Ways of playing the single player campaign.

[grobblewobble]

Recently I restarted the single player campaign. This time I wanted to try something different. Instead of going with a ranged main hero, I decided to train him in nature magic from the start. T'Vril is going with combat magic, as usual. So far I love it!

I think the hardest part of the game is getting to the dark elf city. Once there, you get so many boons (regen robes, leech life and summon minion) that the rest of the game is comparatively easy. While getting to the dark elf city, having healing hands was awesome, really a great help. Also, in LoH Zap is a very decent spell.

So do any of you have stories to tell about alternative ways of doing the single player campaign?

[Kilarin]

That's my favorite way of playing. Hero=NM Tvril=CM.
Once you come back from the dark elf city, you can have your hero use "Swiftness Of The Dead" to do a speed run to the light elf city and purchase a few NM spells.

[grobblewobble]

I guess that would be possible, if you kill greater swamp trolls for the gold. However, I feel that doing so breaks the game. So I prefer to act like they are impossible to kill, like they are supposed to be.

Right now I simply followed the storyline (currently fighting my way through the valley of the four winds). I'm doing fine with Zap so far, it really is a decent spell. And they will soon get to the ice mage anyway.

[Kilarin]

So I prefer to act like they are impossible to kill, like they are supposed to be.

Not impossible, just very difficult. I won't use "rapid leveling" spells such as acid gas etc on the swamp trolls near the beginning of the game. But if I can take them out with a pair of soul spears, or by using the "round and round the ragged rock" technique, then I consider them fair game.

I simply followed the storyline

Which is a GREAT way to play the game. But one of the things I love about Hyperborea was how open ended it was. You COULD visit things out of order if you wish, or go back to places. I LOVE that.

[grobblewobble]

But if I can take them out with a pair of soul spears, or by using the "round and round the ragged rock" technique, then I consider them fair game.

Those are nice tactics.

You are right, the degree of freedom you have to deviate from the main plot is great.

When I got to the ice mage I had a good laugh. I bought the staff, my main hero summoned it and then T'Vril told him in desperation that she had no way to summon the staff and she started to pray.

When I finish this game maybe I'll try again with a melee hero. That flaming defender sword is just so juicy..

[Liantedan]

The Flaming Defender gets very nice bonuses from Dexterity, so a Ranged char will have a more powerful version of the blade than a Melee char. Maybe you should try making a Melee/Ranged hybrid main char, starting Ranged to build up more Dexterity first ?

Also, I personally think it's fun to give the Flaming Defender to the minion. though later on you get more party members, of which some are better fit to wield it, in my opinion.

But yes, there are so many different ways of playing the game, it just doesn't stop to be fun ;D

[grobblewobble]

Giving the Defender to the minion is not so easy, since it requires an int of 10.. Not impossible, but not so easy.

[Kilarin]

Giving the Defender to the minion is not so easy, since it requires an int of 10.. Not impossible, but not so easy.

AND, if you put enough magic on a minion to get him a 10int, I'm always tempted to turn him into a wizard and use him as a healing machine.

[grobblewobble]

I followed up on your advice, Liantedan. My minion now uses the flaming defender. It just dawned on me this would work great with the harmony spell if I can get some good life/mana stealing for him too.

[Liantedan]

Sounds like an excellent plan
The fragment damage from the flames makes your "heath/mana per hit" hit very fast indeed.
Oh, now don't forget about the Blademaster's ring.

[grobblewobble]

Plan failed - Harmony does not include minions. :/

At any rate, my single player game is done. I almost felt sorry for Lactri - her clever evil plans failed again. It was especially touching when Vox told my hero that Lactri had known it would end this way ahead of time. Poor Lactri

This was also the first time the sacrificial victim survived. Boy, was he pissed at me. I understand his feelings. Don't you hate it when some stranger interferes just when you are about to be sacrificed. So annoying.

I agree with Kilarin that making the hero a nature mage rocks. I see Healing Hands as the main advantage, that just helps so much to stay alive in the beginning.

[Liantedan]

Ah, pity.

Though, not all is lost. You can still use it once you've gathered some more allies...

[grobblewobble]

Just what I was thinking. However, my party is already past the point where monsters are able to hurt them. Both characters are now high level nature+combat mages, running around with incredibly tough minions and throwing cluster bombs.. The monsters are dropping dead like flies. The hyperborean dungeons were just too easy. I could go kill fury now, but I feel I'm done with this party.

So it is time for a restart. This time I will try hard mode. My plan is different this time:

Hero: ranged
T'Vril: start as nature, switch to combat after she learns necromancy

Might work well I think.. we'll see.