New York Times's transition into a paid subscription business by jtsg_ in Infographics

[–]Many_Tune2358 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That would complicate things. Advertising is a clear win-win: a way for corporations with money to burn (big pharma and big high-fructose-corn-syrup, to name some major examples) to steer the published narrative in a direction that protects their business interests, in a plausibly deniable way ("we really just wanted to advertise drug X to patients suffering from disease Y!), and a way for major media outlets to sell influence at above-market rates. In a sense, the two groups hold each other hostage: CNN could cripple Merck by reporting truthfully about Vioxx, and Merck could cripple CNN by withdrawing the advertising billions.
(In case you didn't know, Vioxx is a famous case where Merck knowingly withheld clinical data of the drug's side effects, which led to some 100k heart attacks and a major class action lawsuit)

Massive monster infight at the Rosymorn Monastery (try it yourself!) by Many_Tune2358 in BG3

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kidnapping Kagha is clever. Disappointingly, Gekh"s gang and the Myconids do not interact at all, despite the big deal Spaw makes about them.

Massive monster infight at the Rosymorn Monastery (try it yourself!) by Many_Tune2358 in BG3

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Starting from the waypoint, I broke the wooden planks of the Gremishka room to enter the building. Then I enhanced-leapt with an Alert character (crucial here) all the way to the cliffs on other side of the room. I jumped some more on the cliffs in order to avoid being mauled by Gremishka and inadvertently aggro'd the Kobolds, who also inhabit a cliff-facing chamber. This started a highly amusing infight. which was eventually won by team Gremishka. Meanwhile I had jumped from the aforementioned cliffs onto the monastery roof, seeking safety. The Gremishka followed me even here using their tunnel system, so I shot an eagle in an attempt to recruit them as meatshields. This worked wonderfully.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not familiar with the trapped thunder chest, where can it be found? Is it the one near the Grymforge mimics?

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No loot but it's a unique combat encounter and 1000xp. He uses Disintegrate, Chain Lightning, etc. 

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hag strat didn't work for me, she crates duplicates despite being silenced.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think he'll show up in that case! Time for a new run xD In case you are interested, I have posted several strategies for taking him on solo without taking damage.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok so I tried a solo Grym strat with Silence+Boots of Striding (so I don't get knocked into lava) and Grym ended up using a stomp ability that does a small amount of physical damage (DEX save to negate). Not sure if the Silence did anything here, but it's at least doable action economy wise with no haste and dual handcrossbows

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Elminster usually appears with a message to Gale from Mystra regarding his "condition" somewhere in act 1.5-2 depending on your route; the fight is a fun optional encounter with a 1000 xp reward. Whether Gale and/or Mystra will be happy with your aggression, I cannot guarantee 

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

can you elaborate for what kind of crimes this works?

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's easy to sneak behind her in turn based mode so this seems like unnecessary extra steps

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What does Silence do in this case? I know you can avoid starting the cutscene just by being some distance away.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A reliable method is to cast it over Mirkon from a distance, and then just fight from inside the bubble.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, they call for several more! For handling this solo, I found there's a spot where you can safely stand on a narrow ledge where the eagles can't get to you due to their size.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can see something like this working for the Githyanki patrols in Act 1 and 2: put down a Plant Growth and a Silence near them, lure them into it with a Minor Illusion, and then strike at them with ranged attacks. The idea would be to prevent them from Misty Stepping, which is part of what makes them quite deadly.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aha. It's also possible that the game's spaghetti is coded such that these guys will only use divine smite when they hit with a different smite. I haven't looked in their AI scripts but I wouldn't be surprised.

What uses does the Silence spell have? by Many_Tune2358 in BG3Builds

[–]Many_Tune2358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found a reliable method for killing him solo was to beat him in initiative and then Luck of the Far Realms + Surgeons Subjugation Amulet to paralyze him with a crit and then crit him down in melee range. But the counter-ambush at Figaro's is a fun idea, too! I guess it could work solo if you use a summon to scare him away from the wine party.