Solo Project

[Lethe]

Hello Ron:

I have a level 1 rogue similar to the one you are using in your solo project.

I thought I would follow along with you in your project - I am glad that I happen to stumble upon this project.

My question is: I am now ready to levelup to the 2nd level, but have not completed all the solo quest let alone any on normal on Krothos Island.

I have only 4 solo quests and the Explorer Quest to complete on Krothos Island (winterside) before trying normal. Do I stay level one until I finish all the solo and normal levels or can I levelup and continue ?

What do the numbers under the date completed mean ?

Thank you,
Lethe

[RonHiler]

Well, of course, it's up to you and whatever rules you want to use. If you want to do the same thing that I do, go ahead and level. I don't wait to finish all the quests at that level before leveling up.

Right now my character is level 5, and I'm just finishing up the level 3 quests.

The numbers under the dates are the amount of favor earned for that run.

[Lethe]

Hi Ron:

I wish to thank you for your kind reply.

I am glad that I can go ahead and level up, because there is no way that I could have done the Canath Crystal on normal at level 1.

I barely survived the solo level, hiting mobs at level 1, is a bit of a problem, but hopefully level 2 will bring some improvement.

Have you posted any of your findings on how to run any of the dungeons ?

When you leveled up to Cleric, did you switch to full plate and sword and board or did you stay with medium or light armor and rapier or mace?

Tcare,
Lethe

[RonHiler]

Hi Ron:

I wish to thank you for your kind reply.

I am glad that I can go ahead and level up, because there is no way that I could have done the Canath Crystal on normal at level 1.

I barely survived the solo level, hiting mobs at level 1, is a bit of a problem, but hopefully level 2 will bring some improvement.

Actually, I hate to say it, but unfortunately, it won't.

Both Rogue and Cleric are 3/4 BAB classes, which means the first level of each is BAB 0. So at level two, your 1/1 Rogue/Cleric will still be at BAB 0, no different than you were at level 1.

But don't despair, you have two things that help you out a bit. One, with the cleric level, you get access to heavy armor and shields, so you can tank up a bit (they can't kill you if they can't hit you). Two is that you get Summon Monster 1, and that dog does help out with the hitting of things when you are having trouble.

And of course, you will get Cure Light Wounds, which is a huge help. In fact, even though you don't have any better ToHit than you did at level 1, just having CLW is going to make everything MUCH easier.

Have you posted any of your findings on how to run any of the dungeons ?

Oh, not really. Mostly it's a matter of experience. When you know in advance how tough the next battle is, you can prepare for it much better (buffs and such).

My advice is to take things slow. You don't want to rush into a room and find yourself surrounded by 10 enemy. Keep your healing pots on a hotbar (and your spells as well), preferably one that you can access with a hotkey. I have my CLW and CMW spells on the 1 and 2 key for emergencies, and my potions on a hotbar.

Oh, and turn in your mushrooms to the collector near the Red Lobster in the harbor. She'll give you CLW pots about half the time, which are worth their weight in gold for the low levels.

When you leveled up to Cleric, did you switch to full plate and sword and board or did you stay with medium or light armor and rapier or mace?

I went full tank as fast as I could, even going to the brokers to get +2 full plate as soon as I could afford it (although I think that is Minimum Level 3). I also grabbed a shield the same way. At the lower levels, that kind of armor makes you pretty tough to hit.

I went heavy mace (clerics don't get swords). In fact, I used the starter fire mace for quite a while (up until level 3 or so).

[frank13]

Watch out for shamans or other spell casters they are your first priority.
Almost got killed in the waterworks by those nice little shamans.

[Lethe]

Hi Gentlemen:

Glad to hear that I can use the dog, I thought maybe he might be consider a party member.

I also took Cure Light Wounds, and have switch between Nightsheild and Protection from Evil - not sure which one is better.

I will switch to the mace (would a +1 morningstar work) as I do have it.

Frank since you have given me advanced warning about the shamans, I will go even slower, when I get to Stormreach.

I love the rogue stuff - I found alot of hidden doors I did not even know existed. Do you have to keep pressing the search skill evey few feet as you explore or do you just depend on spot and then search?

Is there a reason for the choice in religous beliefs ?

Will save mushrooms for trading for healing potions.

If you gentlemen have any other advice, do not be shy about giving it.

Should be heading to Stormreach hopefully this weekend.

Again I thank you for you time and advice.

Lethe

[RonHiler]

Aye, that's good advice from frank about the casters. Always go after the casters first. That's just second nature to me, I don't even think about it anymore, heh. So I didn't think to mention it. But yeah, they are your worst enemy, especially when running solo.

I just finished my final (at Normal) level 3 quest (The Swiped Signet, a tough one) this evening. I'm on to level 4 quests now...

[frank13]

If you get a spot warning or a icon right above your screen.
It means spot has found something.
Then it is wise to search.

Religous beliefs: Yes some give race bonus and some people take them for special builds against Undead or Demon.

Ron's build uses Sovereign host for the Longsword.
Maces are good for some type undead and swords for the other type.

Keep the healing potions they are always handy.
I have the same problems as you i dont know most dungeons and the waterworks where spellpoint drains.

Ron maybe you can answer this question do we get spells to deal with spell casters at range?

[RonHiler]

Religous beliefs: Yes some give race bonus and some people take them for special builds against Undead or Demon.

Ron's build uses Sovereign host for the Longsword.

Actually, I'm not taking it for the longsword, although that's one side effect. I'm taking it because at Cleric level 6 (which would be level 8 in that build) it allows me to take Unyeilding Sovereignty. US is an awesome power. Basically, once every 10 minutes, you can fully regain all HP and remove just about every debuff you might have on you. You basically become a walking shrine, reusable every 10 minutes, except you don't lose any of your buffs and you don't get back any SP.

I don't remember off the top of my head what the other Advanced Beliefs give you, but that one was simply too good to pass up

Ron maybe you can answer this question do we get spells to deal with spell casters at range?

Sure. While clerics are not, by nature, damage dealers, there are some spells that are good for this. Command, Doom, Deific Vengeance, Hold Person, Inflict Wounds (Light, Moderate, Serious, etc), Contagion, Searing Light at the low levels. Greater Command, Slay Living, Blade Barrier, Cometfall, Destruction, Firestorm at higher levels. Just to name a few. There might be others, but those are the ones I'm familiar with.

Of course, keep in mind, spellcasters have naturally high Will saves, and a lot of those kind of spells have a Will save to them. And some creatures have a fair bit of spell resistance. So just keep in mind, a lot of times to get a spell to land, you have to punch through their defenses, and the casters tend to have higher spell defenses than other creatures.

And of course, as always when you are solo, you have to consider the cost. Spell points are a limited resource, so you have to think about whether or not you want to spend 10 SP to fire off a Command spell to incap just one creature, especially since it's not guaranteed to work. Sometimes it's a good bet, sometimes not.

[Lethe]

Hello Gentlemen:

I really like the dog - it can hold agro somewhat and kill mobs as well.

Frank, I read thru your thread and all of Ron's answers, an interesting read for me.

I have only one more normal quest to do on Krothos and that is Misery Peak.

I use sneak alot in this one - doing the solo level - it seems to help me hit better.

I will go to Stormreach tomorrow and see what level 2 quests I can do on solo and normal before leveling up to level 3, at present experience has been coming at a rapid pace, but I am sure it will slow down.

Big questions - Where do I get experience if I can only do each quest level one time ?

Will I stay sneaky all the time as I level up ?

Can the Explorer quests be done on normal, hard, and elite ?

Since you are level 5 - did this all come from doing each quest only once per difficulty?

Well Tcare for now: )

Lethe