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

Understood.

Thought maybe there was some event connected with ME game itself (there are such with every game as I understand).
Never care about such "events", so just thought I had missed something about it.





Ahh, yeah. Spell resist not a problem, Revenant form does not matter - will hit anyway so just another revenant.


Some question:
1) Did not try "no-pot" in other DLCs? Some are easy, yes. But maybe "no-pot" thing will add something about it?
In particular "Golems of Amgarrak"?
2) Any other plans for other "no-pot"-solo PTs"?

You don't play other DLCs as I understand? Why?


You did not answer the second question.

------


Return to the Ostagar


On the way to the Ostagar decided first to visit three other Revenants in the forest to grab their armor stuff:
- switched to the diligence plate for faster health regen while was running in circles - not long at least;
- swang by the camp to empty space for a lot of cool junk from Ostagar.

Headed to the Ostagar - was ambushed by idiot-elves demanding to tell where the werewolves were: they killed her husband.
Was already tired from those morons, so just told to fo with arguments "only their idiot Keeper was to blame"; for that got a ring at least.

Headed to the Ostagar, but instead got camp ambush - rushed to protect my dog from the shrieks as my poor Amie got all aggro right away for some reason. Half of the "team" is still similar to Leliana who is in the chantry robe (half of them died).

Headed to the Ostagar - got encounter "wolf ambush" with traps.


Return to Ostagar (finally)

When got there first decided to try:
Armor - Legion of the Dead
Weapon - Diamond Maul (but in genral have aleady made up my mind what 2h weapon is better for "no-pot-solo"/"pot-solo"/"team -PT")

Can say only one difficult thing during this DLC - fucking spider ambush. The rest is just annoying.
The first three spiders I could handle, but others - even with "lure" - ov, ov, web, web, web, ov ....endless.

Finally found one spot - not far from their hiding hall in the tunnel there are two rocks, the huge and a smaller one. On the smaller I could go up to avoid at least OV.
Still got from them "web + poison", used 2 lesser nature resist. From that place arrowed them.
Only sometimes there was a bug: while shooting I ended up on the ground right near spiders or near the right wall (Holy Smite helped to stun them - only the boss spider always resisted it).

The Ogre
Three attempts with FA and running in circles near the way in not to trigger corpses - the mage triggered them anyway when the Ogre was almost dead, but it did not matter already.
The Orgre died from Sunder, ran right to the mage to PS him to the death ignoring the corpses. Killed the rest (the damage was nothing here at least with LoftheD armor).
Used the same Armor, weapon swithched from the Maul to Starfang during spider ambush, then just forgot to switch back.

Returned to the camp.

Next stop - Redcliffe (there are some side quests to finish also).

You mentiond you would not invest in the Reaver anymore. Nothing else is left?




So that encounter is forced not to be passed (for obvious reasons), and dodges did not work there but worked in other encounters?

Can win only if rather creative/lucky/know how to explot the game weakness.






How many attempts?







Will be talking to myself than.
Oh, well.



BTW, saw your thread about Shapeshiifter mage.
Hate range characters and tried to play using this spec: only ab 1/4 of the the time spent in other forms. Did not like that PT. Would like to try again as melee in involved anyway.
Interesting thread with tips.
Did not read everythings as now is busy with this PT, but your conclusion about that mage spec is inspiring.

Did not catch. Surprised in what way?



Damn archers are enemies number one in DAU.




Is it only in that encounter or everywhere?





Do similar runes and bonuses really stack? I mean one thing is to see the description, but it does not mean it is true.

With paralyze e.g. how do you know for sure that runes work together and it is not useless?
Or using two daggers both with paralyze (numbers are not written, checking on practice is useless as "luck/no luck")?
You can see the numbers in the internet/prog, but how can you be sure that this or that is really working? (like in this case e.g. with dagger and paralyze).

Or is it only from the category "should work at least but can't be sure 100 %, even 90 % tbh"? You even made calculations.






Great. Thanks.



------
Continuation

Before Redcliffe needed to do something first

In the camp changed some enchantments + as was very low on gold (needed for armor + some ingredients):
- went to Orzammar to finish "Exotic Methods" quest: no gold for me, only exp (forgot about "no-gold" part as had finished that quest only two times because of running up and down); the same as with Shapers if return that stolen tome to them - greedy bastards;
- visited Orta again to get my promised gold: 10 + something;
- sold many things (hope won't need them);
- had encounter "dwarves vs darkspawn".


Went to Redcliffe, but did not go up to the bridge not to trigger the scene and kill people in the village (as I did by accident the very first time I played DAO).

First wanted to deal with Alistair quest not to forget about him.
And also check in my "better armor".
Turned in some quests in Denerim (for more gold).
Got "Dead Drops" quest: started to do that, finished in Redcliffe.
Got "Ambush of K. lackeies", but did not go to kill him yet: used Kolgrim's bad-ass looking Battleaxe - no crits.
Tried to catch Revenant "ambush" - nothing.



Redcliffe

Armor: Legion of the Dead
Weapon: for night attack for dps Starfang, in the Castle - changed:
- BA for crit chances;
- new Mauls: in addinion to other Mauls wanted to check "Nug Crusher" from DLC (never used it) "stun" chance + additional STA is always good;
- no new GS.


Did there side quests for Irregulars.

Got the sword back for Sten while he was standing near me and helping (interesting option there is for a female dwarf while trying to convince Dwyn to help the village).

Did other quests like "find a boy/what to do with them both after/Bella/find Valena etc". Will mention only "I did them all".


Preparations
- everyone who could fight to protect the village went (after intimidation) to the training ground (practicing or just standing and watching);
- Owen began working again;
- free ale for better aiming;
- "holy" amulets for "holy protection";
- did not mention the fire barrels: did not need additional damage;
- to Murdock said several times "we'll win";
- informed Murdock about the progress all the time.



Attack night

First did not want to reload if someone died as had mentioned only 2-3 times managed to save all of them. Nevertheless reloaded: after the 3rd attempt got the helmet.

The problem is always with the second part where corpses first run past you to the wall and then start to attack. Had low CD/low dps/slow sta regen trying to stop them all from sneaking into our fortification with wooden fence and later low speed/did not notice/ etc. played their part. Standing closer to the wall is not an option as other corpses still attack those who are closer to the entrance.

During that 3rd attempt just got lucky I think.
Used swift salve.


Went to the chantry to return the sword, only couldn't help myself (as always) to give them money to go to relatives in Denerim instead of stupid orphanage. Lost some gold, kept the sword.

After took chantry/mage/Irregulars quests in Redcliffe.



The Castle

In general - nothing special, only some encounters where I could have problems:
- bitch Isolde: at least had a chance to knock her out + in that cutscene she saw piles of dead bodies she was responsible for (not that she cared about them all);
- mabari: 2 attepmts because of OV spam;
- yard with Revenant: lured corpsed, Revenant was easy to kill (5 misses + 1 hit from him - was lucky I guess as I missed only once);
- Teagan with helpers: fought in the small doorway to the left trying to hide from the archers (helped at least);
- after walked through several rooms (went after Connor) to trigger battles (used Kolgrim's BA, no poisons/salves): "lure and run" tactics with "Alive Armor sets", upstairs only corpses so no big deal.



Connor

1) As was already unstairs first decided to try to kill "Desire Demon - Connor" (fight in the hall):
- the same gear and trinkets: LoftheD armor + Kolgrim BA with some poor electro-rune;
- no poisons/salves/fireproof balm;
- DD resisted FA all the time, PS resisted once;
- my character resisted her spells almost all the time: once did not resist FA, two times cold;
- rage demons were killed rather quickly;
- in the end was left with half of my health;
- from the first attempt: is not that strange? As if fighting with the DD and RDs in the Circle tower;
- left a save to replay with other gear later (if have mood).

2) Reloaded to "save" Connor by entering the fade:
- forgot not to take one chantry board quest at that moment as while going after mages had one nasty encounter called "Unintentional Consequences": turned out not so nasty with spell resist (those trinkets are OP!), the same armor and BA. Quick battle with a lot of misses from by BA while fighting the boss (PS ftw again);
- this time asked Irving to enter the fade: he had really crappy for exactly those battles combination of spells, even with my lvl 20; plus after everything I went through with Uldred he was in debt to me anyway, was time to pay up;
- poor gear as well he had;
- three reloads with the last but one encounter.



Some additional moments about above missions:
- ab 90-95% of spell resist in LoftheD armor even with poor "spell resist" runes or with weapons where I did not have them at all;
- while using Kolgrim BA with corpses and alive Armor Sets noticed rather often (in comparison with former checks at least) crits - strange.
Maybe things are not so bad with Battleaxes afterall;
- "Nug Crusher Maul": notices 2-3 stuns, but IIRC those were crits. Used this Maul in the Castle till entering the area with alive Champion Armor Sets. The only useful thing is + 100 STA (cheating). Anyway sold it every time played 2h - no regrets.


***
As still low on gold (64 gold for now) have dilemma: need Dragon Superior Heavy Armor set for STA but also buy Evon Mail for STA/health/dodge; plus according to wiki Evon chestpiece can be used instead of Dragon's and still can get bonus from set which is better for me as an armor set.
For this PT need them all actually only for battle checks to compare but in this PT do not think will have enough gold for everything. Hhmm.
Usually I end up with Evon's Mail + Dragon armor and legs/ Legion of the Dead Armor Set/ Ancient Elven Armor Set.
***


Had already the ashes and the army.

Thus can call the Landsmeeting.

Sheeva the Dwarf Reaver

Not much for now.


Called the Landsmeeting.

Sold what I could, rearranged enchantments.


Armor: Legion of the Dead
Weapon: first the Maul.


Denerim

Needed gold for the "Great Chasind Maul + Dragon Set + Evon Mail".

As had some weapon decided first to deal with the armor.
Gave 10 gold for first set.
Bought Evon the Great Mail.


Zevran Ambush

Used the crates running around them + sweep + holy smite. While stunned, hit others. Switched to Starfang.


Harsh Desicions (killing K.)

Swift Salve, the same gear. Used PS and FA on K to finish him.


Caught the last Revenant while was going after Gaxkang.

Swift Salve + the same gear: killed him from the second attempt as forgot about swift salve, though the damage and my defense were both good (Revenant was just the first to deliver the final blow).

Thugs: damage from them nothing, so quick and almost with full health encounter.



Gaxkang

5 attempts using different armor sets
Starfang with spell resist + physical resisit + electro damage + Swift Salve + Insence of Awareness.
1) LoftheDead Armor: mage form started spamming spells when was almost dead, Revenant - nothing special.
2) The same: mage form started real spam already in the beginning, so several sec and I was dead.
3) Full Juggernaut Armor set: resisted spells many times, with Revenant had more promblems actually.
4) KCP + juggernaut armor, legs, helm: died when mage form again started real spam when was almost dead.
5) The same: fair battle, was a close call.


After used different armor sets with several reloads each and in the end used KCP + some Maul I had as "AP fetish".

Evon the Great: was killed in seconds (did not even reload).
Diligence Set + GS: very-very close wins. In the very end spell resist did not work and I was usually killed with WG.
Juggernaut Set + GS: somewhere in the middle, but worse than Diligence Set.
Forgot to take Ancient Elven Armor Set.
Tried Kolgrim Battlaxe - just waste of time.

A seperate note about the Maul: several attempts (as spell spams) but what was very noticeabale that Gaxkang was killed quicker than with GS.
The Unbound just did not have time to use spells and hits (I mean fair battle, not those spell spams).

Actually some Maul (with some stupid runes) was better than Starfang (at least with Gaxkang).


Next - Rescue the Queen.

Before Continuation of PT several "closure" things


Final weapons:
- The Chasind Great Maul (had to finish further smaller quests to get gold and sell loot incl from GW cache)
- Summer Greatsword
+ left further weapons to check in some places, sold the rest: Ageless GS, Kolgrim Batteleaxe are left.

The main is the Maul, if need be - switched to GS (knockback bonus is working and funny to watch do not even why).

Final Armor
The main armor is LoftheD.
Considering the situation "have never played no-pot-2h-solo" left several other armor sets to use (have more, but will mention what I use now and then or just for checks):
- Legion of the Dead: the main I use
- Diligence Armor Set: there are more powerful but this one is modest though still usefull at lvl 21-22
- Ancient Elven Armor Set: nice spirit bonus, for check
- KCP + something: spell resist
- Evon the Great's Mail + Dragon's parts: only chestpiece is OP imo, so idk
- Wade' Dragon Armor Set: also modest and useful in some places
- Jaggernaut Set: for check


***
For the beginning and middle of the game had tips what and when to use, which was very helpful for my first and the only "no-pot-solo-2h"
For the end of the game will first use what I used to (for a dwarf LoftheD + Maul/Summer GS e.g.), then need assess the situation and after check some things as just interesting.
***


Continuation



Denerim

Got GW stash.
Turned in some quests.


Crime Wave - the Crown
Killed everyone.


Map Encounter (Low Road with corrupted wolves and a bear)
Simple w/o anything (poisons/salve etc).

The Lost Caravan (Chantry board)
The same as above.

Jowan's Intentions
Helped them to fight corrupted wolves and bears (died once because of OV).

Brothers and sons (Chantry board)
Simple.


Only after that could buy the Chasind Great Maul (finally).


The Alienage

Several attemps with 2 fights: Devera and Caladrius.
The rest: just rammed them very easy.
LoftheD Armor.
First used the Maul, but considering enemies (not strong enough) decided to switched to Summer Sword to watch "knockback": during the whole mission had quite enough of them. Good not-broken sword.

Killed all slavers.
Used some bombs and with Devera swift salve.
With Devera fought from a small hall leading further.
With Calardrius most of the time just watched how he was killing his lackies with his storms and later with BM. After just PS him.


Something Wicked (with the Templar Otto in the Alienage)
Maul + swift salve somewhere + fire resist in the end.
Died a couple of times becauseof OV and with Rage Demons.
Otto did not die during the quest: kept him behind close doors with "hold" somewhere far away.


Crime Wave (Stealing with Ambush)
Had to switch to health regen armor + sword.
Used some bombs.


The Landsmeeting in Royal Palace

Armor: LoftheD
Weapon: Maul

First arranged bloodbath in the palace kicking Loghain ass.
Then duelled him for 20 sec.

He just did not have time to activate any SD as PS'ed him all the him instead of FA (though during bloodbath used FA - lured him far from his helpers first).

Too bad forgot about Cauthrien: think still needed to reload at least to try encounter with her in that very small hall.


***
Some additional thoughts:
- Summer Greatsword: witnessed "knockback" rather often, which is important imo! Not broken and not OP like Starfang.
How in the hell that ignorant brainless bitch Cauthrien got that badass GS I wonder. She did not deserve it anyway.
- LoftheD armor is good for now at least. Switched to other parts only if had to fight a lot of tougher enemies at the same time.
Mage used spelled, but my GW still resisted them during above quests.
***

AD Time.

Armor Legion of the Dead
Weapon: the Ghasind Great Maul


Before going to Redcliffe did something


Change in Leadership
Killed Taoran after several attempts using acid flasks + running around + AoE first + health regen chestpiece (archers as usual were the problem).


Crime Wave - Tears od Andraster
Can mention only one thing: Maul was better than GS in this mission.
Changed them during the whole quest. Wanted to use GS for "knockback" first, but the damage was lower all the time.
Switched to Maul - with less dps faster kills all the time.
So just changed through the whole mission to compare - the same damn thing about "With Maul got higher damage and faster kills ".
It was in this quest, with others GS is better to use unless I have swift salve imo.


Encounter Redcliffe Soldiers vs Darkspawn
Simple.


Redcliffe
Many enemies.


General information.
- Almost did not use poisons as not much point with 2h slo-mo: "stun", if worked at all with different poisons even, was very rare.
- Fire resist: with 2 dragons.
- Spirit resist: during AD.
- Swift salve: one time, somewhere (as one is missing).


Battle of Denerim - Market

Lure and running + FA + MB + Sunders.


Battle of Denerim - Alienage

Running around, only not around some tree or crates, but around that mage using AoE for everyone incl mage. Killed him ASAP, after - nothing difficult.


Battle of Denerim - Palace District

Right Steps: lure + let the Ogre throw stones to kill others, then killed him.
Left Steps: just killed.
Middle Steps: lure.


Fort Drakon - Entrance

A lot of attempts (spent an hour for that part).
Holy Smite for three enemies to the right.
Acid Flack for three enemies to the left.
Hid behind their fortification in the left corner and killed everyone from there getting damage from time to time thus after 2 dragons switched to health regen armor.
Used Maul and arrows.
Arrows killed simple enemies and lured others.
Several attempts as "luck" - spam/cought some spell/crit arrow etc.


Fort Drakon Interior

Switched back to LoftheD Armor + Maul.
Did not visit all places there as some just full of simple enemies, so used the path straight to the AD.

Killed Shades, then the mage who after several attempts to kill me hid behind the wall (if he is already there he can't get away).
Three Alpha: used bombs, AoE, switched them to ranged attack for that.
Master Assassin Ambush: running around the table in the nearby room, FA + MB/Sunders. PS resisted several times.


Archdemon

Fighting AD as two other Dragons - too long.
Used a combination of spirit resist + balista + arrows + melee and finished it.
At some point Eamon/Irving/someone else showed up but was too late (Eamon was dead anyway).



Epilogue


The 5th Blight is over.
Alistair's wildest dream came true so I could survive (maybe will try "no-pot-2h-solo" in other DLCs).
Alistair and Anora are married.
***


Final thougts
1) Enjoyed this no-pot-2h-solo, even if in some places needed a lot of patience.
2) In a way it was even easier to play as did not have to watch for companions. Tactics works in DAO, yes, and I really like it and think it should be in such games, but sometimes it can break, companions start to act stupid (it happens in DA2 as well). Here you just watch for yourself. Of course not everywhere it is good and if in team PT you can get help, with solo-no-pot you have to exploit the game weakness, otherwise - death (thus funny images appear).
3) Have a desire to try other classes as "no-pot-solo".
4) About weapons: as have AP/Mauls fetish, for "no-pot-2h-solo" Greatswords are still better in some quests. Only opinion is still the same: Mauls are better 2h weapons. Only with "no-pot" swift salve should be used in certain situation. In "pot-solo" it is not necessary.
5) Never used bombs/some of salves represented in the game etc. Here had to use them often.

***


Anyway

Thanks for inspiration and when/what/how tips, capn233
Comments/past PTs/answers to my questions really helped.
Indeed liked this PT.

***
Would like to try other "no-pots" or as have already mentioned maybe your Shapeshifter PT in another thread.


Hope will be visile this time

The chance for enemies to hit me was noticeably low a while before this, like during the Carta quest most people only rarely could hit me, although elites were a little higher.


The proportion of defense lost should have been equal to the contribution of dexterity to defense only. 142-76=66. That was at Level 22, where I should have had 76 overall dex (defense bonus from dex being your total -10).

Warrior base defense is 45, Aeducan shield is +12, Felon is +9, and Shield Wall is +10, which makes 76.


I suppose it is relative. Strength can spam a few more talents, but it is probably my least favorite melee style. Although pure dex DW can be kind of boring in some ways, but at least it has pretty high DPS.


Not in the immediate future, I will probably at least finish one run through Outer Worlds and see how that goes.

So how do you get to there?

capn233 if you still have last ssves of your "DW Dalish Elf", could you, please, post images of her as was with your "dex SnS DN"/"Shapeshifter Mage"?
Would like to see last attrubute distibutions + armor + trinkets + weapon.