I've been playing through BG EE off and on for some time. Right now, the party is outside Durlag's Tower in Chapter 7. The party consist of the canon good party (Minsc, Jaheira, Imoen, Dynaheir and Khalid). My main is a half-elf Ranger/Cleric. Imoen was dual-classed Mage - she just got her thief skills back.

So, the question is, how to approach Durlag's Tower. From what little I've read it's supposed to be pretty tough. Anything I should do to prepare? I don't mind traveling to other areas to get spells or other needed items. I plan to import the main into BG2 EE.

If you need details on the characters, ask and I can post them. Right now everyone is between levels 6 and 7. We've explored most every area we can get to - there are still a couple areas we could finish like Ulcaster, Firewine Bridge and Gullykin. And I haven't figured out how to get to Ulgoth's Beard yet. Though I think there was maybe a travel point from just outside Baldur's Gate? Hmm...

Thanks in advance. =)

Flynn

Recharge your wand of fireballs. Take scrolls of Protection from Petrification or potions of Mirrored Eyes. Take potions of invisibility for Imoen (scouting) *and* your cleric (invisibility and Turn Undead == profit). Take cure poison potions. Take potions of Speed, but use them wisely. Give Minsc Spider's Bane. Anything else? Yeah, but you'll work it out...

The challenges in Durlag's Tower are extremely varied, so I can't think of any particular advice to give you that will hold true for the whole dungeon. I played using the same party you're using (except playing as a Monk instead of a Ranger), and I found the most useful spells to be the same ones that are most useful everywhere else, particularly Haste and other buffs. If you've explored most of the areas in the game, you're probably as well equipped as you can be -- personally, I'd go through the few other areas you haven't played yet just to be sure, but it probably isn't necessary. You really should hit up Ulgoth's Beard, as I recall the shop there had some pretty good magic equipment. I don't remember exactly how to reach it, but it shouldn't be too difficult -- probably you need to head west off of the portion of the map just outside of the entrance to Baldur's Gate.

EDIT: Good advice from Hickory, who I'm sure remembers more of the specific monsters than I do. One thing I'd note is that you might just want to have Protection from Petrification memorized instead of using the potions of Mirrored Eyes -- there are only enough of those potions in the entire game for one use on each of your party members, iirc, and you'll probably want to save them for *after* Durlag's Tower. However, they might be more abundant in EE.

SPOILER

Go to Ulgoth's Beard before Durlag's Tower. There are two wardstones for the tower there. One is for sale by a guy in the tavern/inn if you pay off his bar tab, and another vendor is selling his entire inventory which includes a real wardstone and a fake one too. You can also set up a tour there of the Tower if you wish.

Totally unnecessary, and red herrings. The only wardstones you need are to be found in Durlag's Tower itself.

Do the exterior and the upper levels of Durlag's Tower first. Then travel and finish the other areas before coming back for the lower levels.

spoiler

Wand of frost against the battle horrors

Imoen and Dynaheir both have Wands of Fire. Dynaheir also has Protection from Petrification memorized. For some reason Imoen can't learn it? At least not from any of the three scrolls she has.

Minsc has Spider's Bane and Boots of Speed, so he's hasted and immune/highly resistant to Entangle and Web. Main has The Stupifier mace and a War Hammer +1. Jaheira has a sling +1 and a scimitar +1. We do have some oil of speed and some invisibility potions, so we should be okay there. Apparently not too many as it appears I only have two potions of mirrored eyes. Lots of healing potions though. I haven't used many potions at all during my playthrough, so Jaheira's been holding on to them in her potion case. =) Just strolled into Ulgoth's Beard for a quick look around and maybe to sell off some things. I also need to restock my missile weapons – may have to go to Beregost for that. Depends on what’s for sale here. I did run into a smuggler outside of BG. Refused his services. Hope that wasn't a mistake, heh. The intro text to the town did mention the tour, so maybe I’ll check that out as well. I’ll keep that in mind. There aren’t many other areas for me to complete, but I did open up another area north of the Baldur’s Gate bridge, so I’ll check that out after Ulgoth’s Beard. Wasn’t there an island you could access from UB as well?

I like to do everything you're able to do within the confines of the game when I play. regardless of XP cap or whether it is absolutely necessary. That is why I suggested this. I, perhaps wrongly, assumed that other people are like this too. Do what you want.

I’ll keep that in mind as well. Dynaheir has one of those.

Thanks again, guys! =)

Flynn I did run into a merchant who, I assume, sells one of the wardstones you mentioned. I didn't buy it yet, but I'm something of a completionist myself, so when in Ulgoth's Beard... =)

Flynn

Most likely she's hit the spells learn-able limit with her 17 INT. Just give her a potion of Mind Focusing (+3 INT) and a potion of Genius (+4 INT), then she'll be able to learn anything.

Oh, that makes sense. Forgot about that limit, heh. I can always have her forget a superfluous spell as well. She never did use Blind...

Flynn

Dont underestimate Magic missile.

Don't send a low level party there. I'd say five and up should be good.

There are two kinds of Protection from Petrification scrolls. One is a spell scroll, which you can memorize into a spellbook. That one should be blue. The other is a green "protection" scroll, similar to Protection from Fire, Protection from Undead, etc., and you can only use it, not memorize it. You may just be carrying the wrong type. Otherwise, it's the INT limit like Hickory said. There should be a few more Mirrored Eyes potions at the shop in Ulgoth's Beard. There are either 5 or 6 total, counting the two you already have.