A few questions about a sorceror and his party

nokturn · Post by **nokturn** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:49 pm

Hi folks,

I'm new to this forum so I'd like to say hello first. I've decided to re-install BG2 lately while waiting for Diablo III (I know, that might still take some time since it will be done when it's done

). I hope there's still some people around here considering the age of the game.

After finishing SoA with a solo Blade (somewhat dull) and an evil party ( Kensai 13 dual to thief, korgan, edwin and viconia, strongest party I've ever had in BG II) I decided to go through SoA and ToB with a "good" party.

I've never played a pure arcane spellcaster so I was thinking about a Sorceror since everyone keeps telling how powerful they are. She'll be a lawful good female elf.

I'm not sure however in what way INT affects her stats. Does she get less Spells with a low INT score? I've been seeing contradictory opinions on this. If INT doesn't affect spells I guess I could go to the minimum with this, thus allowing me a STR score of 18 which would be nice for carrying stuff and for the sling of seeking (the one that gets a bonus from STR). Regarding the Sling of Seeking, how exactly does it get affected by STR?

As regards the party:

- Keldorn: Main Tank wielding Carsomyr
- Anomen: Cleric/Secondary Tank wielding FoA + several shields
- Jan: Thief/Backstabber/Secondary Spellcaster/Turnip Peddler

That's all, I don't like big parties. Since I like to roleplay a bit I'm not entirely happy with Jan in the party, I think he doesn't really fit in the party from a role-playing point of view but there's no real alternative to him. I like to make extensive use of traps and backstabbing and I want my PC to be a pure spellcaster focussing entirely on magic.

Is Anomen capable of filling the second tank slot? With his buffing abilities he should be but I'd like to make sure. If I have to make up with his fussy, annoying, presumptuous character I want him to deliver.

Well, that's all for now, thanks for your thoughts on this.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:52 pm

nokturn wrote:I'm not sure however in what way INT affects her stats. Does she get less Spells with a low INT score? I've been seeing contradictory opinions on this. If INT doesn't affect spells I guess I could go to the minimum with this, thus allowing me a STR score of 18 which would be nice for carrying stuff and for the sling of seeking (the one that gets a bonus from STR). Regarding the Sling of Seeking, how exactly does it get affected by STR?

I'm pretty sure sorcerer spells are based on Charisma, but you're really better off making STR your lower stat - there are heaps of STR-boosting items out there, but not many INT-boosters and even then they only boost it by 1. Also you can cast the mage spell Strength, which'll boost your strength to 18/00 anyway, or drink potions if you need.
The SoS adds your STR bonus to your damage, so it's the best sling in the game for high-STR characters. Personally I'd keep it for Anomen and equip your Sorc with Darts of Stunning (or Wounding for facing casters). They have a higher rate of fire and the stunning effect is pretty useful.

nokturn wrote:As regards the party:

- Keldorn: Main Tank wielding Carsomyr
- Anomen: Cleric/Secondary Tank wielding FoA + several shields
- Jan: Thief/Backstabber/Secondary Spellcaster/Turnip Peddler

That's all, I don't like big parties. Since I like to roleplay a bit I'm not entirely happy with Jan in the party, I think he doesn't really fit in the party from a role-playing point of view but there's no real alternative to him. I like to make extensive use of traps and backstabbing and I want my PC to be a pure spellcaster focussing entirely on magic.

Is Anomen capable of filling the second tank slot? With his buffing abilities he should be but I'd like to make sure. If I have to make up with his fussy, annoying, presumptuous character I want him to deliver.

Well, that's all for now, thanks for your thoughts on this.

Yep, Ano will do fine, but if you don't want Jan (who is awesome btw, especially with Anomen and Keldorn in the party) why not do a solo multi-player game and create a custom thief? Alternately there's a mod out there called Level 1 NPCs that allows you to change NPC classes, so if you're comfortable with that you could maybe change Nalia or someone into a single-class thief.

galraen · Post by **galraen** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:18 pm

If you don't want Jan in your party then there are some good NPC rogues available, I'd recommend either Fade or Amber, both of which you can find through Pocket Plane.

I'm pretty sure sorcerer spells are based on Charisma

Not in 2nd Edition, you have to have a minimum of 9 Intelligence and Charisma, but neither have any effect on what spells you can gain.

nokturn · Post by **nokturn** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:26 pm

Well, thanks for the clarifications. So maybe I'll shave a few points off INT if needed but, as I said, I like to roleplay a bit so I'm not entirely comfortable with having a sorceror that is as "intelligent" as Minsc.

Thanks for the pocket planet website. Didn't know that there so many NPC mods out there. Amber looks interesting though.

nokturn · Post by **nokturn** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 5:25 am

*spoiler warning*

I've decided to add Jaheira to the party because I'm kind of find of her.

I've completed all the quests in Atkathla and allmost all of the side quests.

However, Jaheira's quest where you get taken to the Harper building for questioning doesn't trigger. Is there any way to force it while still in Atkathla? I don't want her to be leaving during the spellhold/underdark episode because it would take quite some time then to get to the Harpers building. I've already done the Baron Ployer quest as wells as Xzar's quest, in former games it normally triggered shortly thereafter.

Stworca · Post by **Stworca** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 6:10 am

Remember to boost your wisdom before casting Wish.. Ahoy!

(if you'll have any doubts during level-up, [url="http://www.gamebanshee.com/forums/baldurs-gate-ii-shadows-of-amn-9/guide-to-tactical-mods-spoilers-116063-p3.html#post1078980"]here's[/url] a small guide on the best spells )

As for Jaheira.. The problem with her personal quest is - the NPC that pops to take her away from you CAN be avoided without knowing it. It waits in some random place now waiting for you to come back.

nokturn · Post by **nokturn** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:28 am

well I've traveled several times thorugh Alktahla now but the guy didn't show up. I'll be setting sail to Spellhold now. Well at least Jaheira won't leave the party then. Although I would have liked to get the ring of acuity and the Harpers pin for her. Well, though luck I guess.

Thanks

galraen · Post by **galraen** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:40 am

When I've been doing the Jaheira romance it wasn't always in Athkatla that the messenger arrived to summon me to the inquisition; on at lest one occasion I was outside D;Arnise Keep, on one of my trips to the keep after taking charge of the keep. So it can happen in any area prior to going to Brynlaw I assume, not just in Athkatla.

Stworca · Post by **Stworca** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 1:23 pm

galraen wrote:outside D;Arnise Keep.

Either the above or in docks district for me. Most of the time

Pulverizer · Post by **Pulverizer** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:44 pm

galraen wrote: ... on at lest one occasion I was outside D;Arnise Keep, on one of my trips to the keep after taking charge of the keep. So it can happen in any area prior to going to Brynlaw I assume, not just in Athkatla.

It has always happened outside the D'Arnise Keep for me in almost half a dozen playthroughs.

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:45 am

Just happened to me half an hour ago whilst sleeping where you fight the Shadow Lord. Problem was, I was going to fight the dragon, but feel that I need Jahiera's insect swarm.

Now I'll have to go to pick up Jahiera first!

Sykar · Post by **Sykar** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:47 am

nokturn wrote:Hi folks,

I'm new to this forum so I'd like to say hello first. I've decided to re-install BG2 lately while waiting for Diablo III (I know, that might still take some time since it will be done when it's done ). I hope there's still some people around here considering the age of the game.

After finishing SoA with a solo Blade (somewhat dull) and an evil party ( Kensai 13 dual to thief, korgan, edwin and viconia, strongest party I've ever had in BG II) I decided to go through SoA and ToB with a "good" party.

I've never played a pure arcane spellcaster so I was thinking about a Sorceror since everyone keeps telling how powerful they are. She'll be a lawful good female elf.

Mages are about on par with Sorcerers and only a bit weaker in ToB after around Level 20 or so when Sorceres can get additional spells for level 3 and upwards which is stupid by the way plus they get all 6 spell slots at 20 for level 9 spells unlike wizards who have to wait until around level 25 to get 4-5 slots there.
Additionally the spell progression if wizard was a bit weakend since a level 31 wizard could get 7 slots per level nearly. A BG 2 mage has to be satisfied with 5. Yes Specialist could get 8 slots per level back then.
That's why I play with the original P&P sell progression for wizards.
The main question regarding choosing between mage or wizard is, do you like to spam the same spells over and over or do you like diversity?
By the way Wizards get spell level up to 5 earlier than sorcerers. They can also get their sequencers and spell triggers right away when they hit the appropiate levels something most sorcerers won't do. Casting spell sqeuencer or trigger 3 times a day is not very benefitial.
As a Wizard you can get your familiar right in Irenicus dungeon which is a nice bonus too especially if you upped it's difficulty.

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:24 am

nokturn wrote:Well, thanks for the clarifications. So maybe I'll shave a few points off INT if needed but, as I said, I like to roleplay a bit so I'm not entirely comfortable with having a sorceror that is as "intelligent" as Minsc.

Thanks for the pocket planet website. Didn't know that there so many NPC mods out there. Amber looks interesting though.

I would also make charisma the minimum. There is an item early on in the game that raises charisma to 18. Not only that, there is another item in the gate area that REDUCES charisma to 25 if you are wearing the item mentioned above.
:laugh: