"Maybe this time" [NO-RELOAD THREAD]: "The Tale of TEN THOUSAND Trials"

In the depths of the old bioware forums, there are arcane threads hundreds of pages long and eons old that recount the travails of countless adventurers that tried to get through the entire trilogy without reloading. There are also already several excellent threads by @semiticgod @Blackraven and many others detailing their no-reload challenges. I suggest that we share our no-reload/trilogy attempts in a common thread. Bioware forums show that there is synergy in such combined threads that keep solidarity far beyond the attempts of single adventurers. Here are some suggested rules for a trilogy run that I use [adjust your own to taste and announce]: 1. no-reload [otherwise, there is no point] 2. SCS [I recommend the following setup for both BGEE/BG2EE: full AI improvements; improved encounters only without rule-changes to monsters; NO insta-buff mages -- full SCS *will* kill you, if not trimmed as such reasonably.] (SR would be great, but it is still in beta.) 3. no "munchkining" [personal taste, of course] a. fair rolls for stats [i.e. don't touch the +/- buttons; re-roll if you want to] b. no meta-game abuse [e.g. using a thief to scout is fine, but don't buff up for an ambush you couldn't have known about] c. no EEkeeper abuse [I like making my FMC human for flavor, but it is perhaps overkill to make a Dwarven Defender/Mage with +++++ in Axes...] d. "Do unto the AI as you would have the AI do unto you." Basically, avoid doing things that AI is incapable of. Example: As per the discussion in the following link, I do not permit myself to use Sequencers mid combat. They are no longer an obvious first choice for a Sorcerer. (Casting 3 spells a round really breaks the balance.) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/44257/7-3x4-8-3x6-9-3x8 4. Any party size, solo or full team. Role play strongly-encouraged (and without such a gameplay theme, I loose interest in my own runs usually). (If you wanna skip BG and start in BG2 it's also fine. My own OCD usually requires me to start from the very beginning, but I suppose this is impractical.) Personally, in a decade of trying, I never finished a trilogy run (although did get as far Ch. 3 in BG2). I have seen others succeed in completing, so it is surely possible. Entries welcomed! -- [Edit] There other excellent threads including great advice, some transfered from Bioware forums. - The following is an advice & support thread by @Alesia_BH : https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/66243/ -- The following are the archived content from the old Bioware forum no-reload threads from @Serg_BlackStrider Baldur's Gate 1 No-Reload Challenge. Baldur's Gate 2 No-Reload Challenge. The Adventurer's Lounge: Guidance and Support for No Reload Challengers- Newbie or Veteran. http://blackstrider.net/forum_bioware_arhiv/The_Lounge_Arhiv/forum.bioware.com/topic/560248-the-adventurers-lounge-guidance-and-support-for-no-reload-challengers-newbie-or-veteran/index.html -- "Hall of Heroes" Trilogy No-Reload Success Stories (compiled by @Arctodus and others; see below for a similar list from old Bioware forums) (click on the spoiler tag to see list) [spoiler] Ankiseth the Cavalier : @proghead3 Notable mods : none Difficulty : Core Start and finish (March 2014) David the Gnome Fighter/Illusionist : @MacHurto Notable mods : none (?) Difficulty : Core (?) Start (March 2014) Finish (May 2014) Sir Gawain the Fighter : @CharlestonianTemplar Notable mods : HardTimes-v2; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges) Difficulty : Core (?) Start (August 2014) Finish (November 2015) Anselm, the Blackguard : @Gotural Notable mods : SCS-v30 (full prebuff and encounters); Rogue Rebalancing; aTweaks Difficulty : Core rule, must kill everything Start (April, 2015) Finish (January, 2016) Grond0, the Sunsoul Monk : @Grond0 Notable mods : none Difficulty : Core Start and Finish (March 2016) Goibniu, the Paladin : @Enuhal Notable mods : none Difficulty : core Start (August 2016) Finish (October 2016) Grond0, the Fighter --> Thief : @Grond0 Notable mods : none Difficulty : Core Start and finish (October 2016) Sodof, the Dragon Disciple : @Grond0 (and Gnoria, the Barbarian : @Gate70 ) Notable mods : none Difficulty : core Start (February 2017) Finish (March 2017) Chara the Alchemist: @semiticgod Notable mods: "basically everything" ("SCS and Ascension including full pre-buffing and universal HLAs"; "major rule changes like Scales of Balance") (BG1 run begins here and ends here) (SoD run begins here and ends here) (SoA run begins here and ends here) (ToB run begins here and ends here) Frisk, the Seducer: @semiticgod BG1, SoD, SoA, ToB Notable mods: Enhanced Edition Trilogy, SCS v30, Ascension, Seducer Kit for Thieves v1.21 "Solo": No party members except those from Seduction Difficulty: Core Parts 1-14: [spoiler] https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906323/#Comment_906323 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906475/#Comment_906475 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906551/#Comment_906551 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906569/#Comment_906569 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906591/#Comment_906591 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906702/#Comment_906702 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906799/#Comment_906799 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906869/#Comment_906869 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906993/#Comment_906993 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907021/#Comment_907021 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907034/#Comment_907034 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907058/#Comment_907058 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907214/#Comment_907214 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/907247/#Comment_907247 [/spoiler] Cromarty the Gallant (Might & Guile) Party run through BG1, SoD, BG2, & ToB Notable Mods: BWS installs with SCS for BG1, Quest Pack AI for BG2, and Spell Revisions all the way through. Difficulty: Core Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/869163#Comment_869163 (April 2017) Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/910133/#Comment_910133 (October 2017) Frisky Bits the Dragon Disciple: @semiticgod Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Wheels of Prophecy, various BG1 encounter mods Difficulty: Core Poverty run: cannot spend any gold except to complete quests; cannot use any items except for (1) quest items, and only for their intended purposes, and (2) items the player creates him or herself, such as Goodberries or Minute Meteors (BG1 run begins here and here and ends here; text only) (SoD run begins here and ends here; text only) (BG1 and SoD screenshots here) (SoA run begins here and ends here) (ToB run begins here and ends here) Arbogast, the Totemic Druid: @Enuhal Notable mods: None Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Starting and finishing posts for the specific parts of the tetralogy: [spoiler]BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/902929/#Comment_902929 BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904835/#Comment_904835 SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904866/#Comment_904866 SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906579/#Comment_906579 BG2 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906698/#Comment_906698 BG2 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/909375/#Comment_909375 ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/909665/#Comment_909665 ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/914548/#Comment_914548 [/spoiler] Baroque, Human Skald Notable mods: Rogue rebalancing, SCS (no prebuffs, some tactical challenges), Divine Remix, Item Revisions Restrictions: Pacifism from Baroque (1 mistake) Difficulty: Core Enhanced Editions, no SoD though. BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904548#Comment_904548 BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/905708#Comment_905708 SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/906755#Comment_906755 SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/911765#Comment_911765 ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/913822#Comment_913822 ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/915345#Comment_915345 Frisk the Archer/Mage: @semiticgod Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Wheels of Prophecy, Universal Archer Kit, Better Stat Drain Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Mode Special: Solo Run (First mention of run begins around here ; no screenshots) Parts 0-31, with screenshots: [spoiler] https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947255/#Comment_947255 (beginning of the run) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947276/#Comment_947276 (Nashkel mines) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947307/#Comment_947307 (Rieltar) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947362/#Comment_947362 (Ducal Palace) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947548/#Comment_947548 (Sarevok) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947554/#Comment_947554 (SoD) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947597/#Comment_947597 (Bridgefort) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/947796/#Comment_947796 (Coalition Camp Invasion) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/949716/#Comment_949716 (Siege of Dragonspear Castle) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/949761/#Comment_949761 (Death at Belhifet) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950308/#Comment_950308 (Starting over from BG1) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950505/#Comment_950505 (SoD again) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950602/#Comment_950602 (Death at Coalition Camp Invasion) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950716/#Comment_950716 (Starting over from BG1) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950754/#Comment_950754 (SoD again; died at Durlag's Tower) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/950926/#Comment_950926 (Starting over from BG1) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951346/#Comment_951346 (SoD again) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951716/#Comment_951716 (Belhifet) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951726/#Comment_951726 (Belhifet) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/951937/#Comment_951937 (Belhifet) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/952341/#Comment_952341 (BG2) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/953458/#Comment_953458 (Suldanessellar) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/953877/#Comment_953877 (Irenicus) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954150/#Comment_954150 (ToB) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954386/#Comment_954386 (Abazigal's Lair) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/954982/#Comment_954982 (Abazigal) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955246/#Comment_955246 (Sendai's Lair) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955366/#Comment_955366 (Sendai) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955558/#Comment_955558 (Throne of Bhaal) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955608/#Comment_955608 (Throne of Bhaal) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955725/#Comment_955725 (Throne of Bhaal) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/955736/#Comment_955736 (Retrospective) [/spoiler] Brunash the Halfling Enchanter : @Flashburn Full Tetrology Run Notable mods : SCS v30 (only in BG2; long-duration mage/priest prebuffs only, no Tactics challenges except Original Tactics Improved Bodhi), BP Ascension v15 BETA; aTweaks, Rogue Rebalancing, More Style for Mages, Tweaks Anthology, NPC_EE, Golem Construction, Item Upgrade, Oversight (monk HLAs), Coran Difficulty : Core Start (November 2017) Finish (March 2018) Trabb the Cleric/Mage: @histamiini Notable mods: SCS, Ascension Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Mode Special: Solo Run Beginning (February 8, 2018) Ending (March 14, 2018) Nukesalot the Chaos Sorcerer : @Flashburn Full Tetrology Run Notable mods: SCS v30 (only in BG2; long-duration mage/priest prebuffs only, no Tactics challenges except Original Tactics Improved Bodhi), BP Ascension v1.5 BETA; Chaos Sorcerer v2.4, Golem Construction v5.3, More Style for Mages v1.54, Item Upgrade, aTweaks, Rogue Rebalancing, Tweaks Anthology Difficulty: Insane (extra damage disabled) Special: Solo Run Start (March 2018) Finish (May 2018) Rikai, the Totemic Druid: @Enuhal Notable mods: None Difficulty: Core BG1/SoD: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994086/#Comment_994086 SoA: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994376/#Comment_994376 ToB: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/994949/#Comment_994949 Nabatil, the half-elven Skald: @Enuhal Notable mods: SCS, Ascension, JimFix Difficulty: Core rules Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1005442/#Comment_1005442 (August 2018) Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1016227/#Comment_1016227 (October 2018) Poppy the Druid/Mage: @semiticgod Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension, Faith and powers Difficulty: Core Special: Solo Run BG1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018828/#Comment_1018828 SoD: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018963/#Comment_1018963 SoA: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018982/#Comment_1018982 ToB part 1: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1018990/#Comment_1018990 ToB part 2: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1019005/#Comment_1019005 Arinja II, the Fighter/Mage/Thief: @Enuhal Notable mods: None Difficulty: Core rules Special: Solo run Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1022669/#Comment_1022669 (October 2018) Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023930/#Comment_1023930 (November 2018) Grond0, the Dwarven Defender: @Grond0 Notable mods: none Difficulty: core rules Special: solo run Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1032364/#Comment_1032364 (December 2018) Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1036908/#Comment_1036908 (December 2018) Cephalus, the Beastmaster: @Enuhal Notable mods: None Difficulty: Insane Special: Fully randomized party Start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1028046/#Comment_1028046 (November 2018) Finish: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1040636/#Comment_1040636 (January 2019) Frisky Bits the Fighter/Mage/Cleric: @semiticgod Notable mods: EET, SCS, Ascension Difficulty: Core BG1 beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023077/#Comment_1023077 BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023095/#Comment_1023095 SoD beginning and end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023195/#Comment_1023195 SoA beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1023525/#Comment_1023525 SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1039926/#Comment_1039926 ToB beginning: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1040545/#Comment_1040545 ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1046293/#Comment_1046293 Frisky Bits the Shadowdancer: @semiticgod Notable mods: SCS, Ascension, ATweaks Difficulty: Core Special: Solo Run [spoiler] BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051012/#Comment_1051012 BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051116/#Comment_1051116 SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051159/#Comment_1051159 SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1051306/#Comment_1051306 SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1052093/#Comment_1052093 SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1053103/#Comment_1053103 ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1053462/#Comment_1053462 ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1055379/#Comment_1055379 [/spoiler] Espellier the Archer: @semiticgod Notable mods: SCS, Ascension Difficulty: Core Special: Solo Run [spoiler] BG1 start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1055575/#Comment_1055575 BG1 end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056033/#Comment_1056033 SoD start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056156/#Comment_1056156 SoD end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056281/#Comment_1056281 SoA start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1056829/#Comment_1056829 SoA end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057087/#Comment_1057087 ToB start: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057313/#Comment_1057313 ToB end: https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1057365/#Comment_1057365 [/spoiler] Triss the Fighter/Illusionist: @histamiini Notable mods: SCS v32 rc10, Ascension, LoB Saving Throw Fix Difficulty: Legacy of Bhaal Special: Solo Run, v2.5 update (includes -11 AC in LoB mode) [spoiler]Start https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1062015/#Comment_1062015 BG1 Chapter 1-3 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1062164/#Comment_1062164 Chapter 4-7 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1063114/#Comment_1063114 Chapter 7-12 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1063448/#Comment_1063448 BG2 Prologue https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1064165/#Comment_1064165 Chapter 1-3 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1064491/#Comment_1064491 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1065200/#Comment_1065200 Chapter 4 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1065835/#Comment_1065835 Chapter 5 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066132/#Comment_1066132 Chapter 6 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066319/#Comment_1066319 Chapter 7-8 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066442/#Comment_1066442 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066550/#Comment_1066550 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066638/#Comment_1066638 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066683/#Comment_1066683 Chapter 8-9 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066838/#Comment_1066838 https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1066925/#Comment_1066925 Final Battle https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1067789/#Comment_1067789 [/spoiler] [/spoiler] The old Bioware Hall of Fame (from Serg_BlackStrider): (The full list exceeds the post length limit here; see the original comment by @Serg_BlackStrider below) https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/904216#Comment_904216 Classes and kits still missing from the combined Hall of Heroes: Ranger Stalker Undead Hunter Cleric Priest of Helm Priest of Talos Priest of Tempus Priest of Tyr Shapeshifter Avenger All Specialist Mages (except Wild Mage and Enchanter) Thief Bounty Hunter Shadow Dancer Bard Dark Moon Monk Shaman Fighter/Druid (has been done as a dual, but not as a multi) Cleric/Ranger List of Honorable Mentions (from Arctodus):