Nearly Solo'd Broken Circle with No Health Pots - No Health Pot Solo Discussion

No-offensive-spells-Mage-no-pot-solo-PT


The Deep Roads

Caridin's Cross

Somewhere in the beginning had the next level 18
--
lvl 18
+ 3 mag
Survival
Force Field*

*It was original intention in the very beginning of PT to use it in the following way: in tough situations cast it on the GW so health and mana could regen safely
--

In general tried different armor parts (but WCP all the time), weapons, buffs:
- haste all the time
- tried without Acrane Shield/Rock Armor/Miasma/GoW: ended up using them all
- dagger-dagger: fast what was very good, but was loosing health fast enough from time to time
- longswords (aodh)-dagger: still fast, damage is good, the same thing with health
- SnS: slower, nice damage
- often crits (max 80+)
- decent damage (with daggers haste helped)


Black Vials Revenant
- one attempt with checking all the written above (without Miasma)
- daggers just useless even with haste (AP?)
- longsword (aodh) - dagger: nice damage
- ended up using SnB
- defense almost did not help


Tried Force Field twice during the Revenant Encounter:
- came in handy
- with everything was using health regen was fast, mana - not good
- originally wanted to try "rejuvenate/regeneration - force field": do not have first two spells yet to try
- even without other spells FF helped a lot


Denerim

Bought Evon The Great's Mail.
Ordered the best armor (now can't buy Felon's Coat to try as no gold and not welcome in that shop anymore)

In the camp reggarnged runes for weapons grabbed with me further:
Starfang + 5 cold/fire/electro dmg
Maric's Blade + 2 cold/electro dmg
Spellweaver grandmaster/master paralysis runes
Duncan's Sword some paralysis rune left
Aodh nothing
Duncan's dagger + 10 PR/+ 2 dmg vs darkspawn


Ortan Thaig

Started from using
- Evon the Great's Mail/Wade's gloves/Cailan's Greaves/Executioner's Helm
- Starfang - Duncan's dagger, later also used Starfang-Fadewall (depened on encounters)

DW
Combat Magic + AS + RA
Armor 45
def 96 (71 + 25)
md 112
SP 51 (49 + 2)
MR 40
PR 52

Mostly spiders were there (plus some golems)
DW
dmg 35-45
crit ab 60+

SnB
dmg ab 55
crit max 88


Asunder
- had to switch to SnS to get more sta
- no point in using spell shield considering what the Pride Demon uses
- resisted his mana drain and crushing prison at least
- his usual attacks or massive attack avoided easy (without any defense)
- he has a certain pattern including mana-wave + fire/frost attack that can't be avoided
- after that used Force Field several times for health regen and not to use healing spell
- one attempt, the damage was usual but spent much time for Asunder because of his mana wave removing all effects

Golem's Slam or usual attack/spiders' OW and usual attack - was not difficult for some reason:
- somewhere defense worked
- armor rating still helped
- health regen was good enough


Corrupted Spider Queen
- died twice: OW'd by entourage as lure did not work properly/from queen poison as did not notice she ran away
- did not use nature resist (had + 30 %)
- Starfang + duncan' dagger
- usual sustains + GoW sometimes + Force Field once


Dead Trenches

The only thing to mention probably is the Shade: still the same lying on the ground, but since there was no leap-raping it went fine even in the Legion of the Dead Armor Set


Broodmother
- used one lesser nature resist though was no need
- used DW and staff using heroic defense which was enough addition to nature resist had

--
lvl 19
+1 dex
+ 2 mag
rejuvenate
--

Returned to the camp to sell things and rearrange some runes (no big changes).


Anvil of the Void

For golems switched to SnS. No need to use GoW. Health regen was good enough.


Branka

Spent several days for that encounter.
Branka herself was not such a problem as she missed like half of the time. But the golems were.
Sometimes it happens that golems start spamming slam and hurl ignoring my golem friends.
This GW can't resist Hurl (only once or twice saw that) - lying on the ground cost life (Branks's stun and golems making a circle).
Tried DW - was fine but needed more sta so switched to SnS (Starfang + Fade Wall).
In the end used several bombs.
During the last attempt got lucky as killed several golems rather safe: no slam/stun-spam.
Used several bombs and swift salve instead of haste.
Running all the time.
In the end killed Branka as SnS + simple stun poison without GoW or healing.

Used Combat magic + Rock armor + Arcane Shield + Miasma + GoW (if could since was running almost all the time).


DW (Starfang + duncan's dagger)
armor 45
def 97 (72 + 25) + GoW 127 (72 + 55)
md 113 + GoW 173
MR 41 + GoW 91
PR 41 (41)
SP 53 (51 + 2)

SnS (Starfang + Warden Tower Shield - was just using this shield when had successful attempt)
armor 45
def 105 (68 + 37) + GoW 135 (68 + 67)
md 130 + GoW 190
MR 43 + GoW 93
PR 41 (41)
SP 53 (51 + 2)


Attack was very good.
Damage was the same during the whole Plot Quest
Often crits.


------
If choose among "pretty much hittable/semi-hittable/pretty much unhittable" can describe as "semi-hittable" most of the time no matter the enemies.
"Pretty much hittable" - do not remeber such situtions.
"Pretty much unhittable" just from time to time using only sustains trying to kill dodgy spiders.

Had a chance to use heroic aura for missile deflection - still working though can do without it.
------

Cadash thaig should be the next one.

No-offensive-spells-Mage-no-pot-solo-PT


Switched to things to max defense:
- champion's shield + 12 def (used Starfang)
- mage cap + 12 def
- magus boots + 12 def
- plate from the elven armot set: + 2 dex


Using Combat Magic + Arcane Shield + GoW gave about 170 defense.


Zevran Ambush:
- during this ecnounter can already say "almost unhittable"
- with GoW on CD still got some hits and considering my armor rating damage was noticeable, but defense was good so not a big deal, just useful informaion


Crime Wave
- got the crown the hard way
- set-up breaking-in: died twice from OW and mages. Then managed to lure only non-mages, after killed two mages


Rescue the queen.

Did not use dusguise.
Started with Combat magic + Arcane Shield + Haste + GoW spam (when could) - was quite enough.
Having Miasma would have been nice to have as it always helps with some horde of enemies: no haste for them, but not enough sta with such armor set.



Howe
- several attempts
- SnS enemies stunned me all the time and Howe just autostabbed me to death quickly. Plus mages with their healing
- needed speed so switched to DW -gear-weapon. Had defense 99 - was enough more or less
- took several attempts as well with mages always running away so switched on Miasma which helped again
- in the end the last enemy mage-shapeshifter transformed into Berserkarn: slammed me once, then died


Cauthrien

- one attempt in the hall
- was lucky to have three SnS enemies using them as a shield
- first used the staff to kill the mage, one ranged enemy and Cauthrien (she could not touch me)
- was spamming defense spells all the time and drinking lyrium
- after switched back to SnS
- defense was good enough even without additional spells though did not see how good it was against Caurthrien


Used Defense armor set.
Combat Magic + Arcane Shield + Miasma (to slow everyone).
Was spamming Heroic Defense and GoW. And Heroic Aura just to see the number.

With Staff
118 original defense
182 Heroic Defense + GoW


SnS
136 original
200 Heroic Defense + GoW


Missile Deflection (SnS)
147 orginal
269 Heroic Defense + GoW + Heroic Aaura*

* actually it helped though forced the rest ranged to melee anyway




-------------
Curiosity got the better of me.

Reloaded to see how defense numbers work with Cauthrien.

Took several attempts.
Lured Cauthrien to the next room with the long table (two ranged enemies followed so killed them first).
Used Defense-Armor-set.
Combat Magic + Arcane Shield + Haste + Miasma + GoW (the main) + Heroic Defense (almost never).
Used Flesh stun poison working very well.

Actually it was easy - did not expect that considering defense and all other no-pot-solo-PTs.

First tried SnS but needed haste.

Switched to DW (Starfang + Rose's Thorn).
My attack/damage/defense were great - Cauthrien was loosing health quickly.
Caurthien missed almost all the time.
My defense was ab 130-160 and turns out it was enough for her to miss a lot.
Took several attempts as Summer Sword knocked back sometimes or her 2h passive stun worked - after she used sunder and I lost almost the whole health bar.
What I did:
- used GoW and drank lyrium since had low sta
- when Cauthrien hit me, ran away to use heal spell and lyrium
- after again GoW with fast attack, good damage, great defense and working flesh poison
- was fast and again, unexpected
- after killed the rest entourage


Curiosity was satisfied: defense was very good.
Do not know if there is number to avoide Caurhtien's attack at all or at least "almost" at all (without Perfect Striking I mean).
---------------

Main objectives complete:
- dead Cauthrien without running away from the hall without using offensive spells
- dead Cauthrien face-to-face using only defense numbers

No-offensive-spells-Mage-no-pot-solo-PT


--
lvl 23
+ 3 mag
four spells are left
--


Market

Ogres all over the place so had to use staff + Miasma

With some ogres melee worked as there was no ram spam.

The General: missed a lot, no running.


The Alienage

Lured the Genral to the tree, used AS and hell of lyrium pots with his lighting spam.


Drakon steps

Died several times from Dragolings.

During the last attempt after the first dragoling turned on Spell Shield for mages and rammed to the door.
Worked goood: used just several lyrium pots, miasma to everyone, melee all the time.
Did not take long as usual.


Inside the Palce

Worth mentioning the Master Assassin who continued killing me till I switched to my Defense - armor-set as SnB + GoW + HO = defense over 200.
Used stun poison which was useless as "stun".
Still got hits though it was a huge difference if compare to what was happening using the usual DW-set.


Archdemon

Switched back to the usual DW set. Needed only magic protection so used Spell Shield and some lyrium pots.
For once no one stole my kill.

Saved the world.
------

Images and numbers are in order though for the next post.

Addition to No-offensive-spells-Mage-no-pot-solo-PT

After DAO finished DAA. After moved to DLC "Golems of Amgarrak" (with OP bs).

Why write about this?

Played Arcane Mage several times with all four points into the Arcane Warrior tree to look like a ghost. And each time in encounter with the Harvester + horde of elite/boss skeletons died, so had to use "hiding tactics". Death from skeletons all the time.


With this Arcane Mage it was different:
- no hiding at all
- skeletons missed all the time (only twice got Reposte but was not a big deal) so just ignored them
- no health pots, no heal spell
- no offensive spells
- used the fire staff during the first phase running from the Harverster's attacks, and usual DW-style during the second phase.

Used defense-armor-set (boots from DAA iirc) + DW-style.
From spells: ghost form, miasma, haste, heroic defense (the first phase only), no time for GoW.
In DAA put points only into magic and continued playing as in DAO.
Defense was not that great actually.


Previous Arcane Warriors with almost the same build and spells died but this GW avoided skeletons all the time? Can't understand why actually because of exactly "no real difference with the previous Arcane Mages".

The only difference can think of was the armor-set though it did not add huge numbers to defense.
------
Anyway, it is sort of continuation of no-offensive-mage-no-pot-solo-PT with comparison to my previous Arcane Mages and unusual for me results.

No numbers to compare, only saves of this last Mage should still be available.

Crossbow Rogue no-pot-solo-PT (continuation)

Damage numbers to compare (only for a short period after could start using a crossbow) during the Korcari Wilds only as had nothing to improve the crossbow with
Bow: 10-15
Crossbow:
rapid aim: 9-11
aim mode: 9-13
missed rather often

Crits:
- took place from time to time
- max 18 (only once)
- min 15
- the rest always 16
With a bow used "rapid aim" all the time.
Crossbow:
- rapid aim: all the time otherwise just got killed with slow reload
- aim mode: tried several times only if situation allowed just to check (e.g. with Gazarath in the Korcari Wilds), but very rare

----
When got Stealth 1 started using cancel-animation: convenient and useful.
Using modes aim/defensive fire: much time for aiming so cancel-reload is useless (need stuff to get rapid aim)
Thus used all the time Rapid Aim mode + cancel animation: the same dmg with no crits but at least less deaths of my GW.
----

Rare thing to happen: during the whole Ostagar part managed to loot rather many bombs which did not use; saving them for difficult encounters (now in the Hut)
acid flasks 13
fire bomb 2
soulrot bomb 3


Plan
Get health regen ring from Orzammar (Lifegiver) so should not buy anything at all.
Plus have to get enough STR to use a better crossbow which also will buy in Orzammar or somewhere else (situation will tell)
--------------

Continuation

Mabari

two attempts
acid flask - fire bomb - acid flask - running in circles
the team, including Mabari, stayed alive


Lothering

Finished all tasks there.
Leliana was tanking pretty well while I was hiding first upstairs (good view but for some reason cannot shoot downstairs enemies), then behind the bar counter downstairs killing enemies without attracting attention (Leliana taunted everyone)

In the Tavern bought another crossbow (26 str) with stat "rapid aim": need to test what can + not expensive as well (still lack of str though).
The rest enemies (scum of different sort, wildlife representatives, darkspawn): lure tactics.
Still use cancel reload with rapid fire: proved to be useful.
Also robbed several people (wanted merchant crossbow even if need higher str + it has other stat: might try if get 30 str + this purchase is free anyway.

Low damage: still waiting special talents to get + equipment with stats.


Level 7
Spec - Bard
+2 str
+1 cun
song of Valor (need song of courage)

Camp

Next: will go after regen ring (have enough gold, barely).

Crossbow Rogue no-pot-solo-PT (continuation)


Some moments as there is nothing new from other PTs, just took longer in some places. And rng at work.

The Circle

Second floor after three blood mages (had to use 2 bombs and finish with a crossbow and skills) got lvl 9

Level 9
+3 cun
deadly strike (go after Lethality, maybe Evasion)


Level 10
+ 3 cun
combat training 4
song of courage

--
song of courage: one of talents to improve crossbow
--

Lure and running.
Found some new places and corners where melee enemies could not hit me.


Bewitched Templar: before the Fade tried but failed as too many enemies + spell resistance is not the best. And as usual left them for later: after the Fade used some bombs and usual hiding place further in the hall near the bed (two attempts).


Sloth
- three attempts: caught "crushing prison" twice resulting in death
- used almost all my bombs for the Ogre who spammed "Ram"
- this time switched to Arcane Horror to fight Arcane Horror Sloth form and the third time was lucky (usually use GW form or the Golem form)


Uldred
- two attempts
- was using the usual place near the stairs behind the flat construction serving as cover
- used balms and bombs + crossbow in the end
- first time tried without balms - died from Uldred spells, the second time - spell resist worked just fine (was a close call though)


Shah Wyrd: killed with the "help" of other NPC mages standing there (one died).


Black Vilas Revenant: could not kill (almost instant death), will try later.


Back to other places to give presents and news with ambushes on the way.

Crossbow Rogue no-pot-solo-PT (continuation)


--
level 12
+3 cun
coercion 3
crippling shot
--

Finished Kadan-Fe hideout encounter:
- fought one lured enemy at a time to check aim mode
- avg dmg 21
- missed once or twice only
- crit 28-31 (max - 31 only once), often


The Dalish

- finished couple of quests in the Dalish camp, after that headed to the forest
- saved the hunter
- used rapid shot mostly, sometimes tried defensive fire
- but with special attack of werewolves (bears, wolves) was useless anyway and if died, it was always from that attack
- some enemies are left for later (e.g. the Hermit)

Considering above facts decided to return later.
Barely left the forest (wildlife on the way) - took about 10 attempts.

Finished business in the Dalish camp (chose breastplate)


Haven

- cleared out the village starting from the chantry: three attempts because of the mage constant healing
- last attempt: hid behind the table in the main room and melee enemies glitched as did not approach me, the mage ran closer to the entrance using healing/life-saving spells for everyone and attacking me inbetween (first two attempts tried in the side room)
- outside the only threat could be the mage: he cast his hex and winter's grasp but managed to shoot him fast enough

--
level 13
+3 cun
critical shot
--

Entered the temple to open the area.
Ran around a bit - got the key without openning the next door, - but had to return to sell stuff.
Bought Spellward amulet.

Returned to the temple.

Killed everyone.

The High Dragon was left for later.

Almost each encounter had to replay trying to find proper places not to be overwhelmed.

----
Some numbers

Used rapid fire/aim modes.
Attack was fine in both modes
Damage is almost the same: 18-21/20-22
Crits: 28- 31 (aim mode - rather often)
----

After taking the ashes got level 14

--
level 14
Spec Duelist
+2 str
+1 cun
coercion 4
Lethality
--

Returned to the camp to meditate where to go next.

Crossbow Rogue no-pot-solo-PT (continuation)


Orzammar

First tried Unofficial Provings: lost in a few seconds so left for later.


Official Provings:
- the last round (four opponents) took three attempts
- was running in circles using defensive fire + below the belt + AoS + incense of awareness + some usual hits if possible



The Circle
- blackmailed the mage
- killed the Revenant: at this stage not so difficult or not difficult at all


Denerim
- finished the Crow - line
- got encounter with the guard for robbing people: failed only once with Ignacio and it is still not clear the mechanism of this encounter. From what I know due to rather old PTs, later should be more such encounters during Denerim travel


Soldier's Peak
- billion attempts
- combination "demons + overwhelming" was the worst/corpes were just a bit easier
- used defensive fire mostly
- Sophia was closing the Veil so after talking to Avernus killed her: after demons nothing really to say but just "easy"
- spent almost all bombs during veil closing part
- used lesser cold, fire, spirit resist salves /incense of awareness


----
Before entering the Keep got another crossbow: Antique Warden Crossbow rapid aim/+ 1 dmg.
With demons finally tried stolen in Lothering Imperium Crossbow tier 7/increased dmg vs. demons.
Could not notice the difference during demon encounters.

Will continue using Precision-Geared Recurve + 1.5 AP/+ 4 attack and new Antique Warden Crossbow rapid aim/+ 1 dmg.

Though given the opportunity will try the demon crossbow again.
----

After Sophia encounter (2 attempts) got level 16

--
level 16
+ 3 cun
survival 2
upset balance (wasted)
--

Got "The tainted Blade" which drains HP - another required talent and for obvious reasons suits for usual Party PTs. But given a suitable chance still will try to check numbers.


Camp for now.

Crossbow Rogue no-pot-solo-PT (continuation)


The Dalish

The Hermit
- first traded the Helmet from the Dalish armor set (+ 25 spirit resist)
- several attempts
- used cold/spirit/fire salves
- spell resist failed a lot, got curses all the time with further misses/WGs/etc.
- had to use almost all bombs for him


Encounter "Brother's Killer" (Mages' Collective):
- billion attempts
- used elemental resist salves
- last attempt: used three bombs (one mage died), ran around a bit with misdirection hex waiting for it to expire, approached the rest three mages (some resist salves worked), some shooting, below the belt - mages dead (was just lucky the last time)

--
Tried "Mage's Treasure" several times: absolutely useless even against Revenant entourage.
Will try later.
--

Spiders: defensive fire helped, got webs all the time resisting half of the time, several overwhelms.

Dragon
- used the tree and the dragon stuck in one place (though still damaged me with fire and roar)
- used aim mode + tainted blade: with bonus talent damage 40 +, closer to 50 but even without taking damage health regen was not fast enough
- thus used only aim mode + song of courage (it is always on): dmg closer to 30.

--
level 17
+ 3 cun
keen defense
--

Ruterned to the camp to empty the bag, got several ingredients for bombs as well.

In the forest killed bandits (where the Hermit lived)


The Ruins

There are couple of places that can be used safely not to be overwhelmed. Ranged attacks still take place but melees usually cannot hit or at least one can.

Used them with poisonous spiders and skeletons.


Witch ( Mage's Treasure part)
- two attempts (surprising as fast)
- AoS for the witch
- two greater shades: always knocked me down, no resist at all, thus during the last attempt ran far from that place to the hiding one; no slams, only life drain and hex, used rapid fire mode, though a close call with life draining spam


Black Vials Revenant 1
- one attempt
- placed the GW behind some sacks in the same room
- the Revenant spammed Pulls, performed sword swings without a single connect
- thus could use aim mode: usual avg dmg 30, crits 30 +
- attack: aweful (guess Revenant aura gave that penalty so lost all but the last AoS)

Black Vials Revenant 2
- all the same as with the previous one
- difference: used the table with chairs and attack was better


Zathrian

- 03/06 (day/month): finally managed to kill the blood mage elf after billion attempts
- have been trying to do it since the last post of this PT: May 24
- found two spots helpful against shades melee attacks
- magic resist failed all the time, always had hex, GW, mind blast; even blood wounds - think it was the first time
- just a bit more crossbow damage could have helped a lot
- cancel animation helped
- use some bombs
- Zathrian helped me as well to kill him by casting Blizzard and standing in the middle of it, falling on his ass
- just an hour ago launched again this encounter and killed Zathrian from the first attempt
- was a close call
- good riddance


Will try again some encounters in the forest before the camp.
There are some choices where to go after.

Interesting indeed.

Crossbow is the only weapon have not yet used. Since included in the game - might try as well, improving it however can.

Though certain things are obvious already. But about that in the end of the PT.

Crossbow Rogue no-pot-solo-PT (continuation)


Some notes having rather huge impact on this PT
- dps is low as it is, so other means to improve damage must be used
- Tainted Blade adds damage even if not huge numbers but everything counts considering Crossbow peculiarities
- Tainted Blade can be used almost never without healing as HP regen is not enough and encounters are difficult to pass
- without additional damage from Tainted Blade might be impossible to pass some encounters (maybe even with TB as DPS is still low for stronger enemies)
- if some encounters not be able to pass, what is left at least to finish the main story without running around the map looking for additional anventures; but it remains to be seen still
- all this PT is actually based upon looking for new hiding/glitching places (in most encounters)


To the point.

Tried several times forest parts of "Mage's Treasure"
- useless, in each section
- hiding in corners and glitching places, defensive fire - not helping at all
- if not for Revenants' entourage, suspect could pass this quest
- want to try again later


Wynne's second ambush (Low Road)
- two attempts
- usually when it comes to this encounter, the Hurlock Omega glitches almost always standinng in on place without attacking me (see image)
- used defensive fire dealing with the darkspawn (Omega did not attack)
- ran to the left as always, killed those attacking me (Wynne died)
- went up the hill and the Emissary glitched again - killed him and the rest
- during the first attempt almost passed the encounter but this Emissary casts nasty spells: with two fireballs he killed almost all the rest helping me, cast some spells on me and glitched; I waited a bit for health regen and tried to kill him faster (used balms), but he started attacking me, Mortality Curse finished me leaving the Emissary with some HP (not enough dps as well)


Bounty Hunters (Frostback Mountains)
- tried earlier but the mage was a problem
- stealth to approach and turn that bunch hostile
- AoS for a mage with instadeath
- ran behind the trees nearby to finish the rest three enemies
- could use the Tainted Blade at least: almost died though as that tree-place is not so safe even if glitches enemies


Orzammar

Unofficial Provings
- tried already but back there had no chance at all
- first step: AoS for mages all the time
- defensive fire (yellow enemies)
- 2h enemies always used ID hence running took place
- had some resist to stun and knockdown as well
- first round replayed three times, the rest only once
- got my blood ring and some money

--
during the first round of Unofficial Provings got level 18
+ 1 dex
+ 2 cun
survival 3
evasion* (after some thinking and watching still decided to take even if might regret later)

*useful/helpful? Yes.
Though evasion-animation influences the encounter a lot: GW always stops attacking after that animation, it is time-consuming as well.
And evasion-animation happens very often.
--

The Deep Roads

Caridin's Cross
- one encounter passed by without fighting using stealth (the second ambush of deepstalkers with non-stop stun), and saving bombs for Branka
- encounters now are even longer with Evasion
- managed to use Tainted Blade several times: aim mode dmg ~30 turned into ~ 50 +
- usual damage 25-33 (crit, no TB, defensive fire/aim mode)
- black Vials Revenant/Alpha Ogre: used the construction where the Vial can be found and could use TB as well
- in general thought would be worse, but could not kill only one bunch of deepstalkers (see. image), all the rest ended up dead

--
Gaming process is a bit slow now
--

Returned to Orzammar to sell stuff.

Next is the Ortan Thaig


Glitching Hurlock Omega (Wynne's Ambush 2)


Bunch of left alive deepstalkers under the stealth influence


Revenant (Alpha Ogre earler) encounter with TB