User:Gejadus



Hi! I'm a German who knows English a bit. It looks like that I'm learning English more and more. I'm not offended at all if you point out mistakes to me as a native speaker and improve my stuff on articles etc. or The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay Walkthrough (Strategy) by Gejadus concerning grammar and spelling.

I love to play Baldur's Gate, especially BG II, Enhanced Edition. I bought BG I in 1998 and BG II in 2000/2001. I was fascinated by these two games. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the game, the music, the dialogues and personalities of the party members, the great story and of course that you can improve the abilities of your Protagonist and get better and better items. For years I played only Parties with 6 members and even regretted sometimes that I couldn't have 7 Party members. Finally I started to play on difficulty level Hard.

It was a wonderful surprise to see that Beamdog improved these great Games BG I and II (the Enhanced Editions). Great idea with the new characters, weapons, areas! My favorite character in BG I+II, EE is Dorn of course! It was an exciting moment to see him show up in BG I, EE before the Mines of Nashkel. He's extremely well created, though evil, and a 'must' when I play an evil party. Dorn and Korgan (he's a tank!) together are invincible! ;-) I preferred to play good parties in BG II, led by Keldorn (Carsomyr) and assisted by Anomen who finally gets Crom Faeyr.

Perhaps I just got a little curious to see what the Black Pits I are about. I didn't have any expectations. I was surprised to see that it was quite good but too easy and a little bit simple. I started playing the Black Pits II and enjoyed it a lot. I was surprised to see that in your 5th Battle you already face the Drows in the Arena and in the 6th the Vampires. Finally I was totally surprised to see that I couldn't defeat The Winged. So I was wondering...I found and played different solutions and want to present them here. The Black Pits II in itself is already a great game and tons of fun!

It seems that I learned lots by playing the Black Pits II. Afterwards I started to play BG II, EE on level INSANE with a Fighter / Mage, Nalia and Rasaad (10th Nov 2017 - 15th Nov 2017 Throne of Bhaal Start). It wasn't difficult.

What seemed unbelievable for me before I started to play: a BG II, EE Solo Walkthrough! I chose a Swashbuckler and played on Core Rules. He did extremely well.

My favorite Solo Protagonist is a Fighter / Mage! He/She has access not only to all powerful spells but to all great weapons as well! So the Fighter Mage is extremely flexible and just brilliant! My favorite weapons are the Axe of the Unyielding and Blackrazor!

I started a Solo Walkthrough on level Insane with a Fighter / Mage and enjoy it a lot! I already finished BG I, EE on level Insane. I'm surprised to see that it wasn't so difficult. Now I enjoy to continue to play in BG II, EE.

It's not so difficult to play a BG I or II Solo Walkthrough on level Insane when you know the game well and are familiar with the abilities of your Solo Protagonist. Because you're playing with only one Character you gain experience points very fast - they don't get distributed on all Party members - so you can grind levels fast. But your surrounding, your enemies still stay on this level as if they would face a Party of 5 or 6 Players. In comparison to your enemies you become stronger and stronger and finally it becomes nearly easy to play on level Insane. So the start of a Solo Protagonist is the biggest challenge. In the Black Pits II I learned lots about classes, enemies and weapons and other items as well within a really short amount of time! The Black Pits II were an ideal Training Center for playing and learning for me.

My Game Playing Past: For a long time I thought that the strongest character is a Fighter (Berserker) - Cleric (Dual-Class, human: Crom Faeyr (+++++) and Flail of Ages (+++++); Globe of Blades) with all his spell abilities. I was mistaken. A Fighter Mage (Multi-Class, non-human race) is much stronger by being able to use Time Stop and Greater Whirlwind Attacks! I might turn out that a Swashbuckler, a Fighter / Thief or a Dark Moon Monk are even superior to a Fighter Mage in a BG I + II Solo Walkthrough on level Insane.

I hope that my Black Pits II stuff and my short Walkthroughs here are a help for you to enjoy these brilliant Games even more!

Gejadus

By the way if you're playing on level HARD/INSANE sometimes other enemies/creatures show up than on level Core Rules!

My personal Walkthrough for BG II,EE
- Rescuing the slaves (part 1 + part 2)

- Lilarcor

- Licence for casting spells in Amn: 5000 Gold

- Aerie's Adventure (Ring of Influence: Charisma +18)

- Hexxat (play only a part in Dragomir's cave first)...Use Hexxat for stealing Daystar at the Gate of Amn (Crooked Crane Inn) (> Best weapon against Kangaax; Sunray against Undead - Vampires, Shadows in the Temple Ruins etc!!) and the Silver Horn of Valhalla (Horn House in the Bridge District) (Horn upgrade: Diamond + 2000 Gold; Beljuril Gemstone > inside one of the chickens > Umar Hills + 5000 Gold => Iron Horn of Valhalla, crafted by Maheer in Waukeen's Promenade). Steal a Ring of Regeneration from Ribald (Adventurer Mart)!! Especially useful if you have no Priest or Druid in your party.

- Watcher's keep (part of level 1 > Golem book): Buy Firetooth +4

- Nalia's Adventure > Stronghold (Flail of Ages)

- I bought the Robe of Vecna in Ribald's trade store!

- Umar Hills (Ilbratha > Mirror Image)

- Trademeet (Belm; Shield of Harmony)

- Finishing off Dragomir

- Exploring all the graves at the graveyard area

- Kittix

- Sewers (the Battle against the 6)

- Try to catch the Skinner in the Bridge District - Kill his Mate Fael in the Umar Hills. Don't kill him at once! Wound him only! Three Mages will show up!

- Haer'Dalis' Adventure (Rod of resurrection; Boots of Speed)

- Valygar's Adventure (Ring of the Ram; Ogre Gauntlets)

- Finishing Watcher's keep level 1 (Foebane)

- Temple District (Celestial Fury) - Rasaad is doing great by using Celestial Fury. My Fighter Mage is using Flail of Ages and Nalia Firetooth +4. When Rasaad finally has reached level 18 or so I'll let him fight only with his fists! Forget about Celestial Fury then! Give it to the Fighter / Mage ;-). Rasaad will become a Killing Machine by only using his fists! Learned in Black Pit II!

- Buy Balduran's Shield as preparation for the next Adventure: Keldorn's Adventure (Gauntlets of Dexterity)

=> The Fighter /Mage has reached 1 500 000 (750 000/750 000) exp.points now.

- I bought Vhailor's Helm and the Fortress Shield

- Neera's Adventure

- Temple Ruins - Black Dragon - I failed on Level Hard! Several times I was close. Mislead didn't help. This Dragon is strong on level Hard and can heal himself completely like The Winged. I have to come later here again with the Fighter /Mage, Nalia and Rasaad.

- Windspear Hills - Red Dragon (Firkraag) - Probably I won't manage to kill the Red Dragon with this low level group. I have to come back after having rescued Imoen.

The good Party will kill all the Vampires....NOT on Bodhi's side.

- Meeting with Aran Linvail (Amulet of Power). After Linvail's first two tasks the Fighter / Mage has reached 2 000 000 exp.. His weapons: Flail of Ages and Celestial Fury. The Monk (level 16) will fight without weapons from now on. After Linvail's third task to defeat the Vampires I decided to check if I would already be able to defeat Kangaax and get the Ring of Gaxx. Thanks to playing Black Pits II I knew that it would be good to get the Staff of the Magi first in order to use Spell Trap! So I went to the Twisted Rune Building in the Bridge District and got access by using a Rogue Stone. I was totally surprised how easily the Fighter /Mage, Nalia and Rambo Rasaad overcame the Twisted Rune Company. Happy to hold the Staff of the Magi in my hands I went on. I used Oil of Speed and Spell Trap and defeated the first Kangaax guard quite fast. The next one too and the third one? Hm. A little bit challenging with these three low level guys on level Hard but it worked with the right strategy! I tell you what I did. The Fighter / Mage was wearing the Boots of Speed and drunk Oil of Speed. I used Spell Trap and put the Staff of the Magi aside and used two weapons +4: Daystar and Usuno's Blade. I summoned the Berserker Warrior (Horn of Valhalla) and a Skeleton in front of the tomb (grave). Nalia was standing with Firetooth +4 (weapon +4!) in the left corner. Rasaad opened the grave and ran away. The third Kangaax guard attacked the Berserker Warrior by using Time Stop. I didn't mind. Afterwards he fired a fireball around him. Now it was time for the Fighter / Mage to attack him (without Time Stop and Whirlwind Attack). He died. The real Kangaax showed up. Rasaad attacked him with Sun Soulray (see article Monk) and it harmed Kangaax pretty bad by 27 Hitpoints (Ring of the Ram works well too)! But Kangaax took revenge and imprisoned Rasaad. The Fighter / Mage got angry and slaughtered Kangaax (55 000 exp points). But I wasn't delighted and had to replay it. Sure I would finally get Rasaad back after coming back form the Underdark by using a script roll of Freedom in the tomb but I didn't want to wait so long. Ok. This time Rasaad stayed out of Battle and the three moved on to the Asylum Spellhold Island in possession of the Ring of Gaax! Great!

(I told you in the Gejadus' Walkthrough already ' How to defeat The Winged?' that defeating Kangaax might not be an easy task but defeating The Winged and her evil companions is another league. I just got the confirmation for this.)

Rasaad has reached level 18 already (2 250 000 exp) and is incredibly strong already! Rambo Rasaad!

The Gameplay on level Hard becomes already nearly too easy for the Fighter / Mage, Nalia and Rasaad. Should I switch to level INSANE already? Yes, while still being on the Asylum Spellhold Island I switched to level INSANE.

- Asylum Spellhold Island (15 Mithril coins > Boots of Speed!). Yeah! The Fighter / Mage and Nalia have each Boots of Speed now and Rasaad as a monk is fast anyway. It's nice to travel fast! That's one of the advantages of having a small party of three only.

Underdark: by the way the Drows don't like posion. That's what Iearned by playing the Black Pits II. (Jhor, the Bleeder from one prisoner; Firetooth +3 (dagger): Ust Natha Market place; Girdle of Frost Giant Strength - it was a very tough Battle on level Insane against the 5 demonic Knights until I realized that they don't like poison)

All three Party Members - the Fighter Mage, Nalia and Rasaad - have each reached 3 000 000 exp. points.

Back to sunlight: Meeting with Drizzt. He'll help to fight Bodhi.

Waukeen's Promenade > Adventurer Mart > Ribald > NEW ITEMS! Special Ware's: '''Time Stop + Black Blade of Disaster. I'm facing one problem now, Nalia (IQ 17)''' has a level 9 spell slot already and I really would like to give these two great spells to her but I can't. As a Dual-Class Thief (5000 exp only)/ Mage she will finally have lots of level 9 spell slots. My Fighter Mage has IQ 18 but has only access to level 7 spell slots yet. I have to see if I can solve the problem by letting Nalia drink a potion that increases her intelligence (Potion of Genius or Mind Focusing) and let here transfer these great spells at that time. Let's see. - It worked! :-)

It's all fine with playing on level INSANE. Just the 5 demonic Knights were challenging in the beginning.

So there's plenty of time now for all kinds of Adventures before meeting Drizzt at the Graveyard District. Ideas: - Sewers - special key from Tazok > Illthids; 2nd level of Watcher's keep; black Dragon and red Dragon Firkraag; the forests (Tethir etc)

- Sewers > Mind Flyer's Lair: entrance by using special key from Tazok (Windspear Hills): Hammer of Thunderbolts +3 > can be upgraded to Crom Faeyr

- Watcher's keep level 2 (lots of huge healing potions and another part of Flail of Ages but can only be added to Flail of Ages in Throne of Bhaal). Defeating the colourful Demon gives you 55 000 exp points (as much as for defeating Kangaxx).

- Rasaad's Adventure: On the way to the Heretic Temple you automatically encounter some strong believers of Selûne. They want to stop Rasaad. If you fight and defeat them you'll get some very useful items, e.g. there's something like Montolio's Cloak that gives good THAC0 for your second weapon. Heretic Temple: Gem of Seeing.

- Black Dragon: Fighter Mage used the Longswords Peridan and the Equalizer. Vhailor's Helm for producing a Duplicate was very useful as well. Nalia used spells first for destroying the magic protection of the Dragon. East Battle! (1st attempt!)!

- Same for the Red Dragon Firkraag (64 000 exp). Even on level INSANE easy Battle for the three! I don't really need Carsomyr.

- the Forests: Tethir etc. Nice surprise in Coran's cottage. Nalia died but I have the Rod of Resurrection.

- the Fighter Mage has reached 4 000 000 exp. but he hasn't got a level 8 spell slot yet. Nalia can already use Time Stop and Black Blade of Disaster if she wants to. I would like to get the spell Imprisonment but I haven't seen it anywhere yet.

- Now it's time to fight Bodhi. Hope that Drizzt is still waiting for me. Afterwards I want to go to Cromwell. I don't really need Crom Faeyr but it's nice to have it. - Yes, Drizzt was still waiting for me! Great to fight alongside him. Killing Bodhi was easy (91 000 exp). Don't forget to take the Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise (Legacy of the Master) out of the pentagon-shaped blood pool in the room with spikes and deadly traps.

- Cromwell: I want to have the Red Dragon Scale and Crom Faeyr. Equip yourself well for the future! I bought the Short Sword of Mask at Watcher's keep and 10x Oil of Speed in the Bridge District from a woman.

- It's time to go to Elhan with the Rynn Lathorne.

- Suldanessalar: Only fighting Irenicius' Dragon Nizi... (52 000 exp) was a challenge on level Insane. But Nalia used Time Stop and removed the magic protection from him afterwards it was much easier to kill him. I got a nice item from the Dragon for the Fighter / Mage: Bladesinger Chain! I can pass on the Robe of Vecna to Nalia that she can cast spells faster. Fighting Irenicus wasn't so difficult.

- Hell: Of course I want to get Blackrazor, my favorite weapon! I wanted to avoid that my neutral Fighter Mage turns evil by getting Blackrazor but I couldn't avoid it. Nalia tried to steal the Blackrazor again but it didn't work. The Fighter / Mage killed Sarevok on his own by using Blackrazor and Flail of Ages!

Fighting Irenicus or the Small Slayer and his Demons in the Final Battle was NOT so difficult on level Insane: 1st attempt. After all Demons had been killed Nalia used Time Stop and hit Irenicus/Slayer with Staff of Magi first for removing any magic protection and cast Black Blade of Disaster. With this powerful weapon Nalia hit Irenicus badly and after the Time Stop Rambo Rasaad joined here. The Fighter Mage was only a spectator first, later he joined them with Crom Faeyr and Blackrazor. Irenicus had no chance.

Result : A Fighter / Mage, Nalia and Rasaad yn Bashir managed pretty easily all challenges in Baldur's Gate II, Enhanced Edition on level Insane...I'm tempted to start a Swashbuckler (Thief, Fighter > good THAC0 and Whirlwind Attacks, level 24 > Use any item > Mage Script rolls > Time Stop) real Solo Walkthrough through BG II,EE...

Throne of Bhaal

The Fighter / Mage had too much stuff so he hasn't Ellesime's Amulet now. Doesn't matter! I want to get the improved Staff of the Ram and the Axe of the Unyielding!

I let Cespenar improve Flail of Ages by attaching the Flail Head of Poison to it (> Watcher's Keep level 2).

Sarevok has to get new life first before I can leave my hiding place, the Pocket Plane.

I summoned some other Companions for getting their equipment for selling. I also wanted to know what level Minsc, Edwin etc were at.

Saradush: I helped Lazarus to get his spell book back. Nalia got brilliant 9 levels spells like Imprisonment. She's already a Mage level 22 and has three level 9 spell lots. She has to be feared more now than the Fighter Mage !!!

I let Cespenar improve Bladesinger Chain. I have Aslyferund Elven Chain now. Great!

Gromnir Il-Khan: On the way to him I let Nalia's Planetar fight the Vampires. It's not really necessary because the Fighter / Mage is wearing the Amulet of Power (resistance to level drain > Aran Linvail) anyway. I found the Bronze Ioun Stone in the Vampire's Lair and have the Circlet of Netheril now. Nalia wears it with pride. Later in Gromnir's cellar I found a part of Foebane. Cespensar upgraded it. It's a great weapon! I already have so many great weapons for the Fighter / Mage that I don't really know what weapon to give to him. Probably Crom Faeyr and Blackrazor is best right now.

''This Party of three Characters - Fighter / Mage, Nalia and Rasaad yn Bashir - is already amazingly strong! Even on level Insane the Game play is nearly too easy...I don't have a more difficult version of Game play. My German package 'BG II, EE' contains only difficulty level Insane as the hardest one...''

Nyalee: She raised Yaga-Shura. Before you meet her you have to face some mean shadows. Sunray (> Daystar or Helm of Brilliance) is very useful against them.

Marching Mountains: The Fire Giants are quite strong on level Insane (yeah, a challenge!) and often they come by two or in groups. I let Nalia and the Fighter / Mage use Mislead! Rasaad stays close to the two Duplicates at a hiding place and Nalia and the Fighter / Mage attack without getting hurt as long as the Duplicates exits. Great Items at this place where Yaga-Shura's Heart is: Amulet of the Master Harper for Nalia because she's a Thief as well, Girdle of Fire Giant Strength etc.!

Aha, Rasaad's journey will go on to find Alorgoth. There's a new area waiting for me, Deepstone Clanhold - exciting! Great new adventure and great items but...you'll find out ourselves.

It's time for Watcher's keep (part of level 3+4): I want to get the Staff of the Ram and improve it!

So here you have an impression how I play BG II, EE...let's hope that there will be a great Baldur's Gate III one day!

After having played these two parties I might consider a real Solo Walkthrough BG I - Throne of Bhaal by playing a Fighter Mage. My time for playing is in God's Hands! I might not have time at all!

My personal Swashbuckler Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate II, Enhanced Edition
I'm playing difficulty level 'Core Rules '. I never played any Solo Walkthrough before except in the Black Pits II. By playing in the Black Pits II I learned lots so I'm confident concerning a Solo Walkthrough. In order to really stick to a true Solo Walkthrough I have to make decisions that I usually wouldn't do. I have to kill Valygar before entering the Plenar Sphere, I can't do Hexxat's Adventure, Nalia can't join me for delivering her Stronghold etc.

My favorite Character is a Fighter / Mage but my choice for this Walkthrough is a Swashbuckler. The reasons for this decision: 1.) good THAC0 2.) able to use Magic (> level 24 > Use Any Item) 3.) disarm Traps and ability to open chests and doors 4.) set Traps and can pickpocket items like Ribald's Ring of Regeneration.

It's my personal Walkthrough here not an official one. I usually don't give details here etc it's just for me when I want to replay a Solo Walkthrough again.

''I already started on Core Rules and the Swashbuckler is doing great! He seems to be a good choice.''

That's what my Swashbuckler looks like: Strength: 18; Dex: 18; Con: 18: IQ: 16 (16 is necessary for using the Golem book afterwards > level 24 > use any item); Wisdom: 10; CH: 8

Weapon Proficiency points: Long Sword: ++; Cross Bow: +; Short Bow: +

Escaping Irenicus' Dungeon:

On my own without Imoen, Minsc and Jaheira. I'm a careful player so I decided to avoid certain Battles like getting the Long Sword Visconia for releasing the Djinni. I also didn't try to get Sarevok's two handed Sword...I was foolish enough to fight this Ogre right after the beginning in the Crystal Room. I had to flee and use many healing potions.

It was a good move to destroy these Mephit cages at once !

I stole Ribald's Ring of Regeneration and a Long Sword +2 from him. - I found interesting information about the Thief special abilities.

Pick Pockets
"A thief can steal items from characters. The chance to steal an item depends on the percentage and receives a penalty based on the weight/value of the item and the level of the target, so will often require a Pick Pockets skill well over a hundred points to steal more valuable items. May reach a base of to 295 with skill points followed by raising dexterity bonuses, and up to 325 with potions and items. 250 has been observed to have a slight chance of failure on some targets that can also be stolen from.

Open Locks
A thief can lockpick locks from doors and containers to open them. The chance to open a door/container depends on the difficulty of the lock and works on a threshold system - if you're within 5 points of the target lock's difficulty you have a 50% chance of bashing it successfully, while if you're equal to or greater than the lock's difficulty, it's guaranteed. Does not benefit from scores higher than 100.

Find / Disarm Traps
A thief can find traps if they activate their find traps mode. Any found traps can then be disarmed if the find/disarm trap percentage is high enough. There is no benefit to increasing this score higher than 100 ."

I got Daystar and the Silver Horn of Valhalla. I was totally surprised that no raiders attacked me while switching areas. Usually when you play a Party you often get attacked in the beginning. So far the Solo Protagonist didn't face such challenges but I would have been prepared with Oils of Speed and Invisibility Potions.

=> Crucial for a Solo Protagonist is to have enough Oils of Speed and Potions of Invisibility. That's what I learned by playing these Solo Walkthroughs in the Black Pits II. You can get lots from a woman (Silver moon?) in the Bridge District close to the huge Temple.

I went very early to Watcher's Keep, level 1. I entered only the first room and already got nice items!

Rescuing the slaves (the ship) (> Tuigan Short Bow - 3x APR). With Charisma of only 8 the owner of the Slave Pub didn't give me access to his rooms yet. I had to rescue Aerie first > Ring of Influence, Charisma 18.

Rescuing the slaves (there was also a difference - the Winter Wolf in the Arena didn't show up, he always does when playing a Party). Hendak became the owner of the Pub.

I bought the Girdle of Hill Giant Strength (Strength 19) - Yeah! In Hendak's Pub I bought a special Long Sword (German: Rosenklinge) that improves your Charisma +2. Ring of Influence + this Long Sword: Charisma +20 - that's ideal for shopping.

I let the Silver Horn of Valhalla get upgraded. (Horn House in the Bridge District) (Horn upgrade: Diamond + 2000 Gold; Beljuril Gemstone > inside one of the chickens > Umar Hills + 5000 Gold => Iron Horn of Valhalla, crafted by Maheer in Waukeen's Promenade). The Berserker becomes my best friend! It reminds me of the Golden Calf Idol in the Black Pits II.

I went to Wauken's Promenade and bought the best Bracers from Ribald.

Trademeet and the Druid's place : I had to get Belm! Cernd defeated Faldorn.

I gave a Weapon Proficiency point to Scimitar > Belm.

Umar Hills : Ilbratha! > Mirror Image

The Swashbuckler has one disadvantage : His Attacks per Round (APR) - only one. So it's really good to get Belm, APR: 2x and have Tuigan Short Bow, APR: 3x. There's a red blood dart weapon +3, APR: 3x in Watcher's Keep level 1.

Oil of Speed helps a lot of course for fighting! Belm > APR: 5x

Buying the brilliant Firetooth +4 at Watcher's Keep doesn't make sense for the Swashbuckler, APR 1x only. Buy I bought another crossbow at Hendak's Pub. I don't know the English name by heart but it helps you to shoot bolts faster (APR: 2x instead of APR: 1x Firetooth +4). Besides the Tuigan Short Bow it's good to have this crossbow so I can use Arrows of Biting and Bolts of Biting as well.

'''Oil of Speed and Burning Earth (Long Sword > Trademeet > Cernd's Adventure) is extremely strong against the Trolls in Nalia's Stronghold: 3xdice 8 + THAC0-3 + 1 HP Fire damage. '''Fire (or Acid) kills the Trolls.

Back to Watcher's keep, level 1 again. I used Oil of Speed and killed the Golem. By using an Invisibility Potion I had access to more rooms and got nice useful items.

Level grinding: At Nalia's Stronghold the Swashbuckler reached level 13 (660 000 exp).

Swashbuckler: level 13: AC-5; THAC0: 7 (Belm, APR: 2x); HP 12-19

Now I would like to do Haer 'Dalis Adventure for getting the Boots of Speed. Does it already work with two Potions of Clarity and some Oils of Speed and Invisibility Potions?

''It's really nice to play a Swashbuckler, I enjoy it a lot. Because of his bad APR x1 I'm not sure if a Fighter / Mage had been the better choice for a Solo Walkthrough. For sure the Fighter / Mage is the stronger Fighter and by using the Spell 'Knock' he would be able to open doors and chests.''

I managed! I have the Boots of Speed now! So I can travel fast again! I like it a lot! But it was a real challenge!

First me alone against the 6 in the Sewers! This worked pretty well but the real Haer'Dalis Adventure...I nearly reached my limits on Core Rules at this level 13. I had to get into the Galatic Prison by using an Invisibility Potion. Why? One of the Bounty Hunters (11000 exp) likes to stun you. Later Arrows of Biting and Bolts of Biting, Oil of Speed, Potion of Clarity and lots of Potions of Invisibility helped enormously. Great challenge on Core Rules for the Swashbuckler. This was by far the hardest challenge so far!

Nalia's Stronghold

Swashbuckler: level 15: I get AC-1 and THAC0-1 at level 15 and THAC0-1 anyway. So The Swashbuckler has AC-7; THAC05; HP 14-21 (Belm + Girdle of Giant Hill Strength).

It was exciting to see that the Swashbuckler could defeat Torgal! First I used traps and summoned the Berserker (level 9) and an Air Element (Staff of Air > Haer'Dalis' Adventure) and two fellow Trolls got killed. Afterwards I challenged Torgal on my own after resting for 8 hours. I set three traps that worked well and poisoned him by Bolts of Biting. Finally when he was nearly dead I killed him with Burning Earth. - Of course I'm wearing the Boots of Speed and even drank Oil of Speed. I was incredibly fast! - Nice memory of playing the Black Pits II.

The final reward was disappointing. I didn't have Nalia in my group and when I explained her that her father was dead I only got 650 Gold. At least I have Flail of Ages - although I can use it only from level 24 onwards (3,080,000 exp). This great weapon will get two times improved in Throne of Bhaal.

''It works quite well so far by playing a Swashbuckler. He didn't disappoint me so far, the opposite is the case. It was impressive to see that he managed the Haer'Dalis Adventure (Boots of Speed - yeah!) and could defeat Torgal. By the way I killed the Iron Golem (25000 exp) by using the red dart weapon +3 from Watcher's Keep, level 1.''

Next journey: Delivering Trademeet from the Djinnis. Easy task! I especially like that I got the Periapt of Proof against Poison by killing the Ithafeer. I also like the Shield of Harmony but I can't use it yet. But I bought Aeger's Hide (or Skin - have to look such things up after some time) from Ribald. Great! It has the same AC like the best bracers. So I can sell them again and have a slot for gauntlets now. I use special gauntles that reduce my THAC0-1. I got them during the Haer'Dalis' Adventure.

I met Rasaad in Trademeet. I took him with me to the Gate of Amn in order to meet a certain person there who shows me the way to the Theater where the people of the false cult/sect meet. I went there and dismissed Rasaad but now I don't get the map for the Heretic Temple. ;-( But at least I can battle these Adventurers who fight about a certain belt. They have an excellent ring that gives you Mirror Image 3x. So this item is even better than Ilbratha.

As a Solo Protagonist you don't have lots of space for items. For this reason I felt that it's time for getting a Stronghold. As a Thief I couldn't get Nalia's Stronghold so I got Mae'Var's former Guildhall. Finally I have a place for storing items.

So with the Periapt of Proof against Poison it should be easy to get Kittix. By summoning Kittix I can let her use Web! That's phantastic!

=> I will have three friends fighting alongside me in the future: the strong Berserker Warrior, Kittix and an Air Element.

I'm looking forward to giving the Swashbuckler a Weapon Proficiency point for Katana and getting Celestial Fury in the Temple District. The Battle before getting C.Fury will be very challenging! Kittix might help me with this task a lot! The Battle wasn't so difficult. On the ground floor were suddenly lots of beasts. I waited until they killed each other and finally I killed the Glabrezu by using Daystar. I went invisibly upstairs and disarmed some traps...I guess the Mage used 'True Seeing' so they discovered me. I used the fast Crossbow and shot Bolts of Biting at Koshi. I poisoned him and he died. At once I took Celestial Fury! Victory! ;-) But of course I had to defeat the other too in order to get more nice items. Only Ketta the assassin was a little bit difficult to defeat. I don't have 100% Detect Illusion yet that would have helped me lots to discover her. But I fled into a room and set a mean trap directly behind the entrance. When she followed me invisibly she got badly hurt by the trap. I escaped to another room and did the same. What a mean player I am! I just want to get the utmost out of my Thief! ;-)

My Swashbuckler has reached level 18 now and I'm quite satisfied. Disarming traps and being able to open all the chests and doors is very useful and gives lots of exp points. To Pickpocket is also nice. I have the special pickpocket gloves from the former Thief in Hendak's Pub (1st floor). This gives me over 120% pick pocket ability. I should just go around in Amn, drink in addition a special Thief Potion (40% pick pocket) that my pick pocket ability is about 160% and steal lots of stuff. For sure I should go to Tolgerias in the Government District and try to steal the Ring of Ram from him already. These Government guys should all have nice items, perhaps also the Priests in these huge Temples! ;-) Let' see!

Weapons : Celestial Fury (THAC01; HP: 14-23); Daystar (THAC0:1; HP:15-22): Belm (APR: 2x; THAC0:2; HP: 13-20); Burning Earth is good against Trolls and Undead! Tuigan Bow: APR: 3x and Arrows of Biting; the fast Crossbow: APR:2x.and Bolts of Biting!

Sure Darts (APR: 3x) would be also nice to use but Asp's Nest is hard to find. One weapon style would also be nice, BUT: '''I have to give my next Weapon Proficiency Points to two weapon style: +++. I finally want to be able to use Blackrazor and Falil of Ages/Celestial Fury at the same time in combination with Whirlwind Attack.'''

Something really silly happened. Before I had Mae'Var's former Guildhall I put some items on the ground for picking up new ones and I forgot for some days to pick them up again. When I finally came to the spot again the Long Short Abjatha was already gone. Because being a Thief and leading the Guildhall the Vampires start chasing me already. Not nice when you can't defend yourself yet (any more) against their charming spells. It's a pity that I lost Abjatha (immune to charming). I have to travel during daytime.

Next Adventures will be:

Neera's Adventure - I can't do it. I don't want to take Neera with me and the wild Mage Daxus doesn't want to do his performance without her showing up. So next Adventure:

Valygar's Adventure - it's very exciting! It's probably my favorite one. '''Does the Solo Protagonist manage on his own on Core Rules? Not sure.''' I let Valygar open the door to the Plenar Sphere and dismissed him, I didn't have to kill him. Fighting the Clay Golem in the entrance area as a Thief was already a challenge. It's just good that I have this Wand/Staff of Air Elemental Summoning. The Air Element could harm him and the Staff as well! Traps were really effective against the Halflings and Golems! Tolgerias and the Mage got badly poisoned by Bolts of Biting. - Great challenge!

I finished Aran Linvail's first two tasks. I was eager to get the Amulet of Power from him. But as a Thief I can't use this nice Amulet yet. I'm level 21 now, I have 2,500,000 exp points. Only 580,000 exp more! I'm so much looking forward to the time when the Swashbuckler has reached level 24 (3,080,000 exp)!

By the way my Guildhall is very nice and cosy. I never played a Thief Protagonist in BG II, EE before. I can give orders to my thieves for getting money in each week. Of course I have to pass on some of this money to Renal Blutskalp.

Umar Hills : I want to get more experience points! Sunray by using Daystar is excellent against the Shadows. Hope that I don't get too much level drained. Aha, nice discovery! The Shadows can't harm Fire Elements, and I have the Staff of Fire! I stole it from the Flame Room in Lavok's Sphere. I'm surprised that I already faced two Liches (each 22000 exp) here on my Solo Walkthrough. The huge Skeleton Golem is here as well but I'm not afraid of him. I attacked the Shadow Prince ( or whatever) at once by using Celestial Fury and Daystar (two weapon style) and killed him. Sunray was good against the shadows and the Shadow Altar.

The Skinner in the Bridge District + Fael (Umar Hills) + Tiris (Adventure in Trademeet)

Lilarcor

When the Swashbuckler finally has reached level 24 - Use Any Item - he will be amazing !!

The Swashbuckler has reached level 24 now (3,080,000 exp)! Use Any Item ability! Now his real life starts! The first thing I did was to go to Cromwell and get the light and strong Ankheg Plate Mail. I can wear the ring+2 now too that Aran Linvail gave me. The Amulet of Power of course too that protects me from level drain of the Vampires. I went to Ribald's store, the Adventurer Mart and bought Vhailor's Helm! That's for sure one of the best items in the game for a level 24 Thief. I have Balduran's Helm as well for switching with Vhailor's Helm. I have the Golem Book and IQ 16 so that I can summon a Golem besides Kittix and the Berserker Warrior. Great! I should buy Limited Wish (spell level 7) that I could use Time Control (Time Stop) in case of need. I should get this special Paedemiumsharp (or whatever) in Ribald's store. This seems to be a very powerful weapon!

Swashbuckler level 24 : The Swashbuckler has AC-15; Celestial Fury THAC0-2 (Girdle of Giant Hill Strength).

Finishing Watcher's Keep level 1. I got nice items (e.g. Foebane, Usono's Blade +4) and lots of experience points! I'm nearly level 25 now. I set 5 traps and used Flail of Ages and Celestial Fury for fighting.

Level 25: I chose the special ability: Alchemy. Why? The Solo Protagonist wants Oil of Speed what is hard to find! Oil of Speed is phantastic in the combination with the Boots of Speed. That's what I learned by playing Solo Walkthroughs in the Black Pits II.

Firkraag - Adventure: The Traps are very effective against Greater Wolveswere and Golems. A Stone Golem (8000 exp) can be killed by a single trap! I didn't dare yet to challenge Firkraag.

The Swashbuckler (Thief) has 4,000,000 experience points now and has reached level 28. His Weapon Proficiency points look like this: Long Sword: ++; Cross Bow: +; Short Bow: +; Scimitar: +; Katana: +; Two Weapon Style: +++. AC-18: Ankheg Plate Mail, Fortress Shield, Ring +2, Helm of Balduran, Cloak of the Sewers, Ring of Earth Control (or whatever). AC-22 if he uses Evasion. AC-24 by using Greater Evasion. His THAC0-3 by using the Katana Celestial Fury is good but not excellent. His normal Traps are very effective, the Traps are a dangerous weapon! Alchemy is nice for getting Oil of Speed or the huge healing potions. '''He can use all Magic Script Rolls! '''He can disarm all Traps and open every chest and door (there are exceptions where you need a special key) and even steal nice and useful items.

Keldorn's Adventure - Use Balduran's Shield against the Beholders. The place where you can find the Gautnlets of Dexterity is always a challenge. Periapt of Proof against Posion is crucial that the higher Mumies don't make you sick. If you got sick you can drink a special healing drink (Heilungselixier) in order to get completely well again. I was totally surprised that even a Lich (22000 exo) showed up here. It didn't expect that at all. I can't remember that it ever happened when I was there with a Party. Hahhaha. I used a Script Role summoned a Monster. A Hobgoblin Elite Warrior showed up and his arrows poisoned the Lich. I didn't expect Lichs to be vulnerable to poison. The Hobgoblin showed me the way. I used Bolts of Biting and killed the Lich!

The Swashbuckler has reached level 30! AC and THAC0 gets improved by -1! AC-19 and THAC0-4 Celestial Fury and Girdle of Giant Strength now.

I slaughtered the Vampires. I'll go to the Graveyard and under it for getting some more experience points for reaching level 32. And then....!

Future Plans :

I'll try to get the Staff of the Magi and Ring of Gaxx BEFORE sailing to the Asylum Spellhold Island.

Strategy for fighting the Twisted Rune Company will be: Boots of Speed + Oil of Speed; turn/reflect spells as protection (level 7), Balduran's Shield (there's a Beholder waiting for me), Vhailor's Helm > Duplicate that can summon the Berserker, Kittix etc as well, Shield of Harmony or Potion of Clarity as Protection (I don't want to get charmed or confused), Peridan (against fear) or a script roll against fear, some script Rolls with Skeletons of Monsters for additional help and Limited Wish (> Ribald's Store > TIME CONTROL - TIME STOP!!!). The Time Stop might be decisive in the end! There's no pure Time Stop script role available yet. If the Swashbuckler wants to use Time Control he needs to drink a Potion that increases his Wisdom! I think Wisdom 16 is required to have Time Control by using Limited Wish!

The Swasbuckler has the Staff of the Magi!!! He's quite a guy! (3rd attempt). Decisive were 8 traps in the beginning that the Swashbuckler and his Duplicate (> Vhailor's Helm) prepared for Shangalar. He had no chance! I had Balduran's Sield for fighting the Beholder, the Amulet of Power for the Vampire etc..

It seems it will be easy to defeat the three Kangaax Guards! I'll always set 5-6 Traps in front of each tomb/grave before opening it! And for the real Kangaax I'll have Spell Trap as a protection cast on myself (> Staff of the Magi). I'll kill him by using Daystar and Usono's Blade. They are both weapons +4. It should work well. Let's see!

Yes, it all worked fine! It was pretty easy to get the Ring of Gaax. Lots of normal Traps from a high level Thief are extremely dangerous! 5-7 can kill a powerful Lich at once. I didn't need Time Control.

'>>> The Swashbuckler is excellent! <<<'

Extremely well equipped I sailed to the Spellhold Island.

I will skip the Underwater World Adventure because the Swashbuckler doesn't need this excellent vorpal Silver Sword. From Spellhold Island he'll go at once to the Underdark.

Underdark : No challenge any more! Even the Mindflyers/Illthids have no chance at all! My Swashbuckler is level 39 (7,000,000 exp) now and he has the Staff of Magi (> Spell Trap), the Shield of Harmony, Vhailor's Helm, Ring of Gaxx and a fantastic trap ability. By using Vhailor's Helm I can set at least 16 traps before action takes place. That's an incredible preparation for Battle! Of course he could use Time Stop and Whirlwind Attack as well. By using a Drow Plate Mail I have the following Armor Class (AC)-23. Maximum is AC-24 for a non - Fighter. The Swashbuckler can even produce Oil of Speed by himself. He's wearing the Girdle of a Frost Giant so his THAC0 is -6 by using Celestial Fury. That's quite good for a Thief! The Swashbuckler is totally overpowered....Later I might go on in Throne of Bhaal on level Insane.

Back to sunlight : I accepted Drizzt's offer to help me in fighting Bodhi. Cromwell welded the Equalizer for me. At Ribal's store new items are waiting for me like a Time Stop script roll...

Result : I already say now that the Swashbuckler choice for a Solo Walkthrough in BG II, EE was a really good one. I can imagine that he's able to perform a BG II, EE and Throne of Bhaal Walkthrough on level Insane without facing serious difficulties.

My personal Fighter Mage Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate - level INSANE
A Fighter / Mage is my favorite Solo Protagonist. I started playing Solo Walkthroughs in the Black Pits II and could gain lots of experience within a short time. I learned lots! Encouraged by that I made a Walkthrough through BG II, EE with a Fighter Mage, Nalia and Rasaad on level Insane. I managed easily. I went on in Throne of Bhaal but stopped because I didn't face any real challenge any more. Demogorgon might be one...A lot more encouraged I started a real Solo Walkthrough in BG II, EE on difficulty level Core Rules. After some considerations I felt that it's best to use a Swashbuckler. He's doing great! He already got the Staff of the Magi and the Ring of Gaxx BEFORE sailing to the Spellhold Island. Amazing! I started to feel overpowered also here (especially by the traps that you can set before action takes place) that's why I'm looking for an even bigger challenge. - The Fighter / Mage can't set any traps.

'''To be honest, I never thought that I would start a Solo Walkthrough on level Insane. I was a Player who used to play parties with 6 players in BG I + II.'''

''So here's the start of my Fighter / Mage Solo Walkthrough. This Walkthrough might take a long time, especially because I start in BG I, EE and will move on to BG II, EE and Throne of Bhaal.''

Fighter Mage Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate I, EE - level INSANE
Ability Scores: Starting position of my Fighter / Mage: Strength: 18/90 (nearly like Minsc (18/93)); Dex.:18; Con: 18; IQ:18; Wisdom: 10; Ch:3 (the people don't like me so much and the prices for the items are expensive)

Weapon proficiency points : Two handed Sword: ++ (Web + Spider's Bane); Long Sword: + ; Darts: + (considering BG II)

The pace (speed of the Game Play) is incredibly slow. You are happy about each Battle that you win and about all experience points that you get for level grinding. I survived the challenging start and the Fighter / Mage is Fighter level 3 (I gave another W.p. p. to Two Handed Fighting Style: +) and Mage level 3 (> Mirror Image).

Of course I needed the help of the guards in the Friendly Inn to overcome the Bounty Hunter at the entrance of the Friendly Inn. I picked up a Ring of Protection +1 from a stone/rock in the area before the Friendly Arm. I got the great Mage Ring at a tree before the Friendly Inn. I rushed down to Nashkel for getting the Ankheg Plate Mail next to a small tree in a big field. Without this Ankheg Plate Mail the task would even be harder. You have to stay in the area around Beregost for collecting experience points step by step.

I play totally on my own. No cheating at all. Neither Imoen, Khalid &Jaheira nor Kivan etc accompanied me only for some meters. Imoen just joined me when I encountered her after Gorion's death (i don't know if I could have avoided it). I dismissed her immediately after looting her. I got a nice Staff of Magic Missiles that is very useful for interrupting enemies when they want to cast spells. I helped Neera because I wanted to get her Gem Bag. In the Battle with the red Mages she got killed so I could finally pick up her Gem Bag. A Script Roll Case I got from a Mage (Firebeard) in a house in Beregost that is opposite to the Feldpost Inn. I bought a huge Bag for Potions from Thalantyr in his Stronghold. Because I'm totally on my own I try to be tricky in my Battles. It was hard to overcome Silke in Beregost. On level INSANE she can harm you twice as hard. Her lightning bolt or whatever killed me always immediately. So I approached her with the Bard but didn't talk to her. I cast 'Blind' on her so she couldn't see me in a distance any more and I chased and killed her by throwing Darts +1. I got a nice reward: 900 exp, a staff and a Potion worth 600 Gold.

I guess it shouldn't be too difficult to battle the Gnolls at the Gnoll's Stronghold if I manage to get there and don't get killed by a Winter Wolf. It's good to see that I'm already superior to the Winter Wolves (975 exp and 500 Gold for each fur). I killed Vax and Zar and got nice bracers that improve the THAC0+2 for range weapons like darts. At the Flee Market/Festival I managed to kill Zordral (900 exp) by using Oil of Speed (Darts: APR: 4x instead of APR: 3x) and Darts+1.

The Game Play with a Charisma of only 3 is sometimes not so nice. I rescued Branwen and didn't get any reward in form of experience points or items. I brought the dead cat back to the crying girl and didn't get any reward. Just nothing! Minsc even refused to talk with me. I was like air for him. But with having Charisma of only 3 I thought long term. Aerie's Adventure in BG II will give me finally the Ring of Influence (Charisma: 18).

Gnoll's Stronghold : Rescuing Dynaheir gave 800 exp. of course I got the Gauntlets of Dexterity and the Book that improves your Charisma by 1 (Tome of Leadership and Influence). I sold the stuff and bought a strong Bow and lots of Arrows of Biting!

I want to speed up the Game! I went to the Nashkel Mines and killed Gray Wolf (1400 exp) by using Mirror Image and Arrows of Biting. The Long Sword Varsconia is mine!

Plan is to go the area where lots of Basilisks are. This will give me lots of experience points for level grinding. Of course I'll use Protection from Petrification.

The Strategy for level grinding by killing lots of Basiliks worked fine! The Fighter / Mage is developing well: Fighter (level 5) and Mage (level 5: 20000 exp). I enjoy more and more playing BG I on level Insane now. Not each Battle is about survival any more!

If I remember right there's somewhere a cage where you can get a Wand of Monster Summoning. I hope that I can find it.This would be nice before entering the Mines of Nashkel. - I found the Wand of Monster Summoning! Great! It was east of the Nashkel Mines in another area and there totally south-east: Valley of the Tombs.

Nashkel Mines : Sure it would be nice if the Fighter / Mage could discover traps but here it was not really necessary. When I faced Mulahey, Tazok's servant, I summoned Monsters with this new Wand in front of Mulahey and poisoned him with Arrows of Biting. In order to clear off Mulahey's servants I used Skull Trap. It was really nice to find Web in his treasure chest. I rested for 8 hours.

Being back to sunlight I faced four wild women. I cast Web 2x, harmed them with Skull Trap and shot arrows at them. Nice items! They should have better run away!

Being back at Nashkel Nimbul, Tazok's Bounty Hunter, was waiting for me in front of the pub. Again it was ideal to use the Wand of Monster Summoning. Rasaad supported me. I killed Nimbul with an Arrow of Fire that I found in the Nashkel Mines. By the way some Kobold leaders shot such Arrows at me: 24 HP damage - 16 normal HP + 8 Fire damage. It's crazy on level Insane. Nimbol had one great item: Senses of the Cat (Boots of Avoidance). I will wear them until I get the Boots of Speed in front of the other Mine in the huge Forest.

The Fighter has nearly reached level 6 now what is nice. The new Weapon Proficiency Point should already be Two Weapon Fighting Style because I finally want to be able to use Blackrazor and Flail of Ages (Celestial Fury or Axe of the Unyielding). I have to go for Two Weapon Fighting Style: +++

Next Adventure will be at the Firewine Bridge. A Sword Star has nice Gauntlets that I would like to have: Legacy of the Masters (Damage+2 and THAC0-1).

Afterwards I went to the Bandit Camp. Then I just rushed like crazy for getting the best items in the game: Spider's Bane and Boots of Speed!

I made sure that I got all the Manuals/Tomes (> Books) for improving my attributes. There's one for each skill: Strength (Manual of Gainful Exercise), Dexterity and even two (three) for Wisdom. One Book of Wisdom is on the second floor in Durlag's Tower.

In my eyes there are three challenges in Baldur's Gate I:

Challenge Nr.1: Davaeorn and his 2 guards : Use a Wand of Frost for killing the two guards. Very effective! Besides the Boots of Speed it's always good to drink a Potion of Speed. Daveaorn's mean trap exploded but I was faster and could hide around the corner. Many ways for killing Davaeorn afterwards.

After killing Davaeorn I had already reached my maximum points in BG I, 161,000 exp (Figther: 80,500 and Mage 80,500). - Unfortunately. This wasn't so good for my motivation. I really like BG I but I like BG II much more! So I rushed on.

Challenge Nr.2: The Party on the upper floor of the Iron Throne (2 Mages, 2 Priests and 2 Fighters) : Use Web! Crucial! Run to the other floor downstairs. The two fighters will follow. Kill them and use Skull Trap, Web again etc for killing the others.

Challenge Nr.3: The Final Battle against Sarevok and his Companions Tazok, Angelo and Semaj : Wearing two rings of fire protection was not enough. The Fighter Mage needed to use an extra script role for defending against fire protection and lightning bolts. Decisive was the script role 'Blind ' that I cast on Tazok and Sarevok. Arrows of Biting against Semaj and Angelo! When finally only Sarevok was left it was great to have a Wand of Monster Summoning. The Monsters distracted him and I shot arrows+2 at him. By using Arrows of Biting against Sarevok he never got poisoned. '''The EE version is much harder concerning the Final Battle. You can't leave the Temple any more during the Battle.''' GREAT CHALLENGE!

Fighter Mage Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate II, EE - level INSANE
It's a big joy to play with your Solo Protagonist from Baldur's Gate I!

Ability Scores/ Attribute Scores (a creature’s mental and physical attributes): Starting position of the Fighter / Mage in BG I: Strength: 18; Dex: 18; Con: 18; IQ: 18; Wisdom 10: Ch: 3

Now at the start of BG II: Strength: 19; Dex: 19; Con: 19; IQ: 19: Wisdom: 12; Ch: (4) 18! - Ring of Influence from Aerie's Adventure.

It's fantastic to play this Fighter / Mage! He's doing extremely well. But I think after some million points I might find out that the Swashbuckler with his incredible trap skill is even stronger than the Fighter / Mage. I played a Swashbuckler Solo Walkthrough BG II on Core Rules and he was unbelievably strong after having reached about level 30. I guess I have to give it another go with the Swashbuckler on level Insane and compare him with the Fighter / Mage. I'm afraid that it might turn out that the Swashbuckler is superior to the Fighter / Mage. I'll be honest about it.

I'm playing Keldorn's Adventure right now with the Fighter / Mage.

Just some hints : It was very hard to find the access to the Smithery in Nalia's Stronghold to forge the Flail of Ages. I already thought that I had given the Weapon Prof. Point for Flail in vain. After I got the key for the whole Stronghold I could discover the secret door and forge Flail of Ages. Great!

I could get the Silver Horn of Valhalla from the Horn House in the Bridge District although playing a Fighter / Mage on his own. The trap at the chest where the Horn is is a MazeTrap. Use Spell Immunity (Spell level 5) that gives you immunity to certain mage schools. Maze is Conjuration/Summoning (in German: Herbeirufung) so I used the level 5 spell for getting immune to conjuration and I WAS IMMUNE TO THE MAZE TRAP! Hurrah! I got the nice Horn and let get it improved with a diamond by Maheer!

>>> There's a great page in Baldur's Gate Wiki concerning Status Effects! It's very helpful although weapons and items that give certain protections are NOT mentioned, e.g. Shield of Harmony, Peridan, Abjatha, Lilarcor etc. <<<

Of course you have to go very early in the game to Watcher's Keep for getting the nice Golem Book from the first level. After killing the Ithafeer (Trademeet) use the Periapt of Proof Against Poison for getting Kittix under the Graveyard District.

First I thought I wouldn't be able to do Keldorn's Adventure with the Cult of the Eyeless because you have to cast a healing spell on the Demon in the Temple. Usually a Fighter / Mage can't do this, - a Mage can't use Priest Healing Script Rolls -, but as a Fighter / Mage Solo Protagonist you get special skills after these dreams in BG I in which Sarevok shows up. So I could use one of my two special healing skills for defeating the Demon.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I love to play Baldur's Gate II, Throne of Bhaal and the Black Pits II. This game/these games is/are just brilliant! It's one of my weaknesses in my life although I'm a Christian. If you should ever get in trouble in life cry out to Jesus he'll help you! That's my life experience!

My personal Swashbuckler Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate - level INSANE
The idea is to compare a Swashbuckler, a Fighter / Thief and a Dark Moon Monk with the Fighter / Mage on a Solo Walkthrough on Level INSANE. In Solo Walkthroughs in the Black Pits II it turned out that the Dark Moon Monk and Swashbuckler - besides the Dragon Disciple (stronger version of a Sorcerer), Blackguard and Inquisitor - did great as well: Start is in BG I,EE until the maximum of 161,000 exp are reached and Sarevok is defeated. Afterwards is goes on with the same Characters in BG II,EE and Throne of Bhaal.
 * The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay Walkthrough (Strategy) by Gejadus

My guess is that the Fighter / Mage is superior in BG I, EE and both the Swashbuckler, Fighter / Thief and Dark Moon Monk might be the stronger Solo Protagonists in the end (Throne of Bhaal). The Swashbuckler's trap skill is incredibly strong, especially by using Vhailor's Helm and from Level 24 on he has the Use Any Item ability! The Dark Moon Monk is a late bloomer. Finally he also gets immune to poison, his movement speed is incredible especially when he wears the Boots of Speed at the same time, he gets more and more immune to magic as well and his fighting style with fists only is superior to all weapons. '''Probably the Fighter / Thief will be the best after having reached the Use Any Item Ability! Let's see who's the strongest of these four!'''

Swashbuckler Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate I, EE - level INSANE
I'm just wondering if I should try to get the Swashbuckler through BG I,EE first and then I can compare these four guys - Fighter / Mage, Fighter / Thief, Dark Moon Monk and Swashbuckler in BG II, EE better.

Because BG I + II is such a complex Game I'm still learning stuff. I decided to create a stronger Swashbuckler and restart playing. I want to be able to compare the Swashbuckler to the Fighter / Thief and the Fighter / Thief is a Dwarf who already has nice automatic regeneration. So I decided to go for a Dwarven Swashbuckler: Ability Scores: Starting position: Strength:18; Dex.:17; Con: 19; IQ:16 (Golem Book > Watcher's Keep, level 1); Wisdom: 7; Ch: 9

Weapon proficiency points : Long Sword: +; (Short) Bow: + ; Crossbow: +; Dagger: +

Because the Final Battle against the crazy fast Sarevok will be a big challenge by playing a weak Swashbuckler I have to consider carefully the end from the beginning. Yes, the Swashbuckler is weak in the beginning - he's a late Bloomer like the Dark Moon Monk. I should give one Weapon pp to Dagger because Strategy for the Final Battle looks like this :Try to get Sarevok in a corner in the beginning and make yourself invisible. When he can't see you any more deal with his Companions Tazok, Angelo and Semaj first. The Swashbuckler can kill them all by using Arrows of Biting. Of course I have to be fast: Boots of Speed and Oil of Speed. When finally only Sarevok is left there are some options and it's good to be prepared for at least two. No option is melee Combat! One hit from Sarevok and Game over! Idea is getting the Sandthief's Ring from Ulgoth's Beard Inn make yourself invisible many times and backstab Sarevok over and over again. One backstab hit was always about 20 HP when the Monk used the Dagger of Vernom. The Swashbuckler has NO backstab multiplier but he still gets a Bonus from attacking from the invisibility state. Other plan is to do what the Dark Moon Monk did. Drink the Potion of Magic Shielding - I can get it from Sarevok's Brother for free - and lure/lurk Sarevok (have to look it up). When Sarevok follows you closely let him walk over these  'Skull Trap' traps on this huge Skull Picture over and over again. - Sure I could set some traps but Semaj might get trapped by these and not Sarevok. - Last option for killing Sarevok: By wearing the Boots of Speed and drinking Oil of Speed the Swashbuckler will be a little bit faster than Sarevok. Kill him by using lots of Arrows +2! Summary ''': So there are at least three options for the Swashbuckler for killing Sarevok. One should work!''' ;-)

Equipment of the Swashbuckler for the Final Battle : 1.) Short Bow +1 and lots of Arrows of Biting 2.) Boots of Speed and 2 or 3 Oil of Speed. 3.) Dagger of Vernom 4.) Sandthief's Ring 5.) Some Potions of Invisibility 6.) 2-3 Potions of Magic Shielding. 7.) Lots of Arrows +2 8.) Three Potions of Regeneration...additional Potions of Heroism, Storm Giant Strength (24), Invulnerability etc...Greenstone Amulet...the Cloak in the Cloakwood Forest that helps you to remain unseen...some script roles with Protection from Fire + Lightning. He must be 100% resistant to fire and lightning.

Sure the main strength of the Thief (Swashbuckler) is generally his amazing trap ability! These traps are a strong weapon especially by using Vhailor's Helm for getting a Duplicate of the Swashbuckler. But it doesn't count here much for the Final Battle. ''' GOAL is to get the Swashbuckler through BG I, EE. '''

Advantages of the Swashbuckler : Traps! + Arrows of Biting (lots available in the Thunderhammer Smithy in Beregost); Bolts of Biting (lots available from Thalantyr); The Army Scythe (Armeenseen)

Disadvantages of the Swashbuckler : only one Attack per round (APR > Game Mechanics > Game Terminology) by using the Long Sword Varscona; 1 Round = 6 secs; 1 Phase = 60 secs = 6 Rounds. So it's good to use a Short Bow: APR: 2x or the fast Cross Bow called The Army Scythe: APR: 2x

His equipment : Shadow Armor; Elves's Bane (belt form the Ogre); Long Sword Varscona; Shortbow +1 (THAC0-1); Arrows of Biting; Arrows+2 and normal ones and a special Buckler - Bucklery's Buckler (Con: +1 ). This Buckler can be bought from Bentley Mirrorshade in the Friendly Arm Inn.

The Strength of the weak Swashbuckler : 1.) Arrows of Biting and Arrows +2 and Shortbow +1 (APR: 2x!) => at level 6 (20,000 exp) he has a THAC010 by wearing the Bracers of Archery from Zal and using Arrows 2.) That's quite good. 2.) Con 20 by wearing the Bucklery's Buckler or later by getting the Tome of Bodily Health. 3.) Traps - being able to set 2 traps at level 6 before a fight starts.

WARNING : '''Otherwise Melee Combat is difficult and annoying (THAC015 by using the Long Sword +1 at level 6 and only APR 1x) and it's a little bit of a pain to play the Swashbuckler, especially when you compare him with the Blackguard who's just 'flying'. In BG II, EE the Swashbuckler will become amazingly strong after having reached level 24 (UAI). So you have to be patient for a long time. Better choice is for sure a Fighter / Thief who's joy to play from the beginning on. '''

Just try to be fast in level grinding in BG I,EE and the pain doesn't last too long. ;-) I already went to the Basilisk's place after reaching level 3 before going to Nashkel. Level Grinding at the Basiliks place : about 20,000 exp more! Three Potions of Petrification protection/script role from Thalantyr. Korax helps as well! Get the Bracers of Archery from Zal as fast as possible! I killed Greywolf quite fast. I set two traps beforehand. I attacked him with Arrows of Biting and poisoned him and when he followed me I led him to the two traps. The Rest was easy. After having reached level 7 (40,000 exp) I decided to visit the Nashkel Mines finally. Finding Traps: 81%; Set Traps: 67%; Open Chests: 61%, Theft: 61%

Mulahey: It was good to set two traps behind Mulahey after talking with him in the beginning. Arrows of Biting and Long Sword Varscona helped as well. After defeating him I killed the Kobolds first, then the Skeletons.

Of course as a Thief you have to do the Ulcaster Adventure. Traps are no obstacle. The Swashbuckler should even go to Durlag's Tower and explore as much as possible for getting useful items.

Firewine Bridge : Legacy of the Masters! The Swashbuckler needs these Gauntlets urgently for improving his THAC0 and damage ability!

>>> So not much fun playing the Swashbuckler in BG I. I just play him through BG I in order to be able to compare him to the others.

If something interesting shows up I'll write it down. Of course I have to report the Final Battle.

I got the Boots of Speed. I got the Manual of Health that improves the Constitution by 1. => '''Con. 20 now!''' Nice! I don't need the special Buckler anymore. I'm using the Dagger of Venom instead of Varsona now.

Level Grinding in Durlag's Tower : lots of Gold and good items for buying the Sandthief's Ring. Ok. Finally Game Play is nicer but the Swashbuckler is still weak in comparison to the Fighter / Mage or Fighter / Thief. The Swashbuckler struggles especially in Melee Combat: Strength 18: Dagger of Venom: THAC010 at level 10 (160,000 exp). That's not good! The Strength 19 will help a bit but the Swashbuckler can't drink these Potions of Strength, e.g. Storm Giant Strength (24).

Let's get him just through the Final Battle and in BG II, EE a New World starts for him. It'll become a GREAT WORLD at level 24!

Davaeorn : The Swashbuckler could disarm the traps so the two Horror Battle Monsters (German: Schlachtenschreck) didn't show up! ;-). This time the Protagonist used the script role/Scroll of Protection from Magic and killed Sarevok by using Arrows of Biting. Easy!

The 6 on the upper level of the Iron Throne : Hahahaha! The Thief was sneaky and made himself invisible and go the important documents. Afterwards he drank Oil of Speed and ran downstairs. The he changed his mind and came upstairs again and killed them all by using Arrows of Detonation and Biting.

The Palace : His THAC08 by using the Dagger of Venom is not good (Strength 19)! He had some problems defeating all these Doppelgangers. After some attempts he managed. Good was to drink Oil of Speed and a Potion of Regeneration before the Fight. If you kill a Noble Man too early even the Soldiers of Baldur's Gate will turn against you. Wait until they transformed into Doppelgangers.

FINAL BATTLE : Decisive was to lead Sarevok to a remote corner and turn invisible afterwards. The Swashbuckler killed the other three by using Arrows of Biting. Successful weapons against Sarevok: 1.) The Thief set two traps in a corner and Sarevok followed him there. 2.) '''The Thief (Boots of Speed + Oil of Speed) is FASTER than Sarevok. He shot Arrows +2 at him.''' 3.) Being protected from Magic the Thiif ran over these Skull Traps again again - like the Monk did.

Congrats (weak) Swashbuckler for defeating Sarevok! Welcome in BG II, EE! Yeah!

CONCLUSION : Even these two weak Solo Protagonists, the Dark Moon Monk and the Swashbuckler, defeated SAREVOK and his evil companions on level INSANE. BEAMDOG made the FINAL BATTLE much harder in their Enhanced Edition, e.g. that you can't leave the Dark Temple any more during Battle. BUT: It's likely that any Solo Protagonist can defeat those. FINALLY IT'S ALL ABOUT STRATEGY!

Swashbuckler Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate II, EE - level INSANE
The Name of the Solo Protagonist: @DRAGORIX. Gender: Male. Race: Dwarf.

Ability Scores: BG II: Strength:19; Dex.:18; Con: 20; IQ:17 (Golem Book > Watcher's Keep, level 1); Wisdom: 9; Ch: (10) 18! Ring of Influence.

Weapon proficiency points : Long Sword: +; (Short) Bow: + ; Crossbow: +; Dagger: +; The next one went to: Darts: + ( I like these Darts of Wounding; there's a Boomerang Dart +3 in Watcher's Keep, levell 1 ). Melee Combat is not the strong side of the Dwarven Swashbuckler.

The Swashbuckler's Journey : '''I have to build him up carefully. He still seems to be weak and fragile.''' 1.) Steal Ribald's Ring of Regeneration 2.) Silver Horn of Valhalla 3.) DAYSTAR! 4.) Watcher's Keep Level 1, only first room 5.) Aerie Adventure (> Ring of Influence) 6.) First Slave release Adventure 7.) Watcher's Keep level 1, the Stone Golem (8,000 exp) got killed by 3 traps. - This time I bought the Crossbow Firetooth +4 at Watcher's Keep. Reason: Weapon for killing Trolls for good. The Swashbuckler has too much money right now. 8.) Second Slave release Adventure...

>>> How his journey can go on: Look at Swashbuckler Walkthrough on Core Rules or at the Fighter / Thief Adventure that is similiar.

I decided to go on playing with the Fighter / Thief in BG II. Glad that 4 Solo Protagonists made it on level INSANE to BG II. For the Blackguard it will be easy to follow them. No doubt.

My personal Dark Moon Monk Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate - level INSANE
I play the BG I,EE Solo Walkthrough with a Swasbuckler and a Dark Moon pretty parallel. I prefer to play with the Dark Moon Monk. Why? I don't know. Probably I like his fast movement rate and his nice magic skills like 'Blindness' and 'Blur' that improves your Armor Class.

Dark Moon Monk Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate I, EE - level INSANE
Ability Scores: Starting position: Strength:18; Dex.:18; Con: 18; IQ:10; Wisdom: 18; Ch: 8

Weapon proficiency points : Long Sword: + ; Darts: + ; One Handed weapon style: +

At level 5 (13,000 exp ff) it's still much better for the Monk to use the Long Sword Varscona (from Greywolf) instead of using only his fists. Ok. Varscona is APR 1x only; fighting only with the fists already APR 2x. At Level 7 (55,000 exp) in my eyes it's still better to use Varscona; the Fighter has now 3/2 APR by using Varscona and by using his fists 2 APR. - Fire Darts from Thalantyr are cheap and quite effective, especially when you wear these Gauntlets called 'Legacy of the Masters '.

Comparison : On level 5 the Monk could defeat an Ankheg with all his (magic) abilities. It wasn't so difficult he could loot the Ankheg lair. I tried the same with the Swashbuckler on level 5. He also managed to defeat an Ankheg but with lots of luck. He defeated only one and was not able to loot the Ankheg lair yet.

=> For sure the Dark Moon Monk is the stronger Fighter. It's just that in BG I the Swashbuckler has a big Plus by being able to use a Short Bow and lots of Arrows of Biting! These poison darts/ Dart of Wounding for the Monk are hard to find in BG I. There are 10 at Black Alaric's Cave and in the City Baldur's Gate you can buy LOTS in Sorcerous Sundries.

Mulahey : The Monk did well in defeating Mulahey. After talking with him the Monk attacked him by using Varscona and used several times the Staff of Magic Missiles for interrupting Mulahey's spell casting. ;-) Getting the book of Manual of Bodily Health from Black Alaric's Cave : One Potion of Invisibility was enough. I used it passed invisibly all the Sirenes and got to the Treasure. After taking it I got visible again and just run away. I like the Monk's fast movement rate. Outside the Sirenes didn't manage to charm me. Bandit Camp : I have 13 Darts of Poison / Dart of Wounding. Hope that this is enough for the Strong ones before and in Tazok's Tent. It's really much easier with the Fighter / Mage or Fighter / Thief. But I'm looking forward to playing the Dark Moon Monk in BG II, EE!

In between Result Dark Moon Monk : I came back from playing the Fighter / Thief in BG II and playing the Monk now is just crazy slow. After already been at the Basilik's place for level grinding it's such an effort to get from level 6 (27,000 exp) to level 7 (55,000 exp). I have to be patient! '''The Dark Moon Monk is a pretty perfect 'Killing Machine'. That's what I realized by playing the Black Pits II but HE IS A LATE BLOOMER. The Dark Moon Monk might finally be the strongest and best Solo Protagonist but getting him through Baldur's Gate I is a challenge. I like his fast movement, that he can use Blindness and Blur...but compared to the Fighter / Mage and Fighter / Thief in BG I, EE he's weak.''' It's much easier and a bigger joy to play one of the other two in BG I. I'm already thinking about the Final Battle against Sarevok: The Monk can use Blindness only once; his Speed will be unbelievably fast by wearing the Boots of Speed. The only good option I see is using Darts. I hope that Sarevok will get stunned/unconscious by theses darts. Sarevok seems to be immune to poison.

Boots of Speed/or Drasus and his companions : Hahahahahha! Even this battle is challenging for the Monk! My goodness! Ok. The Monk was still successful. He killed all of them one after another. I approached the group of 4 carefully. Only Drasus came in sight and talked to me. I attacked him with the Darts of Wounding. He followed me crazy fast by wearing his Boots of Speeds. That's what I wanted. I lurked him (that's what you say in English - still learning more English). I cast 'Blindness ' on him what was a perfect move. Lots of Firedarts killed him. I felt great by wearing his Boots of Speed. The movement rate of the Monk is fast anayway so by wearing these Boots is incredibly fast - at least one huge Plus of the Monk on these low levels! So next on to kill please. I lurked the Fighter and killed him by using Vampire Touch and Darts... Davaeorn : The Monk can see the traps but not disarm them. The two Horror Battle Monsters (German: Schlachtenschreck) showed up. It didn't matter. The Monk became really strong by drinking a Potion of Cloud Giant Strength (23) and a Potion of Invulnerability. I like this Potion a lot! It improves your AC amazingly! Suddenly the Monk had AC-10 and by using Blur in addition AC-13. He drank a Potion of Absorption too. After defeating the two guards there are many options of killing Davaeorn. I didn't drink the Potion of Magic Shielding that his brother gave me. This would have been an option. '''The Monk used 'Blindness' on him and he became very helpless. Just some more darts...'''

The 6 on the upper level of the Iron Throne : For sure this was one of my hardest Battles so far by playing the Baldur's Gate stuff. Only facing The Winged the first time and not being able to defeat her with a whole team of 6 was harder. It was so hard because the Monk is still weak on low levels and the difficulty level is Insane. On high levels the Monk becomes incredibly strong. Playing him in BG I, EE is a huge challenge and sometimes a pain. Just now before writing this stuff (according to my time zone I'm writing on the 17th of Dec 2017) I went to https://forums.beamdog.com/profile/Harpagornis ' LoB + SCS Solo Challenge, page 93, 16th Dec 2017. These guys have another strategy here (by the way I might join these guys one day but I'm a busy man), they are sneaky for getting the documents and avoid the Battle. So far I always battled these 6 and the Monk wants to save one or two Potions of Invisibility. Ok. What did the Monk do? He came well prepared. Lots of nice stuff from in Sorcerous Sundries. He had about 100 darts of Poison / Dart of Wounding, 8x Potion of Explosions. He drank a Potion of Storm Giant Strength that was useful too for opening chests. He drank a Portion of Invulnerability as well. And he already drank a Potion of Regeneration although he had still all his Hitpoints. Nice prebuff! He went upstairs and threw his first Potion of Explosions what worked well. He ran downstairs on the other stairs upstairs again and threw the next one. The ones who came downstairs got attacked by Darts of Poison and finally by the Dagger of Venom. One after another they got killed. - Of course I gave the next Weapon prof point at level 8 (110,000 exp) to Dagger: +

Weapon proficiency points : Long Sword: + ; Darts: + ; One Handed weapon style: +; Dagger: +

So the next big challenge will be the final one: Sarevok and his companions. I don't want to visit Kahrk! ;-)

Final Battle against Sarevok and his evil companions Tazok, Angelo and Semaj : '''Sarevok is crazy fast! He is as fast as the Monk with his high movement rate and wearing Boots of Speed!''' Nearly unbelievable but true! The Monk can't drink any Oil of Speed! This would have been a tremendous help to be faster than Sarevok. By drinking a Potion of Invulnerability and using Blur the Monk gets a nice AC-13 but it's useless against Sarevok. He can slaugther you with one blow or two. AC-13 was even useless against Tazok in melee Combat. So what? When I look back I have to admit that I wasn't well prepared enough for this Battle. With such a weak Solo Protagonist I would go to Ulgoth's Beart next time and get this ring first that can make you often invisible, it's called the Sandthief's Ring. Sarevok can NOT see you when you are invisible! I also would spare more Potions of Regeneration and Storm Giant Strength for this Final Battle.

The Monk can neither use the Wand of Monster Summoning like the Mage did nor can he use Arrows of Detonation, Poison (against Tazok, Angelo and Semaj) and Fire and Arrows +2 against Sarevok like the Fighter / Thief. The Darts of Wounding (Poison) and of Stunning don't work against Sarevok. He neither got poisoned nor stunned. So what?

The Monk defeated them all but it was a crazy Battle! So what did the Monk do? He prepared himself with a Potion of Invulnerability, Storm Giant Strength, Potion of Heroism, Magic Shielding and Fire resistance and used such Script rolls like Protection from Fire, Lightning, Poison, Acid. The Script roll of Protection from Magic was of no use! In the Black Pits II you can use it on enemies - here it didn't work (at least for me. Perhaps I should have tried it more often). Next he approached Sarevok carefully. Coming close to the Throne he threw a Potion of Explosives on Sarevok and ran away. Sarevok followed him and talked to the Monk. Afterwards the Monk tried to cast 'Blindness' on him but it always failed, Sarevok could always resist the spell - unfortunately.

I had only two Potions of Invisibility and I used one immediately. Semaj followed Sarevok and used Mirror Image. '''I ran back to the Throne out of sight of Sarevok! Decisive!''' I attacked Angelo with these Darts of Wounding (100x available in Sorcerous Sundries) and poisoned Angelo successfully! Tazok tried to help him but he's slow. I also killed him with these darts. I approached Semaj. Semaj was standing close to the middle where this huge Skull picture is. Sarevok stood quite far away, close to the entrance of the Temple. I killed Semaj as well with these Darts of Wounding. Only Sarevok left. It's good to save the Game now! Still invisible I approached Sarevok and backstabbed him by using the Dagger of Venom. Such a pity! The Monk has NO Backstab Multiplier! After backstabbing Sarevok the Monk ran to the huge Skull picture/portrait that is full of traps! Many of these traps are 'Skull Trap' traps and so Sarevok got badly injured when they exploded. The Monk didn't get harmed by these because of his magic protection. The Monk ran over and over again over these traps until Sarevok finally got killed.

The Battle would have been easier if the Monk had been able to make himself invisible many times and just Backstab Sarevok over and over again. One backstab hit was always about 20 HP. Get the Sandthief's Ring from Ulgoth's Beard Inn next time! And when you're already in the Inn buy the Greenstone Amulet as well. It might be of use!

I'm proud of he Monk that he managed to defeat Sarevok on his own on level INSANE in BG I, Enhanced Edition!

Dark Moon Monk Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate II, EE - level INSANE
It goes on with the Monk. It can only get better. His skills will finally get amazingly improved.

'''>>> Playing a Monk is a total different Game Playing Experience than playing a Fighter / Mage or Fighter / Thief. A Monk is so different.'''

Ability Scores: Starting position: Strength:19; Dex.:19; Con: 19; IQ:11; Wisdom: 19; Ch: 9

After reaching level 10 I finally get the impression that the Game Play becomes a little bit smoothly for the Monk and not all Battles are challenges any more. His THAC0 is THAC07 by using Fists and APR is 2,5 (5/2); his Armor Class (AC): -9 by wearing the Cloak from the Sewers and the Fire Elemental Ring from Nalia's Stronghold; AC-12 by using his special skill spell 'Blur'.

The Dark Moon Monk's Journey in BG II : 1.) Aerie's Adventure ; 2.) Of course he can't steal Ribald's Ring of Regeneration; 3.) No Silver Horn of Valhalla. I didn't try it. I expect that the Monk just gets Maze trapped. 4.) I tried to get Daystar but he couldn't open the hidden door. Brutal force was not enough. 5.) I released Hendak and the other slaves in the Pub in the Slum District. I wanted to rescue the others in the Ship as well but I couldn't open the door. I should try the other access. 6.) I went to Watcher's Keep, level 1 and got the nice Golem Book. The Monk can't use it and won't be able to in the future. 7.) I got Lilarcor but the Monk can't use it. 8.) Neither can he use Flail of Ages that I forged in Nalia's Stronghold. Still playing in Nalia's Stronghold but on level 10 and 11 it's still tough for the Monk. At this stage the Fighter / Mage and Fighter / Thief are still much better! Inbetween I went to Umar's Hill for getting Ilbratha (> Mirror Image) and Kittix  (Graveyard District)  . Back in the Stronghold Kittix used Web on Glaicus! That was really helpful! Glaicus died. But fighting these Golems is still overwhelming for the Monk. By using his fists the Monk can defeat the Flesh Golem but not the Stone Golem. The Monk's Statistics show that he uses Fist+1 at level 11 (675,000 exp), so his Fists are a weapon+1 right now. I have to come back later here. 9.) It would be good to get Celestial Fury, an amazing weapon +3! I'll try it. It's enough to kill Koshi and to disappear with his weapon. - Yeah! I got Celestial Fury! That's what I did: I went to Ribald and bought the Sensate Amulet. Clerics and Monks can only use it. This Amulet protects me from Evil what was extremely useful for entering Koshi's Building in the Temple District . After coming close to the stairs all kinds of Creatures showed up. I ran away until they slaughtered each other and only a Demon, a Glabrezu, was left. Hahahha! Because of the Amulet he couldn't touch the Monk. I was about to kill him when the idea came to mind to use him for my purposes. I let him alive and went upstairs and attacked Koshi. He and some other guys followed me downstairs. Here the Glabrezu attacked them. Hahhahha! I killed Koshi with Darts of Wounding and picked up his great weapon Celestial Fury and ran away. His companions followed me outside. I travelled back to Nalia's Stronghold. 9.) Of course I had to fight the Umber Hulks! ;-) As preparation I drank a Potion that improves the AC and used Blur => AC-16. I drank a Potion of Clarity and used Mirror Image. Kittix was a huge help as well. She poisoned successfully these Monsters and Celestial Fury stunned them for some time. TORGAL! The Monk defeated him but he reached his limits here. Kittix couldn't harm Torgal so the Monk was on his own. 2x Mirror Image (special skill + Ilbratha) and drinking a Potion of (Healing Points) Restoration as preparation. I talked to Torgal and ran back. He followed me and I closed the door behind him. I only wanted to face him and that was challenging enough because Torgal restores his Hitpoints very fast! After killing him I became the proud owner of a Stronghold. 10.) I released the other slaves in the ship and reached level 12 (900,000 exp). That's good! The Monks starts to become a little bit stronger. I gave my Weapon prof. point to Katana: + of course. Celestial Fury: THAC02 and APR 3/2 (1,5). Fist Fighting: THAC03 and APR: 3! - Just compare for a moment: I already played at least 5 hours in BG II now and in the Black Pits II you can reach 1,000,000 exp for the Monk already after a very short time - only 2 Battles (Orcs and Minotaurs). 11.) What next? Getting the nice Long Sword from the King of the Graveyard! It worked. By using Mirror Image and Blur the Monk was superior. 12.) The Monk is evil and so he acts: He got the Silver Pantaloons from Welther. Later he'll be on the side of the Vampires and he'll try to become the new Lord of Murder. 13.) Trademeet > Burning Earth (finally!) and Belm. The Monk can't use the Shield of Harmony. 14.) Time for Keldorn's Adventure (of course I play on my own and don't let Keldorn join me). Get Balduran's Shield. Forget about it! The Monk cannot use Balduran's Shield! Vhailor's Helm is forbidden too. It's not easy to play the Monk! So Valygar's Adventure . Get the club Blackblood in Trademeet as preparation for killing CLAY Golems. The biggest challenge was LAVOK . The Monk was still on level 13 and couldn't defeat Lavok. So I decided to collect some exp. points for reaching level 14. Wonderful! At level 14 the Monk got 42% Magic Resistance! I went back to Lavok. I summoned Kittix and Lavok reacted. He cast Abi's Horrid Wilting killed the Spider but not the Monk who ran immediately away. Although stunning the Monk for some time he didn't manage to kill him this time and the Monk threw Darts of Poison (APR: 4x !) successfully at him to interrupt his spell casting. Celestial Fury gave him the rest. Of course the Monk is the only one who's not allowed to use the Wand of Fire Elemental Summoning. I was so much looking forward to getting it. At level 14 the Monk could harm the Stone and Clay Golems by using his fists. This means that at level 14 his Fist is regarded as a weapon +2. The Monk successfully finished Valygar's Adventure and climbed up to level 15! Level 15 seems to be a TURNING POINT in the development of the Monk (> table for experience) Fist Fighting/ Unarmed damage is now 1d(ice)20 instead of 1d12! This means Fist Fighting HP 11-30! THAC0-1 and APR:3x. Celestial Fury HP 11-20 only and APR: 2x. '''The amazing time for Fist Fighting has started! Finally the Monk starts becoming strong! I had to be so patient! '''15.) So I have to get this amazing Ring that gives 3x Mirror Image from these Belt Adventurers (Rasaad's Adventure).

Hm. I'm just wondering if I should try to get the Swashbuckler through BG I,EE first and then I can compare these four guys - Fighter / Mage, Fighter / Thief, Dark Moon Monk and Swashbuckler in BG II, EE better.

My personal Fighter / Thief Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate - level INSANE
I wanted to create a Dwarven Blackguard but this combination is not allowed - unfortunately. I wanted to play a Dwarf because you can choose Constitution 19 as an attribute at once and if you add Buckley's Buckler you have Constitution 20 what means that you have Hit Point Regeneration: 1HP/ each 60 secs! > Constitution.

Because I couldn't create a Dwarven Blackguard I was wondering what Class I could choose for playing a Dwarf. As I just realized that the Swashbuckler might struggle against Sarevok because of his weak melee combat skills and THAC0 I thought I could create a stronger version of the Swashbuckler: a Fighter / Thief.

Comparison Fighter / Thief and Swashbuckler : For sure the Fighter / Thief is the stronger Fighter! He can disarm Traps and is able to open chests and doors as well. He can also set Traps and can pickpocket items like Ribald's Ring of Regeneration. He can even backstabb! That's what the Swashbuckler can't do. The only advantage of the Swashbuckler I can see is that he can use Magic and any items (> level 24 (3,080,000 exp) > Use Any Item) EARLIER than the Fighter / Thief. ''' So if you are patient enough you' ll have at about 6,000,000 exp points an awesome Solo Protagonist Fighter / Thief with Use Any Item ability who might be the best Protagonist at all!!! 6,000,000 exp as a Solo Player might already be gained in the Underdark!'''

''>>> Of course I should also do a Solo Walkthrough with the Fighter / Thief in the Black Pits II, shouldn't I ? :-)''

Fighter Thief Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate I, EE - level INSANE
That's what my Fighter / Thief should look like at the start: Strength: x; Dex: 17; Con: 19: IQ: 16 (16 is necessary for using the Golem Book afterwards > level 24 > Use Any Item); Wisdom: x; CH: x

Ability Scores: Starting position: Strength:18/86; Dex.:17; Con: 19; IQ:15 (> 16 by reading the Manual); Wisdom: 5; Ch: 10

Weapon Proficiency points : Long Sword: ++; Long Bow: ++; Later: Dagger: + (for backstabbing > Dagger of Venom)

I just started playing this Fighter / Thief a bit and my impression is that he's very strong! Much stronger than the Swashbuckler! The Fighter / Thief killed Marl without any problems and the Bounty Hunter at the Friendly Arm Inn got also defeated at once with the help of the three guards (1st attempt).

1.) Buy Buckley's Buckler very early in the Friendly Arm Inn! > Constitution 20! It's really nice to get all your Hit Points restored while traveling or sleeping! And there's still a Manual to come that improves the Constitution: Manual of Bodily Health! 2.) I should go very early to the Basilisk's place for level grinding! - I did. When Korax helps you and you're careful you don't need any protection against getting petrified. 3.) Firewine Bridge: Legacy of the Masters! It's time to get Varscona. 4.) Manual of Bodily Health from the Black Alaric's Cave. '''=> Constitution is 20 now! So the Fighter / Thief regenerates automatically now''' even without Buckley's Buckler! Exciting! This was a strong move! 5.) I killed Bassilus very easily with Arrows of Biting: Nice reward of 5000 Gold. 6.) The Fighter has reached level 6 now and gets a new and his last weapon proficiency point in BG I, EE. Hm. Hard decision! Concerning BG I, EE it would be easy and tempting to give this point to crossbow. But I have to consider the future of this Protagonist. There will be 12 Weapon proficiency Points altogether: At 4,000,000 exp the Fighter will get his last one (> Table for experience).

12 Weapon Proficiency points : Long Sword: ++; Long Bow: ++; Later: Dagger: + (for backstabbing > Dagger of Venom and Firetooth Dagger +3 (Underdark) - I killed The Winged already with this brilliant Dagger!). Flail: + (Flail of Ages! No doubt, it's a great weapon); Two Weapon Style: +++ (Blackrazor and Flail of Ages/Celestial Fury/Axe of the Unyielding/Crom Faeyr); Katana: + (Celestial Fury); Axe: + (Axe of the Unyielding); Bastard Sword: + (Jhor; Foebane)

Of course the Thief went to Durlag's Tower in order to explore and loot it...Boots of Speed...Balduran's Helm and Balduran's Cloak. It was easy to steal the cloak. I discovered something new. I knew that effects of Potions are cumulative but I didn't know the following. If you drink two times the same Potion of Master Thievery it's cumulative and your stealing skills go over 100%. Nice. Having reached my maximum exp points (80,500/80,500) I'm just rushing through the Game like crazy. Of course I have to get all the Manuals and Tomes that improve the Fighter / Thief's attributes.

So far the Fighter / Thief did extremely well! I'm curious what it'll be like when he's facing the 6 on the upper floor of the Iron Throne and finally Sarevok. Davaeorn was no match. The Thief could disarm all traps and drank the Potion of Magic Resistance (50%) that Davaeorn's brother gave to him (xxx area). Very easy Battle. - The 6 were no match too.Oil of Speed and Potion of Strength (23). The Fighter Thief went upstairs and shot 4-5 Arrows of Detonation. One Enemy was left. Got killed by Arrows of Biting and Fire.

Equipment and AC and THAC0 of the Fighter / Thief : Balduran's Helm and Cloak; Full Plate Armor - AC1 (better protection against weapons than the Ankheg Plate Mail); Ring of Protection +1; Boots of Speed, Elves's Bane; Long Shield +1; Legacy of the Masters (Gauntlets) ; AC-8. Strength 18/86 : THAC07: Long Sword Varscona; THAC06: Long Bow The Dead Shot (Tazok's Tent; Langbogen der Treffsicherheit); Strength 19 : THAC06: Varscona; THAC04: Long Bow; Potion of Storm Giant Strength (24) in the Final Battle against Sarevok : THAC01: Varscona; THAC02: Long Bow.

Final Battle against Sarevok and his evil companions Tazok, Angelo and Semaj : Sarevok is crazy fast, nearly as fast as the Fighter / Thief wearing the Boots of Speed and drinking Oil of Speed. On level Insane Sarevok can slaughter you with two blows in Melee Combat! So Strategy were Arrows of Detonation, Poison (against Tazok, Angelo and Semaj) and Fire against Sarevok. It worked but the Battle was an effort.

I enjoy playing the Fighter / Thief. Game Play on level INSANE is easy! He's really much stronger than the Swashbuckler. This Fighter / Thief is really serious competition for the Fighter / Mage for being the BEST SOLO PROTAGONIST, especially when he finally has the Use Any Item Ability (level 24)! The Dark Moon Monk is a late bloomer like the Swashbuckler. '''For sure the Dark Moon Monk shouldn't be underestimated. He's a pretty perfect 'Killing Machine'!'''

Fighter Thief Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate II, EE - level INSANE
It's a big joy again to play with your Solo Protagonist from Baldur's Gate I!

Ability Scores/ Attribute Scores at the start of BG II: Strength: 19; Dex:18 ; '''Con: 20! (nice automatic regeneration!); IQ:16: Wisdom: 7; Ch: (11) 18!''' - Ring of Influence from Aerie's Adventure.

>>> Crucial is for a Solo Protagonist to have enough Potions of Oil of Speed and Invisibility! Best sources: The Thief Seller in the Sewers and even better: Mrs. Silver Moon (German: Silbermond) close to the huge Temple of Helm in the Bridge District. She has lots! <<<

Just some hints: 1.) Steal Ribald's Ring of Regeneration; 2.) Horn of Valhalla; 3.) Daystar; 4.) Watcher's keep level 1, many nice and useful items...5.) Two Slave release Adventures 6.) Aerie- Adventure (Ring of Influence) 7.) Trademeet > Cernd's -Adventure and Ithafeer > Periapt of Proof Against Poison, Shield of Harmony and Burning Earth (good weapon against the Trolls) 8.) Inbetween I killed the King of the Graveyard (nice strong Long Sword that you can use 3x for casting Silence on Mages etc !!) 9.) Nalia's Sronghold - I killed this time the Golems first before grabbing the items! It's better. Torgal had no chance against the Fighter / Mage. Potion of Fire Giant Strength (22) and special skill spell 'Holy Might' (you get these special skills in your dreams in BG I - very useful!) > cumulative! - the strength of the Fighter / Thief went to 24 or 25!! > Flail of Ages! 10.) Celestial Fury! Of course I gave one weapon pp to Katana: +; 11.) The biggest challenge so far: Haer'Dalis Adventure! I couldn't wait any longer to get the Boots of Speed. I like to travel fast! I remember that is was a huge challenge for the Swashbuckler on level Core Rules but on level Insane it was brutal! So many Umber Hulk Monsters showed up! Crazy! if they attack you as a group it's tough! (See the Black Pits II, Battle 4). But the Fighter Thief is strong! Better than the Swashbuckler so he managed and got the nice Boots of Speed besides Abjatha (good against the Vampires) and Gauntlets that improve the THAC0 by 1. '''>>> I feel really good now by wearing the Boots of Speed! It's a big step! Only the Use Any Item Ability at Thief level 24 will be a even bigger step! <<< 12.) It's time for getting Kittix. '''I have the Periapt of Proof Against Poison. 13.) Ilbratha or at the deserted Theater (Rasaad's Adventure) a ring that gives you Mirror Image 3x. 14.) Keldorn's Adventure 15.) Umar Hill Adventure

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'''GREAT NEWS! The Fighter / Thief has reached 3,000,000 exp and got his first special ability: USE ANY ITEM! Wow! I didn't expect that. I thought that he would have to reach Thief level 24 first but the Fighter / Thief is Fighter (14) and only Thief (17).'''

=> This means that he's much better than a Swashbuckler when he even gets the USE ANY ITEM ABILITY at the same time like the Swashbuckler does. Good bye Swashbuckler!

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My personal Blackguard Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate - level INSANE
It's a little boring for me to replay the Swashbuckler Stuff in BG I right now so I thought I would be nice to play a Blackguard parallel.

In my Ranking list of the Best Solo Protagonists in the Black Pits II the Blackguard was Nr.5. "Blackguard (Dorn Il-Khan):Can summon a fallen Deva as help! Poison weapon ability! Absorb health ability! Immune to level drain! Strong Fighter who has even access to a bunch of useful spells!"

Blackguard Solo Walkthrough for Baldur's Gate I, EE - level INSANE
Ability Scores: Starting position: Strength: 18/23; Dex.:17; Con: 18; IQ: 11; Wisdom: 10; Ch: 15. The Blackguard is a 'she': The Name of the Solo Protagonist: @Morana. Gender: Female. Race: Human.

Weapon Proficiency points (wpp) : Long Sword: ++; Crossbow: ++ (no Two handed Sword for her. She'll stick to Long Sword, Bastard Sword, Flail etc and two weapon style. The Fighter / Mage used Spider's Bane in combination with 'Web'.) It'll be incredibly good to use Blackrazor and make even a weapon with poison out of it!

The Blackguard's performance in BG I, EE on level Insane reminds me so much of what he did in the Black Pits II: '''It's just a nice walk for her through BG I so far, no effort at all. It's not climbing a steep mountain.''' For example facing Marl, just poison the weapon and fight! That's it!

Next wpp goes to Long Bow: +. Arrows of Biting are just amazing and easy to find in BG I. Last wpp will be: Flail: + (> considering the future Flail of Ages)

Game Play speed for the Blackguard and Swashbuckler in BG I, EE will be very slow on purpose. I don't feel any pressure and just want to enjoy it...

I'm very optimistic that the Blackguard will make her way to the Throne of Bhaal! The comparison to a Fighter / Mage and Fighter / Thief and Monk will be interesting. I still think that the Fighter / Thief with his Use Any Item ability (UAI) from level 24 on will finally be the best!

My Game Play time for the Black Pits II:
A Solo Walkthrough takes 4-5 hours

My Game Play time for BG I, EE:
About 20 hours. I mainly focus on the main quest. Until I reach the Bandit Camp I do all kinds of quests. After the Bandit Camp I rush like crazy through the game. My goal is to have a nice Solo Protagonist Character for BG II, EE.

My Game Play time for BG II, EE:
About 50 hours

My Game Play time for the Throne of Bhaal:
I don't know yet. I guess all Solo Protagonists should not only face Amelissan but Demogorgon as well!

Great to have this Baldur's Gate Wiki here!

'By the way 'MERRY CHRISTMAS'! Don't play so much during these days! Spend time with your family and friends! Seek God and you' ll find him! Jeremiah Chapter 29, Verse 13!'

My favorite pages

 * The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay Walkthrough (Strategy) by Gejadus
 * The Winged
 * Blackrazor
 * Black Blade of Disaster
 * Ring of Gaxx
 * Kangaxx
 * Staff of the Magi
 * Staff of the Ram
 * Axe of the Unyielding
 * Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear Walkthrough by Enilwyn
 * Fighter / Mage
 * Monk
 * Rasaad yn Bashir
 * Swashbuckler
 * Status Effects
 * Manual of Gainful Exercise > Books > Tomes
 * Sorcerous Sundries
 * Potion of Invulnerability > Monk > BG I, EE > AC-13 in combination with 'Blur' - what about using it twice after another? cumulative? No! The Potion of Master Thievery is!
 * Ulgoth's Beard Inn
 * Blackguard