Spell question for arch-mages!

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do not know if he casts SIs again, though I was not able to dispel them ever soo? He likes to cast those a lot with ImprovedAlacrity AND RobeofVecna:
GREATER MALISON
CHAOS (with GM, it gives -8 penalty to save!)
FLAME ARROW (20D6)
CONE of COLD (20D4+20)
SYMBOLS (again, with GM it is -8 penalty and hard to resist)
CHAIN LIGHTNING (10D6)
HORRID WILTING (cruel 20d8)
FINGER of DEATH(with GM, -6 penalty, DEADLY!!!)
PROTECTION FROM MAGICAL WEAPONS
STONESKIN
IMPROVED MANTLE
CURE CRITICAL WOUNDS (AAAAAGHHH!!!)

OH and you know that this is the 3rd round of an epic battle? You fight his gang (SINS) (SOO POWERFUL) at first, slayer vs BARE you only at second, and ANGRY JONBON at the third! THERE is NO saving between. If you DIE you have to start ALL OVER (which happened ONCE, I had to exit the game to cool off)

 

Its (relatively) easy when you play a solo Kensai/Mage/Cleric with the XP cap removed. Believe it or not, I actually found that damn fight harder when I played with a pure power gamer's dream party...

Which would be Myself (Blade), Korgan, Viconia, Edwin. We were all at like lvl 30-32 and had ALL the best equipment and we were totally prepared...and Irenicus kicked our asses all over hell. Mostly because I've grown sloppy from too many solos and couldnt be bothered micromanaging the entire party effectively.

A lvl 30/26(or so)/32 (or so) K/M/C was SO much better at that fight.

You've got Heal, Implosion, True Sight, upto 7 Spell Immunities, heaps of Dispel Magics, HEAPS of Animate Undead AND 30-40 damage a pop on normal hit...very good fun.

 

UGH MAY I ask HOW DID YOU MANAGE to become so HIGH levels by the time you reach JONBON? I did EVERY quest available, even visited Watcher's keep to take DECK to gain throne card, but still am NOT that high level!

 

I would guess a solo through tutu or just plain BG1. Or lots of mods.

 

I can understand the solo K/M/C but how could ALL of his party (with blade PC) be level 30-32 at JonBon?

Is there a mod I do not know???

 

Ah, i misunderstood

 

Well, does he have Protection from Magical Weapons and Improved Mantle? If not, get a regular weapon when he just has protection from magical and whack away.

This is one of those battles that Kala's Axe is perfect for. I'm pretty sure it wasn't considered enchanted (it didn't have a bonus to hit at least) along with Miscast Magic. Boom.

 

^OH never thought that! I thought Irenicus (or impored one) is already immune to normal weapons? Can normal weapons hit him? I did not try it! Can somebody check it? Please I am really excited now!

(though it is very likely he is already immune to normal weapons, it is a slight hope!) (but even my PC will be immune to NWs by the time)

 

You're probably right that he is immune to normal weapons (I haven't gotten to Imp. Irenicus). It was just a thought. Then again, the makers of Tactics are masochistic but they have always made the battles winable... well, sometimes. Anyway, it could be worth a shot.

Also, if he has unlimited spells, it's likely that as soon as you dispel anything, he'll just put it back up. I would guess that Party-Friendly AoE spells and a good beatdown would be the best idea. But then again, I haven't gotten there yet so I don't know.

 

As I'm not much of a spellcaster, I tried to stick to spells. My best advice is to use True Sight to help with the Imp. Invis.. Jon can't have Imp. Mantle *and* PfMW at the same time. With Imp. Mantle, use your +4 or better weapons, especially those that add other damages (poison, fire, etc.). When he casts PfMW, use normal ones.

Then again, if you can get beyond his Imp. Invis., you can use Creeping Doom or Insect Plague.

 

^I can not get beyond his Improved Invisibility as he has Spell Immunityivination. He also has Spell Immunity:Abjuration which causes lots of headaches.

I read in a spell site that Breach, Lower Resistance, Pierce Magic etc. can NOT be stopped by SI:Abjuration, is this possible? But ofcourse I can never cast those on him until I take out his invisibility first. And he has SIivination too! Site also said that Glitterdust will not cancel invisibility if the target makes a save vs spell (they just avoided the dust) which I am sure JonBon will easily do, or is already immune to a 2nd level spell. It is a problem that is hard to solve, but I believe my Chain Contingency with 3 ruby ray of reversals (it is transmutation!) (or should I add Kehelben's Warding Whip, if it can bypas SI:Abjuration?) will work. Just have to try. I am waiting for the big Friday night and I will tell you the results, either with a big grin or eternal frustration...

 

I think once you get past the Improved Invisibility it doesn't matter what you cast at him (Breach, Pierce Magic, etc.) because I believe they hit no matter what (other than Magic Immunity/Magic Resistance). I think your idea of the Chain Contigencies works pretty well. Another idea would be to have a CC trigger on helpless with 3 Project Images and then Cast Project image. Then have each cast CC (or use a scroll... I can never remember if they have all the spells or not) with whatever Breach-like spells you can. This will give you a lot more firepower (4 spell casters instead of 1). And be ready to hit him fast because I'm assuming his protections will come back quickly.

 

A little thingie concerning Insect Plague...you don't have to target an enemy with it. You can target a party member or even yourself, and it won't harm you but it spreads to enemies nearby, invisible or no. Also works with Chain Lightning and such.

 

@UCLAParadox,

That 4 project images trick is my special strategy, needed to beat the really tough guys in first round. That critters are very deadly and I have to dispose of them ASAP, or they will also summon more nasty critters as I will play in insane. SO I will use that trick,and litteraly kill all of them except Wraith of Wrath (who is immune to all magic) in the very first round, thanks to timestop+imp.alacrity+autopause when spell cast combo and my images will unleash all my spells upon them! (which are lots of HolySmites, Horridwiltings, etc. multiply four!!! )

Can PIs cast CG and have it work? Are you sure?Didn't know that! Then PI is a really brillant spell! A little cheesy perhaps but still good!

@Susipaisti,

You really are a genius, amd I am a fool to forget that! I will make Jaheira prepare lots of Insect Plagues, AND even a creeping doom or two. Creeping Doom works like the IP right? This will really annoy JonBon if I can do it right, and I can even beat him too easily without aid of the arrogant Planetar at all! That is, if it works. I am optimistic though! Thank you so very much!

This night will be the final showdown! Hopefully I will be able to kick his overgrown a** thanks to your advices! I will tell you!

 

@Silverstar: Check for Spell Immunity:Conjuration before chucking those out. As well as immunity to Spells of lvl 5 and so on.

 

^I did it! I beat Improved Irenicus in Insane difficulty! Here is how I did it:

OBVIOUS SPOILERS:

NOTICEue to abysmal difficulty of this encounter I had to do some heavy powergaming and cheese. Still, no cheats though.

Anyway, we had heavy preparations, everybody gulped potions of defense, invulnernability, heroism, cloudgiant strength, magic protection, protection from fire, cold, absorbtion, insulation, agility, fortitude, oil of speed etc. Then casted all basic protection spells. Immy and I readied a most powerful Chain Contingency, 3 project images when helpless.

Then I put all items that wll be stolen by JonBon on the ground. (amulet of power, Sanchudoku, Cromfaeyr, Cloak of Cheese etc.) I know it is cheese but I need them a lot!

Put the last tear, Jonbon came in, chitchatted (nice new dialogue) and summoned his companions, then teleported. I immediately picked up dropped items and distrubuted them to the party. Then Immy and I casted Project Image whilst fighters were killing minor shadows with ease. Our contingencies came in and we all had 4 project images, this means a total of 8 arch-mages (one has cleric levels too) joined our side! Joy!

Immy's images summoned 4 Planetars (whoa!) quickly whilst my images started to cast Timestop with 1 second delay. TOO BAD! The dragon of the pride came quickly (he is too smart in insane difficulty) and wingbuffeted us, disrupting 3 of my images. (damn!) However, Immy's planetars quickly surrounded the dragon and started attacking the dragon! (it was a sight to see) and then my timestop came! Quickly an improved alacrity, (autopause when spell casted works wonders) two farsights to scan area, I spotted Selfish Irenicus and Orb of Fear, rushed there, removed heavy protections on the orb and casted another TS, and released lots of Horrid Wiltings+Holy Smites on Irenicus and Orb of Fear. Irenicus dimension doored right in my timestop! (you thought I am the only one who does cheese?) Time returned normal, orb was badly injured, (duh!) planetars were attacking dragon and keeping him busy, whilst my kensai GWWed to the Wraith of Wrath (his THAC0 is low enough to hit his ridiculous AC=-24) and Jaheira used Critical Hit HLA with Upgraded Impaler on Wraith (massive damage potential here!) Minsc and Keldorn were busy killing the lesser summons by the gang, (wyverns, real wraiths etc) and then my images casted magic misile on the Sword of Greed, which killed it instantly! Immy's images casted Horrid Wiltings on the Beholder gang summoned by Orb of Fear, which killed the beholders AND the orb. (hurray!) Planetars have badly injured the dragon, and then Kledorn GWWed on him to kill it! By the time my kensai and Jaheira killed the Wraith of Wrath! Then....

Damn Jon Irenicus has summoned two liches and liches have summoned two improved pitfiends! And one casted a teleport field to summon all of us and dispelled everything, including images! It started to get ugly as Minsc bacme morale failure and berserked! (duh!) Quickly, Keldorn (bless him!) released a dispel magic to remove haevy protecitons of Liches and JonBon. Then, me and Immy bombarded them with Horrid Wiltings, whilst fighters GWWing on bare, defenseless liches and pitfiends! Pitfiends and Liches died, before even casting a timestop, Jonbon dimension doored just in time to avoid Horrid wiltings(grrr!)

We followed him like crazy just when berserked Minsc targeted Jaheira and hit her! For 45+ damage! WHOA! NO! If she dies, I will have to reload as she will most likely die an explosive death! Luckily, my PC casted a greater retoration just in time to heal Jaheira and Minsc. To JonBon!

Immy breached him, our fighters rushed, but he dimension doored, casted Protection from Magic Weapons again! This time I breached him and then fighters plus planetars hauled on him, luckily killing him!

YES! End of the first round! (oops!)

SECOND round, bare me vs Slayer! Gasp! I picked up my precious items but was unable to wear my beloved robe of vecna! Oh well, casted a Protection from Magic wepaons and slayer was unable to touch me. Then our planetars rushed and began attacking poor slayer. I also hasted them, and they killed the slayer fast enough, I sis not take any damage! Second Round is finished, third and finale round!

You all know Jon Irenicus's heavy protections. I have been asking for help for this bad boy! He putted tons of protections, including SI:Abjuration and Divination. Our planetars were unsummoned so Immy summoned one to tank JonBon. I decide to use my brilliant idea! A Chain Contingency with three ruby ray of reversals to dispell his SIs. I WAS so confident, I walked near him, casted CG, setted it to nearest enemy. Then, Irenicus made his most smart move! He summoned a Mordenkainen Sword and my CG targetted that damn sword, leaving me crying!!!

I had no more CGs but Immy had one! After quickly dispatching the sword with a death spell, she casted her own CG and put ruby rays on it! Immy! She was my only hope!

BUG:Immy's CG targetted all ready dead Wraith of Wrath's dead body! WTF!!! I was soo annoyed! Why? Should I reload? No I can not turn back, not now!

Knowing his weakness, my only chance was to cast Insects on him! Planetar casted an Insect Plague on JonBon, and Jaheira casted a powerful Creeping Doom on Planetar (hoping it will bounce to JOnBon)

Cursed JonBon! When he took 1 damage from InsectPlague he dimension doored again! And Jaheira's Creeping Doom missed! AAGH! We looked everywhere, but he was gone, he took some damage, healed himself when Minsc found him hiding near a stairs! BUT He casted a Timestop! OH NO! He released Flame Arrow, (40d6) Cone of Cold, (40d4+40)Delayed Blast Fireball, (30d6) and a chaos spell on poor Minsc! Will Boo be an orphan?

Luckily, Minsc had Cloak of Cheese, so I made him escape quickly and he did not take any damage! WOW! I really wanted to see the expression on JonBon!

Then planetar casted another Insect Plague on him, and Jaheira's new Creeping Doom caught him this time! He could not cast any spells, dimension doored to heal himself, to no avail, he had no PfMW active as his top priority was to heal himself which he could not.

Then Immy created special arrows of Eagle Eye (stun without save for 5 rounds, %5 chance of killing) again my only hope was my dear sister Immy, she targetted JonBon and shot!

Imoen-Critical Miss!

AWW well, luckily the bow had +2 attacks/round so she shot again and hit that bastard! He was stunned! It was the moment! It was our only hope! I switched my sling, Keldorn switched Firetooth+4, and Minsc was already pounding happily on poor JonBon with Flail of the Ages and Crom Faeyr! Kensai rushed and started GWW ing on him, even I hit him with my sling! (take that!) Then Keldorn made the final blow, with his crossbow, did 11 damage to poor JonBon and he was dead. DEAD! Hurray!

See, I am very happy and thank you for your ideas! Especailly with that Insect bouncing to enemy trick! It helped tremendously!

Now I am in ToB, with Ascension. I think I will like Ascension as Illisera managed to kill me! She attacks with +24 bonus (I though only kensais were able to do that?) always targeted me, her arrows did 40 damage, dispelled my protections, and miscasted magic on me! I reloaded! (and won ofcourse)

I also beat Gromnir. (with ease, Incendairy Clouds to disrupt and kill those two annoying mages, extra buddies were weak)I can not wait to see Improved Abazigal as I have heard rather good things about him?

[ September 26, 2005, 10:01: Message edited by: Silverstar ]

 

Well done, quite a good victory

 

^Yes, and it was my first try too! Everything did not go smoothly (dragon disrupted my images, CG failed to target JonBon, Minsc berserked etc.) but I was lucky to beat them all!

Special thanks to all good arch-mage people here who have great knowledge and understanding over spells, for their precious and wise advices!

I hope this topic and my last post can be a great strategy for those brave souls who want to challenge the true power of Irenicus, aka Improved Irenicus component. AND I do recommend it, it is fun as hell!

 

Sounds lke a fun battle, wish I could have seen it! Ascension only gets better from where you are now - and more violent, with a nice twist at the end - so strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.

 

Unfourtunately I am away from home and Fearun once again, and will have to wait for another 2 or 3 weeks to enjoy the rest of the ascension. And I will have Improved Sendai as well! Too bad I can not try it now...

Fortunately I still have my connection to Fearun: Sorcerer's Place! So I hope I will not miss much?