Expected selection of NPCs (spoiler)

CptMarvel · Post by **CptMarvel** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 2:55 pm

By the opening chapter of BGII, it's obvious that you were expected to have played BGI to it's end with Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira, Minsc and Dynaheir. My questions are...

1. Based on that group's balance, what do you think the expected race/class/gender of the protagonist should be, I'm speaking in terms of storyline as much as power-gaming.

2. what do you think the expected party is in BGII?.

I would suggest Imeon, Jaheira, and Minsc obviously as they continue from BGI. And to add Yoshima since he leaves at nearly the same time that you add Imoen back to your party, providing a convenient switch and not having to dump anybody. So, Yoshima, Minsc, Jaheira,....then Imoen, Minsc, Jaheira. That leaves room for 2 others. I would suggest Aerie as one, she's an ideal romance interest for a good-aligned male protagonist, and she can replace Dynaheir as Minsc's witch. The second would probably depend on the class of the protagonist. For example, 2 paladins with Keldorn would be kind of redundant. Anyway, respond with your suggestions.

Rattman · Post by **Rattman** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 3:35 pm

i was thinking about this just today

how the game is set out for a good character and expects you to have played as a good character

Anoman seems like a good one for just having

and i'd agree on Arie

so it would be

you
Minsc
Jahiera
Yoshimo/Imoen
Arie
Anoman

hmmm Nalia might replace arie tho for the mage and no argueing about romance?

Aramant · Post by **Aramant** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 11:57 pm

In terms of a good-aligned party, I think the creators expect you to take Anomen, especially if you play a female, as he's the only male romance option.

Sebanis · Post by **Sebanis** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 1:10 am

I think Sarevok is an expected party member (if you have ToB) and maybe Viccie or Edwin, since they were also from the first game. Most likely Viccie though, since she is also a romance possibility and if you have Edwin and Minsc together for too long they eventually come to blows

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 11:32 am

Anomen is definetly an addition to *almost* any group, as he covers two seperate alignments, allowing you to customize him as you wish.

My idea of an average, classic BG2 party:

PC
Minsc
Jaheira
Imoen/Yoshimo
Jan/Nalia
Anomen

Just my thinkings. I didn't need, want, or take Sarevok at any point or time, or Korgan, Edwin or anybody else...except Viccie. I just now replaced Minsc with her because Anomen and Jaheira are my tanks and front-liners.

ARcheR_S_ · Post by **ARcheR_S_** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 12:04 pm

I started a new game today.......(just cant seem to be able to finish the game all the way through ToB)....and ive been thinking about it to.

There are just 2 sides on my coin.
1= I want a new part with new NPC's......so ill get something different (if i will do this my party will be: Viconia - Hear'Dhalis - Kelsey - Minsc - Imoen/Nalia/Jan..........or (when evil) Viconia - Edwin - Korgan - Hear' Dhalis - Imoen/Jan)

2= Ill play the game with the NPC's i finshed with in BG1......and continue with the NPC's I will meet first. (then my party will be: Minsc - Jaheira - Imoen/Nalia - Yoshimo - Aerie......I have a real strong urge to play this due to my roleplayign style, but Im also getting tired with this group......So i figured out ill start with the people i finished BG1 with and then add NPC's (which I like) and which ill meet first. So this way i will be able to add Viconia and maybe Korgan for a change)

Not sure yet though......lol

-ARcheR_S_

gnomethingy · Post by **gnomethingy** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 1:22 pm

Cpt... I would say it depends on your alignment, even within good paramaters

Consider that, an lg char would likely save Viconia but certainly not have her in the party though its doubtfull a ng or cg char could have it on there concience that she is very likely to be burned on another day

A cg character would not get along with ng Anomen, since cg chars fight for good, regardless of law and ng chars uphold law, regardless of the moral imlications

an Lg character probably couldnt handle the true neutral druidic philosophy of Jaheira for long, not that she is even 1% true to her alignment

I mean thats my opinion, play the game by what you think your char would do based on there class / alignment and personality.. Try not to worry to much about what the you think the game wants you to do
my two cents

CM · Post by CM » Sat Jun 22, 2002 4:05 pm

I started playing BG2 and TOB again after Dec.
I have been waiting for TDD to go TOB compatible.
But it seems like it won't be any time soon.

My team is:

PC
Minsc
Keldron
Anomen
Yoshimo/Imoen
Tashia (romance mod pretty good so far - only 3 dialogues)

I normally have Aerie and/or Valygar, but don't feel like playing them.

Oh yeah just a note, pick up the item up grade mod - really cool - it allows you to up grade most items in SOA and TOB.
Like the Daystar becomes Daystar +4.
Like Helmet of Defence plus the charm protection becomes one helmet - nifty item me thinks.
You can find it here:

http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~weimer/bgate/index.html

DrSlikk · Post by **DrSlikk** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 9:18 pm

I had great success through SoA and ToB with:
CG Ranger
Minsc/Sarevok
Mazzy
Viconia
Jahiera
Nalia/Imoen

Gives you tanks, magic and everything in between.

Also tried:
LG Cavalier
Keldorn
Arie
Jahiera
Viconia
Nalia/Imoen

As you can see im a sucker for the ladies, but who can blame me

.

Just try to pick npc's that are of a similar alighnment as your pc, which woud mean that they are of a similair mindset and wouldn't mind adventuring with you. A LG paladin wouldn't take Viconia, as you can see by Keldorns reaction to her and a CE pc woulnd't take Arie, as you can see by Korgans reaction to her. Make sure your party worksfor you and not against you.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 8:12 am

Originally posted by Rattman
i was thinking about this just today

how the game is set out for a good character and expects you to have played as a good character

Not necessarily good, I'd suggest. Just not evil. The evil party NPCs in BG2 aren't really evil; they're extremely selfish and driven people, but they don't really enjoy causing suffering--unless you count Edwin, and his delight in harming others is strictly channeled into activities that will bring rewards to all (because he knows he can't cut it on his own). Evil party NPCs in BG2 are really neutral.

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 8:24 am

Originally posted by fable

Not necessarily good, I'd suggest. Just not evil. The evil party NPCs in BG2 aren't really evil; they're extremely selfish and driven people, but they don't really enjoy causing suffering--unless you count Edwin, and his delight in harming others is strictly channeled into activities that will bring rewards to all (because he knows he can't cut it on his own). Evil party NPCs in BG2 are really neutral.

Exactly. When I first went to Viconia, Anomen said that it was best that such a creature be burned to death immediatly. When I put her into the group, Viconia didn't seem to mind him in the least and he suddenly changed his opinion. (He said she was "stunning". WHat does that tell you about our knight in shining armor?)

And with Minsc -- he was concerned about her going out on her own again, saying that somebody could capture her again and try to kill her. Viconia, in a very un-evil like way, replied that she could watch herself if the party did not need her assistance.

She strikes me as more of a Nuetral charactor than an evil one anyways. She just doesn't hve that bitter kick that Edwin does -- thank Helm.

CptMarvel · Post by **CptMarvel** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 9:58 am

good bias

I think it's a shame that the game seems to want to push you towards a good-aligned style of role-playing. If you think about it...good reputation = low store prices, bad reputation = high store prices and random encounters. Not to mention there is more experience and reward for doing good aligned things, like freeing slaves etc... I think it would be very nice if the game offered some kind of a parralel system for evil and neutral pcs. Where an evil pc was rewarded in different ways for behaving evil. Instead of high and low reputation, there would infamy for notoriously evil characters, with different advantages.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 11:22 am

@CptMarvel, it would have required esssentially double the interactions and a lot of different balancing to the quests--including a set of new ones. Arcanum shows how that can be done, but I can see why the devs of BG2 didn't want to take the time to pursue that course.

Rattman · Post by **Rattman** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 4:07 pm

i think the makes wanted to make good an evil paths but time constraints stopped them

there is also lots of things that seemed to have somethign that time caused them to cut out like Jan's quest may have had another part to it (i really wanted to go outside with the gards ad teach them a lesson)

DrSlikk · Post by **DrSlikk** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 6:38 pm

Spoiler

If u are evil u can tell Lethinet that Hendack wants to escape and u will get experience and a reward for it. there are a lot of eveil things u can do, but its just a matter of how u do it. an evil person doesn't want a bad reputation and a selfish person would want more experience for himself, even at the expence of doing "good" things.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 8:29 pm

I think we've forgotten that Korgan likes to harm others....

Ode to a Grasshopper · Mon Jun 24, 2002 1:19 am

But try taking him through the slavers quest. He reveals a good side to his character then.