Defeating the Five, Any tips?

[godhugh]

I finally made it to the final battle in ToB and I have to say, this thing is giving me fits. I just can't seem to beat all 4 of the siblings Mellissan summons in. One time I managed to kill all of them but Yaga Shura and Mellissan, but then I just couldn't do any damage to Yaga and I ended up running out of spells and heals.

Anyway, my main character is a level 29 Wild Mage and the party consists of Keldorn (lvl 29, w/ upgraded Carsomyr), Valygar (lvl 28, dual-wielding Celestial Fury and the upgraded Hindo's Doom), Viconia (lvl 35 cleric with the Staff of the Ram and completed Flail of the Ages), Sarevok (dualled over to a thief), and Imoen (lvl 27 mage). Balthazar is with me as well.

I'm trying to do the battle without resorting to cheese. The strategy I've been using so far is to summon up a Planetar and a few Mordy's before the battle starts. I also cast a Simulcrum, cast Resist Fear on everybody, Improved Haste on the three main fighters and the start things off. Anyway, once it starts is where I begin to get lost.

I use my simulcrum and Imoen to remove protections from Abazigal, and Viconia casts Elemental Summoning in order to get some folks to beat him down. The Planetar and Mordy's keep Yaga occupied while I focus on Illasara and Abazigal.

Once the Elementals have gotten Aba's attention, I send in Keldorn and Valygar (with Greater Whirlwind) to help finish him off. Once he's gone, I turn the entire group of fighters and elementals on Illasara.

At this point, I haven't used much of my magic, mainly just spells to remove protections. Once Illasara is gone, I really start having problems. Mellissan has shown up by now and usually just walks around smacking everyone with Unleash which completely throws things into dissarray. Sendai gets rid of the Mordy's real quick and Yaga has killed the Planetar.

Anyway, I'm starting to get kind of frustrated wit this battle. This is my first time playing through ToB, so any tips for the newbie?

[Kish]

Illasera has no means of dealing out magic damage.  She can't do anything about Mordenkainen's Swords, as long as Abazigal doesn't kill them for her.

Yaga-Shura has no magic resistance, and limited cold resistance.  He'll fall in one round to Harm.

Sendai has nothing but her spells and she doesn't force-cast.

You must kill all the other named characters on Melissan's side before you can hurt Melissan.

[godhugh]

Doh! Harm! Why didn't I think of that?! Viconia has, like, 4 copies memorized and I never even thought to use it

Let me give that a shot and see what I can do.

Thanks .