The Black Lotus

This is my current party going through wizardry 8. This is the 6th party I have created and I have ascended with two of those parties. I have plans to ascend with this party for my third, and probably last ascension. Boo Hoo! But I have been playing this game way too much for this to continue to be an exciting experience.

 

As usual I tried to make a diverse party of characters that I usually don’t play and as usual I end up with many similarities. The big difference is I am trying to use a Ninja as a front line fighter and ignoring her spell casting ability, and I am using a Samurai that is at the back of the party focusing on the wizardry realm of spell casting and ignoring his fighting strengths. Also I have taken along Vi Domina as a companion, whom we found in Arnika and I have picked up the RFS-81 android. I used these companions the first time I Ascended, but have ignored them since. So it should be fun using them again. One big difference with the companions is, I am not using RFS-81’s Martial Arts abilities, which makes him super powerful. He started with a 8 in Staff & Wand and a zero in throwing and sling. I have him with a bo and sling and I am using him on the flank instead of up in the front where he ruled in my first party. It just gets too easy with RFS-81 throwing around 8 attacks per round with critical strike when he uses martial arts. Also this allows me to keep my Bard, Lord and Ninja as my front line fighters, which I want to do.

 

Right now The Black Lotus (a drug in the Forgotten Realms setting) is pretty much trying to close things out in this saga. They are running through the Rapax Castle trying to find out what the Rapax and the Dark Savant have in common. The party has all three items to ascend to the Cosmic Circle, but the Rapax cut off our only entrance. We should be able to find a solution in the castle.

 

Here are some group stat comparisons

Kills:

Talder (lord): 595

Su’ Rei (ninja): 474

Neeble (bard): 470

Scarth (samurai): 431

Grimly (ranger): 422

Caesure (bishop): 339

Vi (npc-valkyrie): 297

RFS-81 (npc-monk): 226

 

Deaths:

Caesure (bishop): 17

Neeble (bard): 13

Talder (lord): 9

Su’ Rei (ninja): 8

Grimly (ranger): 3

RFS-81 (npc-monk): 3

Scarth (samurai): 1

Vi (npc-valkyrie): 0

 

Neeble started off real strong in the kills department, but now has been surpassed by Su’ Re and Talder has taken a commanding lead. Talder has the best weapon combination in the group, while Neeble still has the same weapon combination from the first time we entered Arnika.  Caesure who is the best spell caster has the least amount of kills between the three major spellcasters (Caesur, Scarth and Grimly). This is misleading, she always attacks first with her high snake speed and initiative and softens up the monsters so Scarth can come in and get the kills.

 

I like the fact we have a lot of deaths in the party. This means it’s been a challenging game. Caesure is getting killed the most in the party. She doesn’t have enough hit points to last in some of the fights where a foe can inflict a lot of damage in a short time. And Neeble is in the center of our front line, so he gets picked on the most, hence his high kill rate. Talder and Su’ Re are also on the front line, so the kill rate is expected.

 

Talder                                                   

Male Rawulf Lord 22 (Paladin) - former priest 2

Hit Points: 172                                                      Abilities & Traits:                               Spells – Fire:

Stamina: 336                                                          Dual Weapons Skill Bonus    Light      

Load: 330                                                               Health Regeneration                        Lightning                             

Base AC: 7                                                            Skills - Academic:                                                            

Average AC: 22                                                    Close Combat: 84                           

Attributes:                                                            Ranged Combat: 39                            Spells – Water:

Strength: 110 (100)       (done)                    *Dual Weapons: 111 (89)                         Paralyze

Intelligence: 35                     (maybe)                  Artifacts: 43                                          Stamina

Piety: 75                                 (maybe)                  Mythology: 88                                     Cure Lesser Condition

Vitality: 55                             (maybe)                  Communication: 39 (29)                      Holy Water

Dexterity: 105 (100)       (done)                    Skills – Magic:                                   Cure Paralysis

Speed: 67 (62)                       (4)                           *Divinity: 78                                        Rest All

Senses: 74 (69)                      (3)                           Fire: 18                                                   Cure Disease

Resistances:                                                         Water: 26                                            Superman

Fire: 56                                                                   Air: 15                                                   

Water: 67                                                               Earth: 29                                

Air: 56                                                                    Mental: 34                                            Spells – Air:

Earth: 63                                                 Divine: 78                                            Cure Poison

Mental: 58                                                             Skills – Expert:                                   Whirlwind

Divine: 100                                                            Power Strike: 62                                                Purify Air

Combat & Weapon Modifiers:                             Reflextion: 34                                        Return To Portal

Initiative: 27                                                          Skills – Weapon:                                Set Portal (Crock)

Kills: 595                                                                Sword: 87                                           

Deaths: 9                                                               *Mace & Flail: 77                              Spells – Earth:

                                Primary  Secondary                Dagger: 17                                            Web

To Initiative:            +2               +3                         Staff & Wand: 8                                 Armorplate

Damage Rating:       22-53          11-35                    *Modern Weapons: 49                    

Attack Rating:         49               45                         Throwing & Sling: 56                                        

# of Attacks:            2                 2                           Spell Points (892):                       

Maximum Swings: 2                 2                           Fire: 105                                                                

To Hit:                       +16             +13                       Water: 148                                          Spells – Mental:

To Penetrate:           +0               +0                         Air: 111                                                  Divine Trap

To Damage:              +120%   +60%                       Earth: 122                                          Identify Item

                                                                                Mental: 138                                          Sane Mind

                                                                                Divine: 268                                         

Items:                                    

Primary Weapon: Fang: 10-24dam, ToHit +2, Init +2, Kill 10%, Strength+10                                                

Secondary Weapon: Diamond Eyes (mace): 7-22dam, ToHit+3, Init+3,

                                                                    Paralyze20%, Communication+10              Spells – Divine:

Alternate Primary Weapon: Blunder Buss (gun): 2-48dam, Init-2, Kill 5%          Bless

Alternate Secondary Weapon: Musket Balls                                                       Heal Wounds

                                                                                                                                                Guardian Angel

Head: Infinity Helm: +14AC, HP Reg+2, Stamina Reg+5, SP Reg+5, 5% vs.

      Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Mental, Divine                                                Magic Screen                               

Cloak: Hunter’s Cape: +2AC, Senses +5                                                                              Remove Curse     

Torso: Golden Breastplate: +16AC,15%vs..Fire,Water,Air,Earth,Mental,Divine Soul Shield

Hands: Mantis Gloves: +14AC, Dexterity+5                                                            Heal All

Legs: Platinum Greaves: +16AC, Stamina Reg+2, Iron Will+10                          Instant Death                    

Feet: Mantis Boots: +14AC, Speed+5                                                                 Banish

Misc. #1: Amulet of Healing: +3AC, 50% vs. Divine, HP Reg+1                              Lifesteal                

Misc. #2: Ring Pro Magic: 10% vs. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Mental, Divine                Resurrection                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                               

Su’ Rei                                                 

Female Hobbit Ninja 21 (Master)

Hit Points: 140                                                      Abilities & Traits:                               Spells – Fire:

Stamina: 216                                                          Critical Strike Skill Bonus                 Light

Load: 252                                                               Thrown Criticals                                  Blinding Flash     

Base AC: 17                                                          Thrown Auto-Penetrate                                                    

Average AC: 20                                                    Skills - Academic:                            

Attributes:                                                            Close Combat: 99 (94)                    

Strength: 80                           (4)                           Ranged Combat: 75                           

Intelligence: 55                     (maybe)                  Dual Weapons: 97                        

Piety: 30                                 (no)                         *Critical Strike: 122 (98)                      Spells – Water:

Vitality: 50                             (maybe)                  Artifacts: 57                                          Acid Splash

Dexterity: 100                        (done)                    Mythology: 98                                     Stamina

Speed: 80                               (3)                           Communication: 40                              Cure Lesser Cond

Senses: 100                           (done)                    Skills – Magic:                                   Cure Paralysis

Resistances:                                                         Alchemy: 41                                         

Fire: 35                                                                   Fire:                                       

Water: 35                                                               Water: 36                           

Air: 35                                                                    Air: 2                                     

Earth: 46                                                 Earth: 16                                

Mental: 65                                                             Divine: 33                                            Spells – Air:

Divine: 88                                                              Skills – Expert:                                   Sleep                     

Combat & Weapon Modifiers:                             Reflextion: 18                                        Sonic Boom

Initiative: 36                                                          Eagle Eye: 38                                   Cure Poison

Kills: 474                                                                Skills – Weapon:                                Noxious Fumes

Deaths: 8                                                               *Sword: 89                           

                                Primary  Secondary                *Mace & Flail: 75

To Initiative:            +1               +2                         Dagger: 3                             

Damage Rating:       6-29            4-16                      *Throwing & Sling: 83                                      

Attack Rating:         44               41                         Martial Arts: 8                                   

# of Attacks:            2                 1                           Skills – Physical:                                                              

Maximum Swings:  2                 2                           *Stealth: 93                                            Spells – Earth:    

To Hit:                       +11             +9                         Spell Points (274):                        Itching Skin

To Penetrate:           +0               +0                         Fire: 35                                                   Razor Cloak

To Damage:              +60%         +30%                   Water: 47                                            Chameleon

                                                                                Air: 41                                                    Knock Knock

                                                                                Earth: 69                                 Whipping Rocks

                                                                                Divine: 82

                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

Items:                                                    

Primary Weapon: Vorpal Blade: 4-18dam, To Hit +1, Init +1, Poison 35%                Spells – Divine:

Secondary Weapon: Nunchaka: 3-12dam, To Hit +1, Init +2, K.O. 15%                Heal Wounds

                                                                                               

Alternate Primary Weapon:  Throwing Weapons                                                                                                              

Alternate Secondary Weapon: Boomerang Shuriken: 2-7dam, Init+4, Kill 1%                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Head: Helm of Serenity: +3AC, 30% vs. Mental                                                   

Cloak: Midnight Cloak: +2AC, Close Combat +5                                                                                                 

Torso: Ninja Garb (torso): +3AC                                                                                                                       

Hands:                                                                                                                  

Legs: Ninja Garb (legs): +3AC                                                                                                                                         

Feet: Tabi Boots: +3AC                                                                                                                                     

Misc. #1: Ring Pro Magic: 10% vs. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Mental, Divine

Misc. #2: Amulet of Healing: +3AC, HP Reg+1, 50% vs. Divine, Cast Heal All 

Neeble

Female Mook Bard 24 (Master of Lutes)

Hit Points: 199                                                                      Abilities & Traits:

Stamina: 346                                                                          Communication Skill Bonus

Load: 397                                                                               Improves Party Camping

Base AC: 11                                                                          Skills - Academic:

Average AC: 19                                                                    *Close Combat: 100 (85)

Attributes:                                                                            Ranged Combat: 63

Strength: 120 (100)       (done)                                    Dual Weapons: 87

Intelligence: 56                     (maybe)                                  Artifacts: 51

Piety: 15 (25)                         (no)                                         Mythology: 96

Vitality: 91 (86)                      (3)                                           *Communication: 56 (45)

Dexterity: 100                        (done)                                    Skills – Expert:

Speed: 91 (81)                       (4)                                           *Power Strike: 76 (66)

Senses:  65 (55)                     (maybe)                                  *Reflextion: 54

Resistances:                                                                        

Fire: 55                                                                                   Skills – Weapon:

Water: 65                                                                               Sword: 88

Air: 50                                                                                    *Dagger: 52

Earth: 40                                                                 Bow: 76

Mental: 60                                                                            

Divine: 65                                                                              Skills – Physical:

Combat & Weapon Modifiers:                                             *Locks & Traps: 79

Initiative: 32                                                                          *Music: 98

Kills: 470                                                                               

Deaths: 13                                                                             Bard Instruments:

                                    Primary  Secondary                             Angel’s Tongue (Bless)

To Initiative:           +2                   +2                                     Rousing Drums (Haste)

Damage Rating:      10-26         2-14                      Jericho Horn (Armormelt)

Attack Rating:        48                   41                                     Arresting Aria (Freeze All)

# of Attacks:           2                     1                                       Dulcimer of Mending (Heal All)

Maximum Swings: 2                     2                                       Chaos Drone: (Pandemonium)

To Hit:                    +17                 +12                                   Succubus Song: (Lifesteal)

To Penetrate:          +0                   +0                                     Hades Harp (Cerebral Hemorrhage)

To Damage:           +140%           +70%

 

Items:

Primary Weapon: Mercucio’s Blade 4-11dam, To Hit+2, Init+2, Close Combat +15, 15% vs. Fire

Secondary Weapon: Poignard: 1-8dam, To Hit+1, Init+2

 

Alternate Primary Weapon: Strong Bow: dam+40%, ToHit+3, Init+2, Kill 6%

Alternate Secondary Weapon: Arrows

                                                                                                               

Head: Coif of Divinemail: +8AC, MP Reg+1, 10% vs. Divine, Vitality+5                                                              

Cloak: Cloak of Many Colors: +3AC, 10% vs. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Mental, Divine                                   

Torso: Steelhide Breastplate: +10AC, 10% vs. Water                                                    

Hands: Mail Mittins: +6AC

Legs: Oberon’s Greaves: +7AC, Speed +10, 5% vs. Mental, 5% vs. Divine

Feet: Ariel’s Slippers: +5AC, 10% vs. Air, Senses+10

Misc. #1: Ring of the Road: +1AC, Strength+20, Cast Superman

Misc. #2: Gem of Power: +2AC, Power Strike+10, 5% vs. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Mental, Divine

 

 

 

 

Grimly                                                                   (Alchemy Spells)

Male Gnome Ranger 22 (Outrider)

Hit Points: 150                                                      Abilities & Traits:                               Spells – Fire:

Stamina: 234                                                          Ranged Combat Skill Bonus    Blinding Flash

Load: 180                                                               Ranged Criticals                                  Fire Bomb     

Base AC: 8                                                            Searches All The Time                         Ring of Fire        

Average AC: 16                                                    Skills - Academic:                             Boiling Blood

Attributes:                                                            Close Combat: 18                           

Strength: 50                           (6)                           *Ranged Combat: 120 (96)                  

Intelligence: 94                     (3)                           Artifacts: 57                         

Piety: 67                                 (4)                           *Mythology: 100                                 Spells – Water:

Vitality: 50                             (no)                         Communication: 44                              Acid Splash

Dexterity: 100                        (done)                    Skills – Magic:                                   Cure Lesser Condition

Speed: 35                               (5)                           Alchemy: 93                                          Dracon Breath

Senses: 110 (100)                  (done)                    Fire: 72                                                   Cure Paralysis

Resistances:                                                         Water: 73                                            Acid Bomb

Fire: 100                                                 Air: 81                                   

Water: 72                                                               Earth: 75                                

Air: 63                                                                    Divine: 75           

Earth: 82                                                 Skills – Expert:                                  

Mental: 52                                                             Reflextion: 21                                        Spells – Air:

Divine: 92                                                              *Eagle Eye: 68 (58)                            Sleep

Combat & Weapon Modifiers:                             Skills – Weapon:                                Sonic Boom

Initiative: 29                                                          *Axe: 12                                 Cure Poison

Kills: 422                                                                Shield: 2                                                 Noxious Fumes

Deaths: 3                                                               Modern Weapon: 11                           Purify Air

To Initiative: -6                                                     *Bow: 95                                            Return To Portal

Damage Rating: 6-27                                         Skills – Physical:                               Set Portal (Rapax Rift)               

Attack Rating: 37                                                 *Scouting: 95 (85)                                Toxic Cloud    

# of Attacks: 2                                                      Spell Points (1139):                                                     

Maximum Swings: 1                                              Fire: 207                                                

To Hit: +13                                                            Water: 216                                         

To Penetrate: +0                                                   Air: 256                                                                 

To Damage: +0%                                                  Earth: 255                                          Spells – Earth:

                                                                                Divine: 205                                          Itching Skin

Items:                                                                                                                                     Razor Cloak

Primary Weapon: The Ripper (axe): 6-27dam, ToHit+5, Init –6, Kill 5%,                Chameleon

                                                                      K.O. 5%, Cast Instant Death                        Whipping Rocks

Secondary Weapon: N/A                                                                                                       Crush

                                                                                                                                                Element Shield

Alternate Primary Weapon: Eagle Eye Bow: ToHit+4, Init+4, Kill 1%,  Body of Stone

                                                                                    Eagle Eye+10                                   Quicksand

Alternate Secondary Weapon: Arrows                                                                  Earthquake

                                                                                                                                               

Head: Flynn’s Cap: +4AC                , Senses+10, Scouting+10, 30% vs. Earth                               

Cloak: Cloak of Many Colors: +3AC, 10% vs. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Mental, Divine                                   

Torso: Chain Mail+1: +10AC, 10% vs, Fire, Water                                                     Spells – Divine:  

Hands: Mail Mittens: +6AC                                                                                      Heal Wounds                               

Legs: Chainmail Pants: +8AC, 20% vs. Water, Air                                                       Draining Cloud                    

Feet: Chain Hosen: +8AC                                                                                                        Resurrection

Misc. #1: Amulet of Healing: +3AC, HP Reg+1, 50% vs. Divine, Cast Heal All                                 

Misc. #2: Helazoid Pendant: 50% vs. Fire, Eagle Eye+10                                       

                                                                                                                                               

Other:

Flamethrower (firestorm)                                                                             

                                                                                                                                               

Scarth                                                                    (Wizardry spells)

Male Felpurr Samurai 22 (Warlord)

Hit Points: 161                                                      Abilities & Traits:                               Spells – Fire:

Stamina: 230                                                          Sword Skill Bonus                            Energy Blast

Load: 180                                                               Fearless                                                 Fireball

Base AC: 8                                                            Lightning Strike                                   Firestorm

Average AC: 18                                                    Skills - Academic:                             Nuclear Blast

Attributes:                                                            Close Combat: 21                           

Strength: 50                           (no)                         Ranged Combat: 83                           

Intelligence: 100                   (done)                    Dual Weapons: 15                         Spells – Water:

Piety: 64                                 (3)                           Critical Strike: 29                                                Frost      

Vitality: 50                             (maybe)                  Artifacts: 55                                          Freeze Flash

Dexterity: 92 (82)                (4)                           Mythology: 98                                     Iceball

Speed: 110 (100)                   (done)                    Communication: 38                              Dehydrate

Senses: 45 (50)                      (5)                           Skills – Magic:                                   Freeze All

Resistances:                                                         *Wizardry: 98                                      Blizzard

Fire: 83                                                                   Fire: 86                                  

Water: 58                                                               Water: 86                                                           

Air: 48                                                                    Air: 87                                                    Spells – Air:

Earth: 48                                                 Earth: 82                                 Sleep

Mental: 57                                                             Mental: 76                                            Missile Shield

Divine: 68                                                              Divine: 77                                            Shrill Sound

Combat & Weapon Modifiers:                             Skills – Expert:                                   Sonic Boom     

Initiative: 36                                                          *Power Cast: 91 (76)                          Noxious Fumes

Kills: 431                                                                *Snake Speed: 51 (31)                       Shadow Hound

Deaths: 1                                                                                                                               Return To Portal

                                                                                    Skills – Weapon:                                Set Portal (Fuzzfas)

To Initiative:             -2                                             Sword: 27 (22)

Damage Rating:       5-23                                         Bow: 75                                                  Spells – Earth:

Attack Rating:         28                                            Throwing & Sling: 15                         Web

# of Attacks:            2                                                                                                              Knock Knock

Maximum Swings:  1                                              Spell Points (1434):                      Whipping Rocks

To Hit:                    +4                                            Fire: 231                                 Armormelt

To Penetrate:          +0                                            Water: 248                                          Crush

To Damage:            +0%                                        Air: 265                                                  Elemental Shield  

                                                                                Earth: 241                                         

                                                                Mental: 221                                          Spells – Mental:

                                                                                Divine: 228                                          Terror

Items:                                                                                                                                     Detect Secrets

Primary Weapon: Sword of Fire: 5-23dam, To Hit+2, Init –2, Cast Fireball                X-Ray

Secondary Weapon: N/A                                                                                                       Hex        

                                                                                                                                                Concussion

Alternate Primary Weapon: Siege Arbalest (crossbow): dam+30%, To Hit+3,                    

                                                                                                       Init-3, Kill 5%

Alternate Secondary Weapon: Bolts                                                                      Spells – Divine:                                                                                                                                                                   Enchanted Blade

Head: Kabuto: +6AC                                                                                                      Magic Missiles

Cloak: Oilskin Cloak: +1AC, 20% vs. Water                                                               Remove Curse

Torso: Hi-Kane-Do: +12AC, 30% vs. Fire                                                                   Summon Elemental

Hands: Mail Mittens: +6AC                                                                                      Banish

Legs: Chain Mail +1: +10AC, 10% vs. Fire, Water                                                                                                     

Feet: Snakeskin Boots: +8AC, Speed +10, Snakespeed+20                                   

Misc. #1: Emerald Talisman: +2AC, 30% vs. Divine, Dexterity+10                         

Misc. #2: Amulet of Nebdar: +4AC, HP Reg+1, Stamina Reg+1, SP Reg+1,

    10% vs. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Mental, Divine, Senses-5, Powercast+15

Caesure                                                                 (Psionic & Alchemy spells)

Female Faerie Bishop 21 (Diocesan) – previous Alchemist 1

Hit Points: 88                                                        Abilities & Traits:                               Spells – Fire:

Stamina: 239                                                          Removes Cursed Items                      Light

Load: 94                                                                 Dispel Undead                                  Blinding Flash

Base AC: 9                                                            Artifacts Skill Bonus                            Hypnotic Lure

Average AC: 13                                                    +2 Base AC Bonus                             Psionic Fire

Attributes:                                                            Faster Magic Power Recovery                Fire Bomb

Strength: 35 (30)                   (5)                           Skills - Academic:                             Haste

Intelligence: 120 (100)       (done)                    Close Combat: 78 (68)                     Boiling Blood

Piety: 92                                 (3)                           Ranged Combat: 34                            Spells – Water:

Vitality: 48                             (4)                           *Artifacts: 70 (56)                                Acid Splash

Dexterity: 60                          (maybe)                  *Mythology: 100                                 Paralyze

Speed: 100                             (done)                    Communication: 40                              Stamina

Senses: 75 (55)                      (maybe)                  Skills – Magic:                                   Cure Lesser Condition

Resistances:                                                         Wizardry: 8                                          Slow

Fire: 34                                                                   Divinity: 7                                              Acid Bomb

Water: 40                                                               *Alchemy: 95                                        Cure Disease

Air: 48                                                                    *Psionics: 88                                        Tsumani

Earth: 49                                                 *Fire: 88                                 Spells – Air:

Mental: 79                                                             *Water: 100 (90)                                  Sleep

Divine: 100                                                            *Air: 86                                                  Shrill Sound

Combat & Weapon Modifiers:                             *Earth: 88                                            Noxious Fumes

Initiative: 37                                                          *Mental: 96                                            Silence

Kills: 339