Check out this party

Gr'naash · Post by **Gr'naash** » Mon May 27, 2002 10:03 am

Hello all

This is my first run through BG2.

hero Gr'naash. True neutral h-orc kensai dual wielding katanas
Minsc. Currently using Lilarcor and Elven Court Bow. Not sure where to go next with his proficiencies. I was thinking maybe flail so he could use FoA.
Korgan. Picked him up to assist in getting Celestial Fury. Kicked so much butt I decided to keep him around.
Nalia. Nothing special here, but she's the co-owner of my keep and a pretty good mage so I keep her around.
Vicky. Equipped with Mauler's Arm so she can wear heavier armor. Glad they upped her wis from BG1. With 18 wis and 50% mr she's tops as a cle.
Yoshimo. Only there cause I need his thieving abilities. He's gone once I get Imoen back.

I'm currently in Chap 3. So far everything is pretty harmonious with this group. It's turned out to be a balance of good and evil, more by accident than design. Fitting for my hero anyway. I had more problems with Jaheira insulting everyone around her than I do with any of this crew. There was one incident where Yoshimo started picking on Korgy for being a grouchy dwarf and Korgy more or less threatened to take his head off. Pretty funny. Gr'naash and Minsc will occassionally attack each other after a fight too, but that's to be expected from a berserker and a half orc. Originally had Aerie as my cle/#2 mage but I dumped her when she and Korgy started having problems. Vicky is far better anyway. Yoshimo's only claim to fame is using unconscious trolls for target practice in De'Arnise Keep. After I rescue Imoen she'll be my party thief and second mage. In combat, even with Yoshimo a non-factor, this group rocks!

Kassaras · Post by **Kassaras** » Mon May 27, 2002 1:28 pm

Good party and balanced!
However if you think that Jaheira insults the other party memebers you mustn't have seen enough of Viconia or Korgan!!!

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Mon May 27, 2002 3:11 pm

All this party needs is another mage, but as soon as you dump Yoshi, and get imoen you'l have one.
Nice party, well balanced in skill.

I personally prefere an all good/neutral party or an all evil/neutral party.
Altough i have to admit i never finished an evil party, i'm just not the evil type.

Dour von Zlo · Post by **Dour von Zlo** » Mon May 27, 2002 3:15 pm

Good to see you on the board G'naash.
I'm hackin' my way through for the first time too (currently in the Underdark, so not too far ahead of you) .
I've stuck with pretty much the original party, ie. myself - L16 pally, Minsc, Jaheira and Nalia, although Imoen's tagging along at the mo and I haven't the heart to dump her...
Jaheira keeps trying it on, but I have to say I fancy Nalia more, despite her moaning (and I aint got the lurv mod).
Enjoy the rest of the game and keep that red stuff flowin'!!

Gloop · Post by **Gloop** » Mon May 27, 2002 11:31 pm

You can do this too... ditch Minsc/Korgan and Nalia and install the Solaufein mod and Tashia/Kelsey mod... then you get a powerful fighter/mage and a sorceror... according the the solaufein mod homepage... he is a really active and talkative character.

It's all thanks the the mods and Ascension I'm replaying BG2...

Gloop · Post by **Gloop** » Mon May 27, 2002 11:33 pm

Any comments on my own party?

PC (Fighter/Thief Elf)
Keldorn
Anomen
Jaheira
Tashia
Minsc (ditching once i get solaufein)

I wonder if Solaufein will have any banter to contribute when Drizzt accosts us in Chapter 6...

Gr'naash · Post by **Gr'naash** » Mon May 27, 2002 11:35 pm

I'm RP'ing it as more neutral than purely evil. I've always played good parties prior to this too, but this is just working out well. That Korgy and Vicky are imo the best tank and cleric in the game does factor in as well. I had a real dilemma with what to do with Valygyr. My guys probably should have turned him in, but I couldn't resist the temptation of all that loot in the Planar Sphere. Korgy grumbled a bit but I'm sure he won't complain after we get all that treasure

Thinking now of adding Yan to my group instead of Imoen. Not sure I have the heart to do it, considering I kinda like her and she's been with the hero from day one. Gr'naash doesn't seem like the type to care much though. Yan looks more entertaining and from what I've read is a better mage/thief than Imeon. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm disappointed and actually a little surprised that there's no romance for Imoen, but Vicky seems to be developing a thing for our intrepid hero. Drow and a half orc. Wonder what would thier offspring would look like? Disturbing.

Glad to be here. I'm sure I'll be posting a lot more in the coming weeks. This is a long game.

Kassaras · Post by **Kassaras** » Tue May 28, 2002 4:57 am

Half of the board will jump on me after this but DON'T Take that gnome with you!He is THE most annoying character.
Imoen is so much better!
Her essential thief skills F/r T and OL are high enough that you won't be needing that creature!
Plus she is a straight mage and as such will gain access to the high level spells 8-9 earlier than Jansen.
Good Luck with Viconia!

Gr'naash · Post by **Gr'naash** » Tue May 28, 2002 6:07 pm

Think I might try Jan at least until I rescue Imoen. He's still better than Yoshi. If he's too annoying I'll ditch or kill him then.

As for Solaufein mod, I'm trying to do this first run without any mods or hacks. I will defintely check it out for round 2 though

Thanks for the info.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue May 28, 2002 6:12 pm

Remember, every party NPC has considerable value in the game; one of the fun things is trying out a certain party, then going back and trying other combinations. My only recommendation would be to make sure you have the four basic types represented in some sense: a fighter, thief, mage and cleric. Any number of professions are the equivalent.

Gr'naash · Post by **Gr'naash** » Tue May 28, 2002 6:30 pm

Originally posted by Gloop
You can do this too... ditch Minsc/Korgan and Nalia and install the Solaufein mod and Tashia/Kelsey mod... then you get a powerful fighter/mage and a sorceror... according the the solaufein mod homepage... he is a really active and talkative character.

It's all thanks the the mods and Ascension I'm replaying BG2...

I've always liked fighter/thieves. They do some major backstab damage One of my favorite chars from BG1 was a ftr/thief with 18/00 str equipped with Shadow Armor, Boots of Speed, a Cloak of Non-Detection, and wielding a Dagger of Venom. Mages ran in terror on the rare occassions when they could see him coming

I don't like Anomen though. Aside from his prissy righteous attitude, his 12 wis score means he not a very good cleric. Since he's never going to improve much as fighter, by the time you get to ToB all you'll have is a mediocre cleric with the fighting ability of maybe a 10th lvl ftr. Just my $.02. For a cleric in a good party I say go with Aerie. Between her and Jaheira you'll have all the healing you need. Plus Aerie is a pretty decent mage too. When I still had her I set her up to cast all my party's defensive spells, letting Nalia handle the offensive end of it. If you're looking for another tank, try Mazzy and equip her with the Gauntlets of Ogre Power or a giant strength girdle.

Overall seems pretty good, though I don't know much about Tashia or Keldorn.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue May 28, 2002 6:37 pm

Anomen's wisdom rating does improve once he's passed his "test," becoming a respectable 16, if I recall correctly.

In any case, the case shouldn't be about ratings. There's really not a bad party NPC in the lot.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed May 29, 2002 12:54 am

Originally posted by Kassaras
Half of the board will jump on me after this but DON'T Take that gnome with you!He is THE most annoying character.
Imoen is so much better!
Her essential thief skills F/r T and OL are high enough that you won't be needing that creature!
Plus she is a straight mage and as such will gain access to the high level spells 8-9 earlier than Jansen.
Good Luck with Viconia!

As for annoying, that's up to you. As for who's the better NPC, it depends on what you're looking for. Jan will get the high level spells a bit later, that's true. But he'll also get one more spell per level, the possibility to lay traps, pick pockets, UAI, backstab...

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed May 29, 2002 1:02 am

Originally posted by Gr'naash
I don't like Anomen though. Aside from his prissy righteous attitude, his 12 wis score means he not a very good cleric. Since he's never going to improve much as fighter, by the time you get to ToB all you'll have is a mediocre cleric with the fighting ability of maybe a 10th lvl ftr.

You should try him out first. As fable said, there is a way to improve his WIS to 16. And he'll be a great fighter with the Gauntlets of Dex and the use of the many clerical buffing spells. To compare Anomen in ToB with a 10 level Fighter is ridiculous.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Wed May 29, 2002 1:16 am

In any case, the case shouldn't be about ratings. There's really not a bad party NPC in the lot.

I certainly agree with Fable. My current party is comprised of some NPCs I haven't tried out before, and one of them is going to be Korgan once I head back in his direction. I think it's all a matter of enjoying the game - there really is no best way to play it. The point to me is simple: did you have fun? If you have, then you have an awesome party.

Anomen's wisdom does increase once he attains his knighthood, as does his alignment. I've used Anomen in the previous two parties I've taken through BG2 SoA & ToB, and I'm here to tell you that he does very well, especially at higher levels. So does Jaheira, and Nalia, and all of the others.

Just as with your own character, if you take care of the NPCs, they'll take care of you. Give them good items, and they'll carry their weight (and then some). Concerning Anomen - remember, he has a fighter base, so he can acheive the highest level of mastery with his permitted weapons: *****.

Doc Atlas · Post by **Doc Atlas** » Wed May 29, 2002 1:17 am

Bah! Solo is the only way to go!

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed May 29, 2002 1:35 am

Originally posted by Doc Atlas
Bah! Solo is the only way to go!

I've never understood what's so good about being alone in life...