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I have a question regarding character creation in a multiplayer game of BGII. I am playing with a friend on LAN and i have read several strategy guides for creation but they seem contradictory. One stated that a 4-man party with the 4-basic class (fighter, thief, mage, healer) was much more versitile and easier to mannage and lvl's up much more quickly. Another states that you should have 1 mage, 2 fighters, 1 healer, 1 thief, and either another mage or a ranger.

I am overwhelmed, if anyone has any advice on the #of party members or the involded class's make a post. Thanks.

Faeyron the Beserker

I started my fist game with a full party - got my ass kicked regularly. I actually discarded that game and started again.

My second party was 5:
PC (Undead Slayer)
Dw Beserker
Aerie
Yoshimo
and a rotating slot for various NPCs - finally settled with Mazzy (whom I tweaked to a Wizard Slayer via ShadowKeeper)

Aeire died (real good) , so I had Edwin for a while, until my rep got too high. Yoshimo "left" (bastard), so now I have:

PC (Undead Slayer)
Dw Beserker
Imoen
Mazzy

IMO, 4 is a perfect party size. Levels are reached quickly, and you can still pick up additional members for specific quests if necessary. Notice I'm not carrying a healer... hasn't been a problem yet - although since Mazzy can't use potions, it could be.

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"Pain heals,
chicks dig scars,
glory lasts forever."

I usually play with a group of 3 or 4, sometimes even 5. 4 is usually the best, with 5 characters one or two usually become idle characters that don't have much use in combat nor spell casting. Take thieves for example in a party of 5. You'll have at least one pure fighter and one partial fighter. Thieves can't cast spells and they don't have much role in combat with 2 fighters. Sure, backstabbs are nice but does it really matter when you have a big powerful group? In a party of 3 characters the situation is entirely, assasins for example can be very useful in combat if used correctly.

Currently I'm playing with an 100% elven group, all wearing elven armor and using "elf-like" weapons. I have a pure Fighter, Fighter/Thief, Ranger/Cleric and a Sorceror. They aren't immensily powerful, they don't have very low ACs but it's a damn cool and fun party to play

Funny, i am also currently playing an all elven party...PC assassin i have aerie and jahaira with me...although Jahaira is half-elf..she still looks like an elf damn-it

I also have an all dwarf party which means me and Korgan...now this is a fun duo. PC Barbarian and of course Korgan.

As far as party balance goes, I'd say:
2 melee-types
1 ranged attacker
1 mage
1 healer

Of course dual and multi classing can buy you a single character that can fill two slots. I have a great Dw Beserker for example, but a Dw Ftr/Cleric might have come in more handy.


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"Pain heals,
chicks dig scars,
glory lasts forever."

I'm really happy with the party I have now. Three created characters:

Mage / Cleric
Kensai
Swashbuckler | Fighter

Okay, so by now I'm thinking that a Beserker would have been a smarter choice, and possibly Assassin for my thief, since she's on bow support/single weapon. But, the levels go up surprisingly swiftly, and all of the characters actually help out in combat.

Small parties are definitely the way to go on the second or so run through the game. Do the first one with 6, just for the feel of it, then get the small squad of professionals in.

I'm having lots of fun with my PC (assassin), Keldorn, and Aerie. I plan to keep Imoen once I hit the asylum, but I haven't run into any terrible problems so far, and my assassin is leveling up at a kick ass rate.

I'd like less men to level quicker but my guys kick but

Monk [me]
Minsc
Swashbuckler/Thief
Viconia
Sorcerer
Ranger/Archer

My archer is in the very back but has the most kills and highest percentage. My monk is just now starting to kick but since got ogre power gauntlets and a sorc rocks over a wizard.

It depends on your game strategy and tactics. Check this forum. You will see that a lot of mages can make a short process with really powerful enemies. Such party will have 6 members probably. On the other hand, smaller party means faster progression in levels and more powerful enemies. The party of 3 members is a "pseudo soloing" party: a ususal fighter/mage/thief gets the same experience as 3 single/dual class characters. When deciding on the party members, consider the following:
1. The game is overtrapped and only a THIEF is able to remove traps. Therefore, some of your guys should be a thief or have a thief history.
2. Many extra nasty encounters can be solved by summoning reinforcements, some of your guys should be able of it. Either a CLERIC (Animade Dead, Aerial Servant, later on Gate) OR a MAGE (again Animate Dead, Mordekainen's Sword, Summon Fiend).
3. You must be able to cast defensive spells: Chaotic Commands and Resist Fear at least. Also, Lesser Restoration is necessary unless you have a party of 2 guys. Therefore, some of your guys should be a CLERIC.
I prefer a party of 3: ranger/CLERIC, kensai/MAGE and swashbuckler/FIGHTER.

I always play with NPCs, but if i would make my own party i would have one full mage, one Cleric (my PC is always Berzerker cleric making him healer and fighter), one full thief and probably 2 "tankers", as fighters always help in a fight. The last one woul probably be another defensive cleric, or maybe a mage. Bards suck totally and thieves i only use for their thiefskills, i let the fighters handle the fights and the thieves can use their bows to help if they must.

In my oppinion One mage, one healer, one thief and at least one fighter is a must. the 2 last slots can differ though.