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E3: Woes of the magically inept singleton in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Monday, February 12 2007 15:36 Profile #22
I hadn't thought of that, but then again, I'm not very big on archery; I'm much more of a spellcaster, and can do some fairly decent hand-to-hand fightning when necessary. And about the Luck: I find it rather useful at higher levels of the skill.

I guess it only goes to show that you should buy special skills like Blademaster at every opportunity; I never refuse to learn something unless I don't have the cash.

Also, with what I said earlier about trying E2 with all disadvantages: I started a game with 6 Pacifists, and got nowhere. Combat is useless with an all-Pacifist party. You can't use melee weapons or fire missiles, and you can't use any spells that might cause damage.
quote:
Does Pacifist prevent walls?
Yes it does, as they too have the potential to cause damage.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
E3: Woes of the magically inept singleton in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Monday, February 12 2007 08:26 Profile #20
quote:
Originally written by Cryptozoology:

The bonus to spell effectiveness is pretty minuscule, so really all Natural Mage lets you do is cast high-level mage spells in armour. Your mages usually shouldn't be taking hits, and even if they are, armour isn't all that useful anyway.
Natural Mage is nice because I have an extra target for multitarget spells, but I mainly take it for the armor. The armor I get for my PCs usually does something more than just give more armor (give resistance to heat or cold, +1 AP, etc.). The fact that they end up as tanks is a mere byproduct of this. Regardless of the situation, the only real hits I end up taking are from magic-resistant, high-level mages and priests, mostly because I sometimes face them too soon.

quote:
I think I tried CI+C&B once and my fighter ended up not being able to hit the final boss of Bahssikava, although that was partly because of bad skill point investments.

Sluggish, on the other hand, is the flat-out worst thing ever and you should never take it.
I'll still try that combo anyway, I'm quite resourceful. If I can get a game for Windows 3.1 (some really old-school RPG I found once) to work in XP, I can find a way to kill that boss. (Maybe you should've bought a few levels of luck?)

And I never use Sluggish, unless I take some advantage(s) to compensate for it.

[ Monday, February 12, 2007 08:27: Message edited by: The Mystic ]

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
E3: Woes of the magically inept singleton in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Friday, February 9 2007 07:10 Profile #16
To be honest, I've never tried Pacifist with any PC.

Cryptozoology - I never thought of always using Completely Inept, though with my spell-heavy playing style, using Natural Mage is pretty much a given. One thing I haven't tried yet is coupling Completely Inept with Cursed at Birth, which to me sounds like a real headache, at least in the early stages of the game.
quote:
What about divinely touched?

Dikiyoba.
I haven't tried that either. Sounds like fun.

(warning: somewhat off-topic) Thanks everyone for the ideas. They're now on my ever-growing list of things to do once I finish my current project--designing a leveset for SubTerra.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
E3: Woes of the magically inept singleton in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Thursday, February 8 2007 11:47 Profile #10
You know, that explains a few things, though most of my experiments were done in BoE. It's too bad there isn't a "Clumsy" disadvantage, or I might've tried coupling it with "Ambidextrous."

Maybe I should go back and try E2 or E3 with all disadvantages checked (which I haven't tried yet), or do something I've been meaning to try in the Avernum Series: "Completely Inept" coupled with something powerful like "Natural Mage." (Maybe there should've been an advantage called "Charmed Life"?)

edit: changed "BoA" to BoE," since I don't have BoA.

[ Friday, February 09, 2007 06:51: Message edited by: The Mystic ]

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Ever a peaceful ending? (If you post spoilers add a warning) in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Thursday, February 8 2007 11:21 Profile #8
(spoiler)
In G2, the only endings I've seen that keeps the Awakened around are the ones where you join them. I don't know for sure, but I think every other ending wipes them off the map.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
E3: Woes of the magically inept singleton in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Tuesday, February 6 2007 11:31 Profile #8
Obviously. But that doesn't mean I've never experimented with different combinations of character traits. Ever try "Magically Apt" with "Magically Inept"? Or "Good Constitution" with "Frail"? Or in the Avernum series, "Fast on Feet" with "Sluggish"?

The point I was trying to make earlier was that, because of my playing style, the ability to do magic is an absolute necessity.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
need advice for Avernum 1 in The Avernum Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Tuesday, February 6 2007 11:18 Profile #6
Get some Energy potions and elixirs, as well as some Potions of Clarity. A few speed potions per PC wouldn't hurt, either. I also recommend anything that can do extra damage to demons.
quote:
Originally written by Randomizer:

I like to have a couple of fighters for carrying all that heavy loot and dealing with mung demons and other spell energy drainers.
By the time I face them, my combination archmage/high priest PCs also have quite a bit of strength to bring everything home, too; in fact, I pretty much work on all three of these at once. It's a very expensive route, I know, but rewarding when your PCs can literally carry their own weight--and sell it for twice the price (I load up on Barter too).

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Question for Geneforge Series veterans in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Tuesday, February 6 2007 11:05 Profile #3
Kelandon's right, start with G1 and work your way forwards. I actually played the Exile trilogy backwards, but then again, that's also the order I originally found them in (and later bought the entire trilogy on CD), and subsequently beat them in that order, too. Believe me, it's tough to follow any series when you play it backwards.

Getting back on topic, it's better to play the series from beginning to end. That way, more things will make sense in later games. Also, the later games will have better interfaces and more refined engines, which usually cause some confusion if you play backwards (I think that's the point Emperor Tullegolar was trying to make as well).

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
How do I get to the Abyss in A2? in The Avernum Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Monday, February 5 2007 17:02 Profile #9
quote:

The setup makes sense, but missing out on part of Avernum is no fun. And then A4 really fails to explain the occupation?
My best guess is that the Empire was planning to use the Abyss as a staging area to prepare a massive invasion of Avernum.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
E3: Woes of the magically inept singleton in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Sunday, February 4 2007 19:05 Profile #6
Never in my wildest dreams would I consider playing as magically inept (though I've had lots of fun with "Cursed at Birth" in the Avernum series). I just train my party to be both mages and priests, buy them all some tough armor, and mow down anything in my way (side note: all without cheating).

Edit: fixed a typo.

[ Sunday, February 04, 2007 19:06: Message edited by: The Mystic ]

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
going behind blackcrag(possible) in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Sunday, February 4 2007 19:00 Profile #13
quote:
Originally written by Infernal Flamming Muffin:

I have been behing blackcrag in Exile 3.
Unfortunatly, I don't know how I got there
quote:
Originally written by Infernal Flamming Muffin:

Anyway I popped out in the ocean, very near land, south of Blackcrag forteress
I'll take your word for it, especially since I've done some rather odd things in some games. I'll probably never try that myself, as I haven't played E3 in years.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
How do I get to the Abyss in A2? in The Avernum Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Sunday, February 4 2007 18:45 Profile #7
You can reach various parts of the Abyss by boat. You can't reach Spire, though you can reach Pyrog's Lair, Harston, and the area around Baghra (though not the town itself; however, it's a good idea to have both blue and gray Empire passes). Erika's Tower is accessed only from the teleporter in the Tower of Magi. You can find an entrance to the Scree Pits by going north of Fort Emerald to where the Slith Fort was in A1, and heading west, and have your red Empire pass handy.

[ Sunday, February 04, 2007 18:47: Message edited by: The Mystic ]

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
need advice for Avernum 1 in The Avernum Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Sunday, February 4 2007 18:32 Profile #3
Personally, I don't bother using Demonslayer against anything; I just find it, repair it, and sell it.

Thanks to all my characters being priests (slightly unrelated note: they're also all mages), I prefer to use Repel Spirit at level 3.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Your most amusing G1-3 stunts in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Sunday, February 4 2007 18:26 Profile #100
Andraste - Nice Star Trek mage. I hadn't thought about giving anyone phasers. Also, I noticed that he has a fairly passable resemblance to Mr. Spock.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Selling Items in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Sunday, February 4 2007 18:21 Profile #9
Thanks, though I forgot all about the Leadership skill. It's amazing what the combination of a gold pouch and a silver tongue could do for your character, had such things been written into the game.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Solbergs tower A2 Entrance? in The Avernum Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Thursday, February 1 2007 16:29 Profile #2
The entrance is indeed on the east side of the tower, between the two plaques. You need either a password or a higher clearance, I don't remember for certain (I haven't played A2 in years).

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Your most amusing G1-3 stunts in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Thursday, February 1 2007 16:07 Profile #93
quote:
Originally written by Emperor Tullegolar:

quote:
The Mystic:
And for additional fun, you could borrow from the Star Trek universe and give your Shaper or Agent a tricorder.
Original Series tricorder, or Next Generation?
It doesn't really matter to me either way; you could even do both if you wanted.

I just threw out a bunch of suggestions so everyone could have fun incorporating other devices, not just ipods.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Your most amusing G1-3 stunts in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Tuesday, January 30 2007 07:23 Profile #87
If it can be done, kudos for you; if not, oh well. You could have them wearing an earpiece (for species that have ears) and holding the phone.

I just thought that since you've got almost everyone running around with an ipod, why not have someone with a cellphone? Or a blackberry? PDA? Portable TV? The anachronistic possibilities are endless.

And for additional fun, you could borrow from the Star Trek universe and give your Shaper or Agent a tricorder. Then maybe stop by the Star Wars universe to get a lightsaber for your Guardian. (Why not? :D )

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Selling Items in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Monday, January 29 2007 10:41 Profile #7
Good point. Though with a slight correction: You're definitely the only one with stuff!

Then again, you're also the only one who can actually pick up stuff, as well as move from one location to another to buy & sell things. Therefore, pack rats like me can amass a huge amount of money over the course of the game (easily well over 20,000 cash), which is why I'd still like to see an attempt at bribing the Shaper council as a possible ending.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Your most amusing G1-3 stunts in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Monday, January 29 2007 10:29 Profile #84
Not bad.

Now could you do some creatures with cellphones?

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Selling Items in Geneforge Series
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Sunday, January 28 2007 08:47 Profile #5
quote:
Originally written by Haplo:

I feel much better now I've sold 100 odd gemstones!
Is that all? Sheesh.

Normally, by the end of a GF game (especially G1), I've sold so much stuff that I'm the only one with money. Maybe Jeff should've included an ending where you bribe your way into the good graces of the Shaper council, provided you have enough gold, of course; I'd probably get it every time.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
I'm feeling sadistic in Blades of Avernum
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Friday, January 26 2007 15:03 Profile #19
You do realize, of course, that you can't create save points in BoA. Are you planning to rewrite the engine to do it?

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
bestiary in The Avernum Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Thursday, January 25 2007 06:32 Profile #9
I don't really care what kind of creature I'm up against. I can say with absolute confidence that my BoE or BoA party can beat it to death with their rolling pins from my own homebrew HLPM.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Teleporting Monsters? in The Avernum Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Thursday, January 25 2007 06:26 Profile #2
I know I've never had that happen, except in fights where someone was supposed to disappear after getting a lot of damage.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00
Registration... in The Exile Trilogy
The Mystic
Infiltrator
Member # 7488
 written Monday, January 22 2007 08:58 Profile #11
I find Cloud of Blades to be rather useful against rakshasi, which are resistant to a lot of damage types. And I agree, I like the fact that the Exile games allowed you to target empty spaces and not just monsters. Maybe the next Avernum game will bring this back.

I also noticed a few things here and there in the Avernum games that aren't in the Exile games. They add some more fun to the game, not to mention a few more things you can potentially kill.

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Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.

If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00

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