I'm a level 20 Paladin, and I normally kick butt.
But then I came to the fire dragon cave, and I'm killed in 5 seconds, by some Druegard's
Has anybody passed through this cave? I would very mutch appreciate some help on how to fight these bastards.
I have a AC of 39, that should normally do it, but they really hurt me, with their spells etc.
My henchman dies in 2 seconds and I can survive for about 20 seconds but no Druegard is dead yet....

HELP PLEASE

The druegar were pesky indeed, moreso then the fire giants. I had to be somewhat more careful with them, other then that, I had no problems. Main thing is to take out their casters/healers first, who can do big damage over the distance, not to mention the pesky summons. You should have picked up somewhere Boots of Speed (or whatever was the exact name of those), so if needed - move, don't let their warriors surround you - those little bastards can pack quite a punch. Use your Bless/Aid spells, or potions, and Barkskin too. If no Haste boots, use potion. You have also the Elemental Resistance or some such spell, one of those versions lasts for quite some time, it may help to reduce some elemental damage of spells perhaps.

They're quite killable, just that they're one of peskiest ones in the game [img]smile.gif[/img] Just need some attention with them. Everything else I fought in the game was not that pesky [img]smile.gif[/img] I went through them as a Fighter, had some less AC due to use of Greatsword. When casters were dead and I still had many melees coming at me, I retreated to some areas where I could separate them, or make them come to me from only one side. Used Parry Mode if needed too, my Fighter is pretty heavily trained in it. Melee druegars went down nicely.

The spells hurt because they are casting instant death type spells at you. Things like phantasmal killer and the improved shadow magic death spell. If you get something to bump up your spell resistance you should be ok. As far as tactics go,Skeletons and Grimgnaw the psycho dwarf seem to be immune to instant kill type spells.

Belt of guiding light I think... Immunity vs death magic.. ;)
Potion of clarity, imp invisibility.. (Potions? haven´t found any yet..)

I struggled with them too.

One tactic is to approach them slowly, to draw one out at a time. They're typically in groups of three, a warrior, rogue and cleric. If you can single them out, they're much easier to kill. Use a bow or crossbow to attack the nearest one.

The casters are tough, and have good concentration. The clerics can usually cast heal twice, which means a complete heal. Use knockdown or some other disabling strike to disrupt their casting.

And, like others have said, watch out for that death magic. My monk made it through without immunity to death magic, but I had to reload at least five or six times. Save often and keep trying.

Lastly, watch out for Death Slaads in the next area. They have death magic too, and you'll face some where you can't fight them immediately.

Oh, the dwarves in the red dragon lair. Yes. Not difficult at all, with the right technique.

YOUR ENEMY: The deurgar fight in a combinded force - fighter/thiefs with clerical support.

POSSIBLE CHANGES/FLAWS TO/IN YOUR TECHNIQUE:

1. It is imperitive that you do NOT allow them to surround you.
2. It is imperitive that you keep your positional discipline with your henchmen.
3. It is imperitive that you reduce the clerical support either through attrition (enemy death) or through affect spells (darkness, silence, etc.)
4. It is helpful to use an affective weapon, such as the "Neversleep" rapier. Damage is fine, but you're being mobbed.
5. Sound Burst spells can be helpful against massed enemies, but are not terribly effective against these.
6. Use HEAL potions. The CCW potions just aren't powerful enough by this point in Chapter 3.

Consider hit-and-fade techniques. Consider strategic withdrawls. Some enemy NPCs will follow you. Others will stop. Defeat your enemy in detail, do not try to take them en-mass.

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR COMBAT PACKAGE:

1. Gold circlet (exact name???) will protect you from mind affecting spells. Use it.
2. Rod of Ghostly Visage will do substantial damage reduction. Use it.
3. Boots of the Gargoyle will allow you to cast Stoneskin. Use them.

Note boots of the gargoyle, allow you to cast stone skin even if you are not wearing them ^_^...

Gold circlet, Rod of Ghostly Visage, Greater belt of Guiding Light or Ughaurdt (sp) Belt, with these in your posession the Druegar are a breeze.

One note.. the boots of the gargoyle will dissapear after you have used the 10 charge.. If your not ready for it they will leave you bootless in the middle of a battle... use with caution!!

paladins got a 4th level spell which saves them from death spells. use it