View Full Version : Let dragons ride the lightning!


Ragusa
Sun, 13th May '01, 1:28pm
IŽm going to try a new dragon slaying tactic:

I will meet my next dragon in Sulandessalar and I think how to kill this beast in a fancy way using spells for my initial blow. I guess IŽll try to approach under invisibility, protected from fear and hasted. I intend to make use of spell sequencers to maxx my magic punch since my only mage is Imoen.

I also want to use some effective cleric spells when there are some. Reading the the AD&D monster manual I think that all dragons seem to have a weak spot in common: their vulnerability to electricity.
I remember that I used the wands of lightning with pretty neat effect on them before.

So this time IŽll try to let the black dragon "ride the lightning" by frying it with an initial triple magic missile blow (to wear off ironskin) followed by triple lightning bolts (this should deal out 27 to 162 damage). IŽm curious about that. Maybe IŽll try Abi Dalzims spell too (Imoen is mage level lvl-17 iirc, that would mean that it deals out about 17 to 136 damage, though magic resistance could be a problem here - the spell didnŽt work on mindflayers, but had great effect on beholders).
I guess IŽll let Keldorn try his mighty dispell magic on the dragon first (shaky on this for it would dispell my protections too), then switching over to lightning bolts & light crossbow of speed. Jaheira will probably call lightning and after running out of spells sheŽll switch over to her sling. My cavalier Sir Donaldus will melee it with Namarra or C`Fury, side by side with Minsc using the dragonslayer halberd. I guess Mazzy will use her bow or I make her melee to using the dragonslayer sword (protection from fear and slow regeneration), I will decide that when I arrive there.

Has anyone tried that? Ideas, experiences and improvements are welcome!

Zorac
Sun, 13th May '01, 4:31pm
From what I remember the dragon ignores the fact you are invisible and starts conversation anyway. This is probably as it should.

On the other hand your party is high level by this time so I don't think you will have any major problems anyway.

Da Punisher
Sun, 13th May '01, 7:32pm
Minsc went in shadows, just did, and the dragon talked to me anyway, getting angry, and suddanly, Minsc was vissible again, while he has 106% stealth.
The dragon was a piece o' cake, since my party already has maximum XP. Al six of 'em.
Minsc got kicked though, but he just went out of battle and the rest finished him off...!

Ragusa
Sun, 13th May '01, 11:30pm
It works great - call lightning and triple lightning bolts are excellent on dragons. But my absolute favourite spell combination was: pierce magic + double lower resistance (lvl-17 mage Imoen) reduces magic resistance by 71 :D

Short and easy fight after that :D

Modjahed
Mon, 14th May '01, 12:04am
During my last run through, the easiest Dragon for me was the Shadow one - I did it in Chapter 6 being almost maxxed out in levels, and here is how it went:

1) Jaheira summons a Fire elemental - to start the fight and have the Dragon occupied for at least two-three rounds

2) Imoen casts Lower Resistance, followed immediately by two sequencers: 2 Magic Missiles, and Greater Malison + 2 Lightning bolts.

3) Jaheira casts Insect Plague and starts shooting the bastard with the sling of Everard.

4) The Dragon casts Stoneskin and Protection from Magic weapons - Imoen takes them off with a Breach - Robe of Vecna works fast.

5) And there comes in my Half-Orc Kensai, STR 24 from potion, AC -8, Kai, Improved Haste for 7 attacks per round dualwielding C'Fury and Dragonslayer (THACO -16, -9), two regular hits and two criticals and the Dragon dies - see you in my next run through :D

Spudsquisher
Sun, 20th May '01, 11:23pm
can minsc backstab?

Gonff
Mon, 21st May '01, 1:09am
Do you have lives?

Earl Grey
Mon, 21st May '01, 1:20am
Hey Gonff! You are liable to get a mighty whopping from a moderator any minute now.

Minsc can't backstab.

Modjahed.
That sounds very much like my tactics except I don't use Lightning Bolts on dragons b/c I think there might be a bug causing them to take excessive damage from it.

Dauntalus
Mon, 21st May '01, 7:08am
Well...

Blue Dragons are quite resilient to lightning. Guess that doesn't matter since there aren't any of them. Otherwise, lightining sounds like a good tactic. Think I'll try that.

Need theme music though, where is that metallica album.....