Well thought I'd follow up on Haer Dalis post since I have figured out how to equip and use him powerfully in SoA.
First off he can probably do something in any party since he is multi-talented. In my party I picked up and tried out various characters so sometimes he was on the front and sometimes the back.
Early: not the greatest fighter but once *katanas plus dakons zerth blade he could cast a good number of spells and had great defenses (this is before enemies can strip him of MI/stone rapidly). Kundane plus offensive spin also gave him enough attacks where he could do some damage in melee.
Middle: his rapid leveling table was great for spells and his thaco improves. About the same time he GETS 6th level spells he can use them as his contingency (somehow?). So PFMW kept him around in heavy melee. His flame arrows and skull traps, minor sequencer magic missile, then summon skeletal warriors (15th) were good.
Now: I have 2 other tanks Kheldorn (Carsomyr) and Valygar (Celestial Fury + Equalizer). That left the Crom Faeyr + Kundane to Haer Dalis
Now he has spell options (hasn't improved much from middle...just the casting level and a few more), can fight well without any other buff than stoneskins so saves those spells for offense/summoning/debuffing. When fighting gets heavy tensors and improved haste/offensive spin.
Crom Faeyr is good for Haer because he has access to offensive spin, kundane, improved haste, and dual wields BUT has a thaco problem. Yeah its good for other characters but I don't have them in my party and besides I think it rescues Haer from melee mediocrity while for other characters its just icing on the cake. Korgan can kill perfectly well with 18/75 str, rage, 5***** axes and frostreaver. Anomen has easy access to 25 str with the DUHM spell or righteous magic.
BTW my party:
Kheldorn 13th level (picked up after underdark...lack of planning)
role: dispeller and true seer, respectable warrior with Carsomyr, damage sink with bracers of dexterity, high charisma = party leader)
Valygar 17th level (scout, gorilla warfare....I am patient VERY patient...this man kills most everything unless I am dumped into an encounter OR a group of enemies is too dangerous (multiple casters). In this case I have a lot of spells to thrash the enemy with (on other party members) since Valygar has cleaned out the rest of the map and reduced wear and tear on my own spell casters...boots of speed + invis pots + Celestial Fury with Equalizer). Rule of thumb: NEVER lead the enemy to the party rather lead them somewhere vacant then hide around the corner
Haer - Dalis 23rd level Bard (loremaster, pickpocket, animater of dead and evoker/buffed warrior)
Aerie - 14th level Cleric/ 14th level Mage (with robes of vecna she is the early spell threat plus the only cleric) Greater Malisoner, endless spell slinger, fixer upper. Fragile so protect with cloak of mirroring plus note that Valygar cleans out the map of garbage monsters who might sneak through and damage her frail stoneskins (reflector shield prevents missile weapons
)
Imoen - 16th level Mage (Staff of Magi). Vulnerable to AoE disruption so frequent caster of MI or spell immunity: evocation. Summoner of Mordys. Death speller to give me that summoning edge. Animator of dead.
Nienor - 17th level Druid (Avenger). Long casting times but fantastic spells for crucial battles. Keep in back. Elemental Prince can tank everything I've encountered untill it expires. Insect plague is only 5th level and I have 3 of them plus 3 wondrous recalls. Natures beauty blinds everyone with no save and kills anyone who doesn't save! Energy blades just for fun. 6 x 7th level spell slots! I just don't understand people who say druids suck? Creeping Doom - whats more painful than being eaten by insects?
myrophine
