Strategies for an arcane-challenged party

beckettss · Post by **beckettss** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:24 am

Well, after finally starting BG2 with my trusty imported Stalker, I'm having a great time. The Stalker is an awesomely fun tank class, one that I want to load up with potions of invisibility now that I see what he can do with his backstabbing. I took along Viconia to compliment (even though they loathe each other) Jaheira. I've always wanted to give her character a try. My mainstay Korgan is his usual crass self, and Yoshimo (my favorite character) is not disappointing. To top it all off, I've grown rather fond of Anomen as a character and a companion.

Stalker PC
Jaheira
Korgan
Viconia
Yoshimo
Anomen (the expendable, rotating slot, though I like him for now)

Annnd there's the problem. This party is quite proficient at clerical skills, melee, and sneaking around. There just isn't anything magical going on here. This isn't intentional; I just...can't dig the mage NPC's in this game, as much as I've tried. I'm one of the few people who find Jan a tad distracting and long-winded, although I can tolerate him and even enjoy him sometimes. Nalia is just not my style, and Edwin just adds a little too much evil to this already "diverse alingments" group.

So the point of my post is actually productive to these boards, I think. Despite my lack of arcane power, I'm a finesse guy who likes to plan battles out and rely on executed maneuvers rather than brute force...difficult to do with some parties, but I'm really more into the character development/atmosphere of this game rather than the powergaming stuff. So what are some tactics, strategies, options with this type of "divine magic" party that can compensate for a lack of mages? I was thinking of using viconia as a healing/buffing cleric and having jaheira use harm/summons/other offensive spells. Other than that, I'm curious as to what people here suggest in terms of how to use parties effectively and fun...ly, that don't have a mage.

On a side note: Good god, Viconia is mean sometimes, at least to Jaheira. Some of her lines about Khalid make me wonder why Jaheira didn't *completely* freak out. Tell me she warms up slightly.

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:57 am

There's no need to force a mage into the party if you don't want to.
Powerful special tactics you can use is having Yoshimo set traps or your stalker,Valgyar and Yoshimo hide in shadows and start the battles with huge damage.
Just use the tactics you like, it's dangerous to ask other's how you should play on your first run, since chances are very high that you will get spoiled or get pressed towards playing a style others (not you) want to.

dzidek1983 · Post by **dzidek1983** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:42 am

eventually Yoshimo will be obsolete and will be replaced by you now who and the no magic problem will be solved

Sir_Carnifex · Post by **Sir_Carnifex** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:50 am

I also have a game going without any mages or sorcerers (3 druids, 1 thief, 1 ranger). I haven't been playing that party for awhile, but I found that at least in the first half of the game, a mage isn't really necessary. Backstabbing and insect plague work wonders...especially if you have three druids all using insect plague.

Coot · Post by **Coot** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:13 am

Like Kmonster says, you don't really need a mage. It will be challenging sometimes, but you do have priest spells in abundance. They'll improve your party's saving throws, protect against many spells and provide many cures.
Considering the huge amount of undead, I think you'll do very well with this party.
Mages are great but I feel that, sometimes, they're a bit overrated while some people seem to underestimate priests a little. Jaheira, Viccy and Anomen are among the most powerful NPC's.