Mazzy, or not to Mazzy..that is the question

XxRPGerxX · Post by **XxRPGerxX** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 8:41 pm

In the times I have completed SoA, not once have I taken Mazzy within my party. Her stats are decent for the little fighter she is: Str15 Dex18 Con16. My question is, does she prove herself within the party as a tank..and more-so, does she make for interesting conversation sessions while traveling? I'm presently considering taking her within the fold(party), and if she makes for interesting dialogue its a done deal..

Aegnor · Post by **Aegnor** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 9:01 pm

I'm a big Mazzy fan...of course she can tank, once you get her strength up. Enough "spells" to buff herself/keep herself alive. She's also by far the best archer available.

But if conversation is what you crave, how can you top a guy who talks to his hamster? And really, if melee is more your style, Korgan tops my list. And with a throwing axe the rude dwarf might as well be an archer.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 9:10 pm

To date, Mazzy is the only character in SoA/ToB I haven't tried in a party. It was an oversight; I've attempted to use everybody in a game, and the next time I make one (probably after TDD becomes ToB-compatible), she'll be in.

My initial reason for not using her was that I tend to prefer somebody with heavy melee skills as my tank, while my distance killers are usually magical. But there's a lot to be said for a halfling who can kill a long way off, has a few mild magical abilities, and makes the Lone Ranger look like Baron Greenback.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 10:18 pm

Whilst I haven't played BG2 in a long time now, I always included Mazzy as a back-up fighter and as a sort of all-rounder. She has high proficiencies in both the short sword and especially the short bow for which she is a Grand Master.

A very good alternative when you get bored of the "I can dance on the head of a pin as well"" routine.

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Tue Dec 11, 2001 10:20 pm

Well, In my opinion, shes at least as good as anyone else. She can cast strength and remove fear, as well as starting off with 2 +2 wpns. Start putting her proficiencies into spears and you have an outstanding tank.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 1:41 am

Although I often use her as an archer, she makes for a very good melee fighter, too. And I just love her conversations with Valygar and Korgan...

Tulkas the Stout · Post by **Tulkas the Stout** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 8:39 am

Give her a spear?
Why??

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 8:51 am

Originally posted by Tulkas the Stout:
<STRONG>Give her a spear?
Why??</STRONG>

Well, why not? There are some very good spears out there (lots of damage) and she'll still be able to use a bow before the ennemies get to close. Of course, she'll miss out on the AC bonus of a shield...

[ 12-12-2001: Message edited by: Astafas ]

Tulkas the Stout · Post by **Tulkas the Stout** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 9:25 am

well, then give her a halberd, even more damage

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 10:23 am

Originally posted by Tulkas the Stout:
<STRONG>well, then give her a halberd, even more damage</STRONG>

I beg to differ. The spear "Impaler" does 1D6 + 3 +10(piercing) damage. The halberd "Dragon's Breath" does 1D10 + 5(elemental) damage. In conclusion: 14-19 damage for the spear vs 6-15 damage for the halberd.

Catcher · Post by **Catcher** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 11:18 am

I'll cover a few of the things I've discoevered playing with Mazzy in the party.
1: Since you asked about Mazzy's party interactions, I haven't had too many, but I understand she does have some interesting combinations with NPCs Aerie, Edwin, and Korgan. I've personally seen some interesting interchanges between her and some the non-party NPCs like Ribald. She'll probably be a good addition to any party interaction-wise, but, like any of the scripted interactions, you'll just have to hope to hit the right combos.

2: Combat capabilities. Mazzy can tank as well as any fighter. She can wear any armor (strength permitting) and, if you pick her up early, you can assign her proficiencies to make up for the slightly weaker melee selections. She has some nice innate abilities (like strength, lay hands, haste, and resist fear) that can come in handy when you nedd a quick boost. Something that hasn't been mentioned is that she gets bonuses to saving throws to magic and poison. Combined with her speedy weapons, a short bow or short sword, she makes a dandy mage-killer. The only thing you'll need to invset in is a strength enhancer, whether a belt, gauntlets or Strength spell.

Hope this helps out.

smaug chow · Post by **smaug chow** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 1:11 pm

I'll cast my vote FOR Mazzy!

She consistently had the best AC in my group, she has lots of hit points, has the THAC0 of a pure fighter, comes with good weapons, and has those nifty special abilities. Plus, I play a paladin most often, so Mazzy was a shoe-in. She does require some strength enhancement, but there are at least 3 of those in the game, and one of them is instantly available in the Adv. Mart.

I usually got her early so I could rearrange her proficiencies - she was my axe woman.

I seem to remember her chatting it up with Minsc and Jahiera - I'm sure there were others but it has been a while.

I used her as one of my front-line tanks and rarely as a pure archer, but she fulfills bth tasks very well. Sure, she may not be the mathematical equivalent to Korgan - but so what? Who wants to play a technically perfect game? Thats why they give you choices! You wanna impress somebody? Play with Aerie, Cernd, Haer Dalis, jahiera, and valygar while playing a wizard slayer.

TheDude · Post by **TheDude** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 1:40 pm

Mazzy is really good!
She is a great archer with the gesen bow she will blow up everything.
I played 3 times with her she also has great AC en much hitpoints so she can be, when u make her strenght higher, a great tank.
but i prefer her as full time archer and backup fighter

Luther · Post by **Luther** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 2:17 pm

I decided to use Mazzy for the first time in my new game and I quickly became a fan. Her archery skills are top-notch and when the fight gets too close she whips out her short swords and used 'em to full effect. I've never seen another character take out big creatures all by themselves with a short sword, but she does.
I gave her the tuigen bow and she's like a machine gun with it. She mows down enemies left and right.
she also has some paladin like skills which makes her as good as a true paladin but with fighter thaco.
She probably has one of the nicests voices in the game too.

do I like her or what?

-Luther-

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 2:53 pm

Hmm, I've never really played a full game with Mazzy in it.
She was in my first party for the game, and she died, along with Jaheria. This was before I knew about resurrect spells, and that once you replaced them in the party you couldnt raise them, so, ya, there goes Mazzy from my party. Plus I picked her up near the end, but her profs werent what I wanted so I dropped her. Shes a cool NPC though, so I think I'll take her and Cernd and some of TDD npc's with me