Scattered Thoughts on Soloing.

Butterfingers · 01-23-2003, 01:38 PM

I gave up on my Enchanter. Not that it was too hard, rather, it got boring, and, far to easy. I wiped out the entire fricking Underdark by merely sneezing.

I have realized, after several solo runs, that, I do not like soloing. Soloing makes the game both easy, and, boring. No NPC interactions, not much of anything really.

It is, at least for me, a far more worthy challenge to keep six party members alive, well outfitted, and, getting along in some cases. Things I can totally CREAM solo, like the Twisted Rune and Kangaxx, become a real hair raising fiasco with a party.

When soloing, I actually start missing stuff, like say, Anomen's nasal whiney voice. Or Nalia shouting, "For the needy!" Heck, when my Enchanter had Vallygar tag along for a bit, (No way would I kill him... Would not be in character) I was actually looking forward to a bit of conversation (Not that Vallygar talks much) to add a little spice to the game.

Zach has been a far more enjoyable experience, not because he is underpowered, but, because he has full party interaction and a far better chance to actually role play out a situation. For example. When Keldorn faces his personal problem, Zach did not say much because he was to spineless to try and tell Keldorn to do otherwise. Keldorn and Anomen both seemed to be set on a course of action and Zach was to cowardly to say anything to stop either of them. A party actually seems to bring the character to life, at least in my mind, making for a far more entertaining experience. I often ask my self while playing "Why would I do this? Does it fit in character?" when playing with a fully loaded party. I seldom seem to ask my self this while soloing.

So that's it for me. I am swearing off soloing in order to enrich my own gaming experience. I might go as far as to go through the game with a party of only 2 or 3, but, as far as solo goes, I don't think I will be doing it again.

And, BTW, Zach has cleared the Underdark and has emerged back into the light. I really need to get cracking sometime and finish his tale, but, I have other projects cooking and one thing that I have a deadline, for an actual job I am doing. (I write for several magazines now. Nothing like facing my fear of bad writing by forcing my self to improve)

Pyrenk · 01-23-2003, 01:53 PM

Heh..I have come to that conclusion. Every solo I tried was far too easy...even the Beastmaster.

Xen · 01-23-2003, 02:00 PM

Try to Solo with an Assasain or Beastmaster or Skald

Cheers,Xen

Pyrenk · 01-23-2003, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pyrenk:
Heh..I have come to that conclusion. Every solo I tried was far too easy...even the Beastmaster.

An assassin was pretty easy...traps and poison (poison w/Tuigan or traps) were quite nice. The backstab helped a lot. The skald is easier than both of them, as he can summon skeleton warriors and other creatures, then play his song for them.

[ 01-23-2003, 02:14 PM: Message edited by: Pyrenk ]

Butterfingers · 01-23-2003, 02:13 PM

Actually, my solo with a Skald was one of my easiest solos ever. Ever seen what a whole mob of spiders backed with Skald song and webbing will do? Or what an army of Skeleton Warriors backed with Skald song will do? Did you know that with but an Earth Elemental and Skald song, you can wipe out entire cities? Skald song turns summons into a fierce army of horrible monsters on steroids. My Skald actually stopped carrying weapons because he looked cooler walking around with his hands empty. That, and he had no need what so ever of any sort of weapon. His voice WAS the weapon. By the time he hit his 20s, and, his song provided immunity to fear, stun, effects like that, and, provided a massive boost to AC and THAC0, he STEAMROLLED right through anything in his path scarcely even slowing down long enough to pick up treasure. It was late at night one night when I was playing and I actually fell asleep in the keyboard while invading the Elven City. I was only out for a short time, but, my invisible Skald singing in the corner was just fine and his massive friend, Ernie the Earth Elemental had just demolished a whole mass of golems.

People are sorely mistaken when they think that a Bard, any Bard, is a weak class or kit. Even the Jester is amazingly powerful if used correctly.

Pyrenk · 01-23-2003, 02:16 PM

The jester is awesome...invisibility and endless, all effecting confusion-too bad that the Imp bard song replaces the original, instead of giving you a choice...

Butterfingers · 01-23-2003, 02:25 PM

Jester + Ring of Gaxx or something to cast Improved Invisibility + Casting of Greater Malison + Singing confusing song = One Royal Rumble of Epic Proportions. When monsters hit the Badly Wounded or Near Death state, cast Death Spell to reap the experience as monsters killing each other under the songs effects net you no experience.

Heck, even with out Improved Invisibility, with just plain Invisibility, cast Greater Malison, go Invisible, and sing. Make sure you wear the Cloak of Non-Detection for maximum possible cheese. If you have ToB installed (I don't) I don't even want to think of the cheese factor with UAI and the Staff of the Magi in some insane Jester's hands. With Improved Bard Song, heck, forget the Confusion and switch to utterly lethal and far superiour Skald Tactics.

Raistlin Majere · 01-23-2003, 03:06 PM

Soloing isnt really the thing for me either. I was playing a Mage/Cleric Uthram, but got bored soon after Maevar. I went to that point, and the only challenge was Rayic Gethras(I wrote a story describing what i did), and he wasnt that hard, and i was a level 9 cleric and level 10 mage. after Maevar i thought, heck, i want some challenge, switched to Insane, flew through the Trademeet/Druid Grove, Windspear Hills(kicked mr. F's butt badly. Tactic in short. Stoneskin, Mirror Image, Protection from fire, Blur, Minor Sequencer: MM x2, Lower Resistance, Holy Power. Hit him with spells when possible and use weapon after that with thaco of 0. for potions: clarity, speed. F is busted), Nalias keep and halfway through Umar Hills until stopped. I also beat Twisted Rune and Gangaxx. Im thinking on who to start a game. Im thinking somewhere along this line, though it may(prob will) change.

Me-Cleric,(Lathander maybe)
Jaheira, (romance, wanna check if its bugged)
Minsc, (tank)
Edwin or Jan(Hilarious, prob Jan cause hes 1)thief and mage and 2) not evil, perhaps funnier)
And Nalia until I get Imoen

What do you guys think. Any suggestions are of course welcome. I wanna make this as fun as possible, so...

P.S: ill propably be posting this in another thread, so perhaps you should answer there instead [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-23-2003, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: Raistlin Majere ]

Grojlach · 01-24-2003, 05:42 AM

I've only soloed once, with a sorcerer, back in the days when soloing was still considered to be a cool and original thing to do

(close after the game was released). I could take on entire armies without losing a single hitpoint during the battle... Way too overpowered. Never played a solo-game ever again.

Cheapy · 01-24-2003, 08:39 AM

I STILL can't beat the game on EASY.

01-23-2003, 01:53 PM	#2
Pyrenk Symbol of Cyric Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Old Bethpage, Long Island Age: 36 Posts: 1,156	Heh..I have come to that conclusion. Every solo I tried was far too easy...even the Beastmaster. __________________

01-23-2003, 02:16 PM	#6
Pyrenk Symbol of Cyric Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Old Bethpage, Long Island Age: 36 Posts: 1,156	The jester is awesome...invisibility and endless, all effecting confusion-too bad that the Imp bard song replaces the original, instead of giving you a choice... __________________

01-23-2003, 03:06 PM	#8
Raistlin Majere Ra Join Date: March 26, 2002 Location: Finland Age: 37 Posts: 2,323	Soloing isnt really the thing for me either. I was playing a Mage/Cleric Uthram, but got bored soon after Maevar. I went to that point, and the only challenge was Rayic Gethras(I wrote a story describing what i did), and he wasnt that hard, and i was a level 9 cleric and level 10 mage. after Maevar i thought, heck, i want some challenge, switched to Insane, flew through the Trademeet/Druid Grove, Windspear Hills(kicked mr. F's butt badly. Tactic in short. Stoneskin, Mirror Image, Protection from fire, Blur, Minor Sequencer: MM x2, Lower Resistance, Holy Power. Hit him with spells when possible and use weapon after that with thaco of 0. for potions: clarity, speed. F is busted), Nalias keep and halfway through Umar Hills until stopped. I also beat Twisted Rune and Gangaxx. Im thinking on who to start a game. Im thinking somewhere along this line, though it may(prob will) change. Me-Cleric,(Lathander maybe) Jaheira, (romance, wanna check if its bugged) Minsc, (tank) Edwin or Jan(Hilarious, prob Jan cause hes 1)thief and mage and 2) not evil, perhaps funnier) And Nalia until I get Imoen What do you guys think. Any suggestions are of course welcome. I wanna make this as fun as possible, so... P.S: ill propably be posting this in another thread, so perhaps you should answer there instead [img]smile.gif[/img] [ 01-23-2003, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: Raistlin Majere ] __________________ If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst forth at once in the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One. "I am become death, the destroyer of worlds."

01-24-2003, 05:42 AM	#9
Grojlach Zartan Join Date: May 2, 2001 Location: Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum Age: 44 Posts: 5,281	I've only soloed once, with a sorcerer, back in the days when soloing was still considered to be a cool and original thing to do (close after the game was released). I could take on entire armies without losing a single hitpoint during the battle... Way too overpowered. Never played a solo-game ever again. __________________ [url]\"http://www.audioscrobbler.com/user/Grobbel/\" target=\"_blank\"> [img]\"http://www.denness.net/rpi/username/Grobbel\" alt=\" - \" /></a>

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01-23-2003, 01:38 PM	#1
Butterfingers Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: November 30, 2002 Location: Five Flagons Inn Posts: 633	I gave up on my Enchanter. Not that it was too hard, rather, it got boring, and, far to easy. I wiped out the entire fricking Underdark by merely sneezing. I have realized, after several solo runs, that, I do not like soloing. Soloing makes the game both easy, and, boring. No NPC interactions, not much of anything really. It is, at least for me, a far more worthy challenge to keep six party members alive, well outfitted, and, getting along in some cases. Things I can totally CREAM solo, like the Twisted Rune and Kangaxx, become a real hair raising fiasco with a party. When soloing, I actually start missing stuff, like say, Anomen's nasal whiney voice. Or Nalia shouting, "For the needy!" Heck, when my Enchanter had Vallygar tag along for a bit, (No way would I kill him... Would not be in character) I was actually looking forward to a bit of conversation (Not that Vallygar talks much) to add a little spice to the game. Zach has been a far more enjoyable experience, not because he is underpowered, but, because he has full party interaction and a far better chance to actually role play out a situation. For example. When Keldorn faces his personal problem, Zach did not say much because he was to spineless to try and tell Keldorn to do otherwise. Keldorn and Anomen both seemed to be set on a course of action and Zach was to cowardly to say anything to stop either of them. A party actually seems to bring the character to life, at least in my mind, making for a far more entertaining experience. I often ask my self while playing "Why would I do this? Does it fit in character?" when playing with a fully loaded party. I seldom seem to ask my self this while soloing. So that's it for me. I am swearing off soloing in order to enrich my own gaming experience. I might go as far as to go through the game with a party of only 2 or 3, but, as far as solo goes, I don't think I will be doing it again. And, BTW, Zach has cleared the Underdark and has emerged back into the light. I really need to get cracking sometime and finish his tale, but, I have other projects cooking and one thing that I have a deadline, for an actual job I am doing. (I write for several magazines now. Nothing like facing my fear of bad writing by forcing my self to improve)

01-23-2003, 02:00 PM	#3
Xen Symbol of Moradin Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Slovenia,Ljubljana Age: 37 Posts: 8,554	Try to Solo with an Assasain or Beastmaster or Skald Cheers,Xen

01-23-2003, 02:13 PM	#5
Butterfingers Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: November 30, 2002 Location: Five Flagons Inn Posts: 633	Actually, my solo with a Skald was one of my easiest solos ever. Ever seen what a whole mob of spiders backed with Skald song and webbing will do? Or what an army of Skeleton Warriors backed with Skald song will do? Did you know that with but an Earth Elemental and Skald song, you can wipe out entire cities? Skald song turns summons into a fierce army of horrible monsters on steroids. My Skald actually stopped carrying weapons because he looked cooler walking around with his hands empty. That, and he had no need what so ever of any sort of weapon. His voice WAS the weapon. By the time he hit his 20s, and, his song provided immunity to fear, stun, effects like that, and, provided a massive boost to AC and THAC0, he STEAMROLLED right through anything in his path scarcely even slowing down long enough to pick up treasure. It was late at night one night when I was playing and I actually fell asleep in the keyboard while invading the Elven City. I was only out for a short time, but, my invisible Skald singing in the corner was just fine and his massive friend, Ernie the Earth Elemental had just demolished a whole mass of golems. People are sorely mistaken when they think that a Bard, any Bard, is a weak class or kit. Even the Jester is amazingly powerful if used correctly.

01-23-2003, 02:25 PM	#7
Butterfingers Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: November 30, 2002 Location: Five Flagons Inn Posts: 633	Jester + Ring of Gaxx or something to cast Improved Invisibility + Casting of Greater Malison + Singing confusing song = One Royal Rumble of Epic Proportions. When monsters hit the Badly Wounded or Near Death state, cast Death Spell to reap the experience as monsters killing each other under the songs effects net you no experience. Heck, even with out Improved Invisibility, with just plain Invisibility, cast Greater Malison, go Invisible, and sing. Make sure you wear the Cloak of Non-Detection for maximum possible cheese. If you have ToB installed (I don't) I don't even want to think of the cheese factor with UAI and the Staff of the Magi in some insane Jester's hands. With Improved Bard Song, heck, forget the Confusion and switch to utterly lethal and far superiour Skald Tactics.

01-24-2003, 08:39 AM	#10
Cheapy Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: January 16, 2003 Location: Mad Town Age: 37 Posts: 15	I STILL can't beat the game on EASY.

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