When to play the watchers keep ?

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I just installed ToB and since I have played SoA several times (and therefiore know most of the quests there) I considered a trip to the watchers keep for a change.

My party is actually around 1.800.000 xp and I'd like to know if it is a foolish attempt dooming me to perish miserably or it it is possible to do the tower at this level or
Since I haven't played the area ever before please AVOID SPOILERS !!!

 

I don't recommend even going to Watcher's keep unless you're already in ToB and have 3,000,000 exp. for each character. The demon prince is maybe even more powerful than the end game boss, but it's up to you.

 

It's funny you should ask. I just posted a similar (though spoiler-filled) question. My team of four (Sorcerer, Minsc, Jaheira, Jan) around level 10-11 are having major problems getting through one of the levels and I'm considering bailing out for now.

If you can do just the top level or two (and a low level party shouldn't have too many problems with this) and then leave for a while until you are buff enough to finish - it might be worth your while.

Take this with much salt, though since I haven't finished WK and am definately speaking without the benefit of knowing what the heck I'm talking about.

 

I'm doing ToB backwards. I followed the storyline all the way to before you fight an ill-tempered Blue dragon, but had to abort at that point. I was no match for him, and needed more levels.

The place to get levels is definately the Keep. But you must have Viconia, Anomen, Aerie--at least one undead-munching NPC is critical (yes, someone with three halfling bounty hunters will say they beat it easily; go trap yourself) to taking this dungeon on.

TIP
I had never done it before, but my priests (Anomen and Viconia) started controling undead, very nice. Those wandering horror/vampiric mists/swamp yuckies all have summoning spells! So when you get control, use up their summoning spells, then any augmenting spells (haste, improved invis) that they have, cast on the summoned creatures. Kill the bad guy, control the creatures. Voila!

bgp

 

Actually, I made it through with only one Cleric, and she never used her turn undead ability, all Viconia did was cast lesser restoration and heal on my fighters... also, I wouldnt suggest you take on the keep until you get your stronghold in the Abyss, otherwise, resting along the way will be a pain coz you will almost always have to leave the keep just to rest...

 

Dang it all, biggreenpriest - do you realize what you've just done? I was on the edge about restarting my sorcerer team (I just finished SOA with a solo sorc. a bit ago, so I'm kind of ready for a change) in favor of some sort of cleric team and I think you just pushed me over the edge.

I wish I had a nickle for each game I've started and failed to finish. I'd probably be up to my whatsitz in nickles.

 

If you cant make it far, or are low leveled, i definetly recommend doing the first floor because it is not very hard and has some great stuff

 

I would save the xp points for TOB. There are plenty of places to get xp in SOA, so why waste the valuable points in the keep?
If you get to far, you will be mad that you went to it in SOA because of the lost xp, IMHO.
(unless you just want a real challenge)

 

I hate level-draining creatures, because when you cast restoration your Cleric becomes tired. When you rest more level-draining enemies appear.

 

lol
pocket plane

 

Here's what I think, WK Lvl 1 and 2 are not that bad and the loot and experience is worth doing them early. The end of chapter 3 seems reasonable. There is no shame in coming back because WK Lvl 3 is not so easy. Try coming back during chapter 6 or if that's still not good enough, come back in ToB.

 

Good topic, Ragusa.

I'm outta there for now (with my sorcerer team) and will only hit level 1 and 2 with my (newly started) ranger-d-cleric team until we are really buff.

Thanks for the good info!

 

Ragusa, to tell you the truth, do Watcher's Keep first. You get plenty of level ups with the 5 levels, you get accostomed to the game, so you won't screw up being used to other stuff. And by the time you get to talk to the *********, you'll be prepared. You don't HAVE to kill the *********, *****************, and have it over with. But if you do beat him, he is ****** exp. for each party member.

[This message has been edited by shadow_thief (edited August 02, 2001).]

 

shadow thief, he asked for no spoilers, great move

 

AHHH you spoiled it for me

 

My comments,, trying to be generic to avoid spoilers:

1. watcher's keep is only too tough for you after level 3 or 4.. and you can go back to it at any time if you wish.. if you can kill demons (not saying there are any ..hehe). then you can make it to level 5

2. there is one very very very hard encounter on level 5

3. the last big bad meany (we all know his name) is hard but not impossible IMHO, because he is only with 2 other things he summons.. and they are tough but you don't need to kill them--just him.. so...... if you have fighters with low THAC0's and mages with nice protection removers--you can take him.. but keep in mind number 2 on this list

 

Uh hello...I don't think giving away how many exp. the ********* is worth is a spoiler. ********* is his name and you meet his statue in BG2's underdark. So don't go blamin' me for "spoilers" which I clearly didn't give away...I was merely giving him a choice. And the ***** is no biggie.

[Um, the fact that Demogorgon is the "monster at the end of this book" is a spoiler, as is the fact that you can fight him or use the scroll - BTA]

[This message has been edited by Blackthorne TA (edited August 02, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by shadow_thief (edited August 02, 2001).]

 

It is a spoiler because you told him of your options in dealing with him you goon!

Personally, I'd even include the creature's name as a spoiler coz you're not even told his name by anyone before you even meet him!

 

So? I gave away his name..pwfu...big deal. You meet his f***ing statue in SoA. And you can't do watcher's keep at the end. You have to kill the big bad guy at the end. Besides, his name was mentioned at the start of this thread.

Edit: Fine! If all of you have problems, I'll delete the "spoilers"! And I like spoilers.

[This message has been edited by shadow_thief (edited August 02, 2001).]

 

shadow_thief - his question was "when to play the area" with the stipulation "AVOID SPOILERS". If you were to read a book (have you done this?) and while you were in chapter 1, a well-meaning, wandering idiot were to tell you the name of the bad guy you won't meet until chapter 5, that would be a spoiler.

Part of the fun of these games is learning things as you go. Now that I already know who is lurking for me at the end of WK (I knew that critter was in the game, but assumed he would be part of the official last chapter), you have taken some of the fun out of things for me (and others). This is why we are jumping on you for your post.

The question "when to play" the area begs an answer like "now" or "later" or "much later" - it does not require *any* details as to why. The stipulation "AVOID SPOILERS", specifically asks you to not provide any of these details.