Black Fire Breathing, Unkillable Demon In Cavern

[danconnors]

Keeps killing me. I'm only level 11, but this thing spawns 4 or 5 small black things that kill me pretty quickly by themselves. Apparently it heals completely if I flee the cavern or die. It also spawns more of the black globular things if I leave the cavern.

I'm trying to find the hermit armorer near the city with the oracle in it. Far as I know there is nothing plot connected here, so I may have to give this fire breather a miss.

[Somebody]

The demon you are talking about is killable on level 11, if you skilled correctly and have good gear. He might still be a challenge, but definitely doable.

He's an optional boss that was added in the anniversary edition. There's an achievement for killing him. If you can't take him on right now, ignore him.

[danconnors]

Maybe this hermit armorer will have something useful. Fortunately you can travel quickly with those teleporters.

[danconnors]

Got it.

[danconnors]

I started a new game, and this time, the creature wasn't present in the cave. It's an optional boss? I didn't know they made optional bosses. It's in the cave just after you pick up the offering for the oracle.

[Somebody]

Yes, he's only sometimes there. You have to exit the game to the desktop and then go into the game again to make him appear. He should appear after a few tries.

[danconnors]

That's strange. I restarted the game, but he wasn't there the second visit either. Maybe I should leave well enough alone. This thing killed my first player 10 times or so on my first playthrough. This character had been unkilled until a few game hours before, around level 11.

[Somebody]

Just restart a few times. He will be there. But don't just go back to the menu. Exit to the desktop and then start TQAE again to get a new random seed that decides which monsters spawn in the world. If you only go back to the menu, the monsters will always be the same.

[danconnors]

I've even restarted the computer once. I get some sort of red flying thing once. Red Wing I think it was. I've tried it 4 times now. I'll give it one more try, then call it an omen, and press on.

[danconnors]

I should have heeded my own words. The damn mutt has killed me 15 times now.

[THe Black Frank White]

I was level 11, Brigand, and he (Shadowmaw is called I think) killed me like 3 times, so ignored him. Get to Delphi and when I was lvl 13 I got back, and tried another tactic and killed him but with ranged attacks and retreats this time. The first time I was trying direct attacks with the spear and didnt work so its just question of strategy and skills... Maybe some good gear too.

[Hammerhead]

The Phoenician Swamp cave has the monster boss Shadowmaw a level 22 Demon: 4000 Health, 800 Energy. This is way higher than your level at this point in the game. He does 100 ~ 120 Physical Damage and has a fire strike that deals 60 Physical Damage, +110% Physical Damage. He has 30% Fire Resistance and a 30% Chance to Avoid Projectiles. The black fellows you mentioned are ShadowStalkers. They have a distortion field to absorb about 15% of damage and deal 23 physical retaliation. Welcome to your first really tough monster.

You don’t have to kill him now, but note Shadowmaw’s location because you will want to come back and kill him before you leave Greece to earn an accomplishment. The key is to beef up your fire and vitality damage resistances and increase your damage to demons. If you wait until you get to level 15 you will start to find/buy Level 15 rings with mid-teens fire resistance. Also look for other gear with fire resistance that you can put in your inventory and use for this one battle. Be on the lookout for charms and relics that offer +50% damage to demons that you can use on various pieces of your gear. If you’re lucky you’ll come across a “ritual” amulet that provides 18% less damage from Demons and delivers +6 damage to Demons. Although the first time through the game you’re probably better off with an amulet that provides vitality damage resistance.

One other thing I’ve learned is to stay away from a melee attack against this guy. A throwing weapon or bow is a lot better for your survival.

As you play through the game, you’ll start gathering Demon Blood charms that offer 25% vitality damage resistance plus 50% damage to demons. Many of these will have an extra 15% vitality damage resistance completion bonus. Save these to put on some high fire resistance rings or an amulet and keep them in a mule to pull out and use with your next heroes that near Shadowmaw’s cave.