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Windwalking
Fearless Paladin
Joined: 05 Jul 2002
Posts: 227
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quote:
Originally posted by Bilbo
In reality, would the groups fight without us present, yes.
But let's do a reality check from Sir-Tech's point of view. If they fight when we're not there, then when we get there there's only 1 side left (either Trynnies or sprites, whoever wins). We miss out on seeing one set of these people. NPCs are possibly doing our dirty work for us without us even asking. And we have an unbalanced scenario either way: either we have no one to fight, or we have no one to help us in our fights. These are the real reasons the groups don't fight without us.
And if you're constantly getting beaten up by sprites, walk around with the Trynnies as much as possible. Use them as the cannon fodder until you're stronger.
Well I disagree... The sprites and Trynnies could be scripted to fight only when we can see them, but not neccessarily when we're in the combat. It would just seem to the player that the sprites had come for another raid, which allows the game to be more immersive and at the same time allowing us to see both groups... And who says that these monsters have to be in the town in the first place? IMO, there should be safe zones in a game, and an established, defended city seems like it should qualify. It would be cool if the Trynnies and Sprites fought only in the wilderness around the city, not in the city itself.
And about dealing with the sprites, I found that the Trynnie Patrols did not help at all (most of the sprites would cast at my party, or combined attack on both of our parties  ). I just end up avoiding sprites by taking cover inside a building when I see them coming, and then camping for 8 hours. Then I go along until I see them again, cycle, rinse, repeat...
- Wind
- Windwalking |
Wed Jul 17, 2002 2:48 am |
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Rhea
Eager Tradesman
Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Posts: 40
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I just assumed that the Trynnies and the sprites, wasps and other nasties are in conflict, but in a balanced conflict (kind of like me and the raccoons who eat my plums, and the deer who eat my roses, and the possums who eat my grapes...  ).
The sprites don't bother me too much, but I always have the following spells active: armorplate, enchanted blade, magic screen, missile shield and chameleon - oh, and shadow hound.
In the first round I cast insanity (assuming the little snots didn't already cast eye for an eye), and then watch them dribble on themselves or hit each other.
Generally if you don't bear down on them too fast, you have a round to get Eye for an Eye, and your other buffing spells up.
I suspect, though, that starting with magic screen active probably gives you an advantage.
I had trouble with them my first time through the game and not really since then. |
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Wed Jul 17, 2002 11:10 pm |
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dteowner
Shoegazer
Joined: 21 Mar 2002
Posts: 7570
Location: Third Hero of Erathia |
Welcome to the board, Rhea. Hope you enjoy your stay.
I'm thinking back. Aren't the sprites the first spellcasters you bump into (other than the possible 15 HP Siges leading some Modais that pop up from time to time on the Arnika/Trynton Road)? Maybe they're more of a challenge because they force you to reconsider your tactics for possibly the first time in the game.
@Windwalking: Well, I tried. "Stop thinking so much" seemed like lousy advice...
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RIP Red Wings How 'Bout Dem Cowboys! |
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Thu Jul 18, 2002 4:46 am |
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Windwalking
Fearless Paladin
Joined: 05 Jul 2002
Posts: 227
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quote:
Originally posted by Rhea
I just assumed that the Trynnies and the sprites, wasps and other nasties are in conflict, but in a balanced conflict (kind of like me and the raccoons who eat my plums, and the deer who eat my roses, and the possums who eat my grapes... ).
The sprites don't bother me too much, but I always have the following spells active: armorplate, enchanted blade, magic screen, missile shield and chameleon - oh, and shadow hound.
In the first round I cast insanity (assuming the little snots didn't already cast eye for an eye), and then watch them dribble on themselves or hit each other.
Generally if you don't bear down on them too fast, you have a round to get Eye for an Eye, and your other buffing spells up.
I suspect, though, that starting with magic screen active probably gives you an advantage.
I had trouble with them my first time through the game and not really since then.
The problem was that I didn't (and still don't have) Magic Screen, and Element Shield (if I got it off in time) still sometimes wasn't enough to keep my mage from getting killed in one round. Insanity never worked for me, since they always got initiative and either got eye for an eye up or had killed one of my guys...
By the way, the sprites were the first MASSED spellcasters I faced, and it's not so much a question of tactics as it is a question of available solutions. I tried every tactic I could think of to beat the leaf sprites, including Element shield, insanity, blinding, web, freeze flesh, etc. spells, as well as using the Trynnie Patrols as bait, as well as protecting or Guardian Angeling my weaker characters. I also tried running at the sprites, hoping to close to melee. I also tried mass attack spells. None of those solutions worked consistently at killing the sprites-- at least not until one of my own guys (mage or bishop usually) had died. I don't have access to Magic Screen or Soul Shield; is that a significant help?
In any case, I've just settled on the run away and hide tactic, and it is the best one for me 
In general, I've been having problems with spell casters that do mass damage; if there are two of them that cast something like Whipping Rocks the first round, my mage is dead before the protective spells can come into play (sometimes she dies even AFTER the protection comes in ). I think it may be a product too of my poor spell selection, but what else besides Magic Screen (which i don't have) and Element Shield (which i do have) can make a difference? Esp. since sprites always go first during the first round, it's often too late...
- Wind |
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Thu Jul 18, 2002 9:02 am |
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dteowner
Shoegazer
Joined: 21 Mar 2002
Posts: 7570
Location: Third Hero of Erathia |
Get magic screen and keep it running at all times. It's good practice for the caster, and will give you some margin for error (get you thru that first round when you don't have initiative). Elemental shield and soul shield are complimentary- elem covers spells from the fire, air, water, and earth realms (regardless of which book) while soul covers the mental and divine realms. Since sprites are throwing whipping rocks and crush (earth spells), elemental shield would be appropriate.
In general, a strong magic screen will be enough in the early to mid game. Later on, the critters will get good enough at spells that you'll want the added protection of elem and soul shields. Keep in mind that Wiz8 magic is weighted toward "defense first" for effectiveness and power.
_________________
=Proud Member of the Non-Flamers Guild=
=Benevolent Dictator, X2/X3 and Morrowind/Oblivion Forums=
Sorry. No pearls of wisdom in this oyster.
RIP Red Wings How 'Bout Dem Cowboys! |
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Thu Jul 18, 2002 1:22 pm |
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Bilbo
High Emperor
Joined: 12 Mar 2002
Posts: 1620
Location: New York |
Try stealing the initiative from them. As soon as you see sprites, begin combat mode. If you have surprise the first round, your slow initiative won't matter. And Dteowner's definitely right - defensive magic rules the game; offensive magic doesn't penetrate the defensive magic well. Anyone who has fought the massive battles with the Rapax will agree: you can see your spells getting less effective as their mages cast the defensive spells throughout a combat; and if your defensive spells wear off during combat, watch out!
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The world itself shifts and changes and fades to mist like the strings of a minstrel's harp, and mayhap the dreams we forge are more enduring than the works of kings and gods.-Robert E. Howard
=Member of the RPGDot Shadows, The Nonflamers' Guild, and The Alliance of Middle Earth= |
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Fri Jul 19, 2002 2:53 am |
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Windwalking
Fearless Paladin
Joined: 05 Jul 2002
Posts: 227
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quote:
Originally posted by dteowner
Get magic screen and keep it running at all times. It's good practice for the caster, and will give you some margin for error (get you thru that first round when you don't have initiative). Elemental shield and soul shield are complimentary- elem covers spells from the fire, air, water, and earth realms (regardless of which book) while soul covers the mental and divine realms. Since sprites are throwing whipping rocks and crush (earth spells), elemental shield would be appropriate.
In general, a strong magic screen will be enough in the early to mid game. Later on, the critters will get good enough at spells that you'll want the added protection of elem and soul shields. Keep in mind that Wiz8 magic is weighted toward "defense first" for effectiveness and power.
Thanks for the advice dte; I'll try to get Magic Screen up at my Bishop's next level up (which will be in 400,000 XP, unfortunately).
- Wind |
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Fri Jul 19, 2002 4:31 am |
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dteowner
Shoegazer
Joined: 21 Mar 2002
Posts: 7570
Location: Third Hero of Erathia |
May I recommend a trip to Arnika? The Book of Screens is usually available from your friendly neighborhood religious leader for a small fee...
_________________
=Proud Member of the Non-Flamers Guild=
=Benevolent Dictator, X2/X3 and Morrowind/Oblivion Forums=
Sorry. No pearls of wisdom in this oyster.
RIP Red Wings How 'Bout Dem Cowboys! |
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Fri Jul 19, 2002 4:42 am |
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