I have finally decided to play Icewind Dale II. Being av avid BG-player its quite strange that I waited this long. I am playing with Ladys Lament, one of the predefined parties. However, when I reched the first level up some questions arised. I am quite comfortable with D&D 3d editon rules but i still have some questions. The party can be viewed at Sorcerer's Place - Icewind Dale 2 Pre-made Parties
Considering i am not powergaming or anything, i just want to enjoy the game i will do the following: Sheris will continue levelling up as a bard. Geldin will also continue as a fighter, however Kathja I will give 4 levels of fighter to reach weapon specialization. Laeris will continue level up as a cleric and Vradaena as a sorcerer. However, my main concern is Kylie. Is it really necessary to obtain rougue levels all the way, i got a feeling i get get a bit more out of him mixing in some other levels. If anyone have any thoughts about this?
The roles are quite obvious though.
Sheris - Diplomat
Kylie - Thief
Kathja - Tank
Geldin - Tank
Vradaena - Loremaster/Bombardier
Laeris - Healer
Any suggestions would be great!
Help with pre-defined party
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threefiddy
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:22 am
- Contact:
It's not necessary to keep Kylie as pure class rogue, but it's not too bad either. Unlike in BG rogues gain attack bonus and extra attacks only 25 percent slower than fighters and their sneak attack damage increases every 2 levels by 1-6.
You get more proficiency points when levelling as rogue and starting at level 10 rogues get a bonus feat every three levels and there are feats which require at 10 rogue levels to be able to take them.
Adding one level as ranger, paladin or barbarian will grant proficiency in all weapon types (except bastard sword which isn't useful). A barbarian level grants the most hitpoints, extra speed and rage, one ranger level grants dualwielding and a favored enemy and 4 fighter levels allow weapon specialisation.
The other option is taking specialist wizard levels (the extra spell does make a difference). Your sorcerer an bard can only learn a limited number of spells, so a backup who can cast the other low level spells doesn't hurt and mirror image is not the only spell which can be useful for combat defense.
12 int only allows to cast level 2 spells, but you can raise it to 16 at the level-ups until level 16.
I recommend taking transmuter as specialist class, a transmuter with high alchemy skill can be beneficial if you find a laboratory later in the game and alchemy also helps for the "envenom weapon" feat. But most other schools aren't bad either.
Raise also spellcraft when levelling up as mage for successful scroll scribing.
Barbarian1/rogue, ranger1/rogue, fighter4/rogue, rogue/transmuter, fighter4/transmuter4/rogue or pure rogue are all good choices, which is the best for you depends on how you want to use him.
I strongly recommend keeping at least the cleric, sorcerer and bard pure class. When levelling up I'd increase wis for the cleric, cha for the sorc, cha or con for the bard and str for the tanks and the rogue (int if you want to take wizard levels).
Unlike in BG strength is extremely useful for non-casters. There are no items or spells which set it to a certain value and you'll want to be able to damage monsters with up to 15 damage reduction.
"Lingering song" is an extremely powerful feat for the bard, the expertise feat grants her +5 AC without disadvantage once her songs are too powerful to interrupt them for physical attacks.
Rapid shot grants a full extra ranged attack per round for non-crossbow users. The other feats aren't that earthshaking, improved initiative doesn't work and I'd also avoid feats which only grant skill points or saving throw bonuses.
It helps a lot if all party members can fight the enemies both in melee and from the distance effectively.
You get more proficiency points when levelling as rogue and starting at level 10 rogues get a bonus feat every three levels and there are feats which require at 10 rogue levels to be able to take them.
Adding one level as ranger, paladin or barbarian will grant proficiency in all weapon types (except bastard sword which isn't useful). A barbarian level grants the most hitpoints, extra speed and rage, one ranger level grants dualwielding and a favored enemy and 4 fighter levels allow weapon specialisation.
The other option is taking specialist wizard levels (the extra spell does make a difference). Your sorcerer an bard can only learn a limited number of spells, so a backup who can cast the other low level spells doesn't hurt and mirror image is not the only spell which can be useful for combat defense.
12 int only allows to cast level 2 spells, but you can raise it to 16 at the level-ups until level 16.
I recommend taking transmuter as specialist class, a transmuter with high alchemy skill can be beneficial if you find a laboratory later in the game and alchemy also helps for the "envenom weapon" feat. But most other schools aren't bad either.
Raise also spellcraft when levelling up as mage for successful scroll scribing.
Barbarian1/rogue, ranger1/rogue, fighter4/rogue, rogue/transmuter, fighter4/transmuter4/rogue or pure rogue are all good choices, which is the best for you depends on how you want to use him.
I strongly recommend keeping at least the cleric, sorcerer and bard pure class. When levelling up I'd increase wis for the cleric, cha for the sorc, cha or con for the bard and str for the tanks and the rogue (int if you want to take wizard levels).
Unlike in BG strength is extremely useful for non-casters. There are no items or spells which set it to a certain value and you'll want to be able to damage monsters with up to 15 damage reduction.
"Lingering song" is an extremely powerful feat for the bard, the expertise feat grants her +5 AC without disadvantage once her songs are too powerful to interrupt them for physical attacks.
Rapid shot grants a full extra ranged attack per round for non-crossbow users. The other feats aren't that earthshaking, improved initiative doesn't work and I'd also avoid feats which only grant skill points or saving throw bonuses.
It helps a lot if all party members can fight the enemies both in melee and from the distance effectively.
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threefiddy
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:22 am
- Contact:
Thanks alot. This was exactly what I wanted. Really useful information and enough advice to keep me comfortable, and not too much to ruin my first run with powergaming.
The advice on abilities increase was also valuable and the decision on the rogue will be an exciting one (i am leaning towards the rogue/ranger combo right now).
I am looking forward to playing after i folded yesterdays laundry.
Thanks again mate and have a nice weekend.
The advice on abilities increase was also valuable and the decision on the rogue will be an exciting one (i am leaning towards the rogue/ranger combo right now).
I am looking forward to playing after i folded yesterdays laundry.
Thanks again mate and have a nice weekend.