GreaterSinistral

I feel pretty comfortable being handicapped a tad with regard to mage spells on a first playthrough since I've played other Avernum games already and it's only normal difficulty. So far the only really tough challenges have been the Spectral Falcion ghost and the crypt Wight, and I've been hoarding around 75 skill points and haven't had a problem. I have TONS of scrolls, wands, and all sorts of magical items. Haven't used a single one yet, and been finding them everywhere. So you think a few speed potions and a flurry of arrows should do it? I have no problem staying alive. He isn't one of those guys you come back way later in the game to beat, right?

I've tried using missles and bolt of fire/smite, but he regenerates too quickly. I only have level 4 mage spells (from Natural Mage trait) because I want to max my stats at the end. Is there a way to beat him without using mage spells? Am I totally reliant on scrolls, or is there another way?

I just can't kill this guy! He's in the tunnels near the Tower Colony, along with the Nephil Warblade and a colony of nephilim, and I really want that sword. I can kill everyone else, including Chief Bhag'Vrrr, with no problems, I've done most of the quests so far, raised my stats thoughtfully, and am playing on normal difficulty. Whenever I hit him in melee, I receive the same amount of damage, he continually summons reasonably strong monsters, and worst of all, he rapidly regenerates, so I can't even get close to killing him, and I'm using strong equipment for this part of the game. I've tried fighting him for over an hour, and his abilities never wear off, he never stops summoning creature after creature, and I can't get him past half hp. Is there a trick to beating this guy? It doesn't seem like I'm supposed to come here way later in the game, as his cohorts are pretty weak and the sword isn't THAT amazing. Just totally frustrating.

I wouldn't bother with either if you can avoid it. There's better stuff out there like Pachtar's, Polished, Radiant Robe, and Robe of the Magi, plus other arguable stuff like Icy Chain Mail and Red Scale Armor. Take the Mithril Robe if you care about Resist Petrification and like the other stats, but otherwise I'd go with something else. But generally by late game I prefer AP and offensive bonuses to defensive ones. How do you feel about say, Armor Rings versus Assassin's Bands for your fighters?

Golem Diadems drop from Demon Golems and in my experience they're rare enough that you're lucky if you get even one from a drop. The game gives you one but you're generally better off trading that for a Boots of Speed.

Originally Posted By: Barzhal That is true about petrification, however, I prefer the 100% chance of reload upon petrification remedy. I can't justify the sacrifice of a better bonus when there's the easy alternative. I know what you mean. What alternatives would you suggest? I don't think you can really beat Polished Plate Mail and Crystal Imbued Shield. Maybe a Golem Diadem over the Ruby Helmet, but I can't really think of anything much better, and another Diadem would be really hard to find and it might not be better anyway.

So I've been trying to figure out once and for all what the best possible equipment is for the end game. I use four nephils with fast on feet and natural mage who reach around level 50 by the end. All have mage spells at 9 and priest spells at 12 (counting equipment) except char 3 has mage spells at 18 after equipment and char 4 has priest spells at 18 after equipment. All are good fighters but the first two are better at it. Once, I found a Nimble Band in the random shop in Lorelei and a Crystal Imbued Shield in the random shop in the Tower of Magi. This is assuming such random items aren't for sale and also assuming you don't enhance your equipment. Also, only 1 Mithril Blade. Finally, I don't get Paulo's Mage Bracelet so I use a Priest Bracelet on character 2 instead. Here's what I have. Also, I try to have Resist Petrification on everyone (how useful is this anyway?). Character 1 -Mithril Blade -Blessed Bow -Naturewalker's Torc -Polished Plate Mail -Pants of Power -Boots of Speed -Gauntlets of Might -Archer's Cloak -Assassin's Band -Warrior's Bracelet -War Charm Character 2 -Black Halberd -Blessed Crossbow (+) (+1 Pole weapons) -Ruby Helmet -Pachtar's Plate Mail -Pants of Power -Boots of Speed -Humanskin Gloves -Pilgrim's Cloak -Assassin's Band -Priest's Bracelet -War Charm Character 3 -Obsidian Spear -Crystal Imbued Shield -Fury Crossbow -Thinking Cap -Robe of the Magi -Pants (+) (5% less chance to be hit) -Boots of Speed -Humanskin Gloves -Dragonskin Cloak -Ring of Endless Magery -Mage's Bracelet -Dryad's Blessed Charm Character 4 -Justice Lance -Blessed Crossbow -Golem Diadem -Polished Plate Mail -Iridium Pants -Boots of Speed -Drakeskin Gloves (+) (+5% missle chance to hit) -Vahnatai Cloak (+) (30% cold resistance) -Nimble Band -Priest's Bracelet -Freedom Charm For character 2, how would a Thirsting Blade compare to the Obsidian Spear? It doesn't seem to drain life all that often, and the +1 combat skills seems balanced by the higher natural damage output of the spear. For character 4, a Mithril Woven Robe or a Steel Helmet (+) (Resist Petrification) and a Radiant Robe can also work. Prismatic Torc is comparable to Golem Diadem if you can't find one. And for my Soul Crystal, I like Drake Lord, Rakshasa, Ur-Basilisk, and either: Haakai Lich Dark/Unholy Wurm (which is better anyway?) Could anyone give me any advice on which monsters to use for the crystal? Are there any other really nice pieces of equipment I'm forgetting? Thanks to anyone who responds.