Some advice on parties

EternalKnight · Post by **EternalKnight** » Sun Dec 17, 2000 5:43 pm

Ok, me again, I didn't want to post this with the last one because I thought it would be too lengthy. Once I start the game, I need to know about who I should put in my party. I know where everyon is except for the Shapeshifter, whom I don't think I'll want. I think I'll keep Jahiera and Minsc since they're old friends. If I can think of why not to have them, I may get rid of them. Now I need a good thief, don't know who. I was thinking of Edwin and Keldorn, and perhaps Haerdalis, though I also want Mazzy and Valygar. And maybe I could put in Amoen, but don't know. What do you guys think? I know I named more than my the allowed 6, but those were the people I was considering. What to do?

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Sun Dec 17, 2000 5:52 pm

My advice is to take Yoshimo as the thief, wich is good for the storyline as well (he he he).

Then Jaheira as the healer and antimage weapon, insect plauge kills mages quicker than a boot kills ants.

Keldorn is a though as nails front fighter with the bracers of dexterity and Carsomyr, plus he's a good guy in most respect.

Edwin is a great magic user, but everyone else really hates him. Take Nalia instead.

The two last choices are yours to make. If you need two fighters then take Mazzy and Valygar. If you need more spells then take Haer'Dalis and Airie.

Try to keep yer characters good or neutral since high reputation gets you a good offer at the merchants and the forces of good like you a lot, heck even the forces of evil likes you more it seems. Evil characters tend to be more powerful than good but cause trouble in the party. Go for either evil or good since mixing yields poor results (but entertaining conversations).

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Sun Dec 17, 2000 6:01 pm

Depends on what you will be (fighter/ paladin)i would say Jaheira,Minsc,Yoshimo,Nalia,Aerie,That will give you 2 fighters,2 thiefs, 2 healers,4 long range, 3magic users.

EternalKnight · Post by **EternalKnight** » Sun Dec 17, 2000 6:12 pm

I ommitted Yoshimo because I didn't want to work on his experience and all then have him scre... no, turn on me. So who is the best Thief? Also, question, is Nalia a metter mage than Edwin?

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Sun Dec 17, 2000 6:26 pm

Edwin is the best mage in the game as he get's a lot of bonus spells and has good constitution. He's evil to the core though and will get in trouble with the "people of better consience" so to speak.

If you want a good thief besides Yoshimo then take Jan Janssen. They are the only "active" thieves in the game. Nalia can't be considered a thief without the help potions since she will not be able to open the harder locks or disarm the deadlier traps. Powered with potions she'll get you trough though. The ability to even use thief potions and weapons makes her more versatile than the more fragile Edwin.

rumagent · Post by **rumagent** » Sun Dec 17, 2000 7:39 pm

Edwin is a must. He is the best spell slinger around and his quest is hillarious.

I would also take Jan. He is an excellent pickpocket and his "detect trap/open lock" is quite good too. The best thing about him is his scripting, though - especially if you have Minsc in your party. Futhermore I found that with Jan in my party I didn't really need a thief.

Keldorn is worth considering. With Carsomyr he can inflict quite a bit of pain. The problem is that he seems determined to plant Carsomyr in Viconia also

With Keldorns predjudice in mind you really have to decide between him and Viconia pretty fast. Viconia is the best cleric in the game, but in melee she is very weak. I equiped her with gauntlets of ogre power and girdle of fortitude - after that she kick ass!

I am suprised that no one has mentioned Korgan yet. With Str:18/77 Dex:15 Con:19 and the ability to become grandmaster in axe, he isthe best fighter in the game (imo, anyways).

I would dump Aerie immediatly, her constant whining is annoying and a turnoff. The same goes for Nalia and Anomen - both are a pain. Haer'Dalis is imo the worst character in the game. He is supposed to be a bard, yet he has no lore to speak of and as a fighter he is mediocre at best.

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"Beyond the grave they will find nothing but death. But we shall keep the secret, and for their happiness we shall allure them with the reward of heaven and eternity." -- Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

[This message has been edited by rumagent (edited 12-17-2000).]

sinRes1 · Post by **sinRes1** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 3:07 am

How can any one prefer nalia over edwin? for the thief part you use jan (atleast until you get imoen back) so wont have to use nalias thief skills any way, though nalias ring is pretty power full i think its better with a ring of acuility and one of wizardry since you dont use the mage in close combat any way. ok you cant have 20 i rep with edwin but since you cant have it with corgan either and hes the best fighter it dosnt matter. the only real problem with edwin is his amulet that prevents him from using a good one.

sinRes1 · Post by **sinRes1** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 3:17 am

but what do you mean with "will get in trouble with the "people of better consience" so to speak". i never had any problem with that, he even worked nicely side by side with minsc.

Maurice · Post by **Maurice** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 8:34 am

<rant>

"Edwin is a must"
"Korgan is a must"

Absolute BS! I always play the proverbial Good Guy, even though one of my protagonists is a Thief. These two EVIL characters do not fit my party line-up, and I would rather put them on the wrong end of my blade than anywhere else. Hell, Edwin (the arrogant bastard) already had that pleasure once before in BG 1.

I have never EVER had them in my party for good - Korgan only for his book-quest - and I have perfectly managed without them. So, they're NOT a ... "must".

</rant>

Ahhhh ... much better ...

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 10:34 am

Yeah Maurice,.....seems like everyone keep bragging who's best and what without seeing conflict with the main char allignment.
From what i see in other threat you are thinking to play as Paladin. If you do you cant try using Jaheira, Minsc (he's gonna make you laugh with the talking sword after you obtain it from a quest), Nalia/Jan Jansen, Viconia (ALERT : Beware that Vic will leave your party if your party rep rise above 18)....or you may try Aerie if you can handle her constant bragging, Keldorn/Anomen. Valygar is a good choice also..but i don't like to use Cernd since he can't wear any armor and got unsatisfactory stats (in my humble view).

If you are playing evil or neutral allignment guys the you can try : Viconia, Edwin, Korgan, Jan Jansen, Jaheira or perhaps Yoshimo which you can trde for Imoen after the Asylum chapter.

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They can only kill me with golden bullet !

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 5:37 pm

I don't know about Edwin being the (best) every time i played Minsc always hacked Edwin to death .

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(I would betray the world before i let the world betray me.) Cao Cao 192 a.d.

[This message has been edited by Weasel (edited 12-18-2000).]

flinfman · Post by **flinfman** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 5:46 pm

On a similar note to Weasel's, Keldorn and Viconia will mix it up late in the game and that's not good. Mazzy+Gesen Bow= one badass halfling gal. Plus she's just cool, as is Minsc- they have a funny bit if you keep them together. Keldorn is a heck of a good fighter, and Jan can diffuse most traps and has a decent spell array. Valgar is also a good fighter, but taking him on depends on what type you're playing. If you're a fighter too, there's no reason to have him other than his quest (which nets some nice XP and stuff).

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 5:55 pm

flinfman is right,plus i believe Haer'Dalis will have a fight with the main cha over Aerie.

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(I would betray the world before i let the world betray me.) Cao Cao 192 a.d.

[This message has been edited by Weasel (edited 12-18-2000).]

flinfman · Post by **flinfman** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 6:11 pm

The only downside to smacking Haer down is Aerie leaves because of the violence, or so I've heard. Skip him and go with a real NPC, but that's my opinion. Personally, I figured a woman like her would be flattered by two guys fighting a duel over her, but maybe that's the hopeless romantic in me. Ahh, how I long for the days of yore...

On a similar yet unrelated note, has anyone played as a bard and performed their own play? That sounds like a lot of fun to have as a quest. Just wondering about anyone's thoughts on it.

EternalKnight · Post by **EternalKnight** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 9:39 pm

Wait, you guys are saying that Edwin and Minsc fight later in the game? Which mage should I just as a replacement then? I still need a mage in my party.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 9:47 pm

I would take Nalia(no this doesn't mean she is the best)followed by Imoen(if possible)then Jan.The only bad thing about Aerie is she has to level up in 2 class.Plus she will level out because of split exp.Mage level 13 Priest level 14.

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(I would betray the world before i let the world betray me.) Cao Cao 192 a.d.

[This message has been edited by Weasel (edited 12-18-2000).]