Potions of Heroism

[Centurion]

Believe it or not, multiple runs through the whole series, including one with SoD installed, and I have never used a single Potion of Heroism. Lately I have been reading guides which talk about stacking these for some amazing reasons. Anyone use these or know why they are useful?

I am at that stage of the game (SoD) where it is time to sell off all my junk. There are loads of potions, and scrolls, I know I won't need (and never did.) Defense, Stone Form, all the ones that set a stat to 18, and so forth. Even the lower giant strength ones. I have a ton of these and Invulnerability and am wondering if, this time, I should use them or just sell them off? I suppose, on a larger scale, what consumables do you all keep and what do you consider to be junk?

Not that the gold matters much either. At this point I am only recharging items with it.

[wendigo211]

I think they fixed the stacking a patch or two ago. You used to be able to use them to get a really low THAC0, I don't think that works anymore. They can still be useful in SoD since the battles are harder and, particularly with companions, a couple points of THAC0 can mean a few fewer misses. However, make sure you have all the Potions of Explosions and Oils of Fiery Burning you can get, as those are more useful (as well as the 22+ strength potions.)

Not all the potions are useful to all characters. E.g. the Potions of Defense are good for a Kensai, since it's generally a -4 to AC over what they usually have from the Shield Amulet (also good for Barbarians, Stalkers, Archers and Beastmasters). It's not that useful for a character wearing Full Plate who only gets a -1.

[Centurion]

Thanks for the response. It actually made me go "doh." After all these plays through I whiffed on the oldest error in the world. I made the mistake of thinking I was trading THACO (lower) for HP. Now I get that, of course, lower always means better in THACO.

You are right about the THACO bonus not stacking. But I just experimented in the infamous "fight in the basement" of SoD, and the HP do stack to the moon! I pushed my tank up over 300 HP. That plus a lot of other buffs made her more epic than Sarevok. Kind of weird wading right into a platoon of crusaders. The stuff of epics, right Boo?

Now, on my X-many playthrough I have found a great new tactic. Save them until you really need them and then become like a dragon or major fiend in HP!

[Peter]

Potion of Heroism is useful for Dorn and Rasaad.😉 This si what I always save for the final fight:
Potion of Absorption
Potion of Fire Resistance
Potion of Giant Strength
Potion of Magic Protection
Potion of Clarity
Oil of Speed
The other potions are more or less useless.

[Wasabi]

WARNING: CONTROVERSIAL VIEW

Potion of Heroism was basically put into the game for Khalid, since he's a coward and not a hero. The only way he becomes a hero is when he's on that...

[Wicket W. Warrick]

Except cures, I use potion that:
- you have in great amount (otherwise you usually save them for

So:
Heroism
Oil of spped
Giant strength (those 3 often in combo)
Fire resistance

Also potion od defense i very good, expecially on character that can't wear armor. Unfortunately there a not a lot, so n the end I donìt use them very much.

[philos3]

Originally posted by Centurion:

You are right about the THACO bonus not stacking. But I just experimented in the infamous "fight in the basement" of SoD, and the HP do stack to the moon! I pushed my tank up over 300 HP. That plus a lot of other buffs made her more epic than Sarevok. Kind of weird wading right into a platoon of crusaders. The stuff of epics, right Boo?

Now, on my X-many playthrough I have found a great new tactic. Save them until you really need them and then become like a dragon or major fiend in HP!

Man, I've been playing this game for over 20 years and never tried that. LOL, I usually end up selling them (and yes, mostly to recharge wands). I am gonna have to try that now. Thanks Centurion!

[Nooneyouknow]

Heroism aren't worth using. They're one of the only potions that exist pretty much just to sell. Insight and Cold Resistance would be the others in BG1 that suffer the same fate. Insight are extremely good in BG2 though.

[Wasabi]

Originally posted by Nooneyouknow:

Heroism aren't worth using. They're one of the only potions that exist pretty much just to sell. Insight and Cold Resistance would be the others in BG1 that suffer the same fate. Insight are extremely good in BG2 though.

Infravision is pretty useless also and only worth 100 if you sell it. I use it though just to roleplay...

[Centurion]

I typically also sell off the Stone Form (too much downside), Invulnerability, Insulation (Absorption is better), Fortitude, Strength, and Agility. Also the lower Giant Strengths. But these ideas have me thinking Defense for the final battle in Avernus? (For the squishy characters.)

[Nooneyouknow]

Originally posted by Centurion:

I typically also sell off the Stone Form (too much downside), Invulnerability, Insulation (Absorption is better), Fortitude, Strength, and Agility. Also the lower Giant Strengths. But these ideas have me thinking Defense for the final battle in Avernus? (For the squishy characters.)

Stone Form are excellent for most of the mages in the game, since their dex is low enough to get no AC bonus, but high enough not to take an AC penalty from the potion. If your dex is between 9 and 14, these are basically Potion of Invulnerability that aren't warrior restricted.

Invulnerability is one of the best potions in the game, straight up. Fortitude isn't great. Regular Strength Potions are helpful for most of the thieves. Agility potions are great, since you can use them before mind focusing for large AC buffs. I use Insulation because I like using Lightning Bolt, especially when I'm a gnome and can't use necromancy.

Originally posted by Wasabi:

Originally posted by Nooneyouknow:

Heroism aren't worth using. They're one of the only potions that exist pretty much just to sell. Insight and Cold Resistance would be the others in BG1 that suffer the same fate. Insight are extremely good in BG2 though.

Infravision is pretty useless also and only worth 100 if you sell it. I use it though just to roleplay...

They're also rare enough I completely forget they exist, unlike scrolls of infravision.