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Post by Darkash on Jun 20, 2005 2:42:22 GMT
After looking through the old threads, I have been inspired to do a few old-school challenge runs, since school is all but over for me here in the good ole' USA for the summer. The two runs I am going to be attempting are the ever-evil no dicipline run, which was stymied before at mid-book 11. I am allowing multiple Alether usage, but none of that Duel-wielding stuff. I am also considering some stand-alone books. I believe in previous discussions, we found that 8 was near impossible simply because of the end of the book, 9 had our favorite desert rat to deal with, 10 was just impossible in general, 11 was the *%$#@ 11 always is, 12 was certainly possible, and the Grand Master series was patently impossible. Anyone else up to a good ole' challenge run?
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Post by Dusk Fox on Jun 20, 2005 3:14:41 GMT
I'm considering it. I just took out Kimah fair and square (no cheating--totally unusual for me), so I'm considering playing some sort of "hand tied behind my back" run to see how far I can push it. Maybe a "No Special Items" run would be a good place to start.
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Post by Darkash on Jun 20, 2005 3:32:11 GMT
Hmm... sounds tough. No Special Items means no Quiver, so no bow shooting, no Sommerswerd, obviously, no Silver Helm/Waistcoats. Tough! Remember, the Bronin Warhammer is not a Special Item, so that might be your go to weapon. Good luck! On my own run, I have found that book 10 might be possible as a standalone, with the right combination of RN's, path. and equipment. Also, in the no-Dicipline department, I have been reminded of an old problem, the fight for the Magic Spear in book 2. Try that with a maximum of 21 CS and a 2 END loss a turn! Then again, if it was easy, it just wouldn't be a Lone Wolf challenge, now would it?
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Post by Dusk Fox on Jun 20, 2005 3:46:16 GMT
Hmm... sounds tough. No Special Items means no Quiver, so no bow shooting, no Sommerswerd, obviously, no Silver Helm/Waistcoats. Tough! Remember, the Bronin Warhammer is not a Special Item, so that might be your go to weapon. Good luck! Thanks. It'll be a while before I get started. I was thinking the Bronin Warhammer would be a must, since I'm looking for whatever advantages I can get. No Sommerswerd, no CS boosting items (other than Alether), no Quiver, no Seal of Hammerdal, no Magic Spear (looks like I'm taking Animal Kinship), and no passes--I won't be getting any free rides. We'll see how it goes. On my own run, I have found that book 10 might be possible as a standalone, with the right combination of RN's, path. and equipment. Also, in the no-Dicipline department, I have been reminded of an old problem, the fight for the Magic Spear in book 2. Try that with a maximum of 21 CS and a 2 END loss a turn! Then again, if it was easy, it just wouldn't be a Lone Wolf challenge, now would it? Harsh. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes in the No Discipline run.
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Post by Darkash on Jun 20, 2005 3:50:19 GMT
*Cough* Um, actually, you can't beat book 2 without the Seal, to the best of my knowledge. As in, if you don't have it when you reach the city, you die. Every time. Unavoidable. So you might have to fudge your rules a little, if I am right.
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Post by Laguna Blade on Jun 20, 2005 7:58:27 GMT
Ohh come on! Without special items, I am totally helpless. Damn!It's just like playing the Grey Star Series. Except Jewelled Dagger, no other weapon like special items there in the series. In GSTW, I am as good as dead! You're right if you guys accuse me on relying so much on item rather than skill: yes I am
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Post by Nathan P. Mahney on Jun 20, 2005 14:52:46 GMT
Ah, the old No-Disciplines run, as pioneered by my good self. Some of the trouble spots:
The Helghast in Book 2, of course.
Escaping from the palace in Book 5 - those random number rolls are a bastard without the modifiers.
Book 7 - It's a lot harder than it looks - watch out for the multiplied Endurance loss that many foes dish out!
Book 11 - Trust me, it's patently impossible. You might be able to do it with the ability to stack alether, though.
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Post by Dusk Fox on Jun 20, 2005 15:48:36 GMT
*Cough* Um, actually, you can't beat book 2 without the Seal, to the best of my knowledge. As in, if you don't have it when you reach the city, you die. Every time. Unavoidable. So you might have to fudge your rules a little, if I am right. Seriously? Every time? Damn. Yeah, I may have to fudge it for items you can't win without--I mean, it's not like I can discard the Sommerswerd until after the end of Book 2, anyway.
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Post by Ofecks on Jun 20, 2005 22:07:09 GMT
There are various other "key items", so to speak, that you cannot avoid or discard without destroying the logical flow of the adventure, or causing imminent death. Some others that come to mind:
- Blue Stone Triangle (book 3, it can be discarded after you pass through the door to Ikaya) - Silver Key (book 6) - Power-Key (book 7) - Psychic Ring (book 9) - Ironheart Broadsword (book 11) - Crystal Explosive, Golden Amulet, Disguise (book 12) - Cener Robe/Mask (Book 13) - Platinum Amulet (books 16-20)
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Post by Dusk Fox on Jun 20, 2005 23:09:48 GMT
I don't actually remember needing the Psychic Ring, though. I mean, I just played Book 9, and I remember getting it and what it....
Wait. Sorry. I had other special items at the time. So you seriously need one of the three (Dagger of Vashna, Psychic Ring, Sommerswerd--preferrably not this one) to win? At least you can't really avoid getting the Psychic Ring.
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Post by North Star on Jun 21, 2005 21:40:56 GMT
Don't forget that you take CS penalties for not being skilled in weapons AT ALL.
NS.
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Post by Darkash on Jun 22, 2005 19:43:16 GMT
*Upon further review, the call on the field has been ruled incorrect. Beating Book 10 as a standalone is possible... if you are a sadist*
Yes, upon further examination, 10 is indeed possible as a standalone. However, you need at least 17 base CS and as high an END as possible. For those who are curious, my route: Equipment: Laumspur(Slot 1 in backpack) 3 Meals (Slots 2, 3, 4, make sure to eat 2 and 3 first) Dagger Bow Quiver
Diciplines: Weaponmastery Bow, Dagger Psi-Surge Curing
Go the Pirsi route, but when you meet the soldiers in the town. (The trail that leads away from the valley), salute wrong. Cross your fingers that you can kill the war dogs, remember +8 for Psi-Surge in this battle. Drink the Laumspur before jumping into the river to avoid the dogs. Jump across the ravine after throwing your equipment across, hope you get a good number. Attack Roark in the temple, easy kill, use Mindblast. Keep going outside until you drop from exaustion. Eat your last meal. Kill a Kraan (SP?) with an arrow, kill the rest, only use Mindblast. Hide the bodies to find a tasty surprise! Tell the knights you are a Kai-Lord, and tell the truth to Adumas. Call tails, and if he falls, get him back! Good luck with the garrison and the RN roll to avoid the assault captain. Also, dont attack the soldiers when the alarm bell goes off! Good luck, brave Kai, and may your CS (hell, make that a whole bunch of good luck) carry you to victory!
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Post by North Star on Jun 22, 2005 23:27:19 GMT
Darkash, all of that walkthrough stuff should have been spoilered! NS.
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Post by Dusk Fox on Jun 22, 2005 23:45:03 GMT
Yeah, I'm with NS. I'm not a prig or anything (and I'm not mad), but I was going to start my play-through of Book 10 tonight, and it's the book I remember the least about.
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Post by Darkash on Jun 23, 2005 1:32:34 GMT
Yeah, I'm with NS. I'm not a prig or anything (and I'm not mad), but I was going to start my play-through of Book 10 tonight, and it's the book I remember the least about. Well, don't that just figure. Looks like my magnificant sense of timing has struck again. Sorry about that, Dusk Fox. I've read the books online so many times that I forget that not everyone has played the books about 50 times apiece; and that's not an exaggaration. The problem I've always had with "spoliers" is the question of how much is too much. If we honestly whited out all of the spoliers we posted on this message board, we'd have to white out almost every post. Still, next time I'll be a little more careful with my spoilers. And it's not like I ruined the entire book, there are more routes then I covered, and they are all worth trying at least once. BTW, I died again at the no-diciplines run. Caught a 9 on the Itikar for the second time in 3 runs. Worst part is that with my route, that is the only instant death check that I *have * to make, there is one more that is 30% avoidable after that. Again, sorry about that, DF. Good luck on your run.
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