a2:cs A2:CS Portal Fortress Is Aggravating Tough!

[Ircher]

Why are all the end quests in Avernum 2 so ridiculously hard? I managed to finish all three game-winning quests for Avernum: EftP with an ending level of 29 on normal...

 

Anyway, I'm in the Portal Fortress, and I have found the key located on the east side of the fortress. I then tried to go to the west side of the fortress (because it said the portal was located in the west wing) using the secret entrance, which was no problem, but then I entered the room with a bunch of Vahnahtai Masters and 2 named crystal worker mages, and those two mages deal like 70-120 damage per attack (on Normal--each!) and have a very high amount of health. Do any of you have any tips for this area?

 

I have 1 dual spellcaster, a tank that using polearms, a dual-wielding ninja (has skill with thrown missiles and some dex in addition to strength and melee weapon competency), and a priest archer (high dex; mainly a support role). All 4 party members are level 27, and I have already maxed hardiness on both my warriors (the ninja and the tank). My dual spellcaster and priest have trained in resistance, although they aren't quite maxed yet. (And yes, my dual-spellcaster has adrenaline rush as well as my tank and my ninja...)

 

Obviously, I'm approaching the level cap, but I feel that the game-winning quests are a bit ridiculously tough compared to A:EftP especially considering I'm playing on Normal. (And no, reducing the difficulty is hardly an option because 1) I miss out on the medal and 2) It will suck the fun out of the game because I will easily kill everything). (So far, I've only managed to rescue one of the Crystal Souls.... I don't know where one of them is, and the other in Angierach... That's a ridiculously tough quest as well....)

Edited January 30, 2018 by Ir the Great

[Randomizer]

I remember being able to do it about your level. Burn a speed burst scroll for extra actions on rounds after adrenaline rush, That way you can attack and have a priest doing group heals or more healing on fewer characters.  Try to use area attacks to hit most of them every time to kill them quickly.

 

Some places you have to be willing to use potions and scrolls for extra attacks and/or healing to get past the worst spots.

 

Angierach is nasty because you can't really leave until you finish it all.  Just make sure you bring plenty of energy elixirs so you can use high level area effect attacks repeatedly. I remember having to do some over from the start because I ran out of potions just a few rooms from leaving.

[Seasons of Destiny]

I remember just skipping out on fighting those Crystal Workers and Vahnatai Masters in my Torment run due to them being so strong. Portal Fortress in general was really tough; I was forced to have my hedge wizard Blink down the central passage and out the gate since everyone else had fallen.