730, MAL, Troll Blood, etc...

[cronuss]

So I recently rejoined GSIV and am playing around with Necromancy on my 39 Sorc.

I'm loving it so far... I don't care if it's not uber, I think its fun, somewhat useful, and it's got style.

Anyway, I don't have access to Massive Troll King blood, so I've been using crappy Cave Troll blood to practice.

Recently I went up and got some Ice Troll blood... level 29, I believe.

First question:
I was collecting blood with my vial, then pouring the vial into my flask. After 2 or 3 trolls, I was told that I couldn't mix two different types of blood in the same flask. What? Is this because one Ice Troll was a different level than another or something? If so lame... if not, any idea what is happening?

Second question:
How can I calculate my MAL with Ice Troll or Bog Troll blood? I only see equations for MTK blood. I recently bumped up my necromancy skill to 20's or 30's.. forgot the exact number. I tried raising a roa'ter and failed. Then I tried a rotting corpse... tried about 5 times and failed every time. They are only low-mid 30's, too. :(

Third Question:
Where the hell do I find Bog Trolls? It sounds like they are my best bet for non MTK blood at this point. I live in Wehnimer, btw.

That's all I can think of for now... thanks for any help.

[Fallen]

<<First question:
I was collecting blood with my vial, then pouring the vial into my flask. After 2 or 3 trolls, I was told that I couldn't mix two different types of blood in the same flask. What? Is this because one Ice Troll was a different level than another or something? If so lame... if not, any idea what is happening?>>

Correct. As those creatures are BCS, they likely fluxuated in level. The best way to tell something's level is to cast 703 at it. If the TDs match up, they are likely the same level. A good practice for collecting blood is to find and kill the highest level troll you can find in that group, then use some salt on them so their body wont rot for a long time. This way you can collect the blood at your leasure.

<<<<Second question:
How can I calculate my MAL with Ice Troll or Bog Troll blood? I only see equations for MTK blood. I recently bumped up my necromancy skill to 20's or 30's.. forgot the exact number. I tried raising a roa'ter and failed. Then I tried a rotting corpse... tried about 5 times and failed every time. They are only low-mid 30's, too.>>>>

Ugh. For this Necromancer is either going to handle it, but I can take a stab. I think the base formula is 10 levels below you, with every 10 ranks of necro lore adding back a level. So for you, if you have 30 ranks, you can animate a creature up to 7 levels below your own.

<<<Third Question:
Where the hell do I find Bog Trolls? It sounds like they are my best bet for non MTK blood at this point. I live in Wehnimer, btw. >>>

There are Lesser and greater bog trolls in River's Rest. There may also be some variety of them in/near Ta'Vaalor, but I am not sure on that. You can check the elanthian bestiary on the main site and they will be able to tell you where they are found.

[Paradii]

No bog trolls in Vaalor, I think they are only in river's rest. Unless they got them running around Solhaven.

[Necromancer]

Unfortunately, I never finished my research on troll blood, but I did find that it semed to make a dramatic difference in MAL with my limited research. Unfortunately, using troll blood with a level significantly higher than your necromancy ranks will destroy your duration. If you have 20-30 necromancy ranks, Ice Troll blood seems perfect.

Start 10 levels below your own, that's the base. Alternately, use the MTK MAL formula and subtract 4. Anything below 10 below your level is going to equal 10 below your level. When you're at lower levels, this can be a bit of a downer. But trust me, an animate 10 levels below yours can still be amazingly powerful.

I suggest going to krakiipedia.org and looking for Querthose's Animate Dead Guide (I wrote it ha) for information on hunting with your animate and choosing the right animate as well as scripts meant to help you collect your materials more quickly and make crystals more easily. Swinging animates are your best bet. Bring along an e-bladed two handed sword or claidhmore and watch the fur fly.

Feel free to find Querthose if you want some IG advice. Play your cards right, and he'll give you some of his animation crystals (which I'm busy brewing right now). Plus his shops should be stocked again relatively soon to the new owner can make a few coins. Every high level sorcerer who animates will tell you how powerful animates are. Stick with it, tank your necromancy, and as you get more powerful your animates will last longer.