Discussion: Best Staple NPC Combo

methestel · Post by **methestel** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 11:44 pm

Given the importance of strategy to the game - which NPC's make the best staple party members (keeping in mind personality conflicts etc)?

Thoughts?

araknid70 · Post by **araknid70** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 11:55 pm

korgan. good fighter and has no special conflicts with anyone.

methestel · Post by **methestel** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 12:11 am

Current Party

Right now I'm playing a straight-up fighter - wanted to keep it simple as it's actually my first time through BG2

My NPC's are:

Jaheira
Mazzy
Amnomen
Aerie
Nalia

- I'm not overly happy with this setup but I'm at a level where priest spells (healing) and mage spells make a big difference.

I wasn't too sure I should have evil characters - but korgan does look pretty sweet. What about rep? conflicts?

Thrain · Post by **Thrain** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 10:30 am

Korgan has a conflict with Aerie i believe.

i can't off the bat think of anyone who doesn't have a conflict. Jaheira perhaps (although there is the romance). i don't think Mazzy has any.

Nalia either.....................Yoshimo (for obvious reasons).......................that's about it.

IMHO Mazzy is the best tank. I'm using her atm and she kills faster than Minsc (with improved lilarcor or dual wielding daystar and equaliser) and my Ranger/Cleric who has Improved MoD and FoA.

Also, does anyone else find themselves overly drawn to fighters? i currently have Aerie, Kelsey and Imoen in my party and they hardly did anything in Underdark because of the Drow magic resistance. Plus, i have the plate of balduran and the Doomplate hanging around in my inventory with noone to wear them. Aerie's and Imoen's spell slots are covered with flame arrow, breach, stoneskin and chain lightning, those are the only spells i use. even kelsey only uses abi-dalzim in addition to this.

I'm thinking of dropping Kelsey and picking up Keldorn, or is it too late?

krunchyfrogg · Post by **krunchyfrogg** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:52 pm

Jaheira or Imoen.

Jaheira can tank, she can heal, she can cast insect swarm.

Imoen can be an awesome spellcaster, and can take care of any thieving needs you'll ever come up against.

Versatility is important, and both of these characters are important to the storyline. Power is important, and both of these characters are powerful as well. Potential conflicts with other party members is an important factor, and neither of these two will leave because of, or fight with, another party member.

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 3:23 pm

jaheira...imho, best tank in game...second cleric..
minsc...great archer with a bit of sk...

aerie...the only cleric mage in game..
imoen...i always go with sis, always...

i like to keep the last slot open for various mods, like taking solafein along, or tashia...

but usually fill it with, nalia, or jan, or korgan...i know enough about globals to reset "korganaeriegrump" to prevent conflict with aerie...

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:05 am

Jaheira, Jan; in general, the neutrals. None of them will leave you or attack the others, despite your rep. By contrast, good or evil alignment party NPCs will snap at one another if you become "good" or "evil," and may attack.

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:05 pm

Originally posted by fable
Jaheira, Jan; in general, the neutrals. None of them will leave you or attack the others, despite your rep. By contrast, good or evil alignment party NPCs will snap at one another if you become "good" or "evil," and may attack.

urm...if rep drops to zero, neutrals like jan and jaheira will leave....

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:51 pm

Originally posted by UserUnfriendly
urm...if rep drops to zero, neutrals like jan and jaheira will leave....

And exactly how often do you encounter situations where your rep drops that far?

No, wait. This is UU I'm speaking with. Okay. Just how often do you think all *other* players would encounter situations where their rep drops that far?

Kaitsuburi · Post by **Kaitsuburi** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:56 pm

With UU around, we know there's somebody pushing the game engine to its limits LOL

I myself have never gone below 3, but it's always nice to know...

-kaitsuburi

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 8:09 pm

Originally posted by fable
And exactly how often do you encounter situations where your rep drops that far?

No, wait. This is UU I'm speaking with. Okay. Just how often do you think all *other* players would encounter situations where their rep drops that far?

just have valen in the party...

after killing buffy and others, i got down to zero rep, and jaheira started making leaving sounds...so i reloaded, and ran to the nearest temple before they could initiate dialog..

yep, killing all the vampire hunters used to drop rep to zero...

Aule · Post by **Aule** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 12:59 pm

Originally posted by fable
And exactly how often do you encounter situations where your rep drops that far?

No, wait. This is UU I'm speaking with. Okay. Just how often do you think all *other* players would encounter situations where their rep drops that far?

well i actually do let my reputation drop, usually i don't let it drop under 4 because of knightys and such but i recently found out they give good xp and items so i DO let it drop to zero by now.

but then am i a normal person? well anyway i thought i should let you know ther is at least *one* other