Prime Junta
RPGCodex' Little BRO
- Joined
- October 19, 2006
- Messages
- 8,540
No plot spoilers here, but some tactical ones so unless you've already reached the lower level of the Death God's Vault, you might perhaps want to stop reading.
I love a challenge, so I've been attempting to rob the Death God's Vault even though it appears (so far) to be an optional area. It's very, very tough.
(1) You need a badass rogue to get the doors unlocked. Unless you're one yourself, the only one available (at least early in the game) is One of Many who's not much use in a fight.
(2) The place is infested by Vampire Ancient monks, and you get to fight about a half-dozen of them at a time.
Vampire Ancient monks have the following endearing traits:
* They move really, really fast.
* They hit really, really fast.
* They hit really, really hard.
* They have some rather amusing instant death attacts.
* They have extremely high and broad magic immunities.
* They have pretty impressive damage reduction.
* They regenerate like bunnies (if bunnies regenerated).
I've had my ass thoroughly handed to me several times, but am finally making some progress. Here's what (sorta) works -- other suggestions welcome.
* Hitting them really hard with a sharp object. Problem is, most characters will only score a hit on a natural 20, and much of the damage will be absorbed by damage resistance. Still, you can get through, sometimes. A pure fighter-type wielding a maxi-powerful weapon, with specializations, will be able to take one down (if properly buffed).
* "Pure magic" attacks, such as magic missile and missile storm. These appear to entirely bypass their resistances, but don't do much damage.
* Moon Bolt works.
* Creeping Doom works much of the time.
* That level-9 divine storm spell that only clobbers enemies appears to work.
Most other spells don't work, or work so rarely that it's not worth the trouble. So forget fireballs, flame strikes, cold spells, and so on.
The best I've managed so far is:
(0) Make sure most of your party has a high AC (40+) and regeneration from armor, and that your melee types have really badass weapons. Memorize high-level Summoning spells (Mordenkainen's Sword, Summon VIII-IX), Heal/Mass Heal, Greater Restoration, and enough short-duration buffs like Battletide and Divine Strength to get through the day.
(1) Buff up everybody with Death Ward, Tortoise Shell, Premonition (if available -- Safiya and Gann can both get it, as can you if you're an arcane spellcaster or a cleric with the Time domain), and, if you like, Bull's Strength for the melee types.
(2) Before facing the encounter, have everyone who can Summon an ally. Then have Safiya (or yourself) cast Haste (Persistent Spell).
(3) Park your PC in the middle of the vamps, with enough stuff to make sure s/he can just basically stand there and take it. All the better if s/he can deal some damage in return. If s/he's a cleric, Blade Barrier (self) is nice. Then cast the temporary party buffs (Battletide etc.).
(4) Cover the area with the area-effect spells that do work.
(5) Have everyone who can hold a blade wade in and take them out one at a time. Stop to renew any buffs/area attacks as applicable. Have Safiya support with pure magic attacks from the side (if with you).
I've actually managed to rob two completely useless treasures from there this way. I also spent so much time in it that I'm totally starved for Spirit Energy.
Any other ideas?
I love a challenge, so I've been attempting to rob the Death God's Vault even though it appears (so far) to be an optional area. It's very, very tough.
(1) You need a badass rogue to get the doors unlocked. Unless you're one yourself, the only one available (at least early in the game) is One of Many who's not much use in a fight.
(2) The place is infested by Vampire Ancient monks, and you get to fight about a half-dozen of them at a time.
Vampire Ancient monks have the following endearing traits:
* They move really, really fast.
* They hit really, really fast.
* They hit really, really hard.
* They have some rather amusing instant death attacts.
* They have extremely high and broad magic immunities.
* They have pretty impressive damage reduction.
* They regenerate like bunnies (if bunnies regenerated).
I've had my ass thoroughly handed to me several times, but am finally making some progress. Here's what (sorta) works -- other suggestions welcome.
* Hitting them really hard with a sharp object. Problem is, most characters will only score a hit on a natural 20, and much of the damage will be absorbed by damage resistance. Still, you can get through, sometimes. A pure fighter-type wielding a maxi-powerful weapon, with specializations, will be able to take one down (if properly buffed).
* "Pure magic" attacks, such as magic missile and missile storm. These appear to entirely bypass their resistances, but don't do much damage.
* Moon Bolt works.
* Creeping Doom works much of the time.
* That level-9 divine storm spell that only clobbers enemies appears to work.
Most other spells don't work, or work so rarely that it's not worth the trouble. So forget fireballs, flame strikes, cold spells, and so on.
The best I've managed so far is:
(0) Make sure most of your party has a high AC (40+) and regeneration from armor, and that your melee types have really badass weapons. Memorize high-level Summoning spells (Mordenkainen's Sword, Summon VIII-IX), Heal/Mass Heal, Greater Restoration, and enough short-duration buffs like Battletide and Divine Strength to get through the day.
(1) Buff up everybody with Death Ward, Tortoise Shell, Premonition (if available -- Safiya and Gann can both get it, as can you if you're an arcane spellcaster or a cleric with the Time domain), and, if you like, Bull's Strength for the melee types.
(2) Before facing the encounter, have everyone who can Summon an ally. Then have Safiya (or yourself) cast Haste (Persistent Spell).
(3) Park your PC in the middle of the vamps, with enough stuff to make sure s/he can just basically stand there and take it. All the better if s/he can deal some damage in return. If s/he's a cleric, Blade Barrier (self) is nice. Then cast the temporary party buffs (Battletide etc.).
(4) Cover the area with the area-effect spells that do work.
(5) Have everyone who can hold a blade wade in and take them out one at a time. Stop to renew any buffs/area attacks as applicable. Have Safiya support with pure magic attacks from the side (if with you).
I've actually managed to rob two completely useless treasures from there this way. I also spent so much time in it that I'm totally starved for Spirit Energy.
Any other ideas?
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2006
- Messages
- 8,540