Temple of Elemental Evil discussion thread (merged)

[Simplicity]

Where are these delko groves? Wouldn't mind some extra little missions, so far the world seems very sparse.. I'm on my second start of the game and still pretty early on.. I've yet to complete any quests in town (they seem more elusive than those in BG2 for some reason) and I'm exploring the moathouse. I managed to kill the big ba at the emiry meadows which I'm quite proud of since I am only level 3 and he was a CR6 baddiepants.

Note to call clerics: spiritual weapon rocks.

Yeah, it took me a while to kill that nasty. If you can kill him, the groves are easy. It's a pretty small area, but you can get through a quest.

(SPOILER to get to Deklo Groves...)
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There's a woodsman in the lower west portion of Hommlet. He can show you how to get there. Some of the quests in Hommlet are disappointing, but this one is okay (if easy). There are about a dozen quests or so I've found in Hommlet. Some are disappointing, but some are decent.

 

[LightPhoenix]

Pielorinho, most of those are readily obvious things (to me at least) that I try to do anyway. Like I said, tactics don't matter when your guys get cut down instantly. I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy the game more when my guys get to level 4 or 5 and start having a fighting chance.

That said, two side comments. I'm seeing lots of characters with huge stats. I didn't do that, I took the first set I rolled, which most of the time was really good, but not rediculously high. I don't have a single score above 18 in my group, and no one has more that one 18, some people don't even have one.

Second, this game really emphasizes how at lower levels, especially in a module such as this, is that survival really is based on luck, not on strategy. I mean, I've been playing computer games for about ten years, console games since I was five, and was first introduced to D&D at the age of eight, so I like to think I have a firm grasp on the strategy side of things (though I could be wrong). Things like a 5-foot step, turning undead (Sun domain owns), and ganging up are, to me, basic strategies. Despite all that, I'm finding the game remarkably unforgiving - one innocent move, and you could be thrust into a battle you can't move.

For example, I really didn't expect a bunch of guys pouring out of the first door I opened in the Moathouse. Of course I died that time. Fair? No. Acceptable? Yeah, I know what kind of module ToEE is. No strategy after that helped at all though - there was just no possible way I could win the battle. Only after going downstairs beating the crap out of zombies (which pretty much amounted to my Cleric using Greater Turning repeatedly - not really strategy at all) and raising a level was I even able to attempt it. Of course, it was a rough battle, and I almost lost my main guy completely, but I managed to prevail.

I worry that while "hardcore" gamers and fans of the older D&D modules might find it fun, I can see the difficulty level in the early stages really turning off a lot of "casual" computer gamers. Which I hope doesn't happen, because the engine at the very least kicks ass.

One annoying thing - the game is really dark on my monitor. Is there a way to adjust gamma settings? No - I don't need a light spell or a torch. What I need is a gamma adjustment.

 

[Henry]

I'm enjoying it quite well so far. My party of Lawful Evil Rat-bastards is up to Level 5 right now, and acting like Lawful Goods inside of Homelett (except for that minor indiscretion with Elmo - what can I say? He had magic weapons, magic chain, magic shield, AND didn't hit back! )

I am seriously thinking about starting an Ironman Game of it, but may wind up waiting until I complete it with the first party instead. The only thing that dissuades me from trying ironman mode is the darned isometric view screwups in cluttered environments; i'd hate to lose my party to a poorly-placed wall.

The limited number of flags bugged the heck out of me, but I learned to live with it. To be honest, not noting the locations was fine to me, because it gave the game a much more "pen and paper" feel, as did the fact that I have to ident the potions and other items one by one. The only thing I don't like is that it certainly would have been nice to sell somethng to a merchant with a simple right-click.

Oh, well - after the first patch comes out, I will probably declare this the perfect game of 2003.

 

[garyh]

I'd heard there was to be a demo for this game. Anyone have any idea when or if that's going to happen? I've visited www.greyhawkgame.com and they don't mention a demo.

 

[Simplicity]

That said, two side comments. I'm seeing lots of characters with huge stats. I didn't do that, I took the first set I rolled, which most of the time was really good, but not rediculously high. I don't have a single score above 18 in my group, and no one has more that one 18, some people don't even have one.

I did the same thing. Use the first roll (with the exception of one poor schmoe who "died at birth"... He had two 7s a 9 and a couple of tens). I'm fairly certain NONE of my guys have eighteens (I don't even think I have any 17s). I'm just not experiencing the level of difficulty you seem to be.

What is your party composition? Do you have any henchmen?

Yes, there are occasionally times where you'll run into someone who is too hard to face. That problem is easy. Don't face them until you've gained some xp.

I worry that while "hardcore" gamers and fans of the older D&D modules might find it fun, I can see the difficulty level in the early stages really turning off a lot of "casual" computer gamers. Which I hope doesn't happen, because the engine at the very least kicks ass.

This game is not for casual gamers. I definitely agree. It's also not for those who don't know their D&D rules.

One annoying thing - the game is really dark on my monitor. Is there a way to adjust gamma settings? No - I don't need a light spell or a torch. What I need is a gamma adjustment.

Yeah, people on the official boards are complaining about this as well. I don't have a problem with it for some reason on my monitor.

 

[Welverin]

Gamespot's review is finally up. Greg gave it a 7.9.

 

[Pielorinho]

For example, I really didn't expect a bunch of guys pouring out of the first door I opened in the Moathouse. Of course I died that time. Fair? No. Acceptable? Yeah, I know what kind of module ToEE is. No strategy after that helped at all though - there was just no possible way I could win the battle.

I dunno -- I rolled no more than three times for any of my guys, and only once for three of my five guys. Granted, the rolls ended up being pretty high, but not ridiculous -- I don't think anyone started with a score above 17, and a couple of guys had a 16 as their highest score.

That said, I know you probably are very good at strategy, so forgive me for asking -- in the battle you described, did you use grease and/or entangle? At second level, I found grease to be a lifesaver spell, winning more battles for me than anything except greater turning.

Daniel

 

[uv23]

Couple more comments:

Darkness. I concur completely, and I have a very high end monitor. I find that when I'm in dungeons I randomly click on the space around me in case theres a hallway nearby. Really terrible visual cues as to whats in your immediate vicinity.

Missions and alignment: I'm bothered by how many of the more important quests seem to be religiously oriented (pro st cuthbert). Makes it very hard to play an evil party with a "clear" conscience.

 

[Farganger]

I've been enjoying this a good bit. In fact, it's kept me up too late the last three nights.

The character creation alone is a lot of fun. I've tried out quite a few concepts, and I do hope they find other uses for the engine and 3.5e ruleset. With a few tweaks and corrections, they could produce a fine series of modules for this, although I think their appeal would be greatest for PnPers. I'm not sure how much fresh blood products like this attract: the learning curve seems rather steep.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

I had some corrupted save files and so I started over, and so far my compalints are fairly minor, though I think they inflict some really bad luck on the die rolls on the party. I still win the battles but I miss way to often or they aritificially boosted the AC on opponents.

New party
1/2 orc barb
1/2 orc druid
human rogue
human fighter
human wizard all just hit 4th level.

If your having toruble this is what I'd do. Finish off some quests back out town there low risk and you can get enough xp to level up after you do 7 or 8 of them. Then go to the moathouse when your mid 2nd to 3rd level. On the lower levels just rest a lot, monsters keep popping to attack you but there easy enough to handle and wait till you level up again so your 4-5thish level. Then actually start the adventure in earnest. I just leveled up after a bunch of fights where I was jus trying to rest long enough for the druid to become conscious again.

My other complaint is item creation is a pain since money seems sparse, and masterwork items are virutally non-existant or I have to use a cheat of GMW to enchant them.