High level spell selection help needed

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Hi all!
Here's the situation:
I'm about to enter the battle with Draconis...
Imoen is my main spellcaster. She has 5 Level 9 known spells:
(Can only memorize 2).
Time Stop, Comet, Energy Drain, Spellstrike, and Freedom.

Question: Is Draconis like Balthazar(Sp.)? In the sense that Draconis is immune to Time Stop?

If yes, then my selection is easy; Energy Drain and Spellstrike.

If no, then 1st memorized spell will definitely be Time Stop.
2nd choice:
What would you select as the 2nd memorized spell: Energy Drain or Spellstrike (and why)?

 

I assume yo have no mods installed, so your spells are not altered. Spell Revisions really upgrade some of the spells, hence changing most of the spell picks.

Anyway, Comet and Energy Drain are not great as they don't bypass MR and thus not so useful. Even though they bypass MR, the effects are not that great. Freedom is a need-by-case spell and this is not such a case. Spellstrike can be nice to have, but other low level spells can have the same effect in a few castings. Draconis is not immune to Time Stop so starting the battle with a Time Stop is always useful. Why didn't you pick the Improved Alacrity HLA? It's by far the most powerful HLA, with Robe of Vecna it is an insanely powerful combo. Time Stop+Improved Alacrity, set game to pause when spell cast from options menu, and go NUTS! In your situation, I would go Double Time Stop when True Sight is active and then Pierce Shield/Pierce Magic/Breach/Lover Resistancex2 the dragon.

 

Thanks Silverstar!

The only mod I have installed is 'Dungeon Be Gone'. (No relevance to this situation!) Although I'm keeping the other mods in mind for future use.

I think it's time for another trek back to town to pick up 'Improved Alacrity' before facing Draconis.

I have also heard about a halberd (Dragon's Bane?) that is pretty devastating against dragons. I have it in one of my Holding Bags. I may try that after bringing Sarevok back into the team (temporarily replacing Minsc or Valygar).

I've finished the game once a long time ago, but, don't remember how I managed. I only remember that it was a struggle and fairly frustrating (several reloads). Of course, I didn't have the experience that I have now. (Nowhere near your intimate knowledge. :-) I have started this "episode" just recently and am already at this point. (Yaga Shura was much easier this time and fell without reloading or any team member dying). I struggled some with Sendai and had a few reloads before winning.

Thanks again!!!

 

Duh!!!

DMC: I found that out as soon as I hit town. It was then that I realized it was on level up.

 

timestop + IAlacrity +vecna is the best combo ever. on top of what silverstar said, you can summon a few monsters to mis direct. thats the standard stratagy.

if your still having trouble, read the spoiler for the easy way. Read it only when you are having trouble and you can see how powerful a mage can really be

Spoiler

the 6th lvl spell sunfire bypasses MR so when you timestop with IA+vecna. walk up to it and unload your sunfire. usually takes about 6 sunfires (that was from experience, you can calculate how many you really need). if you dont have enough sunfires, then use project image, do the above and repeat with another PI. i generally hve at least 3 mages in my group so 2 rounds of sunfire is enough. Or you can Chain contigency 3 PI and set it happening when see enemy.

 

Why not timestop twice?

Also once you have imp alacrity have the mage wear the amulet of power as it also reduces casting time along with the robe of vecna. In one time stop you can eliminate defenses and reduce MR and the second you can unleash all of your spells which can include sequencers and all of your low level spells. It may not look like it but against one target if you use all of your magic missiles, acid arrows, and flame arrows from your 1-3 slots (and believe me with all of those casting reduce items you can in one time stop) you can kill many single targets. It is just a ton of damage and it will not endanger your party like sunfire can (though it is the better choice with more planning or should I say it is your first spell to cast and then you start casting stuff like this).

 

remember to enabl0e the auto-pause on cast when activating timestop+improved alicraty and weraing amu of power and robe of vecna. as it will immediately pause after the spell i cast, enabling you to begin casting another (of round 1 because of reduced casting time) afterwards.
for optimal havoc