Rate this good-aligned party:

Impaler987 · Post by **Impaler987** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 1:41 pm

Rate this good-aligned custom party:

1. Inquisitor (charismatic party leader and main tank)
2. Elven Archer
3. Elven Stalker (scout, backstabber, good at melee and also a good backup archer)
4. Human Ranger (duals to Cleric at 13)
5. Human Swashbuckler (duals to Mage at 10)
6. Half-elven Cleric/Mage (fills the spellcasting and undead-turning duties until the Ranger and Swashbuckler dual, then becomes backup)

Alson · Post by **Alson** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 3:53 pm

That's a very strong party, Impaler!

Just one suggestion - instead of making a custom Stalker, take Valygar. He'll fit to your party leader, Roleplaying-wise (they both hate dark magic), he comes with a great personal armor, which can be improved by the Item Upgrade Mod (by Wes), and he's an NPC, which is more fun at general.

Great party, nevertheless.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 4:41 pm

Excellent party, though IMO you might not need so many spellcasters. That's probably just because I like to play with physical damage, so nevermind. Two other ideas:

1) Perhaps you should just have a plain Sorcerer instead of a cleric/mage? The lack of cleric can be replaced with resting, and it's not hard for a ranger to get to lvl. 13 with the amount of XP in Athkatla alone.

2) Have you considered giving the plain ranger a kit before dualling? Or maybe you could make him a berserker/cleric (somewhat like Anomen)

Impaler987 · Post by **Impaler987** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 6:53 pm

Originally posted by The Z
2) Have you considered giving the plain ranger a kit before dualling? Or maybe you could make him a berserker/cleric (somewhat like Anomen)

Well, if I didn't have ToB I'd probably make that ranger/aspiring cleric a stalker as well. I've heard stalker/clerics are the one class in SoA that competed with the kensai/mage for pure cheesiness, except the stalker/cleric dual actually makes role-playing sense somewhat. But since I do have ToB, I can't dual a stalker (or an archer). Only ranger kit that can dual w/ ToB is the beastmaster. And IMO, the plain ranger/cleric is a better choice than the beastmaster/cleric; in fact, it's the best cleric possible.

And the berserker/cleric is definitely great; easily the best choice for a neutral or evil cleric. Berserker/druids are awesome, too, for neutral characters. But as far as the good guys are concerned, there's just something about an actual cleric who can turn the undead, cast Insect Plague, Iron Skins, and Nature's Beauty (as improper as those spells are compared to a PnP ranger/cleric), can hide in shadows if need be, dual-wields for free, and holds a grudge against a certain species.

Speaking of which, oops, I forgot, all 3 rangers' racial enemy is demonic/fell (to more than make up for the lack of a cavalier, very important for ToB).

Alson · Post by **Alson** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 1:24 am

Originally posted by Impaler987
Well, if I didn't have ToB I'd probably make that ranger/aspiring cleric a stalker as well.

You can still play a stalker/cleric in ToB.
All you need to do is to go to the override folder, find the file called DUALCALS.2DA, scroll down until you see STALKER, and change the 0 in the second column (the Cleric's column) to 1, just like the beastmaster has a 1 there.
Voila, now your stalker can dual to a cleric!

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 2:47 am

Very good party indeed if you
1) don't care about the NPCs
2) are a powerplayer.

I probably would dual the Ranger already at level 9, as I prefer PCs that realise their potential a bit earlier.

Also, I think the Ranger/Cleric (with Stoneskin and Cleric spells to enhance his battle skills, and with backup both from an Archer and a backstabbing Stalker) should do more than well as your melee fighter. Therefor, I would switch the Inquisitor (have your Mages memorize a few Dispel Magic if you feel like it) for a Skald (good songs already from start) or a Blade (more combat oriented). The Enhanced Bard Song (as well as the Skald Song, should you go for a Skald) is awesome. Finally, the Bard can use Carsomyr after obtaining UAI, should you not want to leave this sword behind. Before that, there is the Silver Sword...

Mirk · Post by **Mirk** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 5:16 am

exellent all-hero party! well-balanced and powerfull. one change i'd introduce is swiping the cleric-mage for a bard/bard kit (blade?). i actually don't like bards, but your line-up pretty much calls for one, especially with the switch to back-up role afterwards - improved bard song, anyone? as for lack of cleric early on - well, with your fighter-heavy party, you don't need one.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 5:22 am

I'm just curious: did you create all your party members despite BG2's party NPCs having their own quests, or because you didn't care for 'em?

Impaler987 · Post by **Impaler987** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 5:43 am

Originally posted by fable
I'm just curious: did you create all your party members despite BG2's party NPCs having their own quests, or because you didn't care for 'em?

Nah, this is just a theoretical party. However, if I were to play a multiplayer game w/ someone, then I would have a good idea of what we should shoot for.

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 10:31 pm

It can be good fun to play with a self created party. I second Astafas and recommend bringing a Skald or a Blade into your party. If you are a powergamer you could bring say four Skalds.
This would be ann unstoppable party.
Elven FMT
Half-elven RC
Skald
Skald
Skald
Skald

They have access to all skills plus with the bards singing their song no one will hardly ever get hurt abd the two non bards will deliver ridiculous amount of damage.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 11:00 pm

Originally posted by Bruce Lee
I second Astafas and recommend bringing a Skald or a Blade into your party.

He he, we always agree on that one...