12-05-2003, 02:30 AM
Do it with a paladin who has an appropriate very defensive aura for the area (salvation and resist fire often work well since imps do fire damage--although other guest monsters might indicate a different preferred aura). A high level defiance merc might also help. Or a Druid who uses an oak sage (and makes sure it is up). A barbarian who uses BO as soon as possible can also help. Of course, all three together are even better. All three need to have high investments to get large areas covered and significant bonuses (ie level 15 to 20 plus skill adders (say 23 to 30 effective) are expected--but then this is late hell, so characters should have such investments beyond their primary skill). The 1 point utility versions might give an edge if you're close, but aren't going to give massive help.
One idea I've never tried would be to surround the cage in bone walls (or perhaps even fill the area with bone prisons).
I've never found the quest particularly hard to do. I don't know if casting summonables inside the cage would help (basically providing meat shields/distractions for at least some of the attacks). The shadow master's ability to teleport probably makes her less than ideal in this role...
Also, I find this quest is much better done either alone or in a party where everyone in the game is working on the quest as a real team. As soon as anyone spots a likely cage location, back off and start killing the monsters in an area around the cage before getting close. This should reduce the number of monsters that need to be killed near the cage.
As far as the failed quest reward, I remember from 1.07 or so that there are issues with exactly what is required to receive credit for the quest. Something about having to be close to every gate when the first? last? barbarian enters it? I don't recall what the required triggers were anymore--you might try searching the archives. My vague memory was that the problem was never "fixed" just people finally got sufficiently good equipment they could just rush up...
One idea I've never tried would be to surround the cage in bone walls (or perhaps even fill the area with bone prisons).
I've never found the quest particularly hard to do. I don't know if casting summonables inside the cage would help (basically providing meat shields/distractions for at least some of the attacks). The shadow master's ability to teleport probably makes her less than ideal in this role...
Also, I find this quest is much better done either alone or in a party where everyone in the game is working on the quest as a real team. As soon as anyone spots a likely cage location, back off and start killing the monsters in an area around the cage before getting close. This should reduce the number of monsters that need to be killed near the cage.
As far as the failed quest reward, I remember from 1.07 or so that there are issues with exactly what is required to receive credit for the quest. Something about having to be close to every gate when the first? last? barbarian enters it? I don't recall what the required triggers were anymore--you might try searching the archives. My vague memory was that the problem was never "fixed" just people finally got sufficiently good equipment they could just rush up...
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Ebony Flame
Ebony Flame