword +1
*Turodahel (if you're lucky)
Erevain's Broad Sword (non-skeletal undead)
Long Sword of Confusion +2
*Flaming Long Sword +2
*Hold Fast (humans mostly)
Scimitar +3, Frostbrand - allows fireballs on your fighter when combined with other fire protection and to kill fire salamanders and other fire creatures.
..HoW..
Cynicism (buy - you should have serious gold at this point)
Kiss of the Gloomfrost (maybe)
Long Sword of Action +4 (final)

...Maces 1_12_15_18_21...
Mace or Morning Star +1
The Love of Black Bess (buy - S. Hand plus)
*Morning Star +4: Defender (final)

...Missile 1_24_27_30...
Sling +1
..HoW..
Edley's Sling (final - priests get best slings)

Fighter 2 {neutral}
...Axe 1_1_3_6_9...
*Battle Axe +1
Battle Axe +2: Defender
Throwing Axe +2
*Poisonous Battle Axe +2 (for trolls - combine with Fighter 1's Flaming Long Sword +2 and trolls are in deep sh*t)
The Celebrant's Blade (final)

...Mace 1_12_15_18_21...
Mace or Morning Star +1
The Giving Star (buy - skeletons at first then non-undead blunt)
Three White Doves (buy - all undead)
Pestilent Dawn (late)

...Crossbow 1_24_27...
*Finest Light or Heavy Crossbow
*random crossbows in DE3
*random crossbows behind Maiden Ilmadia (final)

Purchasing the two maces is expensive, but it’s better to be short of coin then your life force : )

[ 05-08-2006, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Roboghost ]

[ZFR]

Originally posted by Windrider: Well I watched my mage's spells very closely while playing this weekend, and wouldn't you just know everything worked just fine every time. When I did see it happening it was in his spell book, and it was the "identify" spell. It was not during combat, I was just trying to find out what a spelled weapon I had picked up was. This happened more than once in Kuldahar. As to weapon use, (this time around) I have been relying mostly on ranged weapons, cross bows, bows, and slings. The idea is to hit them hard before they get into hand to hand range. It seems to be working, so far, except for the baddies that are immune to ranged weapons. Arrows, bolts, and bullets are cheap and each character can carry quite a few. SPOILER ALEART!! The good news (at least for me) is that I finally beat Yxunomei! What I did not know was that the only way to get the flaming sword was to kill its owner. I tried to talk her out of it, I tried to steal it, but nether worked. I really didn't want to kill the "friendlies" but you have to do what you have to do...

The identify spell is a little different. What Aerich meant is that you cannot cast it like other spells (it will always be grayed out). To cast it you have to go to inventory screen, right click on the item you want to identify. There you will see an "identify" button, which you have to click. Rememebr you cannot be wearing any armor for this to work.

As for killing friendlies be careful of it.. there is a thing called reputation in the game. Unfortunately you cannot see what your reputation currently is (like you could do in Baldur's Gate).
Killing friendlies can lower reputation. Low reputation can lead to more expensive items in stores. VERY low repoutation would cause fighters and paladins to lose their special abilities, permanently.
That, said dont worry much about killing the guy with the flaming sword, killing one person would not cause a significant drop in reputation.

What's your party by the way?

[Windrider]

The very first time I tried playing IWD I made up a party of my own characters, and got my ass handed to me in the first battle with the goblins. On the next try I used the characters built into the game (using the "import" function).

My current party is a paladin (human, female), fighter (dwarf, male), ranger (elf, female), thief (halfling, male), mage (human, male) and cleric (half elf?, female). I am not sure of their alignments, I would have to look at them in the game.

Now that I know a bit more about the dynamics of the game I may try building my own party next time around.

Another (possibly dumb) question. The thief has the power to pick pockets, when is this used? I guess I have not been really watching for an opportunity to use it, but have not seen a time when it might be an advantage.

[Roboghost]

Thief and pick pocketing:

You can get a couple of potions off one person in Easthaven, but important items [hint: finger] can be picked in Kuldahar town [and that is about it.] There are many spells that you cast and the enemy casts to cause your tanks to have a real bad day...so turn that skill up and go check some pockets (2 [people] specifically and 3 total in Kuldahar.)

The most powerful spell in the game: Dispel Magic
It can save your butt in many ways, irritate the enemy, and irritate you when it’s used against you...grrr. Keep one on hand with two spell casters when you can afford to fill their spell slots with it [one for mage and one for priest.]

Funny note: I had a character held by an enemy spell and then saved by enemies Dispel Magic. I was doomed and saved all at once by same enemy group : )

[ 05-09-2006, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: Roboghost ]

[xander12402]

To Windrider: If you want any hints on character development and suchlike check previous topics in the forum, because I,like you,found the first time difficult and only on reading thru, mixed with trial and a lot of error. got a party that rocked, particularly my bard, but I only found out on my third run thru that it helps to have IWD HOW installed for the bard to be truly effective. Next time I will try to incorporate a Druid as I have never used one before, so will keep you informed.

[Aerich]

Try pickpocketing named people in the towns. Save before you try it, because a failed attempt generally causes the whole town to turn hostile to you.

[Kyrvias]

And named people almost *always* have something valuable

[ZFR]

Do you have the Heart of Winter expansion, Windrider?