Tips on spells and items

[MightyManticore]

So I've been playing IWD EE for the first time. Enjoying it so far, though fights seem harder than in BG games (still ok for me since I play on easy). I just got to the Dragon eye cave lvl 5 and actually would like to hear some advice without spoiling the plot to myself on what spells and items I'd better buy in the future. Should I buy any expensive weapons from Kuldahar smith (already bought a scimitar +2)? My party: bard (longswords, shortswords, crossbows), fighter (axes), cleric (flails, hammers, slings), rogue (scimitars, shortbows), druid (spears, staves, darts), mage (daggers, darts)

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

With your experience made in BG, you should not have any trouble in IWD. But since you mention Easy mode, how about examining your party's spell potential some more? Four casters in your party. Two of them don't need to learn from scrolls. Explore! Experiment!

About arcane spells for your mage/bard: you are severely limited by design, because various scrolls are distributed as loot throughout the game. And Orrick in Kuldahar only expands his shop offers as the story advances. As you cannot know which scrolls you will find next, the decision whether to buy a scroll should be an easy one. Can you afford it? Do you absolutely want that spell? Then buy it.

About Conlan's Smithy: among his expensive items are many newbie traps. In other words, +2 to +5 weapons that cost piles of gold without really being worthwhile. There is one exception. You need at least +2 weapons to hit some enemies, so depending on what weapons you've found so far and which you have kept, you may want to invest into some safety. Or else you would need to use spells like Enchanted Weapon as a fallback solution, if available. There are various good weapons to get in this game without needing to buy them. Some of the loot is distributed randomly, though.

Dragon's Eye level 5: if I remember correctly, the Contact Other Plane gives a hint about not using flame but water, so spells involving water/ice may be the better choice. Not strictly necessary, though. There are tons of ways to be successful. You've got many options with your party.

[MightyManticore]

So there will be good weapons (+3 or more) for my party shortly later? I was planning to save money for the Spear of White Ash and the Sword of Myrloch Vale 'cos I liked the bonuses...
Spells sure are fun... I found out that in this game Insect Plague has got friendly fire :)) And new spells, too! (taken from 3rd edition but still) So obviously I will experiment further, thanks)
Well, I was thhinking that there will be high level scrolls to find near the end (like in BG you were 100% guaranteed to find Time Stop in Suldanesselar and didn't need to buy it if you got only one mage), so I certainly shouldn't buy them at stores.
Also, another question: I've been carrying an Ancient armor for a while. I thought that was a quest item, but it can be sold for 200 gp, so it's actually not? Thanks in advance.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Spear of White Ash : a waste of gold to buy this for a druid, who should focus on spells. You can get the Spear of Kerish for free later in the game (in AR7001) --> http://www.gamebanshee.com/icewinddale/equipment/spears.php

There will be tons of scrolls, up to and including spell level 9. As mentioned, Orrick offers new items after chapter changes. And you will meet more traders.

In Kuldahar, once your level is high enough, you can also start the expansion Heart of Winter and return to the base game after the first progress. At various stages of the story, it's possible to return from the expansion. Tons of extra XP, items and shopping options before completing the base game.

Originally posted by MightyManticore:

Also, another question: I've been carrying an Ancient armor for a while. I thought that was a quest item,

In BG it's special, here it's only to be sold.

[MightyManticore]

Alright, thank you for help!

[Kimmaz]

It might fit in here, Are any scrolls one time use to cast like in elder scrolls, or does every scroll learn you the spell permanently? and if so how do you se the difference. or are all scrolls one time usage.

[MightyManticore]

You have two options. The first is to use the scroll to cast the spell it has once, the scroll then disappears from your inventory. To do that put in your quick item slots. The second is to scribe it in your spellbook. Only Wizard(Mage) and Bard characters can do that. To do that right-click on the scroll, the option should be there. If you play on Core rules or higher difficulty setting, there is a chance to fail the scribing and the scroll then is lost, so save before scribing.

[Maggelaggen]

Thought I'd just give a few pointers as far as spells/spell-effects are concerned (since they tend to vary from BG-versions).

In IWD items that give Free Action (immunity to hold, web, movement restriction) are really powerful since they don't override haste effects. If you find any item with Free Action use it.

Elementals are really powerful summons. They stick around for ages and particularly the fire elementals are awesome since they are immune to web/entangle etc (great for containing big packs of enemies while the elementals keep pounding) and they are also immune to fire. You can web an area send in the elementals and nuke with fire spells while they are fighting.

Another combination that is really effective (especially vs living enemies) is web or entangle + spider spawn. The spiders are decent up to the point where you get Sword Spiders. At this point it really takes off.

Druids are really potent in IWD and vs living enemies Call Woodland Being is ace. The nymphs can cast hold monster and domination. With some micro-management you can turn a really difficult encounter into a stroll in the park with those two spells alone.

Bards are great for spells that enhance as you level, since they level fast and their spell level will be higher than most casters. Haste, slow, etc.

As for melee I would recommend dual-wield. For the fights where you need to end things quickly (casters, ranged enemies etc) I would go for a weapon with stun or elemental dmg in MH and a weapon with + 1 APR in OH. For fights where survivability is key (huge packs of hard-hitting melee enemies) I'd recommend weapons with stun/slow etc in MH and a weapon that increases AC or the like in OH. Remember that you only get one extra APR with your OH, so the OH-weapon doesn't really need to be one you have points in, especially if it gives +1 APR. Better to miss with your OH frequently, but have the option to land an extra attack with your MH.

As for the level you are currently on in Dragon's Eye I would urge you to choose your battlegrounds with care and operate on the safe side of caution. Good luck ;)

[MightyManticore]

It's been 2 years, obviously I'm still on the same dungeon haha
I took hiatuses to be fair and currently on one but still got much further than that, last itme I was in the dlc :))
Also, sorry if I don't know all the abbreviations, kinda confusing

[Maggelaggen]

Originally posted by MightyManticore:

It's been 2 years, obviously I'm still on the same dungeon haha
I took hiatuses to be fair and currently on one but still got much further than that, last itme I was in the dlc :))
Also, sorry if I don't know all the abbreviations, kinda confusing

MH = Main hand
OH = Off hand
AC = Armor Class
APR = Attacks pr. round

Hope this helps ;)