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I recently began a new game as a Swashbuckling Thief. Currently I have Jaheria, Imoen (I just lost her, but im just going to go with 5 until I get her back), and Minsc in my party, and they are there for good (not switching them out for anyone for roleplaying reasons)

So I need 2 more people to fill out my party. I have 3 options that im considering.

Edwin
Viconia
or Keldorn

So I got some questions
Can a large party effectively (not a lot of reloads) make it through without a full fledged Cleric? I realize you can solo by stocking up on potions, but im thinking from the perspective of running a large party. The sheer number of resurrections and healing spells that will be needed outweigh Jaheria's limited capabilites meaning ill have to do lots of resting (which I abhore) right?

Im pretty much locked in with having Edwin since ill need a spell caster so I can avoid dealing with enemy mages with cheese tactics, but id also love to have Keldorn and the Holy Avenger, especially since when I go to ToB I can just switch Keldorn out for Saravok and not miss a bet (he promised his lonely wife to come home anyways right?)

I dont know, suggestions?

you definitely do not need a full cleric to beat the game, if you play well jaheira will do fine. out of your three choices i would go with edwin since you don't have a mage and keldorn. The only thing is you may have some problems because of the wide range of allignments in your party. If you are trying to make a really good party the people you have are not that great, but you can do whatever you want.

Im not exactly looking for a super party. That should be obvious considering the fact that I have 4 of the 6 slots locked in strictly for roleplay reasons. (roleplay being the keyword)

I think everyones beatin the game by powergaming forwards and backwards again. Not really an issue.

The thing with a Cleric is I HATE reloads. I almost always go with a Jaheria/Aerie combo or Viconia because Clerics make it muchless painful to just keep on truckin no matter your losses.

true, true. if you are really concerned with reloads then i would go ahead with viconia and not use keldorn. She is an amazing cleric and completely revitalize a broken down party.

Yeah, thats what im thinking. Alignment conflict isnt really an issue with Jaheria, Minsc, and Imeon. Obviously their loyalty is to me first.

But if I go with Viconia/Edwin, who do I replace with Saravok (who I also really want for RP value)? Off hand I would guess Edwin, letting Imeon take care of spell casting duties, but I know im going to hate to do that after investing all that time in Edwins spell book.

7 Person parties would have been much cooler (but then we'd ask for 8)

Originally posted by GNGSpam
Yeah, thats what im thinking. Alignment conflict isnt really an issue with Jaheria, Minsc, and Imeon. Obviously their loyalty is to me first.

But if I go with Viconia/Edwin, who do I replace with Saravok (who I also really want for RP value)? Off hand I would guess Edwin, letting Imeon take care of spell casting duties, but I know im going to hate to do that after investing all that time in Edwins spell book.

7 Person parties would have been much cooler (but then we'd ask for 8)

There is indeed a Company of Eight Mod that allows you to have 8 person parties.

As for who to replace, I will ditch Viccy for Sarevok (for practical reasons, Edwin has more spells), unless you have a romance with her.

I wish the mod JUST made 8 people parties available and didnt add all the other bells and whistles

Keldorn can take care of any mage. So you could bring Keldorn and Viconia and then have Imoen as your only mage later and let her take care of things when you send Keldorn home.

Oh dear. Nobody beat me to the gratuitous "You should include Kelsey" plug? I guess I'll just have to do it myself.

As I am telling everyone and anyone who asks anything remotely related to BG2...you should take Kelsey as one of your party members, of course!

http://www.forgottenwars.net/kelsey

Male human neutral good sorcerer. Romances the ladies. Chats with everybody. Tons of advice dialogue and interactions with "scenery" NPCs. What's not to like?

Originally posted by jcompton
What's not to like?

The terribly gay photo for one

Hmmm. Well, you could always drop in a photo of Wesley Snipes or something if it makes you feel better. Or, if you just want to snipe to make yourself feel better, that's your choice, too.

Poor jcompton, isn't that your own pic?
Relax, you don't look gay at all!
Nice work I have to add, it really has the BG2 feel.

Anyway, quite a polite reaction, I'm impressed!

Wynne (who also voiced Ceara and Lilla) retouched the pic significantly to "Baldurize" it, but yes, I posed for the original.

Sorry, I didnt mean to offend (though the comment obviously was offensive), but it OBVIOUSLY sticks out of all the other photos, he doesnt look cool at all in the photo like say the Ranger one (with the hood and bow, that Kivan used in BG1), or grizzled like Keldorns. I guess its because he does stick out so badly. Its hard for a guy in a normal photo to look like a hero.

And the guy does reek of lameness (discovering himself and all that jazz) which just compounds it. Dont know, just lacks entirely that "coolness" factor that id want in a male NPC. Maybe chicks dig him though, who knows. Some like the sensative type right?

right....

If you have installed TOB, then you NPC can wield the holy avenger as well. Besides, Keldorn's dex is crap...

Why limit yourself in party selection? Try to go to Umar Hills and Trademeet, and you will see some nice characters. Jan is a good character and you can never have too many thieves/illusionists around...