We finally got around to facing Laiken.
We made it all the way through the Dep Ore Mine with no probs. Using the same proven tactics as before. Even the Battle with Alutiig wasn't bad at all. It took a little time, but no more than the others really. Sonoura stayed at the top of the stairs and put on a ring to boost Charm. Charming both of the Gobs summoned by Al, she runs down to join in the fun. It was like a big blue pinata at a kids birthday party, and everybody was taking turns. Being 5 on 1, there was nothing he could do.
After clearing the OF, from everything we could access, I turned in the quest for Crabbe. That put us just over lvl 23. I done some exploring and looting chests that were left over in the valley and the island. The chests through the tower and the OF were left for later, to save space in my inventory, as I would still have access to them after the tower.
On the Island, I was able to make it up on the ridges for some extra loot chests and made my way around to the ridge on the right of the entrance, as you face the island in the first encounter with her. I remember getting up there from D2:ED, but this location had a posted notice that I don't remember (again, big surprise there) being there.
With everything done, it was time. Still with lvl 10 stats, and 48 in reserve along with 10 skill pts, we went to see Razakel...
The encounter with "Little Ms Lisp" was no contest. Sassan, Jr and Dino kept the Sum Abomos at bay, while Sonoura worked her magic and was able to blind Lispy. As Lispy was gettn' her stiches removed, one of the Abomos ran over to aid her. One quick shot of Charm and he was sent back.
Razi got in a couple of shots as she charmed his minions, but after a health pot and some dodging, he gave up. Sonoura sent the guys away to recharge and waited for her mana to go up after calling back Jr. Not actually having a real gameplan down, I told Sassan to call anybody she could. In previous playthroughs, I always had her to heal me while I zoned in on Razi. I created a save at this point and prepared myself to add stat/skills for what was surly going to be bad.
I thought about the mindread for the chest and remembered that Lai's sword had +2 Sum Mst. That might come in handy for later. When the action started, it was like a friggn' BAR-ROOM-BRAWL!!
With Sassan, Sonoura and Razi, all summoning, there were creatures running EVERYWHERE! You couldn't tell Rex from the others (good or bad), Dino from Razi or whatever! There name tags were flashing like strobes, so targeting was neer impossible. Sonoura was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Other than the occasional Charm or Blind, it was a lot of jumping, dodging, playing Ring-Around-The-Rosy with the throne and taking cover from corner to corner, all the while slamming pots.
At one point she ended up trying to take cover, behind the cage located on your left as the fight starts, and realizes that you CANNOT TARGET THROUGH THE CAGE! One step back and a quick flip and "Little Ms Sweet Briches" is untouchable. Now it's after the three min mark and pots are gettn' low. She stands there and waits for everything to recharge, as Jr and Rex go down. By now Sassan's guy or guys is grouped at the throne with Lai and Razi. Sonoura flips out of the cage, keeping it between her and the throne, and calls Dino while Jr's cooldown resets. This of course, draws an Abomo and he get turned around with charm. Now it's another flip back in the cage to wait for Jr. As she waits, I noticed a gap in the corner of the cage, facing the throne. Sometimes Razi or Lai would flash for a brief moment when there was a clear shot.
From previously using Mag Mis on locked targets, held from cover, I could use this...
Another flip out of the cage and she called Jr, and a fresh Rex to fill in for Dino with a 25% health bar. A quick chug of a mana pot, and the now approaching, Abomo was turned around with a little Charm. Jumping back into the cage, you couldn't hardly tell who or what was going on at that throne, but it was fun to watch.
With Dino waiting in cooldown I was able to pick out Razi. He slipped into targeting for a brief moment through the gap in the cage. Long enough for me to get a lock, and it was spam, spam, spam and Razi goes down. The fight was by far the longest (roughly 5-6 min) and most challenging yet, (until the cage part) with this character. Closely comparing it to the final fight of D2:ED on my first playthrough.
What started out as a gag, playing just for kicks and posed doubts of ever going anywhere, has turned into my favorite character of all, bar none.
Having made it to the tower, half naked and gimped with lvl 10 stats, I have no doubt Sonoura and the gang will provide several more hours of humor and enjoyment.
I was bitter and disappointed when the demo came out, BUT because of this forum and the people in it, I gave it another chance and made a complete turn around.
So thanks to you guys and a BIG THANKS TO LARIAN for a great game.
