[Huntsman]

~HARDCORE GOTHIC CHALLENGE THREAD~

[Bild: tn_wolves.jpg] [Bild: tn_firelizards.jpg]

There it is, the thread about the little contest I've been mentioning in the thread "The hardcore way". I originally wanted this to be G2:NOTR only contest, but I see some have already started with G1, so let this be a Gothic1, Gothic 2 classic and Gothic 2 NOTR hardcore challenge. Whatever strikes your fancy. Now I will explain the rules and give general hints about posting your hardcore game diary.

RULES

#1: This is a no reloads game which means that whatever choices you make, you made 'em and that's it. You save when you stop playing and load when you start playing again. When you die it's game over.

#2: Please leave thread-destructive comments like "Playing this way is stupid" or "You're missing the whole point of Gothic" aside. This method of playing is for experienced and very patient players as it requires a lot of forward planning. So if you don't like it, don't do it.

#3 When you want to participate, make a clear statement on it and an introductory post where you'll put your character build (more on this later) and if you plan on roleplaying, some personality info.

#4 Clearly mark your official character diary posts with a headline like "Huntsman's Hardcore Dragon Hunter" so that they are easy to find amongst other user comments.

#5 DO NOT CHEAT, THIS IS FOR FUN ONLY. No one will win big bucks or ultimate respect for beating the game with a mage in a day or killing a dragon snapper at lvl 1.

TIPS

#1 Save yourself the trouble of saving a lot. If you die, it's over.

#2 Be very careful and plan your every move.

#3 If you're not sure you can handle it...RUN!

#4 Don't hesitate to ask for advice in this thread like "Do you guys think I could do the black troll at lvl 25 with Large Fire Storm?"

#5 Do not attack enemies in groups. Lure every enemy, no matter how weak it/he is.

#6 In hardcore brave = dead and stupid in most cases.

#7 Idle hands are devil's playground. If you suddenly feel like risking it for quick booty - call it a day.

#8 Don't go near cliffs and when you do - walk instead of run. There is a great chance you could fall and end your adventure in a stupid way. After all, it's realistic to slip up in an unknown, steep mountain path.

#9 Do not have mercy for your enemies. Never let it attack, always keep it at a distance and use all power that you have available.

BENEFITS OF HARDCORE

#1 Everything seems different. The dialogues, the world, the enemies, it's a whole new Gothic experience. Recommended for players who've already beaten Gothic with every character and know their way around.

#2 When an NPC tells you "Wow, you're brave!" there's a great chance you'll really feel this way, even if it's not much, because you're putting your life on the line here and not just reloading 10 times until you make 2 critical hits in a row in order to kill the enemy.

#3 You just wanna read through all the dialogues...again. Trust me.

#4 Makes you feel real and alive.

#5 You won't feel guilty for knowing the game and it's secrets, weapons and being good at it. This is where it all counts.

#6 Just try it, it's great.

HALL OF FAME

-heroes who have completed the game-

Game: Gothic 2 - Night of the Raven

1. Sikkibahm's Mercenary
by Sikkibahm
Level: 49
Guild: Dragon Hunter
:::the first to complete the challenge:::

UNFORTUNATE ADVENTURERS' GRAVEYARD

-heroes who have met their fate far too soon-

Game: Gothic 2 - Night of the Raven

1. Sikkibahm's Mage
by Sikkibahm
Level: 40
Guild: Magician
Cause of Death: Pack of dragon snappers

2. Petyamester's Dragon Hunter
by Petyamester
Level: 39
Guild: Dragon Hunter
Cause of Death: 3 Fire lizards

3. Huntsman's Hardcore Paladin #2
by Huntsman
Level: 10
Guild: Militia
Cause of Death: Trolls near Dexter's tower

4. Sikkibahm's Mercenary #1
by Sikkibahm
Level: 8
Guild: Guildless
Cause of Death: Goblin skeleton from the pyramid excavation site

5. Sikkibahm's Mercenary #2
by Sikkibahm
Level: 7
Guild: Guildless
Cause of Death: Fell of a ledge near the beach where Skip is

6. HardCased's Magician
by HardCased
Level: 5
Guild: Guildless
Cause of Death: Boar

7. Huntsman's Hardcore Paladin #1
by Huntsman
Level: 4
Guild: Militia
Cause of Death: Guard at Khorinis Harbor warehouse

8. Fogotick's Hardcore Archer
by Fogotick
Level: 4
Guild: Guildless
Cause of Death: Bandits that robbed Hakon the merchant

9. The Preserver's Militiaman
by The Preserver
Level: 3
Guild: Militia
Cause of Death: Engardo, one of the mercenaries raiding Akil's farm

Game: Gothic 2 Classic

1. Bastardo's Mercenary Warrior
by Bastardo_90
Level: 34
Guild: Dragon Hunter
Cause of Death: The Undead Dragon

2. Bastardo's Militiaman
by Bastardo_90
Level: 9
Guild: Militia
Cause of Death: Orc in the cave near the eastern gate of the city of Khorinis

3. Cor Angars' Mercenary
by Cor Angars
Level:7
Guild: Mercenary
Cause of Death: Seekers at the stone circle

4. Adi's Dragon Hunter
by lee_13
Level: 6
Guild: Guildless
Cause of Death: Troll

5. Max the Butcher's Mage
by Max the Butcher
Level: 3
Guild: Guildless
Cause of Death: Lurker

6. Bastardo's Poor Guy
by Bastardo_90
Level: 2
Guild: Guildless
Cause of Death: Fell of a cliff near the secret valley with Lester during the fight with young field raiders

Game: Gothic 1

1. Sikkibahm's Mage
by Sikkibahm
Level: 40
Guild: Magician of Water
Cause of Death: THE SLEEPER!!!

2. Hellbilly's Jes Another Convict
by Hellbilly
Level: 27
Guild: Magician of Water
Cause of Death: Spikes in front of the Uriziel chamber in the underground orcish temple

3. Huntsman's Hardcore Magician
by Huntsman
Level: 27
Guild: Magician of Water
Cause of Death: Varrag-Kasorg, the undead shaman in the orcish underground temple

4. Hans Georg
by Petyamester
Level: 26
Guild: Magician of Water
Cause of Death: Fire lizard

5. Sikkibahm's Mercenary
by Sikkibahm
Level: 26
Guild: Mercenary
Cause of Death: Fell of a platform in the castle with the focus stone while transformed to Lurker

6. Dino's Magician
by Dino
Level: 15
Guild: Magician of Fire
Cause of Death: Surrounded by 5 guards with crossbows in the free mine

7. Elisabeth
by Onisuzume
Level: 5
Guild: Guildless
Cause of death: Wolf

[Huntsman]

Introduction

Game: Gothic 2 Night of the Raven
Desired Class: Militia/Paladin
Build: One handed/Magic

Info: My character will be focusing on one handed combat, mostly because of the well-known “Master Sword” that will provide great damage early in the game, which will be highly preferable in a hardcore game. So my first goal is to get 60 dexterity and become a Fighter (30%) in one-handed combat. Then I will put my points to strength, mana and paladin rune skills. My main weapon later in the game will be paladin runes because they have a nice damage, can attack from distance and never miss.


Diary

Level:1
Guild: Guildless

Today I made my way into Khorinis. I picked up everything in Xardas’ tower, but skipped the area with Lester. Helped Cavalorn (I let him do all the work of course). Just to make sure I don’t get an early death, I killed the wolves and bloodflies on the way to Lobart’s farm with spell scrolls. Then when I got the farmer’s clothes, I could relax a little. I decided not to talk to Greg until I get some better armor so I could give him the farmer’s clothes. Got into town by saying I am one of Lobart’s farmhands and that I have to repair some tools over at the blacksmith’s. Talked to Lothar. When I said “What do I have to do to get armor like yours?”…I really meant it. He looked so strong and safe in it .

[Hellbilly]

Introduction

Game: Gothic 1
Desired Class: Water Mage
Build: One handed & magic

Keeping in mind that Gothic 1 is a pretty easy game where creating "über-characters" is quite possible, there's little need to specialize particularly much. I'll just concentrate on melee until I get to be a water mage and then use a combination of both. I reckon I'll go the New Camp way and not the Old Camp way.

Diary

To start off with, I decided to gain a few levels by doing some of the non-dangerous, non-fighting quests. Getting the sword for Whistler and such. Then I went with the Baal to the Swamp Camp, allowing him to do all the combat, gaining some free XP this way. Steal Cor Kalom's recipe, get the Baal by the entrance to talk to me with Lester's help, back to the Old Camp to give the recipe to Dexter and join Mordrag to the New Camp. For kicks, I decided to take Mud with me, but he disappeared somewhere along the way... heck, I think he fell off a cliff. It was an accident... honest! I wasn't even close by!

Lefty tricked me (*wink*) into carrying water for the peasants. I better steer clear of him until I'm strong enough to face him and the rest of the Rice Lord's men.

The only real combat I've yet seen, apart from the juvenile critters on the way to the Old Camp and a couple of solitary Scavengers, were the three molerats in the cave where Nek's corpse is lying. I took them on at level 3... not really a challenge by then (with one-handed sword fighting level 1), but in case I get unlucky and they get lucky, they might get a few hits in, surround me and that might be that. So take them safely... get one to approach me, kill it quickly. The other two were coming at me... circle to the left so that one of the two remaining molerats is within reach of my sword whilst the other is a bit away. Finish the first molerat quickly, and then the other with equal haste. No damage.

I need to get a few levels so I can go to the Free Mine and get myself the free armor from there. It ain't much, but it's better than nothing. That wolf in the opening might pose a threat if I get unlucky and he comes too close.

Once I get one-handed sword fighting level 2 it's time to concentrate on strength so I will stand a chance in combat.

[Huntsman]

Hey, glad to have you onboard Hellbilly ! I am really looking forward to your diary because I haven't played Gothic 1 in quite a while (I already have the urge again ).

I see you've already gotten everything right, that's exactly how I wanted this to work. BTW, it's amazing how hard you have to work to get some gold and armor when playing hardcore...I hold my farmer's clothes as the utmost treasure because without it, I am very vulnerable, and I see you are trying to get hold of the free mine digger's armor and it's not really that easy like when you're playing a normal game. Good luck!

[Hellbilly]

DIARY

Having finished the easy tasks in the new camp (dealing out the weed mainly), I decided to go back to the Swamp Camp via the Old Camp, picking up Dusty on the way and letting Thorus know Mordrag was no longer a problem. No problems there, and soon Dusty was happily in the Swamp Camp.

When helping the Baal in the New Camp deal out the weed, I'd chosen as my reward some spell scrolls. I didn't take sleep, but I did take charm, and I got the bright idea of checking whether that'd work on the Baal who instructs the novices in magic. So, charm on a novice... nope, didn't work... and a second later four templars were beating the poo out of me. Ouch. Luckily, I had so little ore (68 to be exact) that they didn't bother stealing anything from me when I was down, so all that got hurt was my pride.

[Bild: gothic_1_diary_001.jpg]
Here's me mulling over what I did, looking at my trail of blood (yup, max gore in ini-file)

It'll be interesting to see whether I can talk to Cor Angar or if the templars there remember my mug and are into seconds...

Anyhow, not enough with that, soon I got my butt kicked a second time when trying to convince Harlok to relieve his buddy. I remembered he was far easier than he actually was, and although I got his health down by 50%, he got me with a few lucky hits. Well, again, only a dented pride as he didn't bother to steal anything. I'm a stubborn bastard so after a quick healing snack I went to "talk" to him again, downing him with a barrage of fierce blows before he had the time to react.

A valuable lesson was learned, luckily in a relatively safe environment: don't try your luck, play it safe. And even if you decide to be a bit daring, always make sure you can get away if/when required. A tactical leg-it must be a viable option at all times.

Next, via the Old Camp to learn one-handed level 2, and then to the New Camp and the miner's clothes. It's risky because of that damnable wolf, but I've made the run before and I reckon it's worth the risk as the protection provided by the free armor is after all better than nothing. Then, I think I'll try to collect some ore and go into the Old Camp mine to complete my test of faith.

It'll be a long time before I dare take on the dam lurker or the bloodflies in the Swamp Camp...

I am really looking forward to your diary because I haven't played Gothic 1 in quite a while (I already have the urge again ).

Reading about your character made me want to play G2... you picked the exactly same type (one-handed & magic paladin) that I had planned to play. Well, once I'm through with this I will play G2 with such a character, as I think it'll be interesting to see how differently two players play with the same type of character.

[Huntsman]

Diary

Level:4
Guild:Militia

DEAD

Cause of death: Guard in Harbor warehouse

EDIT: Here are also some images of my character and character screen.

[Bild: ss1jg3.jpg]
[Bild: ss2nf3.jpg]


That's right, I'm dead . I'll tell you all about, don't worry, but first, I feel like it's my duty to inform people on what a great day I've had beforehand so they could learn from my mistakes. When I hit the ground and realized I was done for, my heart stopped beating for a moment. I wanted to reload the game, but somehow found the honor within me not to...
Just so you know, it's incredibly hard not to reload when your hardcore character dies, no matter how honest you think you are. Followes the story of my character from my last diary post to when he died.

I started doing the non-violent quests in Khorinis - the talk with Lares and Vatras gets you some exp, the Matteo's gold quest, the blessing for Thorben, information for Garvell, Canthar's favor and so on. When I got past Moe in my farmer's clothes, I totally freaked out. Luckily, he let me walk since I had less than 10 gold coins (you learn a lot of new stuff when playing hardcore, I thought he'd always take my money). To get some easy money, I went to beach where Skip the pirate is. There you can find some clams with pearls inside and I also delivered the rum to Baltram for some nice exp. Everything was going smooth as silk so far.
Next, I decided to spend my LPs on dexterity and one-handed combat. I got the rank of Fighter in one-handed and got my dexterity to 20 so I could use the Sword (you know, the one that requires 20 dex to wear). I also saved some money and got the leather armor and belt. I was so proud of myself, the trouble I had to go through to get it, but it was worth it. No wolf, bloodfly or field raider could dent me and my good knowledge of one-handed and that fast sword made short work of them. I went back to the area with Lester and cleared the forest of all monsters with no probs. To get the skins for Bosper, I took the usual quest with Bartok. When we got to that small hill where wolves start running at you, I decided to stay back and let him do the work. Alas, the wolves ate him alive <sigh>...couldn't find his body though, only the machete. I was able to get the wolf skins though , and sold the machete for some 200 gold coins.
Then with the help of that guard near the easter city gate, I dealt with the mercs on Akil's farm and found the King's Sorrel on the way there. I had everything I needed to become Constantino's apprentice, and so I did (I skipped the Harad's quest). That was the first time I got into Militia at such a low lvl (was lvl 3 at the time). I bought the Militia belt from Hakon and thus had a full suit of Militia armor. I loved it . The feeling you get when you obtain a new armor in hardcore game is indescribable, you just have to live it...
Started doing the militia asignments, found Peck and got his sword and next I wanted to get the swampweed package from the warehouse. Now I knew that the guy guarding it is a badass so I bought two ice arrow scrolls just in case (didn't want to pay more for a stronger spell, now I realize how stupid that was). Those 2 ice arrow scrolls took about a quarter of that guy's health and I managed to get his health down to about a single punch away from death with my sword. I parried most of his blows and then, when I was about to hit him, he just dealt me a critical and the next thing I know, I am lying dead on the floor with my jaw wide open in disbelief. Apparently, the light militia armor and belt wasn't enough for my lvl 4 character. Valuable lesson: do not fight the guy in the warehouse unless you're really up to it! I took my chances and failed...
Also, I noticed that Greg wasn't there by Lobart's farm when I came back to give him the farmer's clothes, so does anyone know if he went by the tavern and does he still need to get into the city? Did I permanently ruin the quest by not talking to him?

Well, that's the end of the line for my wannabe paladin one-handed/magic user. Don't worry though, I'll start over and make another character like this and learn from his mistakes. Shouldn't take too long to get to the point where I was since I'll be skipping all the dialogues.

P.S. I wish you loads of luck with your hardcore character Hellbilly. Don't be discouraged by my stupidity, I am sure it can be done more than ever. I'll be starting over shortly and you keep making progress, I can see you're doing just fine .

[Huntsman]

Huntsman's Hardcore Paladin #2 - Let's try again

Introduction

Game: Gothic 2 Night of the Raven
Desired Class: Militia/Paladin
Build: One handed/Magic

Info: Call me crazy if you like, but I just made another character, just like my previous one that died. My build is the same as the previous one, but my goals have slightly changed. Becoming a paladin asap is now my primary goal because my character is too weak and vulnerable this way, so I'll just try to skip to the paladin part with the help of scrolls. Then I will eliminate the orc population around the VoM castle with paladin spells from safe distance and level a lot that way.

[Bild: newpaladin2iw3.jpg]
[Bild: newpaladin2iw3.9cd464d8f3.jpg]
My character screen

Diary

Last character joined the militia in about 4 hours of playing and died shortly afterwards. This time, I did it in less than an hour . I am lvl 3 and in the militia. I have skipped all the dialogues because I've already heard them once and I did only what I had to do to become a citizen and then join the militia. That means even skipping the area with Lester, I'll get back to it first thing now that I wear the militia armor. This time I also helped Greg get into town, but Bartok managed to die yet again . Oh well...

I can already see what the trouble spots will be in my quick way to the paladins so if anyone has any helpful comments on how to beat them, go ahead.

#1 Getting the information about the ore mined from the mining camps and the scrapers in the VoM. I am thinking potions of speed.

#2 The first seeker behind the door to the pass of Khorinis. I am thinking summon demon scroll or something like that.

#3 And the one where even my more powerful characters always die a couple of times, the seekers at the stone circle who have the eye of innos. Full frontal assault is madness, I'll probably summon loads of beasts from a safe distance. Although by then I will be a paladin (I think). Everything else should be a piece of cake, even the dragons.

[Lazor]

Amazing Idea Huntsman! Congratz Huntsman and Hellbilly for participating. I would participate too but i don't have enought free time lately, but next time i play Gothic i'll try that way. Anyway, i looking forward to the adventures of YOUR characters

Especially how you Huntsman will deal with all those dragons and win the without dieing. And hellbilly with the demons and the sleeper

[Huntsman]

Amazing Idea Huntsman! Congratz Huntsman and Hellbilly for participating. I would participate too but i don't have enought free time lately, but next time i play Gothic i'll try that way. Anyway, i looking forward to the adventures of YOUR characters

Especially how you Huntsman will deal with all those dragons and win the without dieing. And hellbilly with the demons and the sleeper

I am very glad to hear those encouraging words, thanks, it really means a lot to me. BTW, you don't have to make this an obsession, you can just play your hardcore game alongside your normal games and report here from time to time if you want to participate .

About the dragons, I am thinking...Cipher and Ron ...then a Shrink scroll ... then two Summon demon scrolls combined with paladin runes ...should suffice.

[Lazor]

I can't play sooo hardcore if i haven't a lot of free time and enjoy it

About the dragons thing, hope the spells gonna work and nothing go wrong

[Hellbilly]

DIARY

Getting the miner's clothes was in the end a piece of cake. There are two molerats in the opening (and the wolf), and after having killed the one closer to the entrance I was in for a scare as all of the sudden the wolf turned on its heels coming directly my way... to eat the carcass of the molerat. Phew, I was able to run past it.

En route I had learned one-handed level 2 from Scatty, and with my crude sword I felt ready to take on Kirgo once I'd built up a bit of strength. To do that, I took on some wolves, completed the remaining Swamp Camp quests and spent all learning points on strength.

I challenged Kirgo to a match. The fight was even, blow after blow was dealt out and for a moment I was sure I was going to win, until Kirgo got a few lucky blows in, my defense was badly timed... and before I knew it I hit the deck, defeated and humiliated.

Oh well, let's get the humiliations over with I thought, and challenged Kharim. It's only gonna cost me the shreds of my pride. Three blows, I was down... and the bastard looted me! He took over 300 pieces of my hard earned ore with him. Argh. But, well, what can you do? No second chances. At least I got Scatty's respect for taking on the brute, and that's something.

That being over with, I headed to the new camp to join Lares' rogues. I took the long route, clearing up some animals on the way, gathering meat to cook and sell to earn a little money to compensate for what was taken, and to get some XP. To my delight I found out that even a pack of wolves is only a minor threat to me; I'd had some hair-raisers fighting lizards and bloodflies, almost dying a couple of times. Luck's been with me.

I still don't feel like taking on Lefty, so I snuck past him and before going to Lares took down the Dam Lurker. Not wanting to risk it, I used a fireball scroll to take the critter. A safe but boring method. Safe's the keyword.

I joined Lares' rogues, and en route to the Swamp Camp to find out what's going on there, I delivered a message to the Fire Magicians (I gave the letter from outside to them already earlier, took the mana potion as reward). I took a nice screenshot of it:

[Bild: gothic_1_diary_002.jpg]

I will try to level up as much as possible before it's time to go to the orc cemetary. Minecrawlers are tough but rather easy to take on, but the first few orcs usually give me a tough time. Got to level up as much as possible, raise strength and see to it that I have the best one-handed weapon I can. And spell scrolls.

@Huntsman:
A shame that your adventure came to such an abrupt end. That guard's given me a lot of headache in the past... when it's time for G2 I will make sure to avoid him until I'm sure I can take him on!

[Huntsman]

I can't play sooo hardcore if i haven't a lot of free time and enjoy it

About the dragons thing, hope the spells gonna work and nothing go wrong

I wouldn't worry much about that as much as the three trouble spots I've mentioned in one of my previous posts. Thanks again.

[Huntsman]

Another very interesting diary post Hellbilly, keep it up, you're doing much better than me so far. After my first character has died, I've managed to make another one and join the militia pretty fast as you can see. Now I have to be much more careful.

Those are some interesting screenshots that you're taking, they're spicing up your diary . I will try to follow your example and post some of my own.

Orc cemetery sounds afwully scary, make sure you'll well prepared for it.

The more I play the hardcore way, the more I think that's how Gothic was really meant to play. It certainly is the most enjoyable, but also the most stresfull and dissapointing when you fail. Anyway, one important lesson is: Never have mercy on your enemies and do not hesitate to use overpowering spells, armor and weapons.

[Dez]

hellbilly do you know that you can drop your ore down or put it in the chest before duels? just a precautionary measure if you ask me...you don't carry your whole wealth with you irl..so why would you do such thing in gothic?

otherwise its wonderfull to keep an eye on your both progress through g1 and g2 Huntsman i agree..never give the enemy the advantage and never show mercy in the wrong spot. And don't be too afraid to run off!!! Btw if you dare to challenge the bandit guard in the harbour use ICE BLOCK scroll. and other scrolls...

This thread is so great that I nearly installed g1 on my pc just after reading your stories..Maybe i'll do it in the future. But I will let you guys know when i do it.

[Black Sphere]

My compliments Huntsman, you set this thread as it should be set!

I enjoyed reading both yours and Hellbilly's adventures (thou Hellbilly's a bit less because I'm trying to foget as much as possible about G1 to play it next time as 'blank' as possible, and only because of that ). Just one little hint Huntsman; in your first adventure you've started well and you were well armed and armored but I think you had a little too less Hitpoints to withstand more than one critical hit in some serious duel (like with that harbour warehouse guard - you had equally strong weapon, not to mention armour, but you were far inferior regarding the Hitpoints). So ,,, gain the levels as much as you can (as you know each time you get +12 hitpoints), also buy a Life amulet from Zuris (+40 hitpoints), it helps quite alot at the start, when you lack a Hitpoints, look for the rings which add to your armor (one you can find in the nature near some corpse/sceleton -if you don't know where I won't tell you- and the other you can gain from Valentino when you beat him (shouldn't be much of a problem)), you can also buy relatively quickly in the game a +10 armour amulet (can't currently remember where - from who)..

And couple of general tips for ya hard core players:

- Take it slowly. In such playing in one hour of playing usually you don't do-achieve much; such playing is a slow 'process'. If I said the pleasure in such playing can be multiplied by three, then the playing time can be multiplied by five or even more.

- If you think or feel some task can be currently too hard or too risky then skip it e.g. leave it for the times when you'll be able to complete it. Usually the tasks do 'awaits' for you.



As I said I'm playing all my adventures on such a manner, and I'm playing my current adventure for some time now, so I don't feel like to end this and to start a new one so I'll start from where I am now:

Introduction:

Game: Gothic 2 Night of the Raven
Class: Fire Mage
Build: Magic / Two Handed

Info: My character is strictly focused on the art of Magic. I'm investing my Learning points regarding the main skills only in Mana and Two-handed Fighting Skills (only up to 60% - master level, from here on I do help myself with magic tablets), other atributs I'm raising solely with the outside help (praying at shrines, eating dragonroots and goblin berries, drinking potions, using magic tablets, amulets, rings, belts ... )

It was quite hard at the beginning as you can't use the magic that much, and there's no good two hander and I don't invest my Learning points into Strength (I used a Belt Of Strength and a Fighting Pike till I joined the monastery). The only weapon I'll had it thru the whole game will be a Magic Wand (55 dam, +20 mana, 25 mana to wear it), except if by any chance I'll reach such a high strength level (as I said I'm not investing any Learning points in it) that I'll be able to wear a better weapon. Which I doubt it.

I've just entered a Chapter 2, and I'm about to bring the last ornament to the Water Mages which I just get from Lord Hagen, and I'm about to go in Jharkendar to collect some easy Learning points as I collected all or most of them in Khorinis which I was able and dare to, I'm still too weak or better saying it's too risky to take an Orc Warrior (I attacked one in the woods near the lighthouse and the cave destilery when I went to 'collect' the snappers there and I became too cocky as those snappers were an easy pray, and I quickly realised 'it's too early'; I barely escaped alive), not to mention the Vargs or the Shadowbeasts. Here's a picture of 'me' just leaving from Lord Hagen (sorry for the bad weather).


[Bild: g1_1_1.jpg]


and here are my current stats:

[Bild: g1_2_1.jpg]


As it can be seen I have some unused Learning points; I have an interesting dilemma; now when I'm praying at shrines I'm receiving +1 Mana, so I would like to fill the Mana level up to 60 as quickly as possible to waste as little Learning points for it as possible later; I dont' want to fill it till 60 with Mana from the shrines and then to spend 15 Learning points for 5 Mana if I can now spend 10 Learning points for 5 Mana and then fill it with Mana from the shrines (note that 20 Mana cames from the weapon, so in fact I have 36 Mana there). But I'm in no hurry to distribute those Learning points right now (I'm in hurry to collect required amount of Learning points (40-50) as quickly as possible), I don't need much Mana yet so those learning points can wait in 'reserve'. I'm also saving all dark mushrooms and mana tablets and mana boost potions for later; I'll use them when I'll have 90+ Mana e.g. I'll need 25 Learning points for 5 Mana.

Maybe I'll write some postcard from Jharkendar.

See ya!

[Huntsman]

Welcome aboard Black Sphere, it's good to have an experienced hardcore player in the crew §welcome!

My compliments Huntsman, you set this thread as it should be set!

As I have already said, such compliments do mean a whole lot to me...thank you .

First of all, thanks for the hints, although that thing with the hitpoints kind of came into my head on it's own after my first character's death. I truly admire you, the mere thought of playing hardcore with a magician makes me crap my pants . I thought it was impossible, but obviously you've proved me wrong (lvl 14, wow!). Can't wait for more of your diary posts.

If you don't mind my asking, how did you defeat the stone sentinels? With magic I suppose? I don't dare go near them...

It's a good thing that you're saving your LPs by praying, eating plants and reading stone tablets. If I were you, I'd go to the castle in the VoM and level there by throwing spells at orcs from the ram. And if you have a way to make quick money, pray at the shrines of Innos regularly to get 10str, 10dex and 20mana.

Good luck, show those Jharkendar monsters what you're made of .

P.S. My new diary update coming soon, I've some nice progress, you'll see.

[Huntsman]

Diary

Level: 7
Guild: Militia

Today was a good day for my HC Gothic character. I have done some asignments for Lord Andre, but also managed to screw up a few quests like finding the weed dealer (I rated out Nadja to Borka, stupid me!). What could've been solved by a simple reload in a normal game, became a failed quest here. But it felt much more real, and I actually liked failing a quest after a while.

Oh, I almost forgot. I have a little surprise in stock for you...they say a picture is worth a thousand words ...

[Bild: sobvl9.jpg]

Thanks for the Ice Block tip, Dez. That guard was a tough nut to crack, even though he was frozen for 19 seconds. I couldn't deal him a single critical and he almost unfroze before I managed to kill him in time, but luck was on my side this time.

The rest of the day I spent in killing every bloodfly, field raider and wolf I could find (those respawned in chapter 2 also). Collecting mushrooms and selling them to Constantino (yes, I know about the mana the murky mushrooms give you, but I need the money) proved to be a wise choice, he pays really well.

When I got enough money, I spoke to Lord Hagen and headed to the VoM. Jergan helped me take care of the lurkers on the way to castle - I don't want to risk anything with them just yet, especially because I only have a bandit's rapier. Then came the most frightening moment of the day - getting into the castle with one snapperweed. The speed up ran out pretty quickly and before I knew it, I had 5 orcs about an inch behind me. I thought that was it, but they gave up the chase (they must be out of shape ).

The happiness overwhelmed me when I got into the castle, it was like that first time I played Gothic 2. I felt so safe with all those paladins and fellow militia men protecting me. With the money I had I bought the heavy militia armor from Engor. All I can say is, it's a damn good piece - with the militia belt I have 80/80/15/15 protection. I decided to become a little stronger before I go find the scrapers and the ore so I teleported out of the castle and back into Khorinis.

I followed the road to the pyramids and the excavation site, and I found many useful things there that I can sell. When I collect enough gold I will go and buy the Master Sword, at least for safekeeping until I get 60dex and so I can finally talk to Martin. Level up is near too.

This is it for today, here are some closing images of my character in my heavy militia armor where I left him. Tomorrow I plan to level enough to use a good crossbow and level even more by killing orcs near the castle with it. I feel like the Knight's armor and the paladin runes are getting closer and closer...

[Bild: untitledbs1.jpg]
[Bild: charscreengh5.jpg]

P.S. Why are my screenshots so dark?

[Hellbilly]

Diary

Keeping in mind my attempt to level up as much as possible, once I'd retrieved the Focus for the Swamp Camp I roamed the forests killing animals, keeping sure I stay far from the orc dogs and the shadowbeast, taking the long road back to the New Camp. Preparing for the hunt of the Minecrawler nest, I bought the best armor I can get at the moment (heavy rogue armor, or whatever it is called) and the best weapon I could find, plus invested all my LP's into strength. Right now I have 70 strength, and I'll raise it up all the way into 100 and then start saving LP's for magic circles and mana; when the time comes for the decision to be made, I will have to see whether I think it'd be wiser to concentrate on magic, or invest LP's in two-handed combat.

Minecrawlers are a piece of cake: two hits and they're down. I'm not expecting much trouble with the nest.

Another screenshot, this one taken on a rainy day (again):
[Bild: gothic_1_diary_003.jpg]

hellbilly do you know that you can drop your ore down or put it in the chest before duels? just a precautionary measure if you ask me...you don't carry your whole wealth with you irl..so why would you do such thing in gothic?

Because in Gothic you don't have Visa Electron or credit cards

[Bastardo]

(sorry for my english today)
I picked the challenge but I don't know if it's a good thing to post such a pityful loss

Death at level : 2
Spot : Secret valley
Killed by : Myself…

After the routine at Xardas tower, I killed the fearsome sheep and the goblin at the falls, then picked the bow. I decided to enter on my own risk in the cave nearby, to enter the secret valley and collect the sword in the tomb. There I slayed the goblin at the entrance and the 3 goblins at the fire, that almost killed me. Then I picked a fight with one of the field raiders (are they called like this in english version? Anyway, the screaming big bugs) and won. I decided to slay also the second, but unfortunately he managed to give me 1 or 2 critical hits, so I escaped, in the valley direction, but when arrived at the exit, I turned back and continue fighting. After all, if I continued dodging & attack, that bug would be history. I’ve done exactly like that, but while dodging in panic, I fall down in the valley! DEATH BY SUICIDE!

This one was just a little attempt, maybe I'll do someting serious next time.

[Huntsman]

@Bastardo_90

Hello and welcome , don't worry about that hardcore character. After all, he didn't get very far so there's not much to be sorry about, just start over. BTW, falling of a cliff isn't such an unusual death, especially the one near the secret valley where Lester is. Whenever I go down that road, I walk slowly instead of run. Several of my normal characters died that way, but then it wasn't such a big deal - in hardcore game, it is.

Here are some tips to get you started with your next hardcore character:

1. Pick up everything in Xardas' tower.
2. Kill just the goblin on your left near the waterfall and take the scrolls hidden in the trees. Skip the are with Lester for now, you can come back to it when you're stronger. You can kill the wolf in the road without problems too.
3. Pick up the plants on the way to Cavalorn and let him deal with the goblins. There are also some scrolls behind the boxes near the cliff close to Cavalorn.
4. Let Cavalorn deal with the bandits that have been troubling him by himself. Make sure you take the sword from one of the bandits.
5. Work for Lobart and get the farmer's clothes.
6. Do not attack the bloodflies and wolves near Lobart's farm just yet. Too many of them.
7. Take Canthar's paper to enter the city because you'll be needing the money.
8. Give the farmer's clothes to Greg.
9. That should get you started; do all the non-violent quests in the city and get enough money to buy leather armor and belt. Good luck!

P.S. You should also read my diary posts .