While playing my solo 966666 character, I picked up Vhailor's Helm. Tried to use the Simulacrum special ability - couldn't.... Got some kind of Save vs. Death message... Now, my charcter still has an INT of only 6... Might that have caused the failure? I'd have guess that, since I could put it on without any INT-raising potion, I could use the item.

Thoughts? Comments?

I had the same problem. Waste of bloody money; don't bother with Vhailor's Helm.

WEll, it's worked on other characters - but they had better INT stats... That's why I asked...

What's wrong with my helmet? Ho ho ho.... :happy: :heh: :grin:


Anyway, go here: it should solve your problems: http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/002640.html

Basically I think you need to install the patch.

[This message has been edited by Wildfire (edited October 12, 2001).]

Edit: nm you have answer there *points at post above*

[This message has been edited by Thomas Covenant (edited October 12, 2001).]

Thanks but that solution is a non-starter as all current patches have already been applied.

Try and reinstall the official patch in Wildfire's (Vhailor's) link. It worked for me. http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/index_misc.htm

[This message has been edited by Nobleman (edited October 12, 2001).]

I guess it is working normal - some times it works and I get the "mini-me". Other times, I fail the save and it doesn't show up. So my original theory of it being related to low-INT remains unchallenged.

Ah well.. part of the game I guess.

Hi,

I have used the helmet on keldorn and had no problems. I don't think it is a waste of money, in fact I think it is far too powerful (but I can't help but use it now I have discovered how useful it is!) here is why I think this:

Spoiler:


The helmet creates copies of anything the character is equiped with:
I believe that there are only two protection from magic scrolls in the game; well use the helmet and ensure they are in the quick slot,
viola your double has them too: use your doubles scrolls and when the double disapears the original scrolls are still there in the real character!
I am guessing that this would work with other magic scrolls except that the helmet can't be used by mages, I haven't tried it on my mc f/m yet though, hmmm, that might be one way to get unlimited uses of those high level scrolls such as wish etc before my character can use them.
Anyway, I was having real problems with Kangaxx so I came up with a slightly cheesy method of taking him down after reading some hints on gamesbanshee.
I used the helmet with keldorn when he was equiped with the holy avenger, ring of ram and the two protection from magic scrolls.
I then used the doubles scrolls on him and his clone. I had Yoshi plant a few traps where the lich appears and then positioned both keldorns next to the coffin and activated it.
Kangaxx the lich appeared and died pretty quickly after the traps went off and keldorn x2 had hit him a few times with that sword x 2. As soon as the demilich appeared keldorn x 2 whacked him for one round and then they each hit him with their ring of ram, 15 and 17 hits each, this was a enough to kill him. That was the first time I had used the ring, I didn't realise how far back the target woudl get thrown back, I don't know whether it was because I used two rings or what but that skull bounced around the room a bit before settling - a bit like a squash ball.
Anyway, result one dead demilich and I still have my scrolls (no idea if i will need them when i go to spellhold - I guess they might be useful...)
I felt a bit guilty about the yoshi traps, a litle cheesy, but hey, I didn't know what was going to come out of that coffin, yoshi was just taking sensible precautions!
The other thing that stuck me about the ring of ram is that if my tank fighter is suffering lots of damage from an opponent and needs to get out of there, just make sure he uses the ring to throw the opponent back and give himself some space it retreat. Very useful.

Cheers,

WittyNewt

Witty, you stole my tactic!! ;)

Your idea to double high-level scrolls is right, but you'll have to put in the QI-slots of a mage/sorcerer and have him/her cast either "Mirror Image" or "Simulacrum".

There's also a cheese around the reduced spell-casting abilities of a simulacrum. Sequencers.

The only prob i've had with the helm is that the damn spell doesn't work :mad:

Vermillion, the helm is corrected within the patch. Read the posts above! *glower*

Don't let me see another post how that item ain't working with the patch applied!
*worse glower*


[EDIT]

It CAN'T be connected to INT. It can only be connected to very high Magic Resistance.

The unpatched version of the game kills helm's ability if the caster throws a save against paralyze/poison/death. That thing is removed with the patch.


[EDIT2]

I believe this thread is not over. So I say again:
Watch out your possible VERY HIGH MAGIC RESISTANCE!

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I won't experiment with any of items from bonus merchants.

[This message has been edited by Extremist (edited October 13, 2001).]

As I wrote above, I am now convinced that the Helm has a chance of "spell failure" written into its programming as I have used it since I bought it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Though, at first, I thought that this had to do with my low INT, I can't prove that. And it has "failed" after I have raised my INT via potions while it has worked without doing so other times. So, I can't explain why or how it works...

Just reporting that, even with the patch applied, the Helm doesn't ALWAYS work.

That was my point exactly, the patch still had the spell failing when i was attempting to cast it. Otherwise i wouldn't have posted that would I? :mad::mad::flaming:

Wow, the first time i've been flamed by Extremist:). At last, i thought you didn't like me or something. Party at my house to celebrate:D:D

EDIT: a couple of spelling mistakes, my keys move around, thats my excuse;)

[This message has been edited by Vermillion (edited October 13, 2001).]

For the first time I am going to directly argue against something Extremist has stated as an absolute. I do so not as a flame, but because he is flat out wrong.

The character, Lerrahud, had exactly ZERO magic resistance. I repeat, ZERO magic resistance.

Therefore, his contention is worthless to consider. There must be some other explanation and I offer low INT as one possibility.

OMG! :rolleyes:

Got some kind of Save vs. Death message...

The unpatched version of the game kills helm's ability if the caster throws a save against paralyze/poison/death. That thing is removed with the patch.

Are you sure you installed the patch correctly!?
You were supposed to install first Bonus CD and after that THE PATCH!

How would you know if the patch is properly installed?
Check files in your OVERRIDE folder. There should be a file:
WA2HELM.ITM created 13.10.2000. (date is in MY format dd.mm.yyyy.)

If that file is missing or is not from that date, you have the wrong patch or you never installed the patch or you installed Bonus CD AFTER the patch. There is one possible thing more - you installed ToB with possible wrong item file!

In OVERRIDE folder shouldn't be a file called:
SPWI804.SPL
This file is the spell itself, it is sometimes a part of UNOFFICIAL FIXES and installing any of those could have created your problem.

Although I said I won't experiment with the item, I got sick of this. So I created it from Console and tried it on my hero, Viconia, Jaheira, Anomen and Minsc. I used the ability about 20 times on each person - Simulacrum NEVER failed.
I haven't installed ToB, I haven't edited my hero with cheat utils, I haven't installed anyhing of third parties - I installed SoA and OFFICIAL patch ONLY.

Please, if anyone is :flaming: on this site because of Bioware bugs, that one is me. But my dear, this item is corrected within SoA OFFICIAL patch, and I can't nor won't spit on this one. There is no other explanation - your patch is not properly installed or is corrupted.

Finally, if I found out after you check the contents of your OVERRIDE folder that you flame me for nothing here, the one who is ignoring will become ME. You have the right to flame me when I'm wrong, but in this case I'm not wrong. The helm works in my game perfectly.

Disputation is not a flame. Were I to call you stupid or unintelligent, Extremist, that would be a flame. Saying that you are wrong when you make an incorrect yet absolute statement is not a flame.

Your creation of the item from the console does not duplicate the situation that I reported on - a character of very low intellignece. All of the NPCs you used have much higher INT than my character. So, your test proved nothing - unfotrunately, it only reinforced your ignorance of the question being discussed.

That question is whether or not LOW INT causes the Simulacrum abaility of Vhailor's Helm to occasionally "misfire" or fail.

Also, just because something does not occur in your game does not mean it does not happen in other people's games. If you are omniscent, then obviously, your points might be well-taken.

However, with nearly 33 years of computer experience behind me, I have some confidence in my ability to install patches corerctly and identify bugs properly.

In this case, I reported something that I found "unusual" and asked for theories. The reponses of others contradict your experience while paralleling my own. Consequently, your opinion is no more valuable than any others - especially as those other opinions and experiences parallel my own experience.

So, unless you have access to and have studied every line of code within the game, EVERY LINE, and care to show me exactly where what you say is true and what I postulate is false, I will ignore your comments in this thread.

Opinion without evidence is just that - opinion. Opinion with evidence is no longer opinion but theory.

[This message has been edited by Kailynne Johanne (edited October 15, 2001).]

1. Minsc has INT 8. On him, helm works every time.

2. Have you checked your OVERRIDE folder contents as I posted above?

3. Have you checked if you installed 3rd party "fixes", ToB, or something else?


I don't have the game code. I haven't known Bioware shares it freely so someone can study it.
I posted you my opinion - WITH EVIDENCE.

SoA + patch = working helm.
SoA + patch + something else = don't ask on SoA forum.


[EDIT]
Of course, if you would be so kind and send me your saved game zipped - I could be able to test it on exactly the same situation.

[This message has been edited by Extremist (edited October 15, 2001).]

I am not looking for you to solve any problem. You apparently missed that.

My character has an INT of 6. Apparently, you missed that also.

I do have all official fixes installed - as suggested and posted above. This was done even before I posted the original question. Apparently you missed that also.

FWIW, I do not have TOB installed at this time. I do not have any unofficial patches or fixes installed. Nor any "cheats."

I haven't used SK or any other util to examine or play BG2 since its installation.

I have checked what you posted files-wise. That was the only verifiable piece of information you provided which might be considered evidence. But evidence of what? You still haven't proven anything just by saying "check this, this and this."

I have no reason to send you my game. It doesn't need to be "fixed." I described an observed game playing experience. I asked fo opinions and comments. You flamed someone and then me in a thread I started. So, why should or would I even consider that you would care to look at my game?

Lastly, unless I miss my guess or have misread the FAQ, your comment "SoA + patch + something else = don't ask on SoA forum" exceeds both your authority and your "Johnson" on this board. Laying down a rule like that is neither your place nor anything enforceable by you as I understand the board rules. So, take that for what it's worth in considering whether or not I intend to follow that "rule."

You still haven't directly addressed the question raised. Your native tongue may not be English, but your command of the language should be sufficient to understand that concept.


[This message has been edited by Kailynne Johanne (edited October 15, 2001).]

Kailynne Johanne, it is obvious we don't understand each other.

If there is no problem to solve, why have you put the question in the first place? (First post: "thoughts? comments?")

You got my thoughts, you got my comments. If you don't like it, then sorry. If there is no problem, then sorry for me being a fool trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

Community has my answers. Everyone can check if the helm works ALWAYS with the file I posted as needed to have in OVERRIDE folder.
And that's all that matters to me.

I don't think you'll see me ever more in this thread. Have a nice day.