Post by pip on Dec 6, 2022 19:32:37 GMT
I want to try and figure out the optimal solution for this series I love very much. I am using the original editions, but from what I've read in the changelogs, the optimal path might not be that different in the revised editions (to be confirmed), with the possible exception of using throws, which have been made more useful.
I am going to post my solutions one book at a time, but, since decisions made in earlier books can affect what happens in the next ones, I may have to revise them as I go along (I hopefully won't have to do that too often... as that could be headache inducing).
Here is my solution for book 1. I am using a custom program to determine winning odds, and it's interesting to see how a couple of decisions that seem bad for you are actually better stats wise. For example, if you go to the Arena, it is better to shake the magician's hand and take the 7 endurance loss than to try to hit him with any of your other options. This solution, however, does not make you go through the Arena, as skipping the essence of firenewt and fighting the Elder God at the end actually gives you a higher success rate (having done this will also matter in the next book). It is also better to let Runeweaver die before you fight Olvar, even though it means he won't be able to help you during the fight. Who would have guessed?
Use Inner Force only when instructed.
AVENGER! solution
- Starting skills: pick Climbing, Poison Needles and Arrow Cutting.
- Fight Gorobei. Try to block if he would inflict 4+ damage or defeat you. Use Leaping Tiger repeatedly.
- If you win:
- Say you desire to avenge your father and only fear failure of a mission.
- Get the opal ring and learn the litany of the Ninja Grandmaster.
If you lose:
- You can proceed anyway.
- Restore all your Endurance.
- Hurl a shuriken at the Ogre.
- You have Arrow Cutting.
- Fight the Ogre. Try to block all of his attacks. Use up to 3 Inner Force points here. Use Iron Fist repeatedly.
- Jump to the ship to attack the Captain.
- Make a Fate roll, but the result doesn't matter.
- Fight the Buccaneer Captain. Try to block only if he would kill you. Use Teeth of the Tiger repeatedly. You will win the fight if you manage a single throw, but if you are still fighting after 4 rounds, it's game over since you don't have Escapology.
- Restore 10 Endurance.
- Go through the Portal of the Gods.
- Follow the priests.
- Say you worship Kwon.
- Tell him of your quest.
- Get the potion of healing (restores 10 Endurance).
- Go through the Obsidian Gate.
- Walk on through the city.
- Attempt to steal into the monastery.
- Reconnoitre the monastery.
- You prefer not to climb in.
- You have Poison Needles and want to use one.
- Get a +1 Punch Modifier.
- Go into the wilderness (solely for the extra endurance restoration).
- Restore 2 Endurance.
- Rejoin the road near the city.
- Restore 2 Endurance.
- Leave the boy to his fate, since you don't have Immunity to Poisons.
- Continue along the road to Mortavalon.
- Walk on through the city.
- Restore 3 Inner Force and 4 Endurance.
- Head to Fortune Pass.
- You have the Climbing skill.
- -4 Endurance.
- You learn Kwon's Flail and get a +1 Kick Modifier.
- Answer 'My home is my body'.
- Answer 'My weapons are everything that exists'.
- Get a +1 Fate Modifier and a bag of healing herbs (restores 8 Endurance).
- Restore 4 Endurance.
- Hide in the snow.
- Throw flash powder into the fire.
- Fight Olvar. Try to block if he would inflict 3+ damage or kill you. Use Winged Horse repeatedly.
- Restore 3 Endurance.
- Go to Druath Glennan.
- Tear up the loose floorboards.
- Wait for dark.
- Wait to see if the weather conditions change.
- Drop to the tunnel below.
- Continue along the tunnel.
- Step forward.
- Fight the Elder God. Try to block if he would inflict 9+ damage or kill you. Use up to all your remaining Inner Force points here. Use Winged Horse repeatedly.
- Hurl a shuriken.
- You don't have the Picking Locks skill.
- You have the Arrow Cutting skill.
- Use your Poison Needles.
- Choose the turret with the Sword of Doom.
- Examine the attic.
- Use the Blood of Nil.
- Take Sorcerak.
- Choose the turret with the Black Whirlpool.
- Run to attack.
- Fight Yaemon. You cannot lose this fight if you pick the right moves. Alternate between Kwon's Flail and the Cobra Strike.
- Restore all your Endurance and your Inner Force. Learn Kwon's prayer. Learn an extra skill (not yet sure what's the best pick for the next book).
- To be continued...
I am going to post my solutions one book at a time, but, since decisions made in earlier books can affect what happens in the next ones, I may have to revise them as I go along (I hopefully won't have to do that too often... as that could be headache inducing).
Here is my solution for book 1. I am using a custom program to determine winning odds, and it's interesting to see how a couple of decisions that seem bad for you are actually better stats wise. For example, if you go to the Arena, it is better to shake the magician's hand and take the 7 endurance loss than to try to hit him with any of your other options. This solution, however, does not make you go through the Arena, as skipping the essence of firenewt and fighting the Elder God at the end actually gives you a higher success rate (having done this will also matter in the next book). It is also better to let Runeweaver die before you fight Olvar, even though it means he won't be able to help you during the fight. Who would have guessed?
Use Inner Force only when instructed.
AVENGER! solution
- Starting skills: pick Climbing, Poison Needles and Arrow Cutting.
- Fight Gorobei. Try to block if he would inflict 4+ damage or defeat you. Use Leaping Tiger repeatedly.
- If you win:
- Say you desire to avenge your father and only fear failure of a mission.
- Get the opal ring and learn the litany of the Ninja Grandmaster.
If you lose:
- You can proceed anyway.
- Restore all your Endurance.
- Hurl a shuriken at the Ogre.
- You have Arrow Cutting.
- Fight the Ogre. Try to block all of his attacks. Use up to 3 Inner Force points here. Use Iron Fist repeatedly.
- Jump to the ship to attack the Captain.
- Make a Fate roll, but the result doesn't matter.
- Fight the Buccaneer Captain. Try to block only if he would kill you. Use Teeth of the Tiger repeatedly. You will win the fight if you manage a single throw, but if you are still fighting after 4 rounds, it's game over since you don't have Escapology.
- Restore 10 Endurance.
- Go through the Portal of the Gods.
- Follow the priests.
- Say you worship Kwon.
- Tell him of your quest.
- Get the potion of healing (restores 10 Endurance).
- Go through the Obsidian Gate.
- Walk on through the city.
- Attempt to steal into the monastery.
- Reconnoitre the monastery.
- You prefer not to climb in.
- You have Poison Needles and want to use one.
- Get a +1 Punch Modifier.
- Go into the wilderness (solely for the extra endurance restoration).
- Restore 2 Endurance.
- Rejoin the road near the city.
- Restore 2 Endurance.
- Leave the boy to his fate, since you don't have Immunity to Poisons.
- Continue along the road to Mortavalon.
- Walk on through the city.
- Restore 3 Inner Force and 4 Endurance.
- Head to Fortune Pass.
- You have the Climbing skill.
- -4 Endurance.
- You learn Kwon's Flail and get a +1 Kick Modifier.
- Answer 'My home is my body'.
- Answer 'My weapons are everything that exists'.
- Get a +1 Fate Modifier and a bag of healing herbs (restores 8 Endurance).
- Restore 4 Endurance.
- Hide in the snow.
- Throw flash powder into the fire.
- Fight Olvar. Try to block if he would inflict 3+ damage or kill you. Use Winged Horse repeatedly.
- Restore 3 Endurance.
- Go to Druath Glennan.
- Tear up the loose floorboards.
- Wait for dark.
- Wait to see if the weather conditions change.
- Drop to the tunnel below.
- Continue along the tunnel.
- Step forward.
- Fight the Elder God. Try to block if he would inflict 9+ damage or kill you. Use up to all your remaining Inner Force points here. Use Winged Horse repeatedly.
- Hurl a shuriken.
- You don't have the Picking Locks skill.
- You have the Arrow Cutting skill.
- Use your Poison Needles.
- Choose the turret with the Sword of Doom.
- Examine the attic.
- Use the Blood of Nil.
- Take Sorcerak.
- Choose the turret with the Black Whirlpool.
- Run to attack.
- Fight Yaemon. You cannot lose this fight if you pick the right moves. Alternate between Kwon's Flail and the Cobra Strike.
- Restore all your Endurance and your Inner Force. Learn Kwon's prayer. Learn an extra skill (not yet sure what's the best pick for the next book).
- To be continued...