Getting Started

I did search for this.

As someone that has pretty much only played icewind dale, I'm finding getting started difficult. It clearly is not linear in Hommlet. I don't want to totally read the walkthroughs, so any advice on which quests are "easy" for first level would be great. I read some of the walkthrough advice on one site for a few of the non-combat quests, and I have no idea how I'd figure out how to do some of those w/o the walkthroughs.

If this has been answered elsewhere, feel free to point out that not only can't I figure out how to play, I can't even use a forum

 

Oh yeah, weird thing, but I'm 99% sure it is a vista issue. I get an error when trying to unzip the 5.06 (if I'm remembering the number right) into the ToEE folder. I assume I need to make a security change of some kind....

 

I suppose it all depends on the size of your party, PCs + NPCs. I prefer to stay in Hommlet until the PCs are level 2, then take short daytrips to nearby locales when offered. There is plenty to do in Hommlet with or without the DH quests add-ons. Make sure you look around during the daytime and night time.

 

neh, I usually skip the matchmaking (I personally think it's a boring quest anyhow) and go straight to the inn to uncover the cheater, then to the woodcutter to do some spiderbashing. Then I camp a bit in the deklo groves and after two random encounters you're lvl 2.

 

Finally started actually playing, after two false starts. nice game. I haven't totally gotten the rhythm of combat down yet, but I'm getting closer. I have not yet successfully killed all the zombies and green slime w/o losing my cleric in the process (3 tries at 2nd level - do I suck, or what?).

 

No, you don't suck -- at level 2, that's not an easy fight by any means. Even my "power parties" lose someone on that fight at times.

 

You don't suck at all. I know the rules of this game inside and out, and like Greylan said, even with my brutal parties I have a tough time.

Some advice would be :

*Power attack the zombies with whoever can. They have very low armor values, combined with above average hitpoints and damage reduction versus certain types of weapons. Meaty, and easy to hit targets benefit from being power attacked

*Turn undead some so you reduce the amount of enemies fighting for a little while

*Total defense or combat expertise/fight defensively against the slimes until the undead are defeated. I often send off my dual wielding rogue (who with daggers, shortswords, rapiers whatever) doesn't have a shot at damaging the zombies to "fend" off the slimes until I'm ready to tackle them. Since he can't contribute there, BUT usually has a pretty beefy AC value, he can tank the slimes for you.

The slimes, being the braindead monsters they are, won't bother trying to go past him and attack something they can hit.

Total defense gives a +4 to AC for a turn, but you end your action. Fighting defensively gives a -4 IIRC to hit, but +2 to AC and combat expertise is a 1:1 trade off of BAB into AC.

Good hunting!

 

Wait till 3rd level, web the zombies till ready (kill the slimes, form a line), remove web using scorching ray or produce flame (low-level fireball), then kill them methodically, keeping your line together.

 

heh, I realized after my last attempt that I didn't remember to use turn undead or barbarian rage at all. I just don't usually RP those types of characters, and completely blocked out those special abilities.

Any advice on how to get to 3rd level? I don't really want to do all the Hommlet RP quests (I've done a few).

btw, one time when I was goofing around, I thought I 'heard' mention of a cave of orcs, but in this version I don't have that info. did i hallucinate that, or is that another easier encounter?

 

The Orc encounter is REALLY hard - you may want to clear the moathouse first. Those orcs are unusually clever about killing your spellcasters with Blitz and Ready tactics.

Also, dual wielding rogues are not useless against skeletons - use light maces! I think dagges work just fine on zombies.