GameBanshee Forums

[QUOTE=lompo]Finally for your PC, Use CF and another weapon off hand (belm/kundane for extra attacs, Equalizer/arbane for protections, Dakkon Zerth for AC and spells, DoE for defense). Keep Daystar in one unused weapon slot, so you can still cast Sunray.[/QUOTE]

Kurdane is a good weapon but I would never change it instad for Celestial Fury - I love this weapon especially it's stuning ability. About extra attacks so I have Boot of Speed and Ring of Gaxx (if improved haste is needed) so it is nothing to worry.

[QUOTE=Coot]The best party is the party that brings the most fun.[/QUOTE]

That is absolutely correct. The pure fun part aside though, I have found a lineup that truly is optimal for me. When putting together a party, I aim for balance between the different skills and try to get "a bit of everything".

Korgan - IMO the best melee fighter. There are many good Axes (Fire, Ice) and Hammers (Thrower, CF) to be found in the game.

Mazzy - IMO the best ranged fighter, of course equipped with a Short Bow (Gesen, Tancheron's, Tuigan).

Jaheira - IMO the best Druid, as Cernd's transformation takes to much time anyway, and she doubles as a Fighter with Ironskin, Belm or Blackblood and a good Shield.

Anomen - IMO the best Cleric, as he blows up Undead directly rather than just charming them, and with his good STR, many HPs and (later on) ***** in Sling (Everard) and/or Flail (FoA) he makes a very good job as Fighter as well.

Jan - IMO the best Thief, as he's the only one that will progress in this Class. Also doubles as a Specialist Mage!

Edwin - IMO the best Mage due to his bonus spells and a restricted school you can live without.

That makes six already, so where does the PC come in? Simply make up the character you wanna play, and exclude the NPC above that is most like your PC.

[QUOTE=Wabbit]
has anyone played a two person party much? I get too lonely soloing, and I think the mechanics of the game work well for two - you have lead and support.[/QUOTE]

After I soloed SoA with my kensai/thief I picked up you-know-who in ToB and di the rest of the game with him. That was great fun! The two work very well together. No prissy mages or clerics, just two brothers with the ability to deal massive ammounts of damage, and survive anything Also, when you only play with one or two characters, you are sure to have all the best equipment for them since you don't have to share it with others. You will also have more money since you can sell alot of stuff

[QUOTE=Yeltsu]After I soloed SoA with my kensai/thief I picked up you-know-who in ToB and di the rest of the game with him. That was great fun! The two work very well together. No prissy mages or clerics, just two brothers with the ability to deal massive ammounts of damage, and survive anything Also, when you only play with one or two characters, you are sure to have all the best equipment for them since you don't have to share it with others. You will also have more money since you can sell alot of stuff[/QUOTE]
I wanted to try this aswell, but I can't seem to solo through SoA ....I tried an evoker...didn't work very well. Lots of reloads and that's no fun IMHO

I think soloing SoA is easier for a kensai/thief than it is for anyone else.

stelth - backstab - run like a rabid donkey with boots of speed

really fun though, I did pick up a party to do the guarded compound and get Celestial Fury though, but that was the only time.

kangaxx was a blast, simulacrum from that helmet + staff of rynn +4 + prot from undead.

The really hard part was activating my kensai levels, at the end I was grinding every single pice of exp I could get for it...

[QUOTE=Rudar Dimble]I wanted to try this aswell, but I can't seem to solo through SoA ....I tried an evoker...didn't work very well. Lots of reloads and that's no fun IMHO [/QUOTE]

You could just pay a bodyguard like Korgan to escort you for tough areas or something. You know, I'm starting to feel the game is a tour that the PC goes on, like a big game hunter on safari or when you've ridden a ride at Disneyland a lot of times and you know the turns.

[QUOTE=Wabbit]has anyone played a two person party much? I get too lonely soloing, and I think the mechanics of the game work well for two - you have lead and support.[/QUOTE]

For me, groups consisting of either 2 or 3 characters are the best ones. If you go solo, you're bound to end up missing something, and when you're 4 or more you get a little bit too slow exp, the battles becomes too slow when you have to assign every character to do something, and you really dont need them all.

Playing a Fighter/Thief and having Aerie assisting me with her Cleric/Mage spells is one of the best combos ever. One pure fighter and one pure caster. The levelup is pretty damn good and your fighter/thief will be able to wear anything (read Carsomyr and that armor of flesh thingy) while whirlwinding and Aerie will gain quite some spells as you're just having two characters. There's a lot of items that's useful for her as well.

I've played a fighter/cleric and a thief/mage as well. The effect wasn't as good as one above, but it was fun to have two characters that could cast spells and after some practice I came up with some really nice combos... And some pretty obvious, like Time Stop + Assassination... That one's insane, I tell you.

[QUOTE=The Chosen One]Kurdane is a good weapon but I would never change it instad for Celestial Fury - I love this weapon especially it's stuning ability. About extra attacks so I have Boot of Speed and Ring of Gaxx (if improved haste is needed) so it is nothing to worry. [/QUOTE]

Probably you haven't understood my suggestion: off course you have to keep CF (Celestial Fury), but as an off hand weapon those I suggested are much better than Daystar, which can remain useful if kept in your unused main hand weapon slot, so you can still cast Sunray.

About extra attack, you should have 3,5 att/rnd (if you have already reached 13th lev.) with the gear you have (assuming that you are specialized in katanas), thus belm/kundane will definetly improve your offence (the extra attack being with CF), while the other options are more defence oriented, but that is just personal choice, all are worthy.

[QUOTE=Astafas]That is absolutely correct. The pure fun part aside though, I have found a lineup that truly is optimal for me. When putting together a party, I aim for balance between the different skills and try to get "a bit of everything".[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=astafas]Anomen - IMO the best Cleric...[/QUOTE]

Intressting theory...but I must disagree about Anomen - Viconia is better

[QUOTE=lompo]Probably you haven't understood my suggestion...[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I gess I haven't But now I understand...
Chosen

[QUOTE=The Chosen One]Intressting theory...but I must disagree about Anomen - Viconia is better [/QUOTE]

If you want a discussion in this matter you should come up with some reasons for your opinion. You could for example mention Vic's higher DEX, which gives her a better AC. Or her MR, which makes her partly immune to spells. Or her higher WIS, which gives her more divine spells.

Still, I find much more use of Anomen with his fighting skills and his good-aligned Turn Undead than of the physically weaker Vic. A few good hits on Vic and she goes down. A few good hits on Anomen and he will stomp you to the ground. Vinconia still is cuter though...

I also perfer Viconia, but that's mainly because I've never really given Anomen a chance. He annoys me to death, with his ridiculous voice and oh-so-chevalrious (? xD) manner. I just can not turn down the talk option with too many stupid novells.

[QUOTE=Thrifalas]I also perfer Viconia, but that's mainly because I've never really given Anomen a chance. He annoys me to death, with his ridiculous voice and oh-so-chevalrious (? xD) manner. I just can not turn down the talk option with too many stupid novells. [/QUOTE]
I agree with you on the voice...it's horrible

[QUOTE=Thrifalas]I also perfer Viconia, but that's mainly because I've never really given Anomen a chance. He annoys me to death, with his ridiculous voice and oh-so-chevalrious (? xD) manner. I just can not turn down the talk option with too many stupid novells. [/QUOTE]

Hehe, neither can I. But I've always gotten a chance to apologize afterwards.

[QUOTE=Astafas]If you want a discussion in this matter you should come up with some reasons for your opinion. You could for example mention Vic's higher DEX, which gives her a better AC. Or her MR, which makes her partly immune to spells. Or her higher WIS, which gives her more divine spells[/QUOTE]

Där ser man. Sorry if I had no reasons but if you've played SoA you should understand what I meen without any reasons from my side.
A discussion? No, I just said my opinion.

[QUOTE=The Chosen One]Där ser man. Sorry if I had no reasons but if you've played SoA you should understand what I meen without any reasons from my side.
A discussion? No, I just said my opinion. [/QUOTE]

Surprisingly many opinions get more interesting when backed up by reasons...

[QUOTE=Astafas]Surprisingly many opinions get more interesting when backed up by reasons... [/QUOTE]

Well in that case you are right

[QUOTE=Astafas]That is absolutely correct. The pure fun part aside though, I have found a lineup that truly is optimal for me. When putting together a party, I aim for balance between the different skills and try to get "a bit of everything".

Korgan - IMO the best melee fighter. There are many good Axes (Fire, Ice) and Hammers (Thrower, CF) to be found in the game.

Mazzy - IMO the best ranged fighter, of course equipped with a Short Bow (Gesen, Tancheron's, Tuigan).

Jaheira - IMO the best Druid, as Cernd's transformation takes to much time anyway, and she doubles as a Fighter with Ironskin, Belm or Blackblood and a good Shield.

Anomen - IMO the best Cleric, as he blows up Undead directly rather than just charming them, and with his good STR, many HPs and (later on) ***** in Sling (Everard) and/or Flail (FoA) he makes a very good job as Fighter as well.

Jan - IMO the best Thief, as he's the only one that will progress in this Class. Also doubles as a Specialist Mage!

Edwin - IMO the best Mage due to his bonus spells and a restricted school you can live without.

That makes six already, so where does the PC come in? Simply make up the character you wanna play, and exclude the NPC above that is most like your PC.[/QUOTE]

Viconia is the best cleric! She has high Dex, high Wis, 65% magic resistence! Cast limited wish and get a free undead army! Just because Anomen was a former fighter doesn't make him better in combat or a better cleric.

[QUOTE=mbz]Viconia is the best cleric! She has high Dex, high Wis, 65% magic resistence! Cast limited wish and get a free undead army! Just because Anomen was a former fighter doesn't make him better in combat or a better cleric.[/QUOTE]

IMO it does indeed. He got less spells alright, but he will stand his ground much better in combat. His high STR (To Hit and Damage bonuses), CON (HP bonus), the Fighter THAC0 and the ability to Grand Master (*****) make him a far superior fighter. So it really depends on what you want, a pure spellcasting Cleric or a more fighter oriented one.

Plus his turn undead ability gets absolutely nasty after he's gained a few levels. In the Temple Ruins the shadows literally explode, with him just standing there turning undead.