XZAR Gender: Male Race: Human Class: Necromancer Alignment: Chaotic Evil Abilities: STR 14, DEX 16, CON 10, INT 17, WIS 16, CHA 10 A. Overall Abilities: 2+3+2+4+3+2= 16 (16/30) B. Class Abilities: 3+2+4= 9 (9/15 = 18/30) C. Fun to play: 16 (18/20) D. Gameplay: 12 (12/15) E. Related quests: 5 (5/5) - Investigating Nashkel Mines F. TOTAL SCORE: 67%

Comments: Xzar may not seem as such a good mage at first sight, but I assure you that he is a very potent one! He has a high intelligence and wisdom, which is good for a mage and also gives him a high lore. He also has a good dexterity which is translated in his good armor class. His only low point is his constitution, since he gets no HP's bonus to overcome the wizards' natural low HPs. In any case, I find him better rounded than Edwin. He is not a better mage, but perhaps a better NPC. Even though he is Chaotic Evil, he is more psychopathic than dangerous. Just as his companion Monty(Montaron), he is great to have in your party. A great dialog and a well rounded personality! Plus Xzar comes back in BG2, but not as a joinable NPC(and not for long either!).

5. REFERENCE

Here are some abbreviations I've used and what they really mean. For each abbreviation you have the full word and a short explanation:
AC: Armor Class, the lower it is, the less often you get hit!
BG: Baldur's Gate
BG2: Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
CHA: Charisma, on a scale from 3-18.
CON: Constitution, on a scale from 3-18.
DEX: Dexterity, on a scale from 3-18.
HP: Hit Points, when they drop to zero, you're dead, so the more the better.
INT: Intelligence, on a scale from 3-18.
NPC: Non Player Character, a character which is not the player (you). In this guide are described the NPCs who can join your party in Baldur's Gate.
PC: Player Character, which means you.
STR: Strength, on a scale from 3-18.
ToB: Throne of Bhaal (Baldur's Gate II official expansion).
ToSC: Tales of the Sword Coast (Baldur's Gate official expansion).
WIS: Wisdom, on a scale from 3-18.

6. IDEAL PARTY / CONCLUSION

I know that at the beginning of the guide I said that I would remain as neutral as possible in my comments and that I would show my personal preferences as little as possible. Well, for those of you who wish to stick to this principle, consider this guide complete. I hope that it will help you choose your party members better next time you play BG. As for those of you who are curious on what my choice for an ideal party(good and evil) is, I've decided to include it as the last section of my guide in order to allow you to peacefully sleep next evening. So hold your breath, drum roll… And here it is:

Good-Aligned Party:
You (LG, Human Male, Paladin)
Minsc (NG, Human Male, Ranger)
Coran (CG, Elf Male, Fighter/Thief)
Imoen (NG, Human Female, Thief)
Branwen (TN, Human Female, Cleric)
Dynaheir (LG, Human Female, Invoker)

Evil-Aligned Party:
You (NE, Elf Male, Fighter)
Kagain (LE, Dwarf Male, Fighter)
Shar-Teel (CE, Human Female, Fighter)
Montaron (NE, Halfling Male, Fighter/Thief)
Viconia (NE, Drow Elf Female, Cleric)
Xzar (CE, Human Male, Necromancer)