What affects the levels NPCs join at?

Funky Bob · Post by **Funky Bob** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:22 am

So, I know that pretty much every NPC has several different levels that they can first join your party at, but what is it exactly that affects which one of the levels they are when they come aboard? I'm asking because I'm trying to get some NPCs to join at a level where they're closer to my party. Jan, for example can join at levels 7/8 as well as 9/10, with something like 240,000 experience difference. However, even when I'm heading to the Govt. District for the first time with a party where everyone is at least level 9 or 10, he's always level 7/8.

So, what is the exact criteria that affects what level NPCs will be when they first join your group. Is it your PC's level, or the average party experience amount, or what? I've tried searching the forums and the internet but can't find much help.

Claudius · Post by **Claudius** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:11 am

I don't know this definatively (tested) but I always get higher levels when I am higher level. At some point it gets pretty silly though. For example if you pick people up very late in the game SURE they are much higher level than early in the game but they will be proportionally further behind the pc the later you take them on (in my observation...not rigorously tested)

Grombag · Post by **Grombag** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:19 am

I haven't tested it as well, but I do know it was for the original BG the level your main character was. The higher your level, the higher the level of the joining npc. Haven't tested this myself, but have the info of a walkthrough page.

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:47 am

From what I can tell, the game checks the average level of your group. This includes dual class levels and multi-class levels, as well. For example, a 4th level Thief dualled to a 12th level Mage is considered 8th level. So you should add up the levels of all the members of your party and divide by the total number of classes to find the average level of your party. I tested it a long time ago when I was trying to determine how to get Imoen back at 13th level in Spellhold; I did it by trial and error (adjusting levels with Shadowkeeper, adding and removing party members, etc.).

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:03 am

As I recall, the G3 fixpack gives you the option of hiring on NPCs at one level below that of your PC.

Saros · Post by **Saros** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:10 am

I am a fan of powergaming, so I have tested this many times. And I think that the maximum xp for an NPC in SOA to be joined is 1 200 000. This can be achieved if your main PC has hit the SOA xp cap - 2 950 000. On lower xp, I have met with some unfortunate results like joining Aerie with 800 000 xp.