How is NPC joining level determined?

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:34 pm

I know you can grab NPCs at different levels, but what determines that level?

Is it Protagonist XP?

Is it Protagonist level?

Is it party level?

I ask because I want to grab Coran on as low a level as possible, so I can have as much influence over his Thief Skills and proficiencies as I can.

TIA

Spaceman · Post by **Spaceman** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:02 pm

I'm not really all that sure, my good fellow, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's purely down to how far you are though the game, you know? Whether this is based on what chapter you've come to, what the time is on your game clock or the experience/levels of your party, I haven't the foggiest, but I have always understood it to be something along those lines.

Darmort · Post by **Darmort** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:14 pm

Depends on when you leave Candlekeep as to Imoen's Level (Listen before you tell me I'm off topic). If you left when you had around 1000 Experience then she's Level I, if you left before then, then she's about Level II (with Traps and Stealth, not Pick-Pockets and Open Locks), this is so you've either go a strong Character to snipe things, or a weak one to snipe. Either way, one of you is more powerful.
Jahiera and Kalhied (curse their whininess!) start at whatever Level they are, usually Kalhied at around 100 Experience and Jahiera on the verge of Level II, unless you're Level II+, in which case they start growing in Levels (as does everyone). Characters like Ajantis, Branwen, Minsc, Dyanheir, Kivan and Vironica all depend on what Character level you are,

This Coran person (I need to find out who and where he is...) would probably be based along the same lines as Ajantis and Branwen, et cetera.

LordTerror · Post by **LordTerror** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:40 pm

It's based on the protagonist's level or exp (not sure which*). To confirm this, all you need to do is create a multi player game where the protagonist is level 1 and have a level 5+ join. Go get Imoen before you gain any exp, and you will notice she is level 1, too.

*According to Darmort's post, you can change Imoen's level without gaining a level. If this is true, then it must be exp based.

DaemonJ · Post by **DaemonJ** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:14 am

It is based upon the main character's XP.

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:52 pm

If I "squat" my PC's levels, can I reach NPCs at lower levels then?

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:02 am

Klorox wrote:If I "squat" my PC's levels, can I reach NPCs at lower levels then?

Try it and let us know if it works.

greg28j · Post by **greg28j** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:50 pm

I once had the same thought, so I started a new game ,then I CLUA consoled the cheat keys then ctrl+j to the area with coran.All this right from candlekeep with zero(0) XP. He starts with the same XP. IIRC it is 4/4.Unless your XP is higher than that, in that case , his XP will closely trail your own (PC).

The Angry Druid · Post by **The Angry Druid** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:15 pm

2 questions on this topic for me.

1) In original BG, how in the world does one get 1000 exp in Candlekeep, unless you fight with Obe all day?

2) I'm trying to get Khalid at Lvl 1, and protagonist Exp isn't working. I did it once by chance, but can't duplicate it, even when I have less exp, or more exp either. Are K&J inverted like Imoen, or do they come at a higher level if you are higher?

I can only come to the conclusion that the previous conclusion (that the protagonist's exp determines the level at which NPC's join) is false. Or at least there are more factors at work. Or does it vary with the class of the protagonist?

Can someone explain why I can get Khalid at with 384 exp with a fighter, but with a F/Th, I can have more or less exp and get him at level 2?

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:04 pm

2) Your XP don't count, only your level. Multiclasses are considered 1 level higher, so a multiclass character is always considered at least level2.

The Angry Druid · Post by **The Angry Druid** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:29 pm

kmonster wrote:2) Your XP don't count, only your level. Multiclasses are considered 1 level higher, so a multiclass character is always considered at least level2.

Ah. Thank you. I couldn't figure out why a character with less experience was generating higher level NPC's.

Nothing else is involved then. Protagonist level only, with the multi-class caveat?

I saw on another thread that if you wrack up a bunch of exp in Candlekeep (over 1,000), then Imoen is level one instead of level 2 when she joins. How can that be? (Is it a Tutu thing? Or just not true?).

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:43 pm

Imoen is quite simple. If you multiclass she's level 2, else level 1. It won't matter if you've 0 or 1000 XP.

The Angry Druid · Post by **The Angry Druid** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:55 pm

kmonster wrote:Imoen is quite simple. If you multiclass she's level 2, else level 1. It won't matter if you've 0 or 1000 XP.

Thanks, FWIW, I have learned the following.

1. Multiclass PC's (or NPC's) count as level 2, and there is no way Imoen, Xzar, or Khalid will be at level 1 when then join a multi-class PC's party (and possibly others as well).

2. PC level is not the only factor. The level/class/exp of the other party members also has an effect. An example:

A single class PC gets Imoen and Xzar at level one. Unless one does the Obe Trick, in which case they are at level 2. Take out the multi-classed and highest level exp NPC's (Osprey and Canderous) and she is at level 1 again. A similar thing happens with Khalid.

And it is the party at the time you enter the area that the prospective NPC is in that matters. Dropping high exp/level party members before initiating dialogue won't change a thing. But go into the area without them, and you are gold.

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:08 am

For those of you interested in mods there is the level1 NPC mod which allows you to shape any NPC in the way that you desire.
I can highly recommend it.