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Post by mattDP on Oct 26, 2004 9:40:06 GMT
Hi,
This is very similar to the "death" thread that's lurking about down below, but I'm asking a specific question this time, so please forgive me.
I hate dying. I've been trying to play through as many books as I can without dying but as many people have observed, that's very, very difficult. My record so far is making it to book 4, where I got caught in the old trapdoor trap. I never could resist the chance to explore a new area.
After that, the thought of starting again really grated, so, having followed the common practice of saving my character at the start of each book, I started again from that point. It felt like a bit of a swindle, but hey, I'd get bored otherwise, right?
So my question is, for those who take the common option of starting a book again if you die in it's course, do you start a new character or do you keep your old stats and items? Unless you do the latter, Zakhan Kimah is going to be a very tough proposition indeed.
I also must confess to rolling 5 times for my combat skill and choosing the best. I just can't imagine playing all the way up to Zakhan with a CS of 10 (or even 15!) knowing full well I'm about to die. I only roll once for EP though.
On a side note, am I the only person who thought the Zakhan's CS was a misprint the first time I saw it in a book, many many years ago?
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Post by Ghost Bear on Oct 26, 2004 10:29:17 GMT
I don't reroll a character when I start a book again after dying. And I have to admit that I do a similar thing to what you do. I roll 5 times, and pick the best two numbers for my CS and EP.
-GB
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Post by Zipp on Oct 26, 2004 16:48:51 GMT
Four words:
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Many of us, even the diehard fans like myself, can't stomache the thought of restarting at the veyr begining. I did it for a while and I have to say it damn near ruined book 1 for me. And book 2. Now I'm playing through with the ability to save halfway through the book and it's working out nice. I've only had to use it once or twice so far, and it's saved me hours of pointless backtracking. My theory was that I'd probably choose similar paths through the book anyway, so why start all the way over?
Now, to answer your question, when you start a book over you do not start a completely new character. You treat it as if Lone Wolf was just having a bad dream and is now starting on his adventure as if he never left for it. So, if I start over a book, I keep stats and items, but erase anything gained duiring the current quest. I also reroll anything from the start of this book (ie. gold recieved, weaponmastery if choosen).
Hope this helps.
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Post by Sol on Dec 15, 2004 20:17:59 GMT
One thing I used to do:
I used to consider Lone Wolf to have an "Extra Life." In other words, he would be able to die once and then I could back up and try again.
I usually only allowed myself one of these, but some might consider "3 strikes and you're out" to be a good policy.
An option ("cheat") that I also commonly employ would be allowing myself to drink healing potions while in combat. Sometimes I would just add the points, sometimes I would make it a "regular" attack (LW dished out no damage while drinking the potion but could himself receive damage - this was usually pretty dangerous and oft countered the benefit of the healing potion completely!).
Does anyone else use Extra Lives? In one of the Legends of Lone Wolf books, I believe Alyss actually brought Lone Wolf back from death when he was escaping from the Green Sceptre, so it might fit the theme!
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Post by outspaced on Dec 15, 2004 22:20:20 GMT
Actually, Lone Wolf died twice during the 'making of' the Legends series. Good old Grant/Barnett and his "interesting" characterisation.  |
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Post by Sol on Jan 3, 2005 22:01:08 GMT
181, Book 4
The twang of the sniper's bow and the hiss of an arrow are the last sounds that you hear in this world. The shaft punctures your skull and you die instantly.
Your life and your mission end here.
--------------------
You know, it is sad that when I am wearing the leather cap from Book 1 (found in Kai Monastery) as well as the Silver Helmet that something like this can still happen.
No!
Even so, Dever always has this way of reminding you that no matter how powerful Lone Wolf gets, he is still just a man - and can be killed by just one arrow. It does have more realism than your standard "hit point" system where a character can get hit by ten arrows and keep fighting at full power.
Like that scene in The Two Towers where the Orc with the torch is running and running - then Legolas starts shooting him with all these arrows. Yet the guy just keeps running and even makes a running dive to safety (sort of).
You know?
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Post by ramthelinefeed on Jan 4, 2005 15:09:38 GMT
yeah - remember playing the books is meant to be FUN! and it isn't much fun going all the way back to Book 1 every time you die! (in fact, you'd never bloody get the series finished) So the sensible thing is to start from the last book that you successfully completed. (But that silver helmet - not a very strong metal, silver ;-) wouldn't stop a fast steel arrow, I doubt..... ....the helmet's bonus was a "magical" one, or perhaps just the sheer ostentatious fashion-cryme of all that crazy filigree dragon-ornamentation used to put your enemies off  ) |
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Post by Sol on Jan 4, 2005 17:21:56 GMT
David,
When I die, I always start back at Book 1 - ha ha, as a result I have never finished the series. But I am attempting a grande plan right now in order to do just that - without cheating. Check it out - the "From Start to Finish" topic. I am not the only one who aspires to Kai Perfection - others also carry the torch!
Too bad I didn't get a Korlinium Helmet!
Sol
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Post by ramthelinefeed on Jan 6, 2005 20:53:04 GMT
Actually, I have never legitimately gotten past Shamaths' riddle in that Grand Master book (what is it? Dawn of the Dragons or sthg - the one where Cadak and Tagazin are up to mischief at a lake north of the stornlarns)
But sometimes I like to just play books on their own, without carrying forward tons of bonuses and special items - it's more of a challenge.
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Post by Zipp on Jan 7, 2005 8:10:31 GMT
Shamath's riddle? Well let's see... I haven't read past Jungles of Horror in about seven years... but I think that's Legacy of Vashna, isn't it?
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Post by Black Cat on Jan 7, 2005 17:23:40 GMT
Yep, that's the one. It is a weird riddle, I was never able to find the answer myself until I found it on this website. If you don't get the answer right, you have to fight Shamath. But the worst riddles for me was the ones you need to find the answer at the end of the book to close the Shadow Gate. If you don't get it the first time, you get a second chance but the numbers are changing. If don't get the answer either, then it is game over for you!
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deiseach
Kai Lord
Champion of the Sommerswerd
Posts: 170
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Post by deiseach on Jan 19, 2005 0:20:16 GMT
Am I alone in cheating mercilessly? I enjoy the gamebooks as BOOKS first and GAMES second, and the thought of having to restart every time...sheesh.
When I do restart, I always use the same character I got when I started playing the books and never reroll
CS 16
EP 24
Weaponskill - Sword (which is why I always keep the original stats)
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Post by Zipp on Jan 19, 2005 5:20:37 GMT
Hell no, I save at least once during the book so I DONT have to go back and do it. You know, Sol is crazy and has lots of time, not everyone plays the books 221 times.
Love you Sol, no offense meant, man. I am in total awe of your ability to do this.
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Post by Sol on Jan 20, 2005 3:08:01 GMT
Love you Sol, no offense meant, man. I am in total awe of your ability to do this. No sweat since really I am crazy! Hopefully I will finish before 221 tries! Ha ha, but you know, never know! Supercool! |
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Post by Zipp on Jan 20, 2005 18:37:40 GMT
Back to the death topic, what is everyone's most hated death scenario? I know the falling mast ranks high with a lot of people.
Me, I'm highly annoyed by the deaths in the sewers of Kingdom of Terror.
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