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Baldur's Gate II - A nostalgic look back

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Posts

  • Professor PhobosProfessor Phobos Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    They might have a protection spell up- try hitting them with Breach, Spellstrike, Ray of Reversal, that sort of stuff.

    Incidentally, I just beat Shadows of Amn today (for the first time! Got all the way to Suldanessellar the last time and the computer crashed...)

    Man, Irenicus goes out like a punk! Not a hard fight at all. Kangaxx gave me more trouble.

    Professor Phobos on
  • ShortyShorty touching the meat Intergalactic Cool CourtRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    They might have a protection spell up- try hitting them with Breach, Spellstrike, Ray of Reversal, that sort of stuff.

    Incidentally, I just beat Shadows of Amn today (for the first time! Got all the way to Suldanessellar the last time and the computer crashed...)

    Man, Irenicus goes out like a punk! Not a hard fight at all. Kangaxx gave me more trouble.

    Kangaxx? He shouldn't have. All you need is a scroll of protection from magic and pretty much anyone can solo him, since he never casts anything that removes spell protections.

    Shorty on
  • Professor PhobosProfessor Phobos Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Shorty wrote: »
    They might have a protection spell up- try hitting them with Breach, Spellstrike, Ray of Reversal, that sort of stuff.

    Incidentally, I just beat Shadows of Amn today (for the first time! Got all the way to Suldanessellar the last time and the computer crashed...)

    Man, Irenicus goes out like a punk! Not a hard fight at all. Kangaxx gave me more trouble.

    Kangaxx? He shouldn't have. All you need is a scroll of protection from magic and pretty much anyone can solo him, since he never casts anything that removes spell protections.

    Yeah, but it always feels so cheap to do that. Even better is to cast the scroll on him. He just kind of stands there, helpless. (which is even cheaper...)

    Professor Phobos on
  • korodullinkorodullin What. SCRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    So, I'm playing through the first Baldur's Gate right now (tutu-ified), and since I couldn't manage to settle myself on any party combination I could come up with, I said "screw this" and just picked a "BG II intro" group of myself (bounty hunter), Minsc, Jaheira, Khalid, Dynaheir, and Imoen dual-classed as Mage.

    It's not the best setup, but it finally quashes my inability to figure out who to take and who not to.

    Figuring out who to use in BGII is going to be a nightmare though, but I'm positive that I'm going to use Mazzy and Keldorn.

    korodullin on
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  • Professor PhobosProfessor Phobos Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    korodullin wrote: »
    Figuring out who to use in BGII is going to be a nightmare though, but I'm positive that I'm going to use Mazzy and Keldorn.

    Man, you said it. I always agonize over that. I ended up in my current game pretty happy though- Fighter/Cleric Bhaalspawn, Yoshimo/Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, Viconia and Edwin.

    Professor Phobos on
  • MahnmutMahnmut Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    korodullin wrote: »
    Figuring out who to use in BGII is going to be a nightmare though, but I'm positive that I'm going to use Mazzy and Keldorn.

    Man, you said it. I always agonize over that. I ended up in my current game pretty happy though- Fighter/Cleric Bhaalspawn, Yoshimo/Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, Viconia and Edwin.

    Me too. I used Mazzy for the first time last game--she's awesome. <3 That voice. Minsc is also a necessity.

    Mahnmut on
    Steam/LoL: Jericho89
  • RPGeekRPGeek Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I must be the only one who actually likes Haer'Dalis. He's not all that good of a fighter, but his Offensive and Defensive spins make him sort of decentish, and that's more than enough as long as I have one other good mêlèe dude/chick. Plus he can cast Breach and Stoneskin and then just stay out of trouble, which is all I ask of a mage, and I like his personality.

    RPGeek on
  • IsornIsorn Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Shorty wrote: »
    They might have a protection spell up- try hitting them with Breach, Spellstrike, Ray of Reversal, that sort of stuff.

    Incidentally, I just beat Shadows of Amn today (for the first time! Got all the way to Suldanessellar the last time and the computer crashed...)

    Man, Irenicus goes out like a punk! Not a hard fight at all. Kangaxx gave me more trouble.

    Kangaxx? He shouldn't have. All you need is a scroll of protection from magic and pretty much anyone can solo him, since he never casts anything that removes spell protections.

    I recall dying 15 times the first time I met Kangaxx. So awesome.
    But I still think the twisted rune party is by far the hardest battle in the game.

    Isorn on
  • DeausDeaus Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Nocren wrote: »
    They probably cast projection spells on themselves. Use Breach or Pierce Magic first to break the defenses then Magic missle the bitches.

    As for the bone golems... fuck if I remember. I think at one point midway through the game I got fed up with a few things and started ctrl+w anything that pissed me off.
    Like those damn Clay/stone golems (immunity to edged weapons? How about immunity to console command? Ya got that?)

    Yeah, I can understand that. I ended up having to hack and give my myself crazy stats to beat those Rakshasa. Even the level 9 Gate spell couldnt hurt them since they needed to be hit with magic weapons. Felt soooo lame. And now the Bone Golems are just wiping the floor with me because the only thing I can do is try and get the golems to attack me while a couple of sword spiders plink away. When i hit 15 and get Skeleton Warriors it wont be so bad, cause those guys are pretty tough. But for now its killing me not knowing how the hell to beat these guys.

    Breach doesnt do jack to them either. I tried flame damage (Flame Arrow), magic damage (Magic Missle), Breach, Lower Resistance, Ice Shield, none do anything.

    Deaus on
    We, are all heroes! You and boo and I... hamsters and rangers everywhere, rejoice!
  • StollsStolls Brave Corporate Logo Chicago, ILRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Deaus wrote: »
    Nocren wrote: »
    They probably cast projection spells on themselves. Use Breach or Pierce Magic first to break the defenses then Magic missle the bitches.

    As for the bone golems... fuck if I remember. I think at one point midway through the game I got fed up with a few things and started ctrl+w anything that pissed me off.
    Like those damn Clay/stone golems (immunity to edged weapons? How about immunity to console command? Ya got that?)

    Yeah, I can understand that. I ended up having to hack and give my myself crazy stats to beat those Rakshasa. Even the level 9 Gate spell couldnt hurt them since they needed to be hit with magic weapons. Felt soooo lame. And now the Bone Golems are just wiping the floor with me because the only thing I can do is try and get the golems to attack me while a couple of sword spiders plink away. When i hit 15 and get Skeleton Warriors it wont be so bad, cause those guys are pretty tough. But for now its killing me not knowing how the hell to beat these guys.

    Breach doesnt do jack to them either. I tried flame damage (Flame Arrow), magic damage (Magic Missle), Breach, Lower Resistance, Ice Shield, none do anything.

    Summon a Nishruu. When it dies ten minutes later, summon another one. By the time they finally give up and just hack the Nishruu to pieces, they'll be completely out of spells and you can just steamroll them. Bone golems are tougher, but simpler; you'll want everyone with a ranged weapon to chip away at them until they get in close. Have a mage use Melf's Minute Meteors if you've got it, that spell is crazy useful against golems - especially the big ones that tend to get stuck.

    Alternately, if you're an Inquisitor or you've got Keldorn around, use their dispel magic on the Rakshasa and go to town. Nothing in the game can withstand it.

    Stolls on
    kstolls on Twitch, streaming weekends at 9pm CST!Now playing: Weird West (Deus Ex completed, thread here!)Sunday Spotlight: Dredge
  • DeausDeaus Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Stolls wrote: »
    Deaus wrote: »
    Nocren wrote: »
    They probably cast projection spells on themselves. Use Breach or Pierce Magic first to break the defenses then Magic missle the bitches.

    As for the bone golems... fuck if I remember. I think at one point midway through the game I got fed up with a few things and started ctrl+w anything that pissed me off.
    Like those damn Clay/stone golems (immunity to edged weapons? How about immunity to console command? Ya got that?)

    Yeah, I can understand that. I ended up having to hack and give my myself crazy stats to beat those Rakshasa. Even the level 9 Gate spell couldnt hurt them since they needed to be hit with magic weapons. Felt soooo lame. And now the Bone Golems are just wiping the floor with me because the only thing I can do is try and get the golems to attack me while a couple of sword spiders plink away. When i hit 15 and get Skeleton Warriors it wont be so bad, cause those guys are pretty tough. But for now its killing me not knowing how the hell to beat these guys.

    Breach doesnt do jack to them either. I tried flame damage (Flame Arrow), magic damage (Magic Missle), Breach, Lower Resistance, Ice Shield, none do anything.


    Summon a Nishruu. When it dies ten minutes later, summon another one. By the time they finally give up and just hack the Nishruu to pieces, they'll be completely out of spells and you can just steamroll them. Bone golems are tougher, but simpler; you'll want everyone with a ranged weapon to chip away at them until they get in close. Have a mage use Melf's Minute Meteors if you've got it, that spell is crazy useful against golems - especially the big ones that tend to get stuck.

    Alternately, if you're an Inquisitor or you've got Keldorn around, use their dispel magic on the Rakshasa and go to town. Nothing in the game can withstand it.

    It didnt make it into that quote block, but playing as a solo sorcerer. I get by things, mostly I'm just paranoid about what I'm going to do about more mobs that are immune to normal weapons, and immune to spells. Guess one of my level 7 slots is going to go to Mordekains Sword.

    Deaus on
    We, are all heroes! You and boo and I... hamsters and rangers everywhere, rejoice!
  • yotesyotes Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    So, I just re-installed this after my old chapter 6 savegames were lost to the great Fujitsu in the sky. The mandatory video for Icewind Dale made me ask, was that game any good? Should I look for it?

    yotes on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • PancakePancake Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    yotes wrote: »
    So, I just re-installed this after my old chapter 6 savegames were lost to the great Fujitsu in the sky. The mandatory video for Icewind Dale made me ask, was that game any good? Should I look for it?

    Yes, Icewind Dale was good. So was its sequel (which I actually found incredibly difficult for some reason). You can find a boxed set that has IWD, the IWD expansion pack, and IWD2 for $15-20 these days.

    However, they are very much action-oriented games. That's not to say the Baldur's Gate series isn't action-oriented, but with Icewind Dale, that's mostly all there is to the game. They are very much dungeon crawlers.

    Pancake on
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  • NocrenNocren Lt Futz, Back in Action North CarolinaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I heard it was alright. Never played it myself, though I do have IWD2. It uses full 3rd Ed rules (I think IWD1 uses the same 2.5 ruleset as BG2). Some differences is that the story is a tad weaker and that you build an entire party as opposed to one guy. So no banter or recruitable NPCs. And it takes place in the frozen northern wastelands instead of the Sword Coast.

    EDIT: Beat'd. However both of use have useful info.

    Nocren on
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  • DeausDeaus Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    So, after my solo Sorcerer hit 18 I'm starting to wonder if there is going to be any challenge at all in the game. Hopefully ToB is tougher, cause right now I've got my choice of ways to pwn everything I see. 3 Planetars destroy anything. Even 1 is a powerhouse, capable of solo'ing a lich. Project Image is stupid powerful. Cast it, unload and destroy everything on screen and all it cost me was 1 level 7 spell. Chain Contingency with x3 Horrid Wiltings. The protection from magic energy spell that lasts 1 TURN per level, and then skull traps. Skull Trap does d6 per level for a level 3 spell. Horrid Wilting is d8 per level for a level 8 spell. With that magic protection up you turn your level 3 spells into as good as level 8 spells.

    But I'm enjoying myself tons, and can't wait to get to ToB. :)

    Deaus on
    We, are all heroes! You and boo and I... hamsters and rangers everywhere, rejoice!
  • MorninglordMorninglord I'm tired of being Batman, so today I'll be Owl.Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    You is making me want to do solo sorceror, something I never did because the lack of inventory would have driven me berko.

    Morninglord on
    (PSN: Morninglord) (Steam: Morninglord) (WiiU: Morninglord22) I like to record and toss up a lot of random gaming videos here.
  • PancakePancake Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    As far as soloing goes, I had a lot more fun doing it with an assassin than I did a sorcerer.

    I'm pretty sure the fixpacks fix it, but in a normal patched game of BG2, the assassin's poison is pretty broken as it even affects undead. Kangaxx isn't so tough when you can just keep poisoning him, drinking a potion of invisibility, and then running off before he can do anything to you.

    Also, backstabbing for more than 300 damage is fun.

    Pancake on
    wAgWt.jpg
  • MorninglordMorninglord I'm tired of being Batman, so today I'll be Owl.Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Anti-Preservative agents in the poison?

    Dissolves their bandage glue.

    Morninglord on
    (PSN: Morninglord) (Steam: Morninglord) (WiiU: Morninglord22) I like to record and toss up a lot of random gaming videos here.
  • DeausDeaus Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    You is making me want to do solo sorceror, something I never did because the lack of inventory would have driven me berko.

    You really dont need inventory space though. Maybe a scroll case for a few prot from undead/magic scrolls. The *only* thing you will buy as a caster are bracers of ac3, robe of vecna, and the 15k for the end of chapter 2. Other than that I mostly wore what I could and my inventory was empty.

    If you go for it, you'll enjoy it. Get the Planetar first if you do. I went with Time Stop + Imp Alacracity for the boom factor, but I get a whole lot more mileage out of the Planetar than I do TS+IA. That guy took me through all of chapter 3, spellhold, and is currently laying to waste most of the Underdark. I've lost a total of 1 in that whole time, and that was to an imprisonment spell. On a related note, it turns out if your summon is imprisoned, you not only lose the summon, but the summon slot as well. After mine got imprisoned I had to go find a freedom scroll, because the game wouldnt let me summon another.

    Deaus on
    We, are all heroes! You and boo and I... hamsters and rangers everywhere, rejoice!
  • StormwatcherStormwatcher Blegh BlughRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Pancake wrote: »
    yotes wrote: »
    So, I just re-installed this after my old chapter 6 savegames were lost to the great Fujitsu in the sky. The mandatory video for Icewind Dale made me ask, was that game any good? Should I look for it?

    Yes, Icewind Dale was good. So was its sequel (which I actually found incredibly difficult for some reason). You can find a boxed set that has IWD, the IWD expansion pack, and IWD2 for $15-20 these days.

    However, they are very much action-oriented games. That's not to say the Baldur's Gate series isn't action-oriented, but with Icewind Dale, that's mostly all there is to the game. They are very much dungeon crawlers.

    I saw on Ebay that the released a single DVD version of the Ultimate Icewind Dale collection. Is it as awesome as the older one?

    Stormwatcher on
    Steam: Stormwatcher | PSN: Stormwatcher33 | Switch: 5961-4777-3491
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  • MorninglordMorninglord I'm tired of being Batman, so today I'll be Owl.Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Deaus wrote: »
    You is making me want to do solo sorceror, something I never did because the lack of inventory would have driven me berko.

    You really dont need inventory space though. Maybe a scroll case for a few prot from undead/magic scrolls. The *only* thing you will buy as a caster are bracers of ac3, robe of vecna, and the 15k for the end of chapter 2. Other than that I mostly wore what I could and my inventory was empty.

    If you go for it, you'll enjoy it. Get the Planetar first if you do. I went with Time Stop + Imp Alacracity for the boom factor, but I get a whole lot more mileage out of the Planetar than I do TS+IA. That guy took me through all of chapter 3, spellhold, and is currently laying to waste most of the Underdark. I've lost a total of 1 in that whole time, and that was to an imprisonment spell. On a related note, it turns out if your summon is imprisoned, you not only lose the summon, but the summon slot as well. After mine got imprisoned I had to go find a freedom scroll, because the game wouldnt let me summon another.

    There are things in TOB that will laugh at your planetar as they squash it under their feet. Then you will truly appreciate having picked up the vecna/amulet of power and those two spells. Oh, how you will love them.

    Just don't use time stop in the last dungeons of watcher's keep.

    Reason why is a massive fucking spoiler don't read unless you want the surprise spoiled:
    The final boss of WK is immune to time stop. Casting it results in 3 rounds of just you and him, mano a mano.

    But yeah, I didn't think about the fact that all those things I normally stash away in case I decide I need them on so and so character, I wont need anymore, because itll just be me. Could be refreshing. But I think if I did do the solo thing it'd be kensai/mage instead.

    Morninglord on
    (PSN: Morninglord) (Steam: Morninglord) (WiiU: Morninglord22) I like to record and toss up a lot of random gaming videos here.
  • AxenAxen My avatar is Excalibur. Yes, the sword.Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I cannot for the live of me get into TOB. I loved BG & BGII, I love the characters, the story, the gameplay, but every time I start up TOB I just lose interest. Even when I play through BGII and start TOB right after. Infact almost every time I start TOB and lose interest I replay BGII all the way through.

    Is. . . is there something wrong with me?

    Axen on
    A Capellan's favorite sheath for any blade is your back.
  • FuruFuru Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I am playing this for the first time, playing an Neutral Good Elf Kensai, katanas and all (yes I know rofl weeaboo)

    I'm heading into the circus tent and I keep getting the shit kicked out of me by the shadow, apparently due to my total lack of magic weapons. What do I do?

    Furu on
  • TossrockTossrock too weird to live too rare to dieRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    I am playing this for the first time, playing an Neutral Good Elf Kensai, katanas and all (yes I know rofl weeaboo)

    I'm heading into the circus tent and I keep getting the shit kicked out of me by the shadow, apparently due to my total lack of magic weapons. What do I do?

    You didn't get the +2 Two Handed sword for Minsc? Shame on you.

    Tossrock on
    sig.png
  • FuruFuru Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Tossrock wrote: »
    Furu wrote: »
    I am playing this for the first time, playing an Neutral Good Elf Kensai, katanas and all (yes I know rofl weeaboo)

    I'm heading into the circus tent and I keep getting the shit kicked out of me by the shadow, apparently due to my total lack of magic weapons. What do I do?

    You didn't get the +2 Two Handed sword for Minsc? Shame on you.

    what

    Furu on
  • nexuscrawlernexuscrawler Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Go into the sewers in the Temple district. look around a bit.

    nexuscrawler on
  • TossrockTossrock too weird to live too rare to dieRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I was talking about the one from the Genie. Also if you're talking about the one I think you're talking about, it's +3 and in the Slums district sewers, accessible behind the Copper Coronet. You have to go through them to get to the Slavers Ship and free Hendak, so you should pick it up anyway.

    Tossrock on
    sig.png
  • FuruFuru Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Tossrock wrote: »
    I was talking about the one from the Genie. Also if you're talking about the one I think you're talking about, it's +3 and in the Slums district sewers, accessible behind the Copper Coronet. You have to go through them to get to the Slavers Ship and free Hendak, so you should pick it up anyway.

    I'll at least go get them before going to the circus, then, since there's no fucking way out

    Isn't there also a way to grab the best katana in the game fairly early? I heard someone mention this.

    Furu on
  • TossrockTossrock too weird to live too rare to dieRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    Tossrock wrote: »
    I was talking about the one from the Genie. Also if you're talking about the one I think you're talking about, it's +3 and in the Slums district sewers, accessible behind the Copper Coronet. You have to go through them to get to the Slavers Ship and free Hendak, so you should pick it up anyway.

    I'll at least go get them before going to the circus, then, since there's no fucking way out

    Isn't there also a way to grab the best katana in the game fairly early? I heard someone mention this.

    Yeah, you have to do Firkraag, get the chapel key, go the guarded compound in the temple district, and prepare to get your ass beat into the ground over and over again. It's quite a difficult fight without abusing traps and cross-area shenannigans.

    Tossrock on
    sig.png
  • imundercoverimundercover Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    Isn't there also a way to grab the best katana in the game fairly early? I heard someone mention this.

    You can try to get it fairly early. I'm feel that your early demise would be more likely.

    imundercover on
  • FuruFuru Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    Isn't there also a way to grab the best katana in the game fairly early? I heard someone mention this.

    You can try to get it fairly early. I'm feel that your early demise would be more likely.

    I've done Fallout 2 games where I go to Navarro to grab the power armor as soon I'm able to access the world map.

    I think I can handle this.

    Furu on
  • SilpheedSilpheed Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    Isn't there also a way to grab the best katana in the game fairly early? I heard someone mention this.

    You can try to get it fairly early. I'm feel that your early demise would be more likely.
    With liberal use of scrolls and wands you can beat that encounter at a pretty low level, just be prepared for some reloading.

    Silpheed on
  • TossrockTossrock too weird to live too rare to dieRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    Isn't there also a way to grab the best katana in the game fairly early? I heard someone mention this.

    You can try to get it fairly early. I'm feel that your early demise would be more likely.

    What's even more fun is doing the Twisted Rune at level 11. Solo.

    Totally worth it for the Staff.

    Tossrock on
    sig.png
  • ZellZell Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    I am playing this for the first time, playing an Neutral Good Elf Kensai, katanas and all (yes I know rofl weeaboo)

    I'm heading into the circus tent and I keep getting the shit kicked out of me by the shadow, apparently due to my total lack of magic weapons. What do I do?
    Don't fight the shadows? They're not important to finish the quest.

    Zell on
  • FuruFuru Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Okay that comic a couple of pages ago is adorable

    Furu on
  • MorninglordMorninglord I'm tired of being Batman, so today I'll be Owl.Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    There's a whole lot of things like that somewhere, done by a japanese dude/girl who really liked bg2. No idea where they are hosted or he got them from however.

    Morninglord on
    (PSN: Morninglord) (Steam: Morninglord) (WiiU: Morninglord22) I like to record and toss up a lot of random gaming videos here.
  • FuruFuru Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    There's a whole lot of things like that somewhere, done by a japanese dude/girl who really liked bg2. No idea where they are hosted or he got them from however.

    Finding these is now my life's mission.

    Furu on
  • TossrockTossrock too weird to live too rare to dieRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    There's a whole lot of things like that somewhere, done by a japanese dude/girl who really liked bg2. No idea where they are hosted or he got them from however.

    Finding these is now my life's mission.

    I wouldn't want to cut short your quest or anything but

    I could just send you the .rar

    Tossrock on
    sig.png
  • FuruFuru Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Tossrock wrote: »
    Furu wrote: »
    There's a whole lot of things like that somewhere, done by a japanese dude/girl who really liked bg2. No idea where they are hosted or he got them from however.

    Finding these is now my life's mission.

    I wouldn't want to cut short your quest or anything but

    I could just send you the .rar

    that is fine too

    Furu on
  • TossrockTossrock too weird to live too rare to dieRegistered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Furu wrote: »
    Tossrock wrote: »
    Furu wrote: »
    There's a whole lot of things like that somewhere, done by a japanese dude/girl who really liked bg2. No idea where they are hosted or he got them from however.

    Finding these is now my life's mission.

    I wouldn't want to cut short your quest or anything but

    I could just send you the .rar

    that is fine too

    pm me your email address?

    Tossrock on
    sig.png
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