17 replies to this topic

[Sir_Carnifex]

I'm going to try something just for the fun of it. I will attempt to get as far as possible without using a mage. The one exception is Imoen. I'll use her from Spellhold until I get out of the Underdark.

I intend to have three druids -- Jaheira, Cernd, and the PC (Yes, I'm forcing myself to play with Cernd ). Lots of insect swarms come in very handy. I'll probably have Viconia and Anomen in the party. I need to be able to have at least a couple of sunrays to eliminate liches easily. The sixth character is Kivan. Of course, I'll probably switch around some to have Valygar in for a short time. Yoshimo will come and go depending on how much I need a thief.

This is probably a suicidal mission, but I think it'll be fun to try. Any suggestions to make life a bit easier for my party?

Edited by Sir_Carnifex, 08 June 2008 - 08:08 PM.

[Meira]

I've played once without a mage (or a thief for that matter since all thieves either die or are mages). I found the lack of a thief was much more serious issue for the party than the lack of a mage; that's one of the reasons behind developing Amber. In fact having all-tank party, and no mages to look after, made the game ridiculously easy. The party just waited the enemy mage's spells to wear out and then took him down. The only weak link was my protagonist who was a single class cleric. The other party members were Player2 (dwarf, a wizard slayer), Keldorn, Anomen, Mazzy and Valygar. So, I think you're going to do just fine, although having druids around instead of warriors will add a little more challenge.

[Kaeloree]

I look forward to hearing your progress, Sir Carnifex--never played without a mage before, so it'll be interesting!

[the bigg]

Keldorn FTW.

[Solar's Harper]

You'd definetely be needing a thief early on, but around midway to late SoA they'd become more a luxury than a necessity depending on how much you're planning on accomplishing.

Cernd's werewolf ability would be invaluable for those critical points, best to have him more often in the supporting role though rather than Jaheira, as his accuracy doesn't tend to be as good as hers except when morphed.

I'd suggest also having someone with a berserk ability nearby if you have any intention of ticking off mages who have spells going way before your druids can get their insects away - especially considering some mage spells used by the Cowled Wizards for example make it a living hell for insects to chew through.

Often I find the first Irenicus fight to be rather easy (if without enhancement) without a mage or breach spell. But since enemies do get tougher as the party does, best to always be prepared for the worst eh?

If otherwise; Keldorn's special Inquisitor abilities should do the job, especially since most mages like to be invisible, as well as thieves - but they tend to nullify that ability's effectivness for some reason.

[Scipio]

I'll have to try this no-mage game. My mages usually spend half their time as buffed back-up fighters anyway. The only problem is that Aerie HAS to come and I'm not sure if Shadow Keeping would turn her into a convincing Berserker.

[Amaurea]

I have some playtesting that I must finish, but I've been planning a no mage, cleric/ranger/druid (and Keldorn) game for ages. I'm really looking forward to it. I tend to rely heavily on buffs and summons when I play anyway, so this sort of game will be right up my alley. I plan on purchasing Arrows of Dispelling for Kivan to help the cause, as well as bringing along Keldorn (or I might play an Inquisitor... haven't decided yet).

[minotaur_in_maze]

Then just for giggles, try an ALL mage party.

[Amaurea]

Then just for giggles, try an ALL mage party.

Do F/M's count? or Mage/Clerics like Aerie? Bards maybe? M/T???? Thinking.... Edwin, Aerie, Angelo, Xan, Nalia or Jan/Immy... hmmmm.... this is sounding fun too. I might have to run this one the same time as the no mage game.

Hmmm... what to be ... blade? F/M? C/M???? Sorcerer???? Hmmm....


Cat fight for the Robe of Vecna!!!!!

[Scipio]

Party of six Halfling thieves with proficiency in daggers and maxed-out points for Silent Moving.

[the bigg]

Do F/M's count? or Mage/Clerics like Aerie? Bards maybe? M/T???? Thinking.... Edwin, Aerie, Angelo, Xan, Nalia or Jan/Immy... hmmmm.... this is sounding fun too. I might have to run this one the same time as the no mage game.

The closest I've seen mentioned to an all mage party (which IIRC got all the way through Ascension) was PC Mage, Edwin, Kelsey, Tashia, Nalia, Imoen. Of course, you can simply replace Nalia and Imoen with two other pure mages (and/or Sorcs and/or Specialist Mages and/or Wild Mages), since you don't need to pick locks or remove traps when everybody can cast 5 or more Knock and Mirror Image to avoid either.

Edited by the bigg, 09 June 2008 - 02:22 PM.

[Nuuskamuikkunen]

Done it before, was a piece of cake.

[Sir_Carnifex]

First main problem I encountered with this party: Trolls. That's right. I travelled to the Druid Grove area and completely forgot to get any sort of acid or fire arrows for Kivan. Fortunately for the first encounter, I had one flame blade spell available. I'm so used to having mages that I don't even think about getting the proper arrows sometimes.

[Sammi Somara]

Wow. No mages? I don't think I could do it. I like playing mages too much. That and I don't think I'd ever want to leave Xan or Aerie behind.

[Zyraen]

FMs without mages make the game a breeze or any sort of half-mages. BG2 has so much XP that it would be a matter of time before your half-mages become full mages, and that makes it very very easy.

But purely without mages? Sounds fun, I ought to give it a shot

[kevmus]

A runthrough without mages sounds interesting (if you make sure not to cheese and potionswap scrolls of timestop or stoneskin )

For more fun: All plain unkitted fighters.

IIRC, thetruth managed to solo a plain unkitted fighter through ascension so anything's possible.

[Klorox]

Done it before, was a piece of cake.

While I've never done it, I don't think it would really be all that bad. IMHO, Fighters and Thieves > Clerics and Mages.

[Sir_Carnifex]

Done it before, was a piece of cake.

While I've never done it, I don't think it would really be all that bad. IMHO, Fighters and Thieves > Clerics and Mages.

Could be, but remember I'm not using much for fighters either. Mainly, I'm going with druids and clerics with minimum swapping. I won't be able to use my usual fighting style (wading into the thick of battle swinging away).