I've heard a lot about Heart of Fury mode from reading the posts here at Ironworks and I figured I was ready to have a go at it. So I rolled up a party of super-heros and set off to face the mega-monsters. Well I came to a grinding halt in the Orc Caves!! I just didn't have a way to deal with the 'Gang-up' tactics they employ. So back to square one, only this time with a better party and better tactics. So far I've made it to Kuldahar and the party is gaining in strength and now has more options for when the going gets tough.

So my question is this, what do you think are the key elements required to get started in Heart of Fury mode? For me AC and Thaco were pretty well fixed, so it came down to the right choice of Classes, with the right Spell combinations.

For me, the choice of classes seemed less important than making sure you had the right spells available. I found spells like chromatic orb, web, grease, hold monster and hold person, slow, confusion and especially monster summoning spells etc. were MUCH more useful than a plain old fireball. Build a wall of summoned monsters, switch everyone to ranged weapons and fire away. The two fighters can always switch to melee weapons if a breach in summoned monster wall occurs. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Oh yeah, I developed a REAL dislike for Goblins after HoF mode. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Especially Goblin Archer Marshalls - right? (pesky things :mad: ;) )

I can't use the language I want to use to describe those things ....

so this will have to do: #!#&$%%#&#$()_!)#&&#% goblins!

Micah, you're right on the mark when you say that summoning up some helpers is what makes the differance. My first party had a dual-class Cleric who never reached Level 5 before we capitulated to the Orcs - next time I went with single class. You mention some nice spells that can stop the opposition at higher levels, but there's not much choice for a low level Mage in Easthaven. I went for Charm Person, that made a big difference. I also used my Cleric (with Sanctuary) to sneak in and pinch the Horror scroll, cos every little helps.

Goblins - if you can't beat 'em, Charm them.