Completed Let's solo Baldur's Gate 2 on Insane (feat. The Codex)

[oldmanpaco]

This thread is lame. I like the one with the codex party better.

 

[MicoSelva]

Last time on Let's Insane Solo Baldur's Gate 2:

Update #97: Attack On Titan, part III - Extinguishing The Flame

Update #97

FYI: We skipped the tedious part and are already fighting a 'returned' Yaga-Shura. I have also cut some screenshots from the attempts where the game crashed because of a modded script error.

Let's make this a turn-based game for a moment. And it's MY TURN!

Prepare for witnessing The Awesome.

The awesome cheese, you mean.

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Presto!

What the fuck is going on?

Shut up and fight!

Will do.

Angelbro is dying.

Fuck. I am not used to managing a team. Get away from Yaga-Shura, you winged dipshit.

I do not feel adequately protected here.

Nice job, Heavenboy.

I feel there is too much clutter here.

This is fun!

Nothing like a well-placed horrid wilting.

Ok, all-cleaned up.... Wait, Xedoc, where the fuck are you?

Right here! Doing all the job!

Fuck, who cast the swarm spell?

AAAARGHGGHRGH. Not the bees! Not the beeees!

We need to become more edgy.

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant!

No worries, I released your concubine anyway!

As if this game was not buggy enough, amirite?

Sometimes it's the simple things that work best.

On the bright side, you'll now become much cooler.

Finally some decent damage!

Don't you just love to annoy people with low level spells sometimes? I do!

And it works pretty well too.

Your enormous ass is mine, Yaga-Shura! You're outnumbered and DEAD!

That don't impress me much!

Oh-oo-oh, you think you're special..

Oh-oo-oh, you think you're something else...

Please stop singing.

I think my planetar is running out of juice.

Yep.

Have some more of Sorcery 101!

Bored of Magic Missiles?

Here's something more advanced!

I always wanted to try this combo.

I guess, you might be the wrong guinea pig for this experiment.

But, let's make sure.

Yup.

Might as well use up the last charge on the wand.

Okay, enough fooling around.

Let's get a bit more serious.

Hurts, doesn't it?

It will hurt even more now!

Yaga-Shura has just killed his last soldier. Well played.

But I guess he did knock out our hero and even managed to damage Mordenkainen's sword, so maybe it was a sound tactical move?

Well, crap.

However, this time I've come prepared.

The bad thing is, he completely ruined my cocky narrative there.

You can resume it now.

Too late for that.

WHOA.

That you, Bayonetta?

You must have been watching me pretty to press that teleport button right after old YS kicked the bucket.

What is this pseudo-intellectual stuff? Do you think Chris Avellone wrote you, or what?

Like I have any choice.

A wild Alianna appears!

Yeah, he 'whispered in your ear'. And you 'rose your arms' and stuff. Thanks for the mental image there.

Hey, I know this guy...

Yeeees, aaaaand?

Ok. That it?

Who the fuck are you now?

Right. This sounds like a very hastily written backstory, to increase the drama factor.

And I killed you to avenge him. Three times. I guess that makes everyone happy and we're done here?

Good.

What debt? Am I supposed to have the survivor's guilt? I was a fucking toddler, if even that!

Yeah, bye.

I suddenly somehow know what the next station of this plot railway is. Gotcha.

Finally I can do some looting in peace...

I kind of hoped... I mean expected you to be dead by now. You know, with the town razed, and shit.

Right, right. You managed to escape unscathed, but somehow none of 'your' bhaalspawn survived. Really unlucky, those bhaalspawn. Must be in the blood.

Tell me something I don't know.

Stop what exactly?

I know. I just like to pretend I have a choice sometimes.

Are you planning on him 'accidentally' getting killed too?

I remember times when I could just roam the world freely, without the need for shit to be marked on my map first.

Wait. Weren't there supposed to be five of these bhaaalspawn? I've counted four.

Yeah, fuck you too.

Next time: We will reach Amkethran and attempt to cheese the game even further.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

We need a list of uber cheese spells for you to refer to when you are having this hard a time.

time stop
melf's minute meteors
simulacrum
black blade of disaster
mordenkainen's sword
shapechange mindflayer
polymorph other
improved alacrity
dragon's breath
summon planetar

every one of these is far too powerful.

 

[Azira]

Writing so bad.. Yet it is amusing to see the Codex experiencing it.

 

[Stokowski]

The odyssey continues. Woohoo!

 

[Erebus]

Did Insect Plague have any effect on Yaga-Shura ? It doesn't seem to be the case in the screenshots.

The Solar really is almost as annoying as Melissann. Pity you can't slaughter it.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Writing so bad.. Yet it is amusing to see the Codex experiencing it.

yeah, but looking back on it after 15 years of bethesda, this seems like some p. high brow stuff.

 

[MicoSelva]

Did Insect Plague have any effect on Yaga-Shura ?

Not really. But most of Dark Planetar's spells are fire-based, therefore of little use in this encounter. Insect Plague was worth a shot.

 

[MicoSelva]

Last time on Let's Insane Solo Baldur's Gate 2:

Update #98: Why Did We Ever Leave Athkatla

Update #98

level up & sheet update

I think at this point we are just going to get more Greater Whirlwinds and various traps, since they seem to be the most effective.

We could pickpocket the skin off a seal.

Yup, that is level fourty-one, bitches. Bow before your overlord.

How is this still fucking Bodhi? She wasn't even that tough. Compared to Yaga-Shura, she was a girl next door level easy.

Let me tell you, that second bag of holding is a real life-saver.

Linearity of this world map gives me bad IceWind Dale vibes.

Ok, that's not exactly what I expected to see right after arriving.

I am responsible for what?

Seriously, it wasn't me. It was that immortal giant and his army... Who I killed after stealing his heart and... Uh... Nope, even for me this story does not hold up. I guess I am too awesome for reality.

These ogres are a much better distraction than I've expected.

Oh fuck, that's a lot of people trying to kill me at once.

So, who do I kill for THIS army to disperse?

I do not think it will work that way this time.

Let's separate the men from the boys.

Like this.

You really should have brought with you someone who can cast true seeing.

I always wanted to try out this spell.

As for the rest of you...

Hold still!

Man, it must suck to be paralyzed and only able to passively watch your approaching death.

Well, you would know. You died plenty of times like this.

Fuck off.

Well, this certainly took some time.

I need a dedicated scavenger team to help me out with situations like this.

What's that.

I could have offered them a better deal. But at least I am finally getting some well-deserved recognition!

I am not sure this is the type of recognition you want.

There's no such thing as bad publicity!

This must be where their leader died.

Junk.

Oh, this is actually cool.

Hopefully we will remember that we have it, when we need it.

Those fucking assholes have already judged me and passed the sentence. Too bad no executioner in the world is up to the task.

Pray that we never meet, Ziranda.

Oh, I missed Femur & Clavicle there.

Fixd.

Finally, a town. Hopefully I can sell some of this shit I found.

Ooh, new chapter!

Fuck me, what a shithole... I have truly reached the bottom.

What's going on here?

I remember drow had a similar thing in their city, with a genie. That was a cool city. I wish I were there now, instead of this mud-buried craptown.

Slack-jawed what?

What? Seriously?

No, wait!

That was kind of unexpected.

Death Count: 382

Load game.

I guess I'll talk to them later.

How is setting up an army more important than caring for some dirt-covered end-of-the-world village? Is this guy for real?

What is going on in this town?

I need to see this.

Yeah! Fight!

Well, he was half-right. This is not quick, but definitely is painful... To watch.

Ah, one of them died. How did that happen? I swear, I only fell asleep for a moment...

Hey, some loot!

So, he was actually a druid? Ah, whatever, fuck this shit.

I wouldn't worry about the giants anymore.

This place is so brown like it was stolen from a XBOX 360 game.

That wouldn't surprise me. She's one shady lady. And by 'lady' I mean 'a lying bitch'.

Changed how? Like, the children in the village started disappearing?

So, the monks got bored of taking care of a beggar town, and you are butthurt about that. Figures. I'm leaving.

Kill him! Kill him right now!

No! No talking! Kill him before it's too late!

Fuck!

I don't believe this shit.

Fuck you.

Want my weapons? Here's a sample!

Like them?

Just in case I need to blend in.

What the fuck now?

Here we go.

Well, obviously.

Starving children, seriously.

'Speak'?

Speak was never an option here.

I hope Balthazar never learns about this.

Next time remember to bring enchanted weapons.

Repay me? I could think of a way...

Tell everyone? Maybe not the best idea.

Ok.

I don't have any friends.

I guess?

Let me guess, I will be doing you a favour by going there and killing everyone, but I still have no other choice.

Right.

Obviously.

The cave is sealed, yet you are standing guard. If not to let capable people in, then why? Makes no sense.

I'll be back.

I love how that quest update spoils contents of the cave with its title. Now we know there is a lich inside.

See you.

This really is the world's rectum, they don't even have proper doors here.

Looks like everyone's asleep.

I'm sure I can use that better than you.

Seriously, you are going to steal that? You already have over five hundred thousand gold.

That is because I never waste an opportunity to get more gold.

Next time: The Codex is going to kill even more of Balthazar's mercenaries, and also himself.

What?

 

[Azira]

 

[Baardhaas]

After the battle with Jamis Tombelthen you have 435750 gold, in the last screen 644997 gold. What the hell? Did you just sell for over 200k of loot to the poor beggars of Amkethran?

Also: good to see you're still updating. I've never finished ToB, so everything after Saradush is actually new to me.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Last time on Let's Insane Solo Baldur's Gate 2:

Yeah, the maze spell is probably the single most annoying game ending spell in any solo of BG. 3 second cast and no saving throw. You should technically be able to survive the maze spell and come back after a short time, but no, the game treats it as an instant game over like imprisonment.

 

[Kayerts]

Yeah, the maze spell is probably the single most annoying game ending spell in any solo of BG. 3 second cast and no saving throw. You should technically be able to survive the maze spell and come back after a short time, but no, the game treats it as an instant game over like imprisonment.

Spell Immunity: Conjuration makes you immune and is generally the best approach if you're trying to ironman the game. Magic resistance works against Maze (although not imprisonment), too, and spell trap can absorb it if it's up. If memory serves, once you see the walls closing in, nothing can save you except (I think?) casting a scroll of Protection from Magic, which I believe works since Maze is coded as a (magical) debuff.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Spell Immunity: Conjuration makes you immune and is generally the best approach if you're trying to ironman the game. Magic resistance works against Maze (although not imprisonment), too, and spell trap can absorb it if it's up. If memory serves, once you see the walls closing in, nothing can save you except (I think?) casting a scroll of Protection from Magic, which I believe works since Maze is coded as a (magical) debuff.

And the protection from magic scroll is probably your only option if you aren't playing a mage. Protection from magic is the most overpowered scroll/spell in the game though and it feels like the cheesiest cheese to use it.

 

[Kayerts]

Spell Immunity: Conjuration makes you immune and is generally the best approach if you're trying to ironman the game. Magic resistance works against Maze (although not imprisonment), too, and spell trap can absorb it if it's up. If memory serves, once you see the walls closing in, nothing can save you except (I think?) casting a scroll of Protection from Magic, which I believe works since Maze is coded as a (magical) debuff.

And the protection from magic scroll is probably your only option if you aren't playing a mage. Protection from magic is the most overpowered scroll/spell in the game though and it feels like the cheesiest cheese to use it.

Yeah, they're absurd, especially if you abuse clones to get an effectively endless number of them.

There are a few options for nonmages: chaotic commands (clerics or druids get this), rage (berserkers, barbarians), and I guess a thief with Use Any Item has a large number of options. (Spell Trap from the Staff of the Magi, 100%+ magical immunity, spell scrolls...)

 

[MicoSelva]

After the battle with Jamis Tombelthen you have 435750 gold, in the last screen 644997 gold. What the hell? Did you just sell for over 200k of loot to the poor beggars of Amkethran?

Yup, at the temple of Waukeen. The cult of Waukeen could now outfit their own army with all the magical weapons and armor they got.

Codex getting Mazed is a running gag in this LP, so any precautions against that spell would be counter-productive to entertainment values.

 

[Celerity]

After reading most of this I just have one question. Why the dart hate? I'm guessing this mechanic isn't in BG but in D&D darts gave you an absurdly high attack rate. Their base damage was terrible but you got damage bonuses from strength and weapon specialization and enchantments and such which actually made dart throwing the best specialization in the game because you'd do something like 20 damage * 10 a round. I forget the exact numbers behind it but it doesn't follow the rules of later editions (which are basically 2 handed melee or GTFO).

 

[MicoSelva]

I do not really like them as the main weapon, since the really good darts run out fast and are expensive to replace (not that money is an issue, lol) and the basic ones kind of suck. The one returning dart is only +3 (AFAIK), which is not enough for some tougher enemies. And as a backup weapon, they have too little range compared to something like a bow. Not to mention that best 'traditional' weapons give many passive bonuses, like magic resistance, etc.

 

[Celerity]

But the mechanic where smaller weapons get higher attack rates is in right? Or is it just x attacks a round based off THAC0 regardless?

 

[Shadenuat]

Smaller weapons have better Speed, but it's not the same as more attacks per round. It's a moment in the round when weapon strikes. It's important in turn-based D&D but not in RTwP implementation in IE.
Although darts are actually a viable weapon in BG1 vanilla. I think they set your attacks to 3 per round? And there are cheesy poison/wounding darts.

 

[Celerity]

Yeah, that sounds about right. I forget if they changed the mechanics in 2nd edition or 3rd edition. Higher speed means more spell interruptions but that's less valuable than getting an absurd attack rate.

 

[Storyfag]

I might have been silent for the last 5 or so updates, but I'm still here and demand MOAR.

 

[ALchymist]

And I might have been silent for a year but I concur

 

[Baron Dupek]

Glad to see you both again. We can wait together for another update, maybe before Easter (I can feel it in the air).

 

[MicoSelva]

Last time on Let's Insane Solo Baldur's Gate 2:

If this picture does not tell you: Beware Of The Codex, I am not sure what would.

Update #99: Revelations

So, are there any actual revelations in this update, or are you just out of title ideas?

Uh... both?

Right. What's next? Reckoning?

I am saving that one for the finale.

Update #99

This building looks a little less shitty than all the others.

And I thought I could walk for five minutes without being bothered by someone's inane crap. How wrong I was...

I am actually a little bit interested in this, since undead usually mean loot.

Sure.

*cough*Melissan*cough*

So, he's a good guy now, eh? Inevitably, only because he sees profit in that.

Sounds almost like you.

I never said he was wrong. I just hate him.

Fascinating.

Am I seriously going to query the bartender? That's some truly old-school shit.

Zakee conversation

I think this guy has a secret indentity. He's actually Wikipedia!

More like baldursgate.wikia, but yeah, he is a walking infobox.

But to be smuggler, you have to actually smuggle, as in transport contraband. If they were working openly and with approval from the authorities, how were they smugglers in the first place?

So, Balthazar is a bhaalspawn and Melissan is a mage. That's new, I think. Alhough, she did teleport a few times, so it was obvious she has some kind of magic power.

What, does that mean she is Elminster-level?

Scared?

Curious.

Has Melissan mentioned this Sendai?

I am not sure, and too lazy to check right now.

Fucking dragons. Not that I am very surprised.

Would I be very wrong that Balthazar, Sendai and Abazigal are our targets #3, #4 and #5?

Only a little wrong. My bet is that will be #5, #3 and #4.

So, the village is as much of a parasite as I expected.

Fuck. I am going to have to work with Saemon Havarian to get inside, won't I?

I can only feel for you.

If Melissan wanted to kindle my trust by pointing me towards Balthazar, it is not working very well.

We asked about Marlowe here.

tl;dr: Nothing crucial, but some interesting background information.

I'd buy that for a dollar... I mean 5250 GP.

Let's check out this huge cave.

Looks like smugglers are actually smuggling now.

'You are trying to arrest us for selling stolen goods, this is an outrage!'

Yes, you are.

'Hyo-a-cha!' Who do you think you are?

This guy?:

Yeah, no.

Esamon is a very clever alias. Not.

Makes sense. I can probably buy everything you have on the spot, though.

Or at least, everything interesting.

Looks a bit like a lightsabre hilt.

More stoneskin is always good.

In case I encounter some annoying thief-types.

Yeah... Now I am certain I will need to cooperate with him to get inside.

Aha!

Who's winning in that potion contest, by the way?

Probably someone who guessed a bigger number, rather than lower one.

I expected nothing else from smugglers.

I guess getting better at Blackrazoring is not a bad idea.

Note: it soon turned out to be a worse idea than investing in more halberd proficiency, but we did not know that at the time.

Ten attacks per round + wacky on-hit effects = awesome.

Apparently the way to reach the other part of the town is through these people's house.

Assassin's Creed: Shithole.

And who lives behind this animal hide...?

Vongoethe? Such a subtle reference.

Marlowe talk

A pervert lich? That's the worst kind.

Did he take her souls in the way that Al Pacino possessed Charlize Theron's soul in that film about evil lawyers?

Evil lawyers?

Yeah, just about lawyers I guess.

Earlier the guard claimed that he is UNABLE to let me in and that he CANNOT be bribed. I fucking hate this scripted bullshit.

I actually don't need any more motivation to fight a lich other than it being a lich. Does that make me a racist?

Do you care?

No.

tl;dr: We have to kill a lich in the graveyard.

What exciting adventure or quest awaits me behind this door?

That's rude.

Only because your wife asked so politely.

Is there even a point in exploring these mud huts?

Ok, this looks different.

Uh-huh...

This guy is like Moira Brown, except he did not change into a ghoul.

Sure, nobody was trying to look for invisible people, because bhaalspawn are known to be ordinary and lacking magic powers.

Gnomes and dwarves are so alike that I have to ask: what is even the point?

You are being racist again.

Still not giving a shit.

C'mon, spit it out.

Yes, what is it?

Seriously, you make armour out of noble metal-colored pantaloons? That is... ridiculously specific.

I bet we can find the missing pair somewhere too. Let us leave here for now.

Yeah, you do that.

But before we enter...

...let's check how are things at home.

I don't even remember finding either of these.

Whoa! 3d6 bonus damage and 10% for insta-kill? On every hit? I've just found my new favourite weapon!

Why would anyone devastate a book by ripping pages from it? Barbaric!

I hope I can read the ending and finally learn whodunnit now.

I knew it was worth carrying around for months.

Somewhat.

Seriously, that ring has an actual use?

Oh. Joke's on me, I guess.

Let's check the new area that unlocked after I killed Baba Yaga Shura.

I have a feeling these aren't congratulatory fireworks.

What.

'Protected from evil'? Aren't YOU supposed to be the evil counterpart?

No need to be all worked up over this. Just take a deep breath...

Angelo? Tamoko? Semaj? So this is just trading places with Sarevok?

'Dispel effects'? Seriously?

I actually thought we could put up more of a fight.

Death Count: 383

Loading.

Protection from evil and dispel on hit must mean this guy is a paladin, and using Carsomyr too. I guess I'm the evil one now? Because of that one choice during the hell trials, which apparently undid everything I've done in my life, lol.

Is that funny? I expected you to be angry.

Angry? That's hilarious!

Also, since I am a sneaky bastard and have been using Carsomyr myself...

...I know its one weakness.

Time to pray to Tyr for help, clone-boy.

I'll show you what The Real Codex can do.

Don't lose your head.

Heh.

Heheheh.

MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Oh, wait, that was just an illusion.

Shadow door?

I think not.

Don't you try to mirror image me.

Whoa. Dropping me into lava after I won? That's cheap.

Good thing I still have this.

Should be enough.

FIRE WALK WITH ME.

I am so cool. And hot. Puns intended.

Time to destroy some undead. It's been too long since we've done that!

Unless we are counting those vampires in Saradush.

Next time: Time to destroy some undead!