It would have to include Characters available throughout the game, once they join (excluding Imoen and briefly disappearing NPCs from the exclusion). So no Keldorn, a good PC won't force him to abandon his family, and he shouldn't continue with a Neutral or Evil PC after the Unseeing Eye quest. No Yoshimo obviously.
Good:
PC - Berserker/Thief
Aerie
Jaheira
Nalia
Imoen
Mazzy
Evil:
PC - Elven F/M/T
Korgan
Edwin
Viconia
Anything Goes:
PC - Berserker/Mage (DC)
Edwin
Nalia
Aerie
Imoen
Jan
The simple truth is six arcane casters will make mincemeat out of any other combo, and totally destroy the game, it's simply the ultimate cheese party.
What's your ultimate, completely legal, power party?
my best party ever
I never took Edwin with me and never missed him.
At the moment I'm playing with a Gnome illusionist.
1. Keldorn, crasomnyr
2. Anomen, best combo of fighter and spellcaster
3. protagonist
4. aerie, for her combo of almost all spells.
5. Valygar/Minsc, swich to wichone you like most
6. Jan, only good thief in complete game
I never tried doing an evil party, always playing good although it is somehow a bit easy sometimes. my other best party was:
1. Protagonist: Dwarf berserker
2. Minsc
3. Aerie
4. imoen
5. Anomen
6. valygar
wasn't my best party ever but it worked out very well.
I never took Edwin with me and never missed him.
At the moment I'm playing with a Gnome illusionist.
1. Keldorn, crasomnyr
2. Anomen, best combo of fighter and spellcaster
3. protagonist
4. aerie, for her combo of almost all spells.
5. Valygar/Minsc, swich to wichone you like most
6. Jan, only good thief in complete game
I never tried doing an evil party, always playing good although it is somehow a bit easy sometimes. my other best party was:
1. Protagonist: Dwarf berserker
2. Minsc
3. Aerie
4. imoen
5. Anomen
6. valygar
wasn't my best party ever but it worked out very well.
"certainty of death, small chance of succes, what are we waiting for?", Gimli, son of Gloin
I play a good alignment most of the time and prefer mages so this is my team:
Kensai (7) / Mage X (until the end of the game)
Minsc - a good ranger even if he is a bit dumb
Jaheria - the ultimate druid and harper
Imoen - (when she returns - I try to get her back as soon as possible - the fastest I ever got the 20,000 gp was 55 days into BG2).
Aerie - oh so powerful - if you are patient - a cleric and mage (most powerful magic user in the game.)
Mazzy - my short tank - very powerful and almost a paladin - can't go wrong with a paladin
Jan - before Imoen's return - best thief /mage in the game - always funny to bring along.
All the characters can cast spells be it divine or mage spells. By the end no one can actually stop them - and Aerie has if not the most then at least comes in second in kill count of all the characters (without using high skills/power gained in ToB).
Kensai (7) / Mage X (until the end of the game)
Minsc - a good ranger even if he is a bit dumb
Jaheria - the ultimate druid and harper
Imoen - (when she returns - I try to get her back as soon as possible - the fastest I ever got the 20,000 gp was 55 days into BG2).
Aerie - oh so powerful - if you are patient - a cleric and mage (most powerful magic user in the game.)
Mazzy - my short tank - very powerful and almost a paladin - can't go wrong with a paladin
Jan - before Imoen's return - best thief /mage in the game - always funny to bring along.
All the characters can cast spells be it divine or mage spells. By the end no one can actually stop them - and Aerie has if not the most then at least comes in second in kill count of all the characters (without using high skills/power gained in ToB).
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magnumsandwich
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:48 am
- Contact:
Just the trusty ol' monk
Level: 39 (import from ToB)
thac0:-9
magic resistance:127
poison resistance:100
Abilities:1x whirlwind
9x Greater whirlwind
1x deathblow
3x greater deathblow
1x toughness
1x smite
2x critical strike
Generic SoA abilities (& slayer)
AC: -15
I killed all dragons on SoA & ToB and it was easy.
Level: 39 (import from ToB)
thac0:-9
magic resistance:127
poison resistance:100
Abilities:1x whirlwind
9x Greater whirlwind
1x deathblow
3x greater deathblow
1x toughness
1x smite
2x critical strike
Generic SoA abilities (& slayer)
AC: -15
I killed all dragons on SoA & ToB and it was easy.
BG: lvl 8 fighter
BG-ToSC:lvl 9 fighter
BG2-SoA: lvl 16 monk
BG2-ToB: lvl 39 super-monk!
BG-ToSC:lvl 9 fighter
BG2-SoA: lvl 16 monk
BG2-ToB: lvl 39 super-monk!
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wise grimwald
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:56 am
- Contact:
My ultimate team consists only from spellcasters + one thief for trap disarming etc.
1. protagoist- mage/cleric
2. Aerie
3. Viconia- good mr and early hard summons like aerial servants that can kill nearly any creature in early game.
4. Edwin- with robe of Vekna for outrunning enemy mages.
5. Imoen- another mage for fire support or for "another spell that is so needed now"
6. Jan.
I always keep my mages in stoneskin and with melf's meteors. As Aerie and protagonist have good THA0 they often score critical hits with meteors. Viconia with all the best armor/weapon can be good frontliner if you wish (even better with buffs), but with good mage spell choice she has little job to do. This is a sort of "blitzkrieg" party which deal huge amounts of damage every round. I just keep my mages in stone skin and ghost armor, cast mirror images if needed. Before rest and travel invisibility 10" is a MUST
The mid-game strategy: Hided Jan with summons like skeletons and aerial servants scouts the territory, (casting haste helps tearing evetything apart), then mages deal with all that left using area spells or meteors for close combat.
With this party of spellcasters I survived in such circumstances that all my other mixed class parties would surely perish.
P.S. surely no cheating like mass skull traps/traps etc.
1. protagoist- mage/cleric
2. Aerie
3. Viconia- good mr and early hard summons like aerial servants that can kill nearly any creature in early game.
4. Edwin- with robe of Vekna for outrunning enemy mages.
5. Imoen- another mage for fire support or for "another spell that is so needed now"
6. Jan.
I always keep my mages in stoneskin and with melf's meteors. As Aerie and protagonist have good THA0 they often score critical hits with meteors. Viconia with all the best armor/weapon can be good frontliner if you wish (even better with buffs), but with good mage spell choice she has little job to do. This is a sort of "blitzkrieg" party which deal huge amounts of damage every round. I just keep my mages in stone skin and ghost armor, cast mirror images if needed. Before rest and travel invisibility 10" is a MUST
The mid-game strategy: Hided Jan with summons like skeletons and aerial servants scouts the territory, (casting haste helps tearing evetything apart), then mages deal with all that left using area spells or meteors for close combat.
With this party of spellcasters I survived in such circumstances that all my other mixed class parties would surely perish.
P.S. surely no cheating like mass skull traps/traps etc.
I have always had lots of luck with the following party
1. PC paladin/cav
2. Minsc
3. Mazzy
4. Imoen/Yosh until spellhold
5. Jaheria/Viconia
6. Aerie
Jaheria/Viconia is a toss up but you need a better healer than just Aerie at least until the start of ToB. Minsc with the Silver Sword is just all kinds of win and Mazzy with the Crom and SSoMask just mows people down. The PC with the holy avenger with protection from evil and immunity to fear and fear removal is just gross with the proper gear they are also 95% fire/acid immune irc. Spells tend towards disables and breach's.
1. PC paladin/cav
2. Minsc
3. Mazzy
4. Imoen/Yosh until spellhold
5. Jaheria/Viconia
6. Aerie
Jaheria/Viconia is a toss up but you need a better healer than just Aerie at least until the start of ToB. Minsc with the Silver Sword is just all kinds of win and Mazzy with the Crom and SSoMask just mows people down. The PC with the holy avenger with protection from evil and immunity to fear and fear removal is just gross with the proper gear they are also 95% fire/acid immune irc. Spells tend towards disables and breach's.
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Rancid Sushi
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:33 am
- Contact:
PC: Ranger/Cleric (Crom Faeyr + Flail of Ages, main tank, healing spells)
Keldorn (Carsomyr, mage killer/2nd tank)
Jaheira (Romance, tank support/healing spells, staff of the Woodlands/Ram/Ixil's spear. Would be Viconia but she can't get along with Keldorn)
Edwin (Staff of the Magi)
Yoshimo/Imoen (thief skills)
I'm often tempted to include Haer'Dalis but he doesn't really contribute much. He's a fun character, just not essential. He's especially hilarious when Aerie is in the party. I can't help but grin like an idiot when I think of how Aerie dumped my PC for Haer'Dalis, only to break up with him too after she sees through his sweet words to find that he's actually The Joker-lite as he only cares about chaos. Typical stupid girl falling head-over-heels for some smooth-talking jerk. Okay, rant over. Back to the party specifics.
I chose a Ranger/Cleric because it just feels more fresh and original than the tired old Kensai/Mage. The other characters I've chosen so that the best weapons and items in the game can be usable by at least some one in the party. I don't like going for 6 members because of exp. rationing. Also the characters themselves are pretty good too. Come to think of it, the only reason I keep Imoen is for role-playing purposes. It just feels wrong that a good-aligned PC would dump her after growing up with her and fighting so hard to rescue her.
Keldorn (Carsomyr, mage killer/2nd tank)
Jaheira (Romance, tank support/healing spells, staff of the Woodlands/Ram/Ixil's spear. Would be Viconia but she can't get along with Keldorn)
Edwin (Staff of the Magi)
Yoshimo/Imoen (thief skills)
I'm often tempted to include Haer'Dalis but he doesn't really contribute much. He's a fun character, just not essential. He's especially hilarious when Aerie is in the party. I can't help but grin like an idiot when I think of how Aerie dumped my PC for Haer'Dalis, only to break up with him too after she sees through his sweet words to find that he's actually The Joker-lite as he only cares about chaos. Typical stupid girl falling head-over-heels for some smooth-talking jerk. Okay, rant over. Back to the party specifics.
I chose a Ranger/Cleric because it just feels more fresh and original than the tired old Kensai/Mage. The other characters I've chosen so that the best weapons and items in the game can be usable by at least some one in the party. I don't like going for 6 members because of exp. rationing. Also the characters themselves are pretty good too. Come to think of it, the only reason I keep Imoen is for role-playing purposes. It just feels wrong that a good-aligned PC would dump her after growing up with her and fighting so hard to rescue her.
Now, I don't know about any "ultimate" party composition, but I can tell you the first two I beat the game with and had a great time doing so with.
1st:
Me: Half Elf Assassin
Imoen
Jaheira
Aerie - romance
Minsc
Keldorn
2nd:
Me: Human Wizard Slayer
Imoen
Jan
Viconia - romance
Cernd
Minsc
As you can see, I like to play the less common pure classes. Other than the god-mode class of this game (Ranger/Cleric multi), I don't like playing dual/multi classes. I'm not much of a power-gamer, personally; I prefer to play the game from a role-playing point of view rather than a "kill this faster" view.
I'm re-installing BG2 now, and I'm currently thinking about what I want my party to look like. What I always think about first is who I want to have as my romantic interest. Once I figure this out, I can decide who else I should take.
For example, if I want Viconia as a romantic partner, I have two choices. One, I make a purely evil party consisting of Korgan, Edwin, and her plus myself. The second option is that I can make sure that my party consists of no NPCs that will argue with her, and plan my reputation gains beforehand.
For Aerie, I might want a good aligned party. Or, I just need to plan to exclude Korgan and Haer' Dalis(if I want to avoid personal conflict).
My decision when I take Jaheira is usually based from a role-playing standpoint, and if I take her I'm likely taking Minsc, Imoen, and Viconia for old times sakes.
/end rant
EDIT: I forgot the most recent time I beat the game, though admittedly it's not much different than the first party I beat the game with (my Assassin). Instead of Aerie, I had Jan, and instead of playing an Assassin, I beat it as a Half-elf Swashbuckler.
Yes, I love Half-elves. Would have made the Wizard Slayer a Half-elf, but I thought I was going to dual-class at about 14 and I decided not to.
1st:
Me: Half Elf Assassin
Imoen
Jaheira
Aerie - romance
Minsc
Keldorn
2nd:
Me: Human Wizard Slayer
Imoen
Jan
Viconia - romance
Cernd
Minsc
As you can see, I like to play the less common pure classes. Other than the god-mode class of this game (Ranger/Cleric multi), I don't like playing dual/multi classes. I'm not much of a power-gamer, personally; I prefer to play the game from a role-playing point of view rather than a "kill this faster" view.
I'm re-installing BG2 now, and I'm currently thinking about what I want my party to look like. What I always think about first is who I want to have as my romantic interest. Once I figure this out, I can decide who else I should take.
For example, if I want Viconia as a romantic partner, I have two choices. One, I make a purely evil party consisting of Korgan, Edwin, and her plus myself. The second option is that I can make sure that my party consists of no NPCs that will argue with her, and plan my reputation gains beforehand.
For Aerie, I might want a good aligned party. Or, I just need to plan to exclude Korgan and Haer' Dalis(if I want to avoid personal conflict).
My decision when I take Jaheira is usually based from a role-playing standpoint, and if I take her I'm likely taking Minsc, Imoen, and Viconia for old times sakes.
/end rant
EDIT: I forgot the most recent time I beat the game, though admittedly it's not much different than the first party I beat the game with (my Assassin). Instead of Aerie, I had Jan, and instead of playing an Assassin, I beat it as a Half-elf Swashbuckler.
Yes, I love Half-elves. Would have made the Wizard Slayer a Half-elf, but I thought I was going to dual-class at about 14 and I decided not to.
Boo will have clean wood shavings you evil bastards! -Minsc
Luke Schenn will make you pregnant with a glance. Caution is advised.
Luke Schenn will make you pregnant with a glance. Caution is advised.
The "best" party I've played with was:
Anomen (Romance): Fail of the Ages + Shield = Impressive Tank
Valygar: Backstabber extraordinaire
PC: Fighter GM in Longbows dualed to Mage at Level 9. Similcrum/Vhailor's Helm + Timestop scroll + Arrows of Denotation = Loads of Fun
Jan>Imoen: Thievery and supplemental caster
Anomen (Romance): Fail of the Ages + Shield = Impressive Tank
Valygar: Backstabber extraordinaire
PC: Fighter GM in Longbows dualed to Mage at Level 9. Similcrum/Vhailor's Helm + Timestop scroll + Arrows of Denotation = Loads of Fun
Jan>Imoen: Thievery and supplemental caster
My personal favourite party neutral/evil style:
PC : male CN Sorcerer/Wild Mage/Conjurer/Mage (Doesn't matter which)
Viconia
Korgan (ToB -> Sarevok)
Jaheira
Haer'Dalis
Jan
Been to the Underdark with that party but stopped because I got another new game. Sadly Dragon Age got boring fast...
Good party albeit I like my neutral/evil more, have not played it much just messing around in Athkatla:
PC: female LG Undead Hunter or Cavalier
Imoen
Mazzy
Valygar
Jaheira
Anomen (passing his test + Romance)
My very first party imported from BG 1 back in the good old days:
PC: male CG elven F/M
Aerie -> Romance and child
Jaheira
Anomen
Imoen
Minsc
Edit:
Elaborating as to why I think my party is one of the strongest legit parties available:
PC: Arcane casters with access to level 7-9 spells are the most overpowered characters in the game. I did mod my installation quite a bit to reduce available cheese so the field between the characters has been made more even but arcane casters are still the strongest at very high levels.
Which leads us to Haer'Dalis and Jan. Jan is an illusionst/thief with access to the strongest HLAs and the strongest spells ingame. Having thief abilities makes him extremly versatile and thanks to access to backstab and Assasination can be very strong in melee with poper buffing.
Haer'Dalis is among the strongest melee fighters with his spins and access to strong self buffs via arcane magics. Imp. Haste, MI, Contingency, Stoneskins, Imp. Invis, etc.
Both need some proper micro managment but if they receive that their performance is sky rocketing.
Let's proceed to our 2 divine casters, Jaheira and Viconia.
Jaheira is among the best tanks ingame, especially for fodder she is better than Haer'dalis thanks to better AC and more HP and less need for buffs. With a mod I grant her Grandmastery in Clubs and maxed Sword and Shield style. While she could dish out more damage as dual wielder, she has the dilemma that to get dual wield to a decent level she either need a solid SK editing or a lot of level ups for it delaying grandmaster proficiency in clubs a very long time but since it gives also another attack the benefit is questionable especially since I use her as tank.
Viconia is the best non-good cleric ingame no contest imho.
While Aerie might have a lead late in ToB thanks to acces to high level arcane magics Viconia beats her in total spell per day on the cleric side and her Turn Undead ability is a lot better as well if you can cope with her controlling undead instead of chunking.
Anomen got a bit better melee capabilites but without passing his test he is a terrible priest and even with is behind Viconia purely speaking of clerical capabilites and her MR is something he cannot hope to emulate whatsoever. Viconia can reach 100% MR and with Shield of Reflection she is nearly unharmable by ranged assaults.
And lastly Korgan, probably one of the strongest melee characters even more powerful than Minsc and Valygar imho.
Giving him 3 slots in Dual Wield and Ring of Gaxx with true grandmastery in axes and some points in Warhammers -> Wielding Crom Fayer and Axe of the Uyielding turn him a murderous bastard.
His Berserk ability give him some immense immunities as well like Maze, Psionic Blasts, etc.
Sarevok is even stronger, but available only in ToB, albeit he lacks the Berserker immunities but can use any ranged weapon albeit that's hardly a concern.
PC : male CN Sorcerer/Wild Mage/Conjurer/Mage (Doesn't matter which)
Viconia
Korgan (ToB -> Sarevok)
Jaheira
Haer'Dalis
Jan
Been to the Underdark with that party but stopped because I got another new game. Sadly Dragon Age got boring fast...
Good party albeit I like my neutral/evil more, have not played it much just messing around in Athkatla:
PC: female LG Undead Hunter or Cavalier
Imoen
Mazzy
Valygar
Jaheira
Anomen (passing his test + Romance)
My very first party imported from BG 1 back in the good old days:
PC: male CG elven F/M
Aerie -> Romance and child
Jaheira
Anomen
Imoen
Minsc
Edit:
Elaborating as to why I think my party is one of the strongest legit parties available:
PC: Arcane casters with access to level 7-9 spells are the most overpowered characters in the game. I did mod my installation quite a bit to reduce available cheese so the field between the characters has been made more even but arcane casters are still the strongest at very high levels.
Which leads us to Haer'Dalis and Jan. Jan is an illusionst/thief with access to the strongest HLAs and the strongest spells ingame. Having thief abilities makes him extremly versatile and thanks to access to backstab and Assasination can be very strong in melee with poper buffing.
Haer'Dalis is among the strongest melee fighters with his spins and access to strong self buffs via arcane magics. Imp. Haste, MI, Contingency, Stoneskins, Imp. Invis, etc.
Both need some proper micro managment but if they receive that their performance is sky rocketing.
Let's proceed to our 2 divine casters, Jaheira and Viconia.
Jaheira is among the best tanks ingame, especially for fodder she is better than Haer'dalis thanks to better AC and more HP and less need for buffs. With a mod I grant her Grandmastery in Clubs and maxed Sword and Shield style. While she could dish out more damage as dual wielder, she has the dilemma that to get dual wield to a decent level she either need a solid SK editing or a lot of level ups for it delaying grandmaster proficiency in clubs a very long time but since it gives also another attack the benefit is questionable especially since I use her as tank.
Viconia is the best non-good cleric ingame no contest imho.
While Aerie might have a lead late in ToB thanks to acces to high level arcane magics Viconia beats her in total spell per day on the cleric side and her Turn Undead ability is a lot better as well if you can cope with her controlling undead instead of chunking.
Anomen got a bit better melee capabilites but without passing his test he is a terrible priest and even with is behind Viconia purely speaking of clerical capabilites and her MR is something he cannot hope to emulate whatsoever. Viconia can reach 100% MR and with Shield of Reflection she is nearly unharmable by ranged assaults.
And lastly Korgan, probably one of the strongest melee characters even more powerful than Minsc and Valygar imho.
Giving him 3 slots in Dual Wield and Ring of Gaxx with true grandmastery in axes and some points in Warhammers -> Wielding Crom Fayer and Axe of the Uyielding turn him a murderous bastard.
His Berserk ability give him some immense immunities as well like Maze, Psionic Blasts, etc.
Sarevok is even stronger, but available only in ToB, albeit he lacks the Berserker immunities but can use any ranged weapon albeit that's hardly a concern.