probe53 wrote:my levels are around 7-9 i think (multi/dual class included)
1 priest
1 armored warrior
1 monk
1 archer
.... so... should i go meet the mistress at the graveyard instead or go gun-ho for windspear hills and help mr-rich and the dryads
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I think you should do some more quests before you meet the mistress at the Graveyard. In addition to the major quests (the Keep, Windspear Hills, Trademeet, Umar Hills, etc.) there are also many things you can do around Athkatla. Here are some suggestions:
Enter the Circus Tent in Waukeen's Promenade. Visit the upper floor of the Den of Seven Vales.
Loot the tombs in the Graveyard District, including the Lower Tombs. Look for opportunities to gain experience by talking to people while you're there.
Visit the back rooms of the Copper Coronet and the sewers below.
Go the Shadow Thief guild hall in the Docks District BEFORE you meet the mistress in the Graveyard.
Visit the Bridge District and look for quests.
Go to the Government District and look for people who need help.
Do some exploring in the City Gates area. Talk to people you meet.
Visit the Temple District and look for quests.
Visit the playhouse in the basement of the Five Flagons Inn in the Bridge District. (Save this one for last, or do it right before or right after you go to Windspear Hills.)
You don't have to do all of those things before you meet the mistress in the graveyard. I like to save some of the major sidequests for Chapter Six (after I have left Athkatla to rescue Imoen). When you're higher in level, the game adds extra traps and monsters to the areas you visit to make them more challenging, so in the end, you get more experience. Chapter Six is pretty short if you don't have any sidequests left to do, and the game is completely linear past Chapter Two if there aren't any sidequests left to do. Sidequests are a nice break from the main path, in my opinion.
I think you should also consider adding a Mage to your party. Many of the enemies you will meet use protection spells, and a Mage can dispel them quickly so your warriors can make the kill. Mages can also soften up your enemies with spells that weaken them or paralyze them, and at higher levels, Mages can cast deadly spells that can kill entire groups of enemies all at once.
You should also consider adding a Thief to your party. You'll need to get past a lot of locks and traps throughout the game. Also, if you have a Thief, you have a better chance of spotting hidden doors. For example, there are hidden doors in some of the taverns and inns.