Some questions about the Archer's Called Shot

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I'm considering to start a new game with an Archer and have a few questions about the Called Shot. I did find a few answers with the search function but not all and some answers contradict each other- so, to have it all in 1 place:

1. Are the effects of a Called Shot cumulative in the sense that an Archer lvl 16 could cause all the effects from lvl 4 to lvl 16 or is it only the highest effect that takes place?

2. Do the effects stack when the Archer hits the same target repeatedly? If that's the case: could he kill a target by draining its Strength to 0?

3. Are the effects permanent or do they wear off after a while?

4. What about Magic Resistance? Would it block the effects of a Called Shot?

And one more question about a Ranger's spell casting: According to the ToB manual a Ranger's caster level is capped at level 9 but I'm fairly sure that Valygar can reach 25% Damage Resistance with Armor of Faith and that would require a caster level 20. Is that a contradiction? Is the manual wrong? Am I confusing things?

Thank you for any input.

 

I don't know the answer to all of your questions, but it is my understanding that an archer can reduce an enemy's strength to 0-which will kill that enemy.

I believe monsters that have ability drain themselves can kill your party members no matter how many of their hit points they have left (thus a mind flayer frequently kills by draining intelligence to 0 and it is possible for a group of shadows to do the same with strength if they get enough hits on one party member).

Note that this method of killing foes can even kill those the game has set up to be unkillable (via normal damage). These include the noble (really a red dragon & his agents) who asks you defend the Windspear Hills from some ogres, Arkanis Gath (a Shadow Thief assassin that frequently pops up and instakills-one of his hits is fatal unless you have protection from magical weapons cast-party members when you annoy the Shadow Thieves while inside one of their guilds), Bodhi, and Irenicus at various points in the game.


As a party member whose strength has been drained by a shadow regains it with time I suspect that foes regain their own if your archer doesn't take them down in that battle. Though I cannot say this with absolute certainty.

 

1. Yes, they are cumulative.
2. Yes, they stack.
3. THAC0 penalty lasts 20 seconds, save penalty lasts 15 seconds, strength penalty lasts 10 seconds.
4. Magic resistance can't stop it.

 

Hm, guess that makes it unlikely to ever kill anybody by draining their Strength.
Good info, thank you.

 

Not true! With your awesome Thac0, you will get lots of hits.

20 seconds is like 3 rounds or something... you can certainly str drain using this method... try it with dragons!

 

If you have a spellcaster in your party isn't there a spell or 2 that may even help take the edge off extremely tough (highly scored) foes?

 

But according to Razfallow the Str drain wears off after 10 sec and even with 9 ApR ( Tuigan+Impr.Haste ) you propably don't get more than 13 attacks/ 10 sec. Even assuming that all shots hit it would require a lot of Called Shots strung together to reduce a Dragon's Str. to 0 - but would be fun if it worked.

Ray of Enfeeblement sets Str to 5. That should offer some possibilities. You'd still have to overcome MR and a Saving Throw but that can be arranged.Yep, that Archer is starting to sound interesting indeed.

 

If you cast Srength (mage, bard level 2) spell on a dragon it will reduce its STR to 18/50 thats big difference from monstrous 25. Game engine bug, the spell is considered friendly buff and bypasses MR and offers no saving throw. Might have been fixed by some fix packs.