12 replies to this topic

[Usurper]

Step up, step up, all ye powergaming fools! Do you think you know what you're doing when you play Baldur's Gate II? Well, now's your chance to prove it!

I'm issuing a challenge to all would-be heroes, all knowledgeable powergamers! This here Standard Mega-Mod Ironman No-reload Challenge, or SMMINC (simmink!) will test your mettle like its never been tested before! Here's the rules of the challenge.

1. Don't talk about SMMINC. The first rule of SMMINC is that you don't talk about SMMINC.

2. Install SMM. The second rule of SMMINC is that you install the Standard Mega-Mod by bigmoshi. This is so that everybody has the same game to work with, and the same challenge for all.

3. Use Core Rules. Core Rules are real DnD. But, smart enemies are more fun, so when you get the option to choose the difficulty in the Bigg Tweak Pack, go ahead and choose Insane.

4. Don't cheat. I know its tempting but don't set debug mode to 1 or use anything else other than the game. Then its not a challenge.

5. Don't reload. The third rule of SMMINC is that you play the game through with no reloads. No reloads ever. You missed a major plot point? SUCK IT UP. Aerie just got gibbed? Pick up the pieces and move on. Minsc killed your favorite thief in a berserker rage? Forgive him and look to the future. And, if you die, go to the Throne of Bhaal and wait patiently for your betters to usurp your essence in a bid for godhood.

6. Report your progress here! This is the fun part. When you start, please report your name, class, and portrait here. I'll add you to the current roster. And when you die (and you WILL die, believe me) tell your final level, where you died, what killed you, what chapter you got to, and write up an epitaph for your now-empty statue niche.

7. You can fix gamestopping bugs. Due to the possibly unstable state of the game, if you encounter a bug that makes you unable to continue playing you can use the cheat codes to teleport yourself or create a quest item or change a global variable to make the game playable again. This does not include awarding yourself missed xp or items you should have gotten. A minimalist approach is key here. Just make the game playable and continue.

edit: I've been changing the requirements here based on people's input so i think that I need some time to tweak the requirements a bit more before formally beginning the challenge. So please, give me your feedback.

Edited by Usurper, 22 January 2008 - 12:58 AM.

[erebusant]

Shouldn't you specify what gameplay setting to use as well? As 1st level with no equipment, it's pretty difficult to even make it through the very 1st battle in AR6600 if you're playing on the "insane" setting.

[billy3]

any restrictions on stats? should everyone use the shift-8 cheat to start with all 18s? that would make survivability better but also keep stats uniform for all players without inhibiting class/dualing requirements.

or we could use a "what you get on 1st roll without any stat adjustments".

hmmm... what'd be really kewl is having an online character auto generator and stat roller... make the best of what you're given

i think i've gotten a bit carried away here...

[Usurper]

The only thing to say here is no cheating, I guess. roll, redistribute points, sit there for hours to get the perfect stats, but no shift-8 or CLUA console commands.

[Hoppy]

Has the SMM install by BigMoshi been fully tested to the point of complete playability? No crash to desktops or cut screen hangups that would ultimately require a reload?

[Usurper]

Has the SMM install by BigMoshi been fully tested to the point of complete playability? No crash to desktops or cut screen hangups that would ultimately require a reload?

I thought it was, but if it isn't maybe we should hold off on this?

[Ascension64]

Has the SMM install by BigMoshi been fully tested to the point of complete playability? No crash to desktops or cut screen hangups that would ultimately require a reload?

I thought it was, but if it isn't maybe we should hold off on this?

Can you not make an exception in these cases?

[Usurper]

Well, I guess that would be ok. But you'd have to say what happened and what you did to get around it, and try to get the most minimal fix as possible.

This is much harder than I originally thought. I've started two characters so far, the first a wild mage which turned out to be bugged, unable to use any magic or equipment. I restarted as an Invoker, and got one-shot killed in an epic battle at the Nashkel Fair. My companions slowly dropped one by one and eventually there were just three of us left. I was still level 1, but I had some high level multiclasses I picked up at the fair. I thought everything would be ok. But then my mage got stuck on a rock or something as he was retreating and a Kobold Guard got lucky and one-shotted him. So much for Tatelian the Mad .

I think that maybe I should focus on survivability this time, which would mean a cleric. Go shield and mace and platemail wearing and protection-spell casting, so that I don't die. Then my meat-shields, err, party members can take everything out, while I stand in the back under a Sanctuary. But that is so totally not my style. Maybe an elemental warrior for the resistances? Or a sword paladin (whatever they're called) in anticipation of Carsomyr's 50% magic resistance?

Edited by Usurper, 22 January 2008 - 12:34 AM.

[Usurper]

If I've been learning anything from playing this, it is that level 1 characters need to run the hell away pretty much ALL THE TIME.

[billy3]

If I've been learning anything from playing this, it is that level 1 characters need to run the hell away pretty much ALL THE TIME.

Leveling a bit will definitely help improve your survival. Here's a bit of a dirty trick I use:
* Right after picking up Immy, hunt all the bears and wolves in the area using the PC as bait and Immy shooting arrows (you might want to pick up a lot of arrows and maybe some health potions before leaving Candlekeep)
* Pick up Xzar and Monty and go to the Crossroads. Here, find the Ogre and have Immy and Monty bs him. If he chases you use the same tactic used for the bears (distract and attack). Once the Ogre's near dead, have XnM move far away and kick them from the party. Then have Immy and the PC finish the Ogre. Let XnM back into the party. This way only the PC and Immy get experience. Yes, this is kinda a cheat/exploit, but oh well
* Head for the FA inn and approach the bounty hunting mage. If possible get Immy and Monty to hide in the shadows and bring your entire party into melee range of the mage. If you have pause on dialog turned on, have all characters start attacking the mage right before initiating dialog with him. Make sure to use some spells on him such as Larloch's MD and Magic Missile to disrupt his spell casting. You probably won't be able to use the kick n join technique here.

At this point, do *not* enter the inn itself. That'll cause Jaheira and Khalid's characters to load into the game and fix the level they join you at. Now, I'm not sure, but I believe the way it works is that the game fixes the level of the NPC as = or -1 the PC's level when the NPC's 1st loaded. So if JnK loaded into your game now, they'd be at level 1 or 2 when they join you the 1st time, even if you talk to them for the 1st time when your at level 8.

* Now, proceed to the forest map which has the crazy druid and the shadow druid. There are wolves, bears and bandits on this map, so proceed with caution. Try to lure enemies away one at a time. Try to make it to where the druids are. The 1st one (the crazy druid) you get some help fighting from the bad druid (you don't know he's bad yet, you have to get him to admit it). Once the crazy one's dead, make sure you buff up as much as you, then speak with the bad druid, make sure get actions ready for the rest of your party to attack, including spells and if possible bs'ing. Once the bad druid admits to being a shadow druid, get ready to fight. Try to focus on the druid and keep Immy and the PC alive. It'll be tough because there will be bears attacking too, so have XnM distract them. When the druid's near death you can kick XnM from the party, or just let the bears have them (which they probably will). I usually just leave XnM at this point. Make your way back to the FA inn, picking winnable fights or running on the way. By the time you make it back you should be at level 3 or 4, and so will JnK when they join you

A bit cheesy, I know, but it does help you progress faster. If you feel bad about kick n join, don't do it, but do go around hunting monsters and raising levels before JnK, as well as Minsc are 1st loaded. JnK are harpers and Minsc's a seasoned warrior. It makes sense that they should have a couple of levels under their belts considering Immy and the PC are greens just out from the shelter of Candlekeep.

[Usurper]

Um... some enterprising modder changed the speed of bears in this mod. They move really fast now. They'll charge you and rip you apart just like they do in real life.

[Father of Imoen]

Is this challenge still going strong?

I want to join the challenge, but want to play as the Morituri (see http://forums.chosen...x.php?topic=8.0 for more info).
Is this allowed as addition to the SMM?

[Hoppy]

Um... some enterprising modder changed the speed of bears in this mod. They move really fast now. They'll charge you and rip you apart just like they do in real life.

Sword Coast Strategems makes the faster bears.