How does Faldorn do it?

[PetrusOctavianus]

Cernd vs Faldorn, the Clash of the Titans (no, not really).

Both start naked and unbuffed (all spell effects are dispelled before the fight).

I haven't rested Cernd since I brought him along, so his spell selection is suboptimal, but I decide on Animal Summoning II. He starts casting before Faldorn starts casting, but before he's done Faldorn has already cast a spell (Stoneskin or Improved Invisibility), Shapechanged to a Spider and attacked.

Three actions before slow-as-cyrup-Cern can finish his first. What am I missing? Does ScSII buff *after* the unbuffing?

 

 

EDIT: Anyway, after a good night's rest Cernd easily defeated her after casting Dolorous Decay.

[Gay Lord]

I know one of the mods out there offers improved shapeshifting, which means it's instantaneous, instead of the normal 1 round/6 second delay. Another mod option is for casters to pre-buff before an encounter, getting all their defensive/protective spells cast free.

 

If you have those mods installed, the buffing becomes free, shifting is free, so the only action that round is really to attack. IIRC most divine spells have lengthy casting times, which might explain why F was seemingly able to attack and interrupt your spell despite you starting first.