The Good All-Stars In Throne Of Bhaal...

ElvenKing · Post by **ElvenKing** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 7:31 pm

To counter my previous post about the merits of an all evil party in Throne of Bhaal, here is my opinion about what would make a great party for the forces of good and righteousness in the expansion.
However, I do wish to acknowledge the fact that I believe the evil NPC's have an edge on the good NPC's in the party prerequisite classes - fighter, mage, cleric. Therefore, I feel the evil party is on the whole more powerful than the good party.
At least with the all good party you have a bit more selection NPC-wise.
Once again, the player character is purely subjective and chosen for what I felt was lacking...

1)Keldorn (LG Inquisitor) - best leader and mage killer
2)Minsc (CG Ranger) - great strength and tanking ability
3)Anomen (LG Fighter/Cleric) - must do personal quest right to make him worthwhile
4)Imoen (NG Thief/Mage) - best good mage
5)Aerie (LG Mage/Cleric) - good backup, tons of spells
6)Swashbuckler (NG) - superb thieving skills, good fighter

You could easily substitute Valygar or Mazzy into any of those slots and not miss a beat. Both of them have good hit point totals, and are better with ranged weapons than Minsc. In fact, that is the one aspect in which good parties have evil parties beat hands down - range of choice for companions.
I chose Minsc as the second tank for his great natural strength which free up the strength belts for Keldorn and the Swashbuckler.
The Swashbuckler was chosen simply because this party was sorely lacking in the thieving department, so I gave them the best thief in terms of skill potential. Also, in the all evil party I also went with a thief kit PC, so this was a choice made in fairness to the comparison process.
A great group, but they must be equipped properly to measure up to the Evil All-Stars.
ElvenKing

[ 06-11-2001: Message edited by: ElvenKing ]

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 7:55 pm

That's close to my next good/neutral party, except that I'm considering replacing Minsc with Jaheira, while my NPC will be either a wild mage or a sorc. Powerful party in either case, with excellent ability against the undead.

Mr. Clark · Post by **Mr. Clark** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 9:41 pm

I agree with you Elvinking.....except for Anomen. I just hate him. I would probably take Jaheira along instead of him.

Just a little question. I have never tried playing a Swashbuckler....or any theif for that matter. I won't ask you if they are any good, because I already know that they are. My question is: are Swashbucklers FUN to play with?

Thanks

Mr. Clark · Post by **Mr. Clark** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 9:57 pm

Whoa.......Just realized I spelled your name wrong

........sorry 'bout that Elvenking

Vehemence · Post by **Vehemence** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 10:29 pm

Two points Mr.Clark.

Firstly, yep, any thief class is good fun to play. Swashbuckler's are good for people who still want a good fighter that can also take care of any and all thieving requirements you may need.

The second point is that you can simply edit the mistake you made in the first message... no need to post twice.

Mr. Sprinkles · Post by **Mr. Sprinkles** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 12:05 am

Imoen is Neutral Good, Elvenking

sigurd · Post by **sigurd** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 2:34 am

Imoen is Neutral Good, Elvenking

Yeah, thats what he said

Mr. Clark · Post by **Mr. Clark** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 6:44 am

Originally posted by Vehemence:
<STRONG>
The second point is that you can simply edit the mistake you made in the first message... no need to post twice. </STRONG>

Ahh...I see...good to know Vehemence.

ElvenKing · Post by **ElvenKing** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 10:13 am

@ fable - I considered the Anomen for Jaheira swap, but then decided that if I was building a good only party that Jaheira really doesn't belong under with her True Neutral alignment. However, in a mixed alignment party she would definitely be one of my keepers!
@ Mr. Clark - Swashbucklers are super fun to play. Unless you are a big fan of the backstab - then you will HATE the Swashbuckler kit. I like them for a couple of reasons. They get the most thieving points possible, so if you go with a Halfling or an Elf you will have a super thief on your hands. Secondly they can dual wield which makes them more viable in a melee situation. Plus the AC bonus they receive every five levels gives them a BASE AC of 1 by games end - and that's before any rings, armour, etc...

Barthold · Post by **Barthold** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 2:28 pm

My uber Good-aligned party
Me:kensai/single CF str:20
Minsc:Warblade/silver sword str:18/96
Anonem:Crom faeyr+ sentinel str:25
Jaheira:staff of the woodlands str:19
Aerie:sling of everard/staff of magi
Imoen:short bow of gesen
But:big problem( a dilemma, which isn't solved yet)
I like Valygar far more then Minsc,dual wielding katana's with shadow dragon scale, he looks real cool, and is a very good fighter.(+his backstab in TOB gonna be awesome!)(that's1).2)Carsomyr is so an excellent sword( and it can be upgraded in TOB),and must be wielded by someone.
So i came to this solution
Me:inquisitor or cavalier(cavalier is the coolest, inquisitor the best, don't know who to pick):holy avenger str:22
Valygar:dual wielding CF and dakkon's zerth blade str:20
Anonem:flail of ages(can be upgraded in TOB)+sentinel str:19
Jaheira:" str:18/00
Aerie:"
Imoen:"
But:1)i never played as a paladin, always chosen a fighter kit.
2)Minsc is a friend from BG1, and lonely without your company, he already lost Dynaheir.
3)Don't have crom faeyr, but a very strengthened party.i like crom
4)i am really tired of playing every time through that ****ing dungeon again.
I am now in my exams, so i don't play bg for another 2 weeks, but i really don't know which party to chose!!!!!!!!!!

Barthold · Post by **Barthold** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 2:49 pm

+ these are defenitly the best partys
because:1)you must have a mage+backup mage,to cast breach,lower resistance, pierce
Imoen and Aerie
2)You have 3 healers:Jaheira,Aerie,Anonem
3)Main cleric, backup cleric:Then you can cast the very powerful holy smite several times
4)you have a druid:a must have in TOB, and who does away sexbom Jaheira?
5)2 main fighters, 2 back-up fighters
6)2 with crushing,2 with piercing, 2 with slashing damage:For some variety
7)thief:Imoen
8)Stalker:jack of al trades,backstab + great strength
9)2 chances for romance:Jaheira,Aerie
and:3 males, 3 females
10)+ with your fighters:no low dex,because when you play with keldorn and Anonem, one of two has low strength
........................
i am sorry guys but i am the best

Mr. Sprinkles · Post by **Mr. Sprinkles** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 8:27 pm

Oops, oh well, I could have sworn it said Chaotic Good last night...anyway, he must have already edited it. Didn't mean to embarass you, Elvenking

Rodo · Post by **Rodo** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 2:37 am

I'm assuming the 'Neutral All Stars' post is coming up next?
Not much of a selection in that area though. Although...
Jaheira - will be very powerful in tob
Cenrd - Never used him, but druids will become incredibly powerful
Haer'Dalis - Never used him, but the blade kit is incredible
Jan - needs no expanation
did I miss anyone?

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 9:27 am

druids will become incredibly powerful

Bioware said they would be "improved". I, for one, am not too impressed with all the shapechanging and poison immunity, so I hope they'll add in some really interesting powers. Wouldn't see why you'd ever get Cernd if they didn't.

I'm assuming the 'Neutral All Stars' post is coming up next?
did I miss anyone?

Yup. Anomen. Or does he become Good after passing his test?

ElvenKing · Post by **ElvenKing** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 8:29 pm

@ Barthold - I'm going to have to disagree with you on one thing. The Stalker is not the jack-of-all-trades, not by a long shot. That title will have to stay with the Fighter/Mage/Thief multi-class. Having played one for a significant portion of the game, I believe they are an incredibly interesting and fun character to play. The only reason that I won't be keeping him for Throne of Bhaal is because of the fact that the F/M/T will miss out on all the high level abilities due to the experience cap. Was I ever disappointed about that...
@ Mr. Sprinkles - You were right, I did have it wrong. I just edited over it as soon as I realized my mistake.
ElvenKing

[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: ElvenKing ]

Nighthawk · Post by **Nighthawk** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 9:08 pm

I've been gone way too long, but hopefully should be back some now. Anyway...

If they do things with the druids like they did in Heart of Winter, they could be very, very good. Aside from catching up with clerics in spells while having the better spells, they pick up shapeshifting abilities that are actually good. With the right equipment, then water elemental form can hit at least 90% resistance to all physical damage.

Even in BG2, Avenger/Fighters (imported character from BG1) can be scary when used right.